The landscaping traditions I had been raised and trained in were all about the subjugation and replacement of nature - the creation of tightly managed gardens where foreign species were prized over native plants. It made no sense then, and it makes no sense now, for gardens to be part of the degradation of our environment.

Three spring flowers that add early color to your garden.

First real day in the garden this year, and I spent most of it pruning raspberries.