My mom loved gardening.  Her house was always overflowing with houseplants.  She was thrilled when her African Violets bloomed in the kitchen’s east window.  In March, little seedlings would be sprouting in tiny pots all around the house so they would be ready to plant outside when the ground was warm enough.  She couldn’t wait to get a head start on her garden.  While the wind was still sharp, she would bundle up in boots and dad’s old jacket to rake last fall’s leaves away from her flower beds.

At this time of the year, often when there was still snow on the ground, it was fun to send seed packets to Mom. One of the easiest things to slip into an envelope, they weigh almost nothing, are absolutely flat, have pretty pictures on the front and come in hundreds of varieties. Getting a packet of seeds in winter made spring seem closer for her. And, getting things she wouldn’t normally buy for herself, like egg plant or parsnips, made her gardening an even bigger adventure.

When springtime actually arrived, gardening tools and supplies, ordered directly from a great catalog called Gardener’s Supply Company (www.gardeners.com), could be sent right to her door. In addition to things you’d expect, like trowels and hoses and trellises, this company also offers a wonderful variety of self-watering pots and window boxes that could really make life easier for an older gardener who doesn’t want to water every day. I’ve used these self-watering pots on my balcony in San Francisco and they’re terrific. Water once a week in most weather and it’s done!

Please send me your stories so I can share them with others.

Be well and bring joy!

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