As you go about your task, be ever so careful. The soil is very wet and the plants are somewhat tender. You could risk pulling parts of the plant up along with the spent foliage. But this may be a boon: tuck the little plant into a new spot and it will probably take root and be on its way.

My hands are my best tools this time of year. I like those gloves that you can pick up at any sporting goods store for a few dollars, they have rubberized fingers and palms and stretchy backs and they come in a size small that really is small. You can throw them into the washing machine (but not the dryer) when they get intolerable. They keep me dry and warm/cool enough to allow me to get the job done.

As I uncover my treasures I can see what has made it through the winter, and this was a particularly nasty one. The steady westerly wind and the temperature in the single digits may have taken a toll. I am worried about my Dropmore honeysuckle trellised on the west wall of the house. It is looking brittle. My fingers are crossed.

Bulbs are peeking up all over. I have been ignoring daffodils forever. They are just so big and yellow but I found some last fall that looked a little more interesting and chose six bulbs each of about six different kinds. They certainly love it here in the Far North as they were the first to show signs of life. I warmly welcome them and look forward to their non-yellow blooms.

The lavender that I started from seed (Denali Seed, following the directions on the packet) have made it through their second winter. But they were heavily mulched with spruce boughs. The ones that did not get quite covered completely look forlorn. I presume they are dead, but will wait and see.

And that is a very important point: you will need to give your plants some time. It really is still early, and very cold. The wind is wicked, I am still bundled in a turtleneck and woolen sweater while working in the garden. If a plant looks dead to you, hold off on any drastic measures. The clematis is always, ALWAYS, slow. Every year I think: That's it. No more clematis, and then here it comes, glorious.

You haven't planted everything to bloom at once anyway, so don't expect all of the plants to come up at once.

The trees and shrubs, especially the lilacs, are looking juicy. Their buds are full and promising. Excellent.

Then, there is the greenhouse. There has already been one tea party in there this season; it included the granddaughter, Cecilia, her first.

The tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and basil are all planted into their tubs and thriving. Just the smell is enough to break your heart.

The seedlings that were broadcast (strewn about the surface of a four-inch-by-five-inch container of soil) are ready to be picked out and transplanted into four packs or even single containers.

I am forever dazzled by the plants that are grown in larger containers. They need the space to develop their root systems. I know that the commercial growers cannot afford to grow in larger containers but on a home basis, why not? You are not starting thousands of seedlings. Just some of this and some of that. Do your best for the plant.

The vegetables are all in four packs at the moment. If I can plant them outside in mid-May they will be fine but if not so much depends on Weather they will move to larger pots until they can make the transition outside.

Which brings me to when to plant your garden. Memorial Day Weekend has been the date to shoot for. But, and there are many "buts," you need to exercise common sense. Take into consideration your elevation. The higher you are, the later you will plant. Do not be disheartened. You will catch up with those of us at the lower elevations and make a lovely harvest. It will just take more effort on your part. Have your floating row cover ready. This will warm the soil and protect the starts from the fly that lays the egg that becomes the dreaded root maggot.

But for now, get out there and clean up your garden. Get your tools ready because the gardening season is upon us, thankfully.

Rosemary Fitzpatrick has been gardening with gusto in Homer for 28 years.