Susan Mulvihill

Pasque flowers are one of those early spring bloomers that brighten up the garden well before most plants have budded out. Native to Europe and western Asia, its name refers to the timing of its blooms during the Paschal, or Easter, season. In the Midwest, it often is called prairie smoke. This alpine plant grows best in partial shade but will grow in full sun if the soil is kept regularly moist and is well-drained. Some references indicate they don't thrive in warm, dry areas, but I've never had any problems growing them here in the Inland Northwest.

As we continue our discussion of cool-season crops, let's look at peas, lettuce and potatoes. Each can be started as soon as the soil is dry enough to be worked. Peas are great fun to grow. Your first decision hinges on whether you want to grow a shelling variety, snap pea or edible-pod variety. Most require some type of support – netting, wire or a trellis – but there are a few bush varieties that support each other as they grow. Check the seed packet to determine what height they will reach.

Today's topic is organic gardening, and this is important stuff. I hope that by the time you reach the end of this column, you will see how easy it is to grow vegetables without the use of chemicals and embrace these methods yourself. After all, the whole point of growing our own veggies is for our health, right? I've been an organic gardener for many years and have learned it's based on establishing a balanced ecosystem within our yards. We have set up our landscape to attract a lot of birds. We enjoy birdwatching but really appreciate how many insects they consume.

Yes, I know it's the middle of winter, and there's still a lot of snow on the ground as I write this. Perhaps gardening is the farthest thing from your mind right now. But you and I are about to embark on a rewarding adventure. If you have ever wanted to grow your own veggies but don't know where to start, or want to be more successful at it, this column can help you find your way. There are a lot of topics to cover, so that's why we're starting now. Things like seed-starting, organic gardening methods, soil preparation, cool and warm season crops, composting, dealing with critters like deer and gophers, and growing herbs. My goal is to address each topic in a timely manner so you can stay on track with your own garden.

When you hear the words "slow cooking," does the image of a pot roast pop into your head? Well, think again. The slow cooker works beautifully in the preparation of versatile, meat-free dishes. Soups, chili, side dishes, main dishes and even desserts – the possibilities are endless when it comes to using this often-neglected appliance. Instead of using meat, protein can come in the form of beans and other legumes, whole grains, pasta, soy products like tofu, cheese and other dairy products.