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Dear Helen: In an autumn column, you recommended a tomato that I think was called Big Red. Do you know where I’ll be able to buy transplants of this variety in the spring? I don’t usually grow my own tomato plants from seed. D.W.

The new year’s seed and garden catalogues bring gifts of inspiration and visions of perfect beauty and abundance in our home gardens. We all know that, at some point, the vision will begin fraying at the edges. Weeds encroach.

KIRKLAND, Washington — They didn’t want a bigger house. Or a different house. Or a new neighbourhood, or new neighbours. But the time had come for a change — and suddenly, quite a few things needed changing.

Dear Debbie: Someone in my neighbourhood was making painted floor cloths a long time ago — I think out of linoleum. I cannot find anything in the library about this craft.

Dear Reena: Although I regularly wash my sheets, they have an odour that will not wash out. I’ve tried bleach and borax (not at the same time), but nothing removes the smell. I can’t afford new sheets,.

Dear Tony: After reading your column last week about collections, our council requested a copy of our current receivables from our property manager.

Dear Helen: As a keen gardener, I’m already planning this year’s merry mix of vegetables and flowers. I’ll be away travelling from Aug. 15 to the end of September and the home-exchange people in the house might not water consistently.

Last summer, architect Andrew Beckerman moved himself and all his art from a steel-sided home in Fairfield to a condo in the Songhees, and he is delighted to see how fresh his old favourites look in their new setting.

A favourite flower from childhood is the nasturtium. I remember planting them with my father in the front yard of our Tattersall Drive home. For lovers of this charming, cheery flower, there are many novelty forms to enjoy.

Dear Tony: Our strata has never provided any information regarding the enforcement of bylaws to our owners.