The young leaves of spring nettles are so tender. The stalks can be chewy. Harvesting mainly the leaves while leaving growth nodes on the stalks will enable more nettle leaves to regrow for future harvests, and the health of the plants.

Camellia, the wonderful evergreen flowering shrub, has flower buds opening now in our lovely coastal region. Some varieties flower in fall and winter, and some grow as tall as trees! If you have young plants but haven't yet fertilized them, consider adding a balanced fertilizer after blooming. An annual thick layer of shredded bark mulch or leafmould will keep the roots happy as they like to be shaded. There are over 250 species, and they are native to southern and eastern Asia, thriving in acidic soils.

Most plum trees need another variety to be cross-pollinated, leading to increased fruit production, so it's best to grow a few types! Planting or grafting at least one plum that flowers mid-season will also help the bees access the blossoms in warmer spring weather. There's so much to know about successful crops of delicious plums.

Happy Hellebore Season! After these lovely flowering perennials finish blooming, you can divide most varieties and transplant them. (Propogate H. foetidus and H.argutiflous from seed.) Each of the 15 species has its own soil, light and fertility preferences. Hellebores grow excellently in woodlands and winter containers, preferring minimal root disturbance. Are you saving seeds or growing any hybridized varieties?

It's the time of year to start sprouting pepper seeds! These heat-loving plants take time to sprout & grow. Start sweet or spicy pepper seeds in a container with a damp paper towel, cover with seran wrap to make a "mini hot house," and place in a warm area. Spray water on the paper towel often daily to keep the seeds moist. In about a week or two, the seeds will sprout. Once they've sprouted plant in nutient dense planting soil.

Spring is the best time to prune your bamboo patch so new shoots will have ample room to grow and receive light.

Be careful to locate any new shoots; do not step on them!

Say goodbye to decaying stumps, which can be a tripping hazard. Sharp and strong tools will help get the job done. A healthy, well-maintained bamboo patch will grow stronger, well-formed, beautiful culms. How would you clean up this bamboo patch?

Miner's Lettuce is a self seeding annual that grows easily in partially sunny or shady areas.