One of the first rites of Spring

This is the start of one of my favorite Spring time tasks -- preparing the many (and I mean MANY) flower pots and baskets that have wintered and weathered (with varying degrees of success) and been neglected since last Fall. There is such anticipation -- pulling out the dead stuff, pruning the scraggly messes, cleaning the moldy outsides, and seeing where there is a hope for either another year of color, dividing or re-planting somewhere else in the garden.

This is also the start of countless trips to the nursery!!! Perhaps shoe shopping should be put on hold for a while? ... (nah!)