EARLY APRIL AT THE GARDEN CENTER

This past weekend was Spring Openhouse at the garden center where I work a few days a week. This is where you meet and greet the avid gardeners eager to see some beauty after a long cold Chicago winter.

We have the annual Hellebores festival as well and lectures on various interesting subjects which draws large crowds especially on the Spring-like weekend we had with temperatures in the 60's.

After experiencing many heartbreaks from late April freezes I have learned my lesson and won't plant until mid-to-late May. A day or two of warm weather in April do not a Spring make. As a matter of fact, last April my 'Betty' dwarf magnolia froze in bud.

It was wonderful to walk among the rows and rows of colorful tulips, pansies, daffodils and other blooming flowers. It won't be long now before I see the Spring display in my own garden.

April is best spent planning the garden or landscape and I was delighted to see many Chicagoans out to do just that. I love helping young couples with their first garden, especially those who are willing to do much of the work themselves. To see their delight as the garden evolves is great satisfaction.