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SEATTLE 鈥� I feel like I鈥檓 living in a museum,鈥� says Veena Prasad.

Home gardeners look forward to and celebrate that time in spring when long-lingering rains and chilling temperatures begin evolving into warm, cosy conditions with bright sunlight to lift our spirits and inspire our horticultural adventures.

Dear Reena: I have hundreds of Christmas cards that I will be throwing away. Is there any organization that does anything with them? I also have several magazines that I used to donate to doctors鈥� offices so that people could cut out recipes.

Dear Debbie: We are planning a special wedding anniversary for our parents, celebrating 50 amazing years. It will be at our family cottage.

Dear Helen: I would like to grow a few flowers in my vegetable plots this spring. What annual flowers are most appropriate for this? B.L. My favourite flowers for the vegetable garden are alyssum, calendula, marigold, nasturtium and cilantro.

Dear Tony: Our strata council has been trying to convince our owners to upgrade our lighting the building to all LEDs to save electrical costs.

Dark and gloomy is how Jean and Alan Hollingworth described this house when they first stepped inside the front door seven years ago. 鈥淚t was very dark, with no light touches anywhere,鈥� said Jean.

What : Crescendo Gala 鈥� benefitting Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria Where : Crystal Ballroom at the Empress Hotel When : 6 p.m., May 6 Tickets : $350 per person, or Lead Donor for $2,500 includes High Note pre-reception.

I hear from many readers who have moved into a loft or otherwise transformed space and are puzzled by what to do with solid brick interior walls. These walls convey an aged, rustic style that can feel dark and gloomy.

On this Earth Day weekend, I鈥檓 celebrating 鈥渄own-to-earth鈥� kindnesses of gardening friends.