Editor's Note
Warm winter, nice rains, great lettuce crop, had things to do, but couldn't seem to get anything done in the garden. I'm ready for spring and summer's longer days.

Pregnant Onion a Great Breeder
This odd plant started out small, flowered, came close to its demise, and then started reproducing like there was no tomorrow. Now, I've got more little pregnant onions sitting around in the greenhouse than I know what to do with. 

Bright Red on Valentine's Day
Here's a drought tolerant shrub that may not have the largest of flowers but manages to stand out in the winter landscape because of the deep, red color and sheer number of blooms.

Artichoke Plants from Seed
 When I buy artichoke plants at a garden center, I can never seem to keep them alive. Still hoping to someday harvest fresh artichokes I decided to try growing my plants from seed.

Mail Order Seeds, Including Postage, Getting to be a Bit Expensive?
I'm thinking it's time the seed companies stop sending more than one catalog a season, or maybe none at all. That way they can cut their operating costs, and maybe reduce mine as well.

Growing Little Red Potatoes
 A few years ago I had a couple red potatoes sprout that had been tossed in the compost bin. They grew and when I dug out the compost, I found a dozen or so nice looking red potatoes. This time I planted some potatoes and am actually trying to grow them. Is there potato salad in my future?

Oriental Radishes Well Worth the Space They Take in the Garden
I like radishes, they add color and flavor to all the winter salads I make. Big, easy to grow, Daikons have become one of my favorites in the winter garden.

Lost - My Favorite Tool
 About 12 years ago I purchased this small whisk rake mail order for $11.95 not including the postage and handling. Twelve years later, the handle was worn but all the tines were there and it was my go to rake for under small shrubs and working on the raised beds in the vegetable garden. When I couldn't locate the tool one morning, I'd felt I lost one of my gardening necessities. Thanks to the internet a favorite tool is back, and now he's got a brother and a couple of close relatives.

Wrought Iron Railing Plant Shelf
The wrought iron railing on the back porch became the perfect spot for a few plants once I figured out how to build a simple shelf to support the plant's container.

Multi Tool Digs Dirt
 I never seem to have enough hand trowels. They break, get misplaced and eventually disappear from the garden shed never to be found again. Don't know why, it just happens. I have a new one that does a little more than just dig.

My Wife Claimed I Smelled Bad
Well, so would most people that had just moved ten damp bags of composted steer manure. If you're a vegetable gardener, I think it comes with the territory. And moving a big bag of potting soil isn't all that easy either. 

Look Closely, No Telling What You Might Find in the Garden
 A late summer bug watching in the garden gave me a glimpse of an odd little creature; the up close look at a predator and prey; and the discovery of a pretty little mesquite leaf feeder.

A Couple of Buddies - One Leaves the Garden, the Other Is a Wait and See
 If there's one thing I learned early this year is how accustomed you can become to having a pet or other animal become part of your gardening experience. And when they're gone, all you've got are memories, maybe a photograph or two, and quite possibly, tears to shed.