Now that March has arrived, it's time to get back to work. The years seem to be flying by. It's hard for me to believe that today starts the fifth year of writing this column. As they say, "Time flies when you're having fun."

Have the robins been to visit you yet? I don't know if there is more than one huge flock or if they're just making the rounds as I've seen them several places. They've spent lots of time in my yard the past few days. Counting them is impossible as they're constantly moving around, but there must be at least fifty and probably a lot more.

Other birds visiting the feeders this week are lots of house finches, pine siskins, pygmy nuthatches, a tiny junco and even a big red shafted northern flicker. They all seem to love black oil sunflower seeds.

You have probably seen potted and blooming primroses for sale in local stores the past few weeks. These do not make good houseplants as it is much too warm and dry indoors. These are actually perennials. Another problem is that most homes lack enough bright south or east windows.

If you buy any of these now, either plan to toss them when they look sad, or do what I do. I put them out on my back porch where they will get full light and maybe even sunshine every day. Do this if and when the temperature reaches the mid thirties to forty or above. They come back inside for the night. This way they will stay in good shape until they can be planted out. Be sure to keep them well watered.

Be sure to check your rhododendrons now and then. Those with the largest leaves are most prone to "flagging" You will see the leaves folding over and hanging down, just looking pathetic. They need a drink ASAP. If you're lucky, you have a hose handy, but you may have to resort to carrying water. Be sure to use a small bucket as we tend to forget that water is heavy. Don't hurt yourself by trying to trot across the yard with a five gallon bucket full.

Indoor plants, such as the holiday cactus, (pictured) will bloom even in the short days of winter. To get them to bud up, put them in a very cool location for a few weeks. A cold window may get down to the needed 60 degrees. As soon as you see the tiny pink buds on the ends of the stems, you can move them, if desired. These plants will bloom several times a year, unlike the Christmas or Easter cactus we used to grow. These also come in many colors including hot pink, white, lavender and a bright orange.

If you haven't ordered your seeds, do it soon. March is the month seed companies mail most of their products. If you wait too long, they could be sold out of your favorites.

Now is also a good time to plan your garden, whether it is vegetables, flowers or both. One of the best tools for doing this is to keep a garden diary. Keep track of what was planted where and what did well or didn't. It is risky to trust your memory.

If you're itching to get your hands in the dirt, or something similar, get out a big bag of potting soil and go to work. If you have houseplants, the longer days have probably made them "wake up." They are starting to produce new growth and may need a larger pot. Start them back on fertilizer too. Mix it at half what the directions say. Too much fertilizer is not a good thing. For foliage plants, use a fertilizer with a high first number, flowering plants need one with a high middle number.

The time for starting seeds indoors is here too. Be sure to use a sterile potting mix to prevent damping off. Most annuals, including tomatoes, need to be planted by mid-March. Grow them in a cool spot. They also need strong light, either a grow light or south facing windows. Don't plant too soon. These steps will keep them from getting leggy.

The exceptions are peppers, which needed to be started in mid February to early March as they take a long time to germinate. At the other end of the planting schedule are squash, which need to wait until late April. These are best kept small or they will take over your house.

If you have begonia bulbs, plant these now. They need to be lightly pressed down on top of the damp mix, concave side up. Barely cover with 1/4 inch of potting soil.

OK, I guess that's enough to get you (and me) started. After lazing around in the house all winter, we need to start out slowly. Like the turtle said, "Slow and steady wins the race."

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.