Raise your trowels and cheer!

It's here! Raise your trowels and cheer! It's spring and it's sprung! After what has seemed

like an endless winter, we are through the tunnel and facing the sun with upturned faces. It's spring! My miniature daffodils are blooming and things are sending out tender green shoots. It's time to dust off the garden gloves and get out there.

The grass is looking a bit shaggy and could use a mow. While you're out there, lime the grass after the cutting. Assess the moss situation and see if you should apply moss killer, or do you want to rake it out? Or like us, does it not really matter to you as long as it's green? Rake up the rhododendron leaves that have fallen; these are probably best destined to the city green bin.

They take a long time to break down, but if you have a few years to spare, they could go in your own compost. While you're at the compost bin, you might want to give it a turn, or dig some out and apply it to the top of your veggie plot before digging it over. Keep your eyes out for slugs, snails and big fat cut worms. Off with their heads! Pop weeds abound right now - they have a small white flower and tons of small round leaves. I'm not sure of their proper botanical name, but what I am sure of is they are prolific seeders and need to be nipped in the bud. If for no other reason but to catch these fellows before they seed, get outside.

I saw some dandilions the other day; all decked out in huge yellow blossoms. Seek them out, as well, and they also should be destined for the city green bin. They have an uncanny ability to continue to go to seed in our compost, and seldom do we reach hot enough temperatures in our home compost bins to cook them.

It is time to plant sweet peas and green peas, garlic, broad beans and you might want to go for the potatoes, as well. Most flowers and vegetable seeds, such as tomatoes should be started inside now, if you haven't already. Start them inside on a sunny window and don't let them dry out.

And last, but not least, our own Phoenix Perennials on No. 6 Road has an excellent selection of free classes this year, along with some noteable events.

And if your desire for learning is not sated there, may I suggest coming to a meeting at the Richmond Garden Club and enjoying the many awesome speakers they host? Because in the garden, you never stop learning.

Deb Brodie is a local gardener and a member of the Richmond Garden Club. She can be reached at [email protected].