Wild things

There are several ways to buy wildflower seeds:

* Prepackaged cans, sometimes called "shaker mixes," are available at garden centers, from mail-order seed companies and on the Internet. The mixes come with a wide variety of wildflowers and an inert filler that helps to spread the seeds evenly. The different types of flowers are listed on the label, so you know exactly what you're planting.

* You can purchase wildflower seeds in individual packages and create your own mix. County extension agencies are an excellent resource for information about the types of wildflowers that grow in your region.

Purple coneflower, above, is native to the eastern United States and is hardy in Zones 3-8. This long-lived perennial grows to 3 feet tall and blooms in early to midsummer.

Blanket flower is also native to the western United States. It's hardy in all zones and does well in hot areas with dry soil.

By the book

Wondering if you can grow carrots in clay soil? Trying to figure out if you have enough space to grow pumpkins? And what's the difference between short-day and long-day onions? The Veggie Gardener's Answer Book by Barbara W. Ellis ($14.95, Storey Publishing) has the answers. This handy little book will give you information on everything from starting seeds to dealing with pesky critters in the garden. We loved the crop-by-crop (from asparagus to tomatoes) breakdown of care tips.

What's in bloom

* Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)

Among the brightest of annuals, globe amaranth has rounded flower heads composed of many small, papery petals. One of the best of the so-called "everlasting" flowers, it is popular for drying. If you choose to do this, cut the flowers just before they fully open and hang them upside down. The heat-loving flowers, which are native to southeast Asia, come in glowing shades of magenta, pink, red or white. Varieties range from 6 to 20 inches in height. A sunny site and regular moisture help guarantee success.

Your best shot

Millie Van Wyke took this photo of tulips nearly buried under the snow with a Canon S2 digital camera. She captured the blooms, just off her porch in University Park, right after a spring snowstorm.

Cool tool

Springtime is the most popular time to plant trees and shrubs, but digging that hole is back-breaking labor. To make the job easier, use a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator (around $350 at garden centers, or mantis.com) to loosen the soil. This handy tiller will also help you break ground for garden plots, till soil in small-space gardens and create plow furrows for planting veggies.