There’s a sea of blue hydrangeas, a walkway lined with a rainbow of azaleas in full bloom, even a magnolia loaded down with blossoms. Where’s this? Could it be in my Minneapolis yard? Ah, no, but it is in Minneapolis — at the Macy’s Flower Show.

The show doesn’t open until noon Sunday, but I got to take a sneak peek yesterday. They were still putting the finishing touches on the sets, but already the place was packed with flowers: hyacinths, cyclamen, orchids, bromeliads, roses, even a lilac. And they were all in bloom! 

Walking through the show  — even with the carpenters still hammering away at the sets and the gardeners plugging in more flowers — was a balm for my winter-weary soul.

The forecast for the weekend doesn’t look too hot — literally. And it’s still too cold to plant just about anything, even pansies, for heaven’s sake. So why not make a trip to spring. It’s free and it’s not far. (The 8th floor auditorium of the downtown Macy’s store.)

If you go, let me know what you think. Also, see if you can find the kitty cat. (Yes, there is one.) The show runs until April 19, but by then we may be able to go outside without seeing our breath! 

 http://www1.macys.com/campaign/flowershow/minneapolis.jsp

If you have today off work, you might be spending it picnicking with family or cooking out with friends. But I know a lot of people who have a list of gardening to-dos taller than a stalk of field corn.  Are you one of them? What’s on your list of things you hope to get done today or, um, soon?

If you’re at all like me, you really, really want to get outside and do something in the garden this weekend. It’s still a little early, but depending on your soil and sun exposure, it might be OK to go ahead and start in.

Here are some things you can do:

If your grass feels firm underfoot, go ahead and rake lightly. If it still feels kind of squishy, wait a bit. Remember, you can rip those little grass plants right out of the ground if you rake too early.

If you have some thin spots in your lawn, go ahead and seed.

Cut back any perennials you left standing for the winter and haul them to the composter.

Pull back the winter mulch and see how your plants are doing. If some are coming up but look an icky pale green, let them get some sunlight. (You’d be wise to just move the mulch out of the way rather than haul it away. We may be info another bout of cold weather next week.)

If the soil in your beds is dry enough to work, you can plant cold-season stuff — lettuce, peas, onions, radishes and the like. You may want to add a little compost or composted manure to the soil before you plant.

There. That should be enough to keep you busy. If you run out of things to do, gimme a holler. I’ve always got chores enough to share!

Ugh. Snow. I know it’s good for the garden, but, after six months of flurries, flakes and frozen sidewalks, this dreary weather is rather soul crushing.

However, feeling sorry for yourself is not on this weekend’s to-do list. Our yards may be blanketed in white, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get out and get some green. Spring is closer than you think, literally.

Go see “Bob” at the Como Park Conservatory
It’s not as big as last year’s bloom at Gustavus Adolphus College, but “Bob” the corpse flower promises to be just as stinky. As of 2007, only 122 of the plants have been known to bloom worldwide. After a quick whiff, you can cleanse your palette in the cool fern room or the beautiful sunken garden.

Pastries and pansies at Patrick’s
Patrick’s Bakery and Cafe is one of the best things about Bachman’s on Lyndale Avenue. Order a handmade brioche, grab a table in the greenhouse, and enjoy the view. Retail therapy is a great way to beat the winter blues. Don’t forget to peruse their great selection of patio pots, pansies and more. You totally deserve a new pair of gardening gloves. Yes, you do.

Journey to another universe, the Nickelodeon Universe
I have a love-hate relationship with Bloomington’s shopping and entertainment behemoth, Mall of America. I’d rather gnaw off my arm than brave the weekend crowds. However, desperate times call for desperate measures. Nickelodeon Universe has some great indoor “gardens.” You don’t need to be a toddler to get down with SpongeBob and some Dippin’ Dots.

Here kitty kitty
Tie one on at the Kitty Kat Klub (You’ll need a drink after a day at MOA, trust me). The place is full of tall ficus trees strung with holiday lights. Curl up in a corner with a cutie and cocktail — It’s almost as good as outdoor patio seating. Almost.

However you spend you weekend, don’t let the weather get you down. There is no need to go crazy and adhere googly eyes on your houseplants. No. No. No. (If the video player doesn’t load, go here.)

Umm-umm! It feels like spring. Time for Captain Bringdown (aka Greengirl Connie) to remind you that it’s still darn early to do much in the garden. I know it’s beautiful. I know you want to get outside and get a jump on those chores. But you can do harm if you start too soon. Read my early spring dos and don’ts first:

DON’T RAKE. Especially if the soil is soft and squishy. You can damage those tiny grass plants if you rake too early.

DON’T REMOVE YOUR WINTER MULCH unless you see plants trying to grow up through the mulch. Then, just push the mulch to the side. We could still get some stinging cold.

DON’T WORK THE SOIL. Wait until it’s dried a bit.

If you simply have to do something in the yard:

DO cut back last year’s perennials, if you left them standing.

DO pick up trash and other winter debris in your yard.

DO plant up a pot of frost-hardy pansies. But be ready to bring them in the porch if the temperatures drop.

Captain Bringdown sez: Be safe rather than sorry. Have a great, garden-light weekend!