The Tacoma Home and Garden Show starts on January 31 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The gigantic Northwest Flower and Garden Show begins February 7 in Seattle, Washington at the Seattle Convention Center - see http://www.gardencalendar.com/display/20... . It's the big one with 27 complete display gardens. Gardeners flock from all over to attend.
It's fun to visit and see all that's in store for gardening 2001-style. Especially if you've been sun-deprived too long and need to know gardens will rule your heart and give you a lift in the spring. But I really don't feel like it's gardening season until I get my hands in the soil. Winter can be a heartbreaker for wet, soggy or frozen-grounded gardeners.
If you're not interested in attending a garden show or waiting until February to see what's new, there are still Ways to get ready this winter for your spring and summer garden garden delight in spite of western Washington rain, slugs and other northwest intricacies.
(1) Visit your local nursery. After all, they still operate all year, not just at spring or summer time. Their staff knows what the scoop is - what more could you want? You know their names. If not start with the phone book.
(2) Get out your garden books and take a look. It's always a good time to renew your thoughts on gardening and to get new ideas.
My favorite gardening book is the Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening, ISBN 0-89577-046-6. My copy, the eighteenth printing (others must like it, too!), is a 1996 version.
What do I like about it? First, all the plant descriptions are illustrated and list zone hardiness. Western Washington gardens are in Zones 7-8; Eastern Washington gardens are in Zones 5-6. That in itself makes gardening decisions a snap.
Secondly, it has landscaping suggestions, basic instructions (like how to plant a tree) and lots of plant tables, such as rock plants, etc. in its 672 pages.
(3) Peruse those seed catalogs. I've already received several plant and seed catalogs. It's easy to browse and get an order on its way. If you don't have catalogs yet, get them!
At http://www.etera.com you may get full-grown plants from the Etera Perrenial Guide or just order the catalog from this Mount Vernon company. It contains garden recipe cards in the back to inspire you. There's also practical advice for a deer-proof garden in the catalog.
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