Spring has sprung, or almost.

Spring is definitely in the offing in the midwest.  My helleboros started blooming in early February and the crocuses started early March.

We had several spring like days with sunshine and warm temps last week. 

I ridded a large plant bed of winter debris and weeds.  Then I spread a pre-emergence product to help control weeds.  I know many don't like chemicals, but that is the only way I can stay on top of the weeds with the size of plant beds I have.   Other weeds I pull, hoe, and generally attack are those that grow in my vegetable garden and the thousands of potted plants in the nursery.  My days are filled with potting plants, repotting plants, weeding pots, pruning plants, checking moisture levels, etc. in the nursery, so I need all the help I can get.

Spring maintnence items to add to your gardening calendar include cutting back ornamental grasses. My   blog from last spring demonstrates an easy way to cut ornamental grasses. Check it out.

Punxsutawney Phil, prognosticator of spring.

Punxsutawney Phil, harbinger of spring in cold climates, saw his shadow on Groundhog Day. Ugh. I'm ready for spring but guess it will come again this year on March 21, like always. Of course, that doesn't imply warm weather, but I can sure start in the flower beds ridding them of winter debris.

My hellebores have been blooming for three weeks! Right now they are under four inches of snow that fell overnight.

So what's an impatient gardener to do if you live in a cold climate? Browse those catalogs. Tool around the Internet and search out sites featuring enticing plants. Draw plans to revamp a garden. Find those must have plants for that revamped garden. Then order.

Proven Winners has launched a new buddleia for spring 2009, Lo and Behold Blue Chip Buddleia. Lo and Behold promises continuous blooming, a true dwarf with an attractive habit, drought tolerance, deer resistance, and fragrance. What more could a gardener ask for?