Searching for the minuscule droplets of spring pushing up through beige spectrum that has been dominant now for several months. I have Eddy, I think, convinced to till up my little garden this weekend. Then I can put out early cabbage and onions.

My storage closet is stacking up with all the goodies from gardening catalogs. I am excited about trying the red tomato trays. They are plastic trays that fit around the small tomato plants and protect them from cutworms. Research has shown that the tomato plant responds to being surrounded by red. So we'll see!

I also have stacks of the seed blankets like I used last year. They are mats with the seeds inbedded in a mulching material. The varieties are expanding as I have added 10 different zinnias and morning glories. The mats work great with my clay-based soil.

I ordered many different packets of marigold seeds and mum plants. My plan is to encircle each flower bed with them to pump up the color in the fall. I scattered my wildflower seeds on the snow. Now I just need the warmth and water to seep back into my yard.