Even with the very dry winter we've had, our Hellebore paid no attention. This one pictured was planted last year in full shade. Frost and freeze-resistant, this beautiful plant did not die back, nor did its exposed, leathery leaves suffer from cold or lack of water. The blooms began about a month ago and are continuing.

Flowers come in many colors and shapes, including green, deep purple, white, pink, lavender and multicolored. Some flowers resemble wild roses. The flower's sepals stay intact, holding the flower's shape for long periods, sometimes for months on end. Plants with cup-like flowers often hold water; wild song birds can often be seen taking a sip just after rain or watering.

It usually goes without saying that if you live in the Truckee Meadows, the northern valleys, the southern valleys, or anywhere approaching the Sierra, at least once in your life you'll find yourself at Donner Summit during a snow storm. Even in April, if you find heavy rain in Auburn, the cold front at the higher elevations just might be throwing heavy snow as you attempt the pass.

Even if the moisture doesn't drench our dry soils, the snow in the high mountains melts into the ground sending the river waters our way in summer when beloved plants get thirsty.

By mid April, there's not as much concern about diving over Donner Summit, but it happened again this year. Such weather ends up prompting a celebration, another chance for snow shoes before the warmer weather sets in.

Another late winter/spring storm is predicted for later this week through the weekend, and even if snow doesn't reach the valley floor, cold night time temperatures dipping down into the high 20s, low 30s are predicted.

This time of year is always iffy for many of our most cherished plants just waking up to the spring -- fruit trees, grape vines and early vegetable sprouts. The best gardening tip for these erratic events is to either bring your vulnerable plants indoors, or add protective wraps and water walls.

Dry Creek has various sized plant wraps, water walls and other protective products to help us get through the late storms that seem to inevitably threaten a smooth transition between winter and spring. If you haven't already, stop in and see what might be done to protect your plants from yet another approaching cold snap.

The nectarine tree has been in full bud for a couple weeks now, and then arrives several cold nights with temperatures in the city dropping down into the low twenties.

Last year the same thing happened and the result was no summer fruit. So, this time we decided to cover the flowering tree at dusk to see if it might help. So far, we wrapped the tree with two drop cloths at dusk, then removed them each morning. The cold temperatures are predicted for a few more nights, so we'll continue to wrap it up.

We won't know until later whether our efforts will pay off. But, it's worth the try.

Dry Creek has all sorts of protective devices and covers. If you haven't already, stop in and see what might be done to protect your flowering trees and early sprouts from this cold snap.

It's always exciting this time of year to take some day hikes around our area to catch a glimpse of the native perennials reemerging for the next growing season. Right now is a good time because the non-native, incredibly invasive Cheat Grass has not yet sprouted. The green that is emerging are the indigenous plants, for the most part, and because the Cheat Grass is still brown, the emerging plants are easy to see.

There's not a lot of snow on Peavine this spring (the photo is one of the lesser peaks on the way to the summit). But more snow is predicted for later this week, so perhaps soon the mountain will look more like itself for this time of year.

It's beautiful out, so take a hike, then stop by the Nursery to see what's arrived for planting this week.

Happy April!

Even if you plan to grow lettuce and cabbage from seed, it's always fun to plant a few six packs of beautiful spring lettuces and cabbages to set the garden in motion right away. In just a few days, the plants establish themselves and begin responding to the spring sunshine, and especially with lettuce, the leaves are delicious when young and tender and are ready to eat pretty much as soon as you put the plants in the ground.

Early April is the time. Setting these cool weather plants into the ground early gives a quick sense of accomplishment, and inspires even more planting as the days grow longer and the nights warmer.

Onions and potatoes, too, can be planted now. It's time!

Happy April!