The first plan was to run them through the chipper/shredder. No. They proved to be very fibrous and simply not shreddable. The next move was a fire. Nice time of year for a fire. No. They refused to burn. Not only are these things invasive, they are indestructible. Interesting. Plus I am ready for the ongoing battle that I know, deep in my bones, will ensue with the remaining root systems. Wish me luck.

I have been recommending these shrubs for years. They are tough, have yellow flowers and fill up space. They tend to have a rangy (dare I say weedy?) look to them but respond well to pruning. And, above all else, the moose merely give them a nibble. But, woe, they must go.

I will not miss pulling up the very tenacious seedlings that sprout throughout the bed each spring. I have actually acquired a tool that cuts them off at the soil surface. There are countless seedlings. You need to be aware of the potential for trouble from this plant. If you see them getting away from you, as mine are, remove them.

The next huge problem they have created for me is: What to replace them with? I am seriously considering Techny arborvitae. These are an evergreen, which appeals to my sense of privacy. They are listed as a zone 3 and reach 15 feet at maturity. I have found seedlings for a very decent price but I think I want larger plants, they have a big hole to fill. But the 3-foot plants that I found last year were $110 each. Hmmm.

After we hacked down a couple of the caraganas we had our afternoon tea on the deck. In the sun. No wind. No jackets. Lovely. The growing season is fast upon us. The seedlings under the lights in the guest room (an excellent use for that room, better than human guests) are thriving. There are three kinds of tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, shallots, onions, leeks, lobelia and three kinds of pansies. They are all showing signs of life. In addition to the lights in the fixtures directly above the plants, I am leaving the florescent lights on in the ceiling. These lights are on 24/7. There is a nice window but certainly not large enough for the action. The tuber begonias, calla lilies, anemones, ranunculus and geraniums are all jostling for light and all looking like they are getting enough especially as the days lengthen.

I must admit that starting seeds in the house in late February and early March is pure fun. I know that I don’t encourage all of you to follow suit. There are excellent sources of strong healthy seedlings right here in Homer. You will have a wide selection from which to choose when the time is right. But for those of us who have the time, space and inclination starting our seeds extends the growing season. Here in the Far North, every extra day counts.

This is the first time I have started onions from seed. I have experimented with onions and found the Stuttgart sets (sets are little onions that you just stick in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked) produce an excellent storage onion. But when the Homer Garden Club went to Jennifer and Paul Castellani’s market garden last year for a tour I was inspired to try onions from seed. Nor have I ever planted shallots. But I eat them so I am giving them a whirl this year. Need to keep trying new things, you never know.

If you have yet to make plans for your vegetable plot, now is the time. Think about what you want to eat. Then think about how much of it you will need to grow. Think about what you can store and how you can store it.

Potatoes are on my mind. I sure can grow them but I have no storage area at all. We are tossing ideas around to remedy this gap in our system. The water table is too close to the surface for a real root cellar but there are alternatives to this time-tested method that we need to explore.

If you have a similar shortage of appropriate storage space why would you plant a ton of potatoes? Get the idea?

Resist over planting. I have already started too many leeks. When the time comes to plant them out I will resist the urge to plant all of them. They mature at exactly the same time and there I am, inundated with leeks. And, really, just how many leeks do I need?

As you stand in front of those fabulous seed racks and run your eye lovingly over the selection, exercise self control.

Note: Homer Garden Club meets Sunday, March 25, 2 p.m. at City Hall.