It's that time of year and if you're anything like me you've already ordered your seeds. When they arrive, or just before, you check out your peat pots and starter soil to see if you have enough to get the seeds planted. Rather than using peat pots, try making starter pots out of newspaper. Why? Because it's

• a resource you probably already have in your home and receive every day
  
• a great way to recycle
  
• prevents support of peat bog erosion
  
• you can plant the pot and seedlings directly into the ground without disturbing the roots
  

So how do you do it? You can follow these simple directions. This article suggests using a Potmaker, but any small can will work just as easily.

If you don't have enough newspaper, try toilet paper rolls. Everybody has toilet paper rolls! The rolls are just the right size, you can fold the ends in to make the bottom of the pot, add soil and plant your seeds. Give it a try - you have nothing to lose. Happy Gardening.

and here are more links for your enjoyment.

• Toadly Frogs carries a variety of what else? frog stuff. There are froggy collectables, frames, jewelry, kitchen frogs, holiday frogs...the list goes on and on. And of course they carry garden frogs-chimes, thermometers, rain gauges, and my favorite the frog doorbell. We have one just like it that brightens up our front doorway.
  
• In the market for a new mailbox? Check out Mailboxixchange for wall mount or curbside options. They also offer among other things doormats, weathervanes, and address plaques.
  
• Do you have bamboo in your yard and don't know how to keep it from spreading? Visit Bamboo Habitat for rhizome barrier. You can also find mats, stakes, fencing and more.
  
• Garden accessories galore can be located at Heaven in Earth. Have you ever heard of a dibber? It's for planting seeds and bulbs and is available in two sizes. I liked the plant labels made from slate and copper as well as the recycled tyre tub - great idea for recycling.
  
• Last but not least is a new garden blogger in Minnesota. Written by Jocelyn, The Garden Corner promises to offer lots of photographs and gardening advice as she moves through her experiences. Go check it out.
  

It's April. Get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather even if you are getting some of those unexpected snow flurries. It's still great fresh air after all those months of being cooped up. Happy Gardening and Happy Easter.