It is a particularly dangerous time of year for me. It’s the time of year that I am tempted the most by all the possibilities around me.

We are no longer strapped down by the heat and drought. We no longer have to pull the hoses around and curse to ourselves that we should have rigged up a self-watering system. We can plant, plan and arrange and then plant some more – at our leisure.

It’s the great Northwest, and this is our time for gardening!

Well, gardening in the Northwest is really a year-round hobby here actually – that just sounded good.

But, really. We can go through our gardens and see what worked, see what we’re tired with, what took way too much pampering - and try new things, too.

By planting your trees, shrubs and perennials right now, the winter rains and cool weather will help them adjust perfectly to their surroundings before next spring. When the weather warms up next year, the plant will already be “home” and ready to grow.

And, because the plant will be somewhat established in the landscape and it will be a lot easier to maintain, and won’t need as much watering, too (with the exception of the big trees, of course).

Railroad gardeners, this is your time, too. Got those layouts ready? You better have! It’s the big national convention next August in Tacoma hosted by our very own Puget Sound Railroad Garden Society.

There will be tours, and tours of the tours, chomping at the bit to see your spread. Plant your trees, shrubs and groundcovers now so you’ll just have the details to worry about next spring and summer.

It’s also the time of year when the nurseries switch back the smaller perennials in quarts and 4 inch pots. In mid-summer, the nurseries only order gallon perennials because the 4 inch pots are too difficult to keep watered in the summer heat. Plant these young perennials now, and by next summer, it’ll be as if you planted gallon-sized plants. Great savings on both money, and time, as you can get some spring planting done now.

Need some new trees to play with? Get on my mailing list! They are due in this week – and I can’t wait to see them!