Twigs from my garden

February in Ohio — what a wonderful place to be! When people ask me, I always tell them, I love winter. What I really mean is I love winter the way it was when I was young. As a child — and when my children and grandchildren were young — winter meant sledding, building snowmen, ice skating accompanied by bonfires and steaming hot chocolate, walks in fresh snow, and memorable ski trips. Oh, I still enjoy the beautiful scene outside my window when big fluffy flakes drift down and transform my yard into a winter wonderland. And I’m still awed by snow crystals sparkling in the moonlight like colored diamonds. The view from my window is still gorgeous, but the magic of winter isn’t quite the same. Yet, if you ask me even today, I’ll still tell you, I love winter. Nevertheless, even I admit, by this time of year I yearn for sunny spring days, the discovery of buds emerging on branches, and the welcome sight of snowdrops peeking out from under their leaf covers.Here’s a few ideas to renew our weary-of-winter souls with a touch of spring while we wait for spring’s actual arrival.Clean up your houseplantsIf your houseplants look a little winter weary, too, it may be time to transfer them to larger pots or prune their roots. How often a plant needs pruned depends on the plant — some varieties need repotted or pruned every year; slow-growers can go years without pruning. Consider repotting or pruning if roots are growing out the bottom or there are more roots than soil in the pot.• Water the plant well and allow to drain the day before you repot.• Using a sharp knife, trim ½ inch from the entire root ball, gently detangle and loosen the roots and cut away any decaying or discolored roots.• If you repot in the same container, wash with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.• Partially fill the pot with fresh organic potting soil, place the plant back in and add more soil, pressing it around the roots.• Place the pot on a saucer and water thoroughly until the soil is soaked.• Trim the top of the plant stems back, too, and place the plant in a cool room away from direct sunlight.• Keep the soil moist for about two weeks.• While the plant will be “shocked” at first, once it begins to renew growth, it can be returned to its original spot.• After about four weeks, use a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength.Start some seedlingsWhile it’s a little early to begin growing seeds indoors, you can plan what to plant. Check how long the seeds need to germinate, then mark your calendar when to plant by counting backwards from mid-May. Gather flats, cells or other containers, potting mix, spray bottle, plastic to hold in humidity and labels. I saw an entire growing kit with plastic cover at a discount store to make this job super simple! Decide where you will incubate your seedlings (in bright light, not direct sun). When your indoor planting date arrives, you’ll be ready!Force spring flowering bulbsOnce temperatures hover above 32 degrees, early-flowering trees and shrubs begin to show tiny buds. Watch for swelling buds on redbud, Japanese or flowering quince, flowering dogwood, vernal witch hazel, hawthorn, forsythia, honeysuckle, saucer or star magnolia, apple or crabapple, flowering almond, cherry, plum, pussy willow, spirea, lilac or vibernum. Select a few young budding branches from a dense part of the plant or where branches will need pruned anyway. Cut branches 12 to 18 inches long flush to the main stem or trunk with sharp, clean pruners. Immediately plunge the branches in cool water. Later, re-cut the stems at an angle and make a four-inch slit lengthwise at the bottom of each branch to allow water to be absorbed more easily. Place the branches in warm water out of direct sunlight. Change the water every two or three days, adding a splash of hydrogen peroxide to help control bacteria and extend the life of the blooms. Voila! In a few weeks, it will be spring inside.Attend a spring garden seminarThere’s no better way to jump-start spring than by attending a seminar with other gardeners. On March 15, Allen County Master Gardeners present their ninth annual Art of Gardening seminar at OSU’s Lima campus. Topics will be Down the Garden Paths of Ohio, a stroll through more than 30 Ohio arboretums and botanical gardens; Daylilies, the joys and pitfalls of growing lilies; Summer Beauty Bulbs & Perennials, a program on placing bulbs with perennials for great results; and Edible Landscaping on using edible plants in flower gardens and their culinary uses.Cost of this all-day seminar is $40, which includes refreshments and lunch. A brochure and registration form is available at http://allen.osu.edu/Hort. For details, contact Kay Studer, Program Assistant-Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, OSU-Allen Co. Extension, 3900 Campus Drive, Lima, at 419-222-9946 or studer.26@osu.edu.Master Gardener Tip of the WeekBranches forced to bloom indoors may set roots. If so, once the roots are 3/8 inch long, plant the branch in a pot of potting soil. Once established, transplant outside when the soil is workable.