With the terrific warm weather we've been having lately, it's hard to realize that we still have two months to wait before we can go out and plant things. There are a few exceptions, but not many.

Cold weather veggies, such as lettuce and cabbage can go in early, but they're the exception, not the rule. It's hard to keep in mind that our average high temperature for this time of year is 46 degrees when it has been more; than 10 to 20 degrees above that lately.

We are so fortunate to have this easy winter instead of what the folks to the east and south of us have been getting. Of course, we've had our share of super nasty winters. This just doesn't happen to be one of them.

Although it's too early to do much in the way of planting, there are always plenty of other chores rearing their ugly heads. If you grow things in pots, this is the ideal time to go out and get those pots ready for another season. Yank out all those dead plants from last year. Dig up the soil a bit and you'll be ready to go once you get the green light.

Another chore for a lot of us "locals" is to clean up the winter's accumulation of pine needles. I was amazed to see bales of them for sale in a store down south. Can you imagine paying good money to get more of these pesky things?

If you've been over-wintering coleus plants, now is a good time to cut them back. If you want more of them, just put the cuttings into a jar of water and place near a window. Within a week or two, you'll have roots and they'll be ready to pot up. Don't put these outdoors until the nights warm up as coleus plants don't like to be chilled. They will be stunted and take quite a while to recover. Be patient.

One of the pretty flowering plants that can take quite a bit of cold is the primrose. They're available in area stores right now. I couldn't resist getting a few. I planted them in big pots to put on my back porch. Now I get a "dose of spring" every time I look out the window. These are perennials and a lot of them will survive year after year if planted in the ground later in a nice damp spot that receives morning sun. They will usually re-bloom once the heat of summer dissipates.

Post Falls is fortunate to have a wonderful garden club. It extends an open invitation to any and all of you who are interested in growing things. We meet the third Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Post Falls Senior Center, 1215 Third Ave. We usually have a speaker, but this month we will be an open question-and-answer time, plus the usual raffle items and snack table. In April, Phyllis Stephens will be our speaker. You don't want to miss her. She is hilarious and very knowledgeable.

Have you ever seen a ladybug in your house? I've had three of them show up this winter. They reminded me of the following verse:

"Lucky Ladybug"

Ladybugs are known to bring good tidings. ...If you find one in your house in the winter-time, you'll receive as many presents as your ladybug has spots!

I don't know if this refers to Christmas, birthdays, or just because. Even the luck would be nice to receive.

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently serving as secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column appears in The Press every other Sunday from early March until late October.