Here are Marianne Binetti’s tips to fool Mother Nature and enjoy an early spring
The end of January is the beginning of the garden show season and the week you can claim your garden is waking up. It is not yet spring, but you should see signs of new life as buds swell and the first of the late winter bulbs begin to push through the soil.
Here are a few ways to fool Mother Nature and enjoy an early spring.
Attend an indoor garden show.
Western Washington is lucky enough to host two large indoor garden shows.
The Tacoma Home and Garden Show is Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 at the Tacoma Dome. I will be speaking every day of the show. The topics are Carefree Gardening on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Less Lawn More Life at 2 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Visit the show website at www.tacomahomeandgardenshow.com for discounts and free days.
What will you learn about Carefree Gardening? Tips for less weeds, best plants, mistakes to avoid and designs that won’t add mindless maintenance. (I actually wrote a book called “Tips for Carefree Landscapes” and have learned more about less maintenance as the years have passed.)
What will you learn from “Less Lawn More Life?” Honey, you can shrink the lawn by using groundcovers, gravel and shrubs in tubs and still have a great looking landscape. Learn the specific plants for no-mow designs and how to gradually get rid of the turf as the years go by.
The Northwest Flower and Garden Show is coming Feb. 18 to 22. Visit www.gardenshow.com for ticket discounts and events. I will be hosting Container Showdown every day at this show as a fun way to watch top designers share tips on growing plants in pots.
Why not join me for an early spring tea? Relax at the NWFG show at a charming high tea where hats and gloves are optional and sweet and savory treats can be enjoyed as we escape to Italy for a “Mama Mia” presentation. Sign up on the show website as space is limited.
Celebrate these colorful signs that winter is ending.
Forsythia shrubs are ready to burst. This is the week to force them indoors. Just prune off some bare branches, plunk the cut stems in warm water and watch as the bright yellow blooms fill your home with early spring color.
Sometimes it is nice to fool Mother Nature.
Hellebores are blooming. If you don’t have winter flowering hellebores in your landscape, head to a nursery or garden show and purchase some plants now. Really, there ought to be a law or at least a governor’s proclamation. If you live in Western Washington, you must have hellebores! The perennial is deer, slug and drought resistant – and blooms in the shade.
Crocus, snowdrops and winter aconite are pushing up through the soil. Tip: If you did not plant these early flowering bulbs in the fall, you can still enjoy their welcome winter color by purchasing potted versions, blooming now at nurseries and garden shows.
Bring home a 4-inch pot of dwarf iris, snowdrops or crocus this week and place the pot on a porch or patio where you can enjoy it from indoors while the pot sits outdoors. Then, once the blooms have faded, transplant the bulbs (with the foliage intact) into your garden for many happy returns.
Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Reach her at binettigarden.com.
This story was originally published January 24, 2026 at 6:15 AM with the headline "Here are Marianne Binetti’s tips to fool Mother Nature and enjoy an early spring."