Check for classes. Many local botanic gardens, arboretums, and nature centers offer reasonably priced workshops and lectures at this time of year to enhance your gardening skills. Perhaps you can even take along a friend. (One good source is www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org.)
Join or renew your membership in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. You'll get free Flower Show tickets (www.theflowershow.com). If you just want to go to the show (March 4-11), buy your tickets now to avoid lines at the show. Proceeds go to greening the city, a worthwhile cause and a global event. We have a front-row seat.
Build a birdhouse. The following site describes each bird's nesting needs with suggested dimensions and cavity size: www.natureskills.com/birds/how-to-build-a-bird-house/
Save clementine crates. They make great herb gardens and containers for garden gifts. The wood can also be reused for birdhouses and other small structures. For example: Stack them sideways and glue or nail together to make little storage shelves over a workbench or take the crates apart and use the slats to make a pinwheel. Paint with bright colors and place in the garden; it'll catch the wind. I like to turn these versatile containers into fruit baskets or housewarming garden-boxes with seeds, gloves, and a trowel. What about a Valentine's Day gift?
Reorganize tools. Purge ones you no longer use and donate them to a community garden or the Camden Children's Garden (www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/). To find a community garden in Philadelphia, go to: www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/current-communitygardens
Sharpen the tools you keep. And if you haven't done so already, take your mower to the lawn and garden center for blade-sharpening and servicing.
