Although our winter has been mild for the most part, we've had two extreme blasts roll out from the Arctic. They didn't contain snow, and although that's good for the roads, it isn't good for the garden. Extreme cold with no moisture or snow insulation blanket is a very bad thing. Oklahoma is in a drought, and the gardens feel it most of all. So, on a warmer day like today, go around and check your plants for heaving. Weather fluctuations causes the ground to shift and some plants to heave from the ground. Heucheras or coral bells as they are commonly called, are some of the most susceptible. Then, go ahead and water your garden. I'm turning on my irrigation system today because the weather is supposed to be good for at least two days in a row. The garden is thirsting for a drink, and so am I....

It's Bloom Day again, that once a month miracle hosted by Carol of May Dreams Gardens. I don't have much to show, but signs that some things are gearing up for spring are there. Some of the garden remains green like Rosa 'Cl. Old Blush' above. Except during the harshest winters, it stays green until January. Then, we get a cold snap like the one last week, and its leaves also turn a soft brown. Brown is everywhere I look, but I turn my head and ignore it, instead focusing on what's indoors. I have a few blooming Hippeastrum, bulbs formerly known as amaryllis. A little name swap-a-roo not unline the artist formerly known as Prince, who became the woman/man symbol for awhile and when it didn't suit him, became Prince again. It's all so confusing. No matter what they're called, the Hippeastrum put on quite the show this season....

It won't be long now. We're over halfway there.

One of our sets of bookshelves. I think we have seven altogether. Before I wrote for magazines, I wrote novels, and nope, you can't buy one. They didn't sell. I have the prerequisite three bad books in my desk drawer. Perhaps, one day, I'll write another once the publishing industry calms down, but maybe not. I like writing online for Fiskars and Lowe's and for magazines like Oklahoma Gardener, and I'm grateful I have a steady paycheck. (Thanks Patsy Bell for your words of encouragement years ago). Still, what I learned in the School of Journalism at Oklahoma University, holds true no matter whom I write for, nor the subject. As I worked today on a complicated garden article on color, several writing tips came to mind, and I thought I'd share them with you. Gardeners and gluten free eaters, if you're bored, please come back later, and I'll have...