Then, with February, came snow, freezing temperatures and the impossibility of accomplishing anything useful in gardens. It wasn’t until mid-March that the soil thawed and the snow melted where I live, though not all parts of the Island or even Greater Victoria were similarly affected. Perhaps February this year will be mild enough for an early start to the growing season. All being well, I’ll soon be preparing plots for early seedings of broad beans, peas, carrots and hardy green leafy vegetables like spinach, corn salad, mizuna and chrysanthemum greens (shungiku, chop suey greens). Indoors, some of the seed catalogues remain to be scoured through and inspired by. Here is one of my favourites.