This has been a cold April. I am not checking any NOAA weather records, I'm just walking out the door. It's cold and windy. But the sun has been fabulous. The mass of soil in the planting containers in the greenhouse are acting like a heat retainer. The soil thermometer is reading 60 degrees. I couldn't be happier. The tomatoes couldn't be happier either.

Yes, there are two electric space heaters doing what needs to be done at night (above 40 degrees) but the fan is coming on in the afternoons (85 degrees). All is working as it should.

Every year I swear that I am not going to start as many seedlings as last year. Each year I fail. There are just so many plants that I really want to try. Just to see what they are, just to say I can. It's interesting. It's challenging. It's my idea of fun. And I am grateful to have a greenhouse to let me put all that weird energy to use.

The seedlings that are out there are mostly annuals. I know that annuals are out of favor with some, but to me they provide color when the perennials are either over or still thinking about it all. And they are the flowers we all grew up with.

I continue to try different poppies. I am deeply attached to Lauren's Grape. A friend gave me the seeds from hers a few years ago. These have been reseeding each year but I harbor a bit of fear that this will be the spring they won't come back. So I hedge my bets by starting another batch. Can't hurt anything and if there are too many there seem to be enough takers.

The artichokes are something that need an early start. They are looking strong and healthy. This year a friend put in an order. I gave her some extra ones last year. She put them into her whiskey barrels at the entry to her home. They were spectacular.

Now, I am not talking about the potential bloom. I mean the bud that you eat. So far we haven't had a long enough, or warm enough season for them to bloom. But, to me, the point is to eat them.

There is too much pink and blue in this garden. I am trying to break this up by planting some flowers in soft (very soft) yellow. There are two poppies and two aquilegia (columbine) in differing heights that I intend on spreading around the perennial beds. I think this will do the trick in breaking up the color scheme.

I really had no intention of having any color scheme. I just plant. But as you go along with the garden you will discover that it has a life of its own.

Take the delphiniums. I truly love Black Knight. This is the deep dark purple with no "bee" (the white spot in the center). The Pacific Giants that I prefer have yet to achieve the massiveness here at elevation 396 feet that they did at elevation 1,466 feet. Go figure. They certainly get an earlier start. They are already up about two inches and I know for a fact the ones at the higher elevation are under a good bit of snow.

And they will be spectacular. There is nothing like a Pacific Giant delphinium. If you don't have any of these put them on your list as you go shopping the nurseries. I can hardly wait for them to open.

Be careful when you do bring home plants from a commercial grower. I don't take mine out to the greenhouse. I keep them separate in case they have any pests or diseases.

The minor bulbs that I do not have enough of are showing signs of life. I am so delighted.

The crocus are under the Miss Kim lilac and the Theresa Bugnet roses. And here and there. But I thought they would have spread, creating a carpet of color that I always read about in gardening magazines that have nothing to do with gardening in the Far North. Did I just answer my own question? Possibly.

These same little clutches of crocus have been hanging in there for almost 10 years. I guess I'll just plant more.

There are so many minor bulbs out there in the perennial beds. I have a map to remind me who is where but in the heat of the moment I have no idea. I'm fine when they bloom, but right now, when just the tips of their leaves are showing, I haven't a clue. There are at least a dozen different kinds. Makes spring fun.

Once it gets here.

Do not be tempted to remove your mulch, if you mulched. It is way too early. You will defeat the purpose of putting it down in the first place. It is the freeze/thaw cycle that will destroy your dreams. I will keep the spruce boughs in place until I truly believe the cold is behind us. At the moment, it seems to be here to stay.

The begonias are in the greenhouse, looking healthy. This was the year that I cut the tubers in half with a knife. It seemed so brutal. But they are looking good, not at all as shocked as I felt when I hacked into them.

If you have any other stored plants be sure to get them out, repotted and watered. We really only have six weeks to go before we can plant outside. Gather your materials: floating row cover, manure, pots anything you think you need for the planting season. Do this sooner rather than later.

Rosemary Fitzpatrick has been gardening with gusto in Homer for 29 years.