Valentine bouquetIf you're thinking about flowers for Valentine's Day -- and you should be -- there are some simple tips for getting the most out of your shopping and the arrangement you choose. To read more, click here. - Craig

Hello,

I am wondering what kinds of herbs would survive winter here and come back every year? Is it alwayas better to start with established plants (herbs) instead of seeds? When can I start planting herbs outside?

Taishan marigoldsHere's a new marigold to look forward to this spring -- and we can use a little daydreaming right about now. These marigolds will be available for the first time soon and they look spectacular. To read more, click here. Photo thanks to panamseeds.com.

Seed on the groundIf you missed seeding those brown spots in your lawn last fall it's not too late. In fact, this is a good time to do dormant seeding before spring, says Dennis Patton in his tip this week. To read more, including some options in how to seed, click here.

From a reader:

Is it okay to add manure or compost to gardens if I didn't do it in the fall, for tilling under in the spring for soil improvment. I read some people do this in the winter. Is that OK? I know fresh manure can be too strong and can harm plants, but I don't know if it's OK if it sits out from February through April or May.

Degroot's Spire ArborvitaeFrom blogger Judy Aull:

One of the most versatile plants Kansas City gardeners have available to them today is the arborvitae in its many forms and wide varieties of shapes, sizes and colors that can work in almost any gardening setting. This plant is sometimes considered the workhorse of the garden. Several can be grouped together to form a spectacular green wall to hide those less-than-perfect view corridors, multiple numbers can create a hedge planting or border for privacy and a single plant works well as a specimen/accent in a pot or standing on its own in a mixed bed.

As a novice gardener,

Hi,

This winter I try growing amaryllis the very first time. I have read a lot about how to take care of this plant and what to do after it finishes blooming. However, I did not find any information regarding amaryllis that blooms but does not develop leaves. I have had mine for more than 2 months and it has started blooming right at 8 weeks since I planted the blub. There are two flower stalks. One is done blooming and the other is just starting. However, there is not a sign for a single leaf. Is it common for amaryllis? Is my plant going to starve? Thank you for your advice.

The following was taken from K-States weekly horticulture newsletter. Thought it would be of interest to the masses and probably start some discussion! Dennis

Companion planting is a procedure that is sometimes recommended to naturally reduce pest problems by planting two types of plants close to one another. For example, planting catnip with cabbage is supposed to reduce worm damage on the cabbage. Controlled studies are needed to determine whether such a practice is effective. We now have results from two studies that give some insight into companion planting.

Breathless Blush euphorbiaDiamond Frost euphorbia is one of my favorite plants, and this year there's a new one coming out called Breathless. This one is Breathless Blush but there's a white Breathless too. (Photo thanks to avantgardensne.com.) To read more, click here. -- Craig

Chicken wire -- one rabbit defenseIf you thought rabbits hit only during the growing season (like me), go out in the yard now that the snow is melted and take a look. That's what Dennis Patton did and he shares both his rabbit woes and some defenses in his tip this week. To read it, click here. -- Craig

Hey, im a college student from atlanta attending school here in kc, I was wondering with the cold outbrake that occured a couple weeks ago across the entire nation which many pepole forget, it was not just kansas city freezing I was back home in atlanta during winter brake, while thier we had one 2 in snow around new years, it melted next day, and then when the strong artic blast hit the nation we got another snow this one 4 in, while not un heard of in atlanta, it is odd to get two storms that close to each other i mean atlanta ushally only gets two snows the entire year.

Orange sunrise bandito lantanaLantanas are one of my foundation plants but the one I put on my deck in a container generally spreads about 6 feet -- bright but unruly. Now some new and smaller bandito lantanas will be out this year. To read more, click here. - Craig

Heirloom tomatoesLINK IS FIXED - SORRY!

Enjoy your hybrid vegetables -- but you can also try some old-fashioned varieties that your grandma grew. In his tip this week, Dennis Patton gives the pros, cons and whys of heirlooms. To read more, click here.

Container succulentsEven though we live a long way from warm weather, it's still possible to enjoy growing succulents in containers that we can bring indoors. For some great ideas on growing succulents, click here.

Orchid Blast phloxThis Orchid Blast phlox, part of the Intensia series, will be available this year. To read more about it, click here. (Photo thanks to pweuro.com.)

Berries in the snowSo how much damage did the cold snap cause to your plants? Dennis Patton answers this week in his tip. To read it, click here.

HummingbirdFor an interesting article about how you can -- even now -- begin planning to attract hummingbirds to your yard, click here.

Garden SymposiumFriends of Powell Gardens and the Garden Center Association are teaming to present a symposium on Feb. 19-20 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. To read more, click here.

From reader Tim:

Just wanted to check it out and see if there would be a African Violet Show this spring?

(Does anyone know for sure?) Thanks - Craig

I was wondering what effect the wind chill has on the amount of cold plants can tolerate. When a plant can tolerate -10 degrees, is wind chill factored into that?