Because February can be such a cold, gray month for me, I start getting sentimental about my garden. The sore muscles, dirty fingernails, and soiled knees are just memories. Although February is late to start forcing some bulbs, I like tending to them as a way of giving my green thumb some exercise. Forcing bulbs is fun, takes little effort, and doesn't require much gardening skill. I am partial to the amaryllis (showy, lush blossoms ranging from vivid red, peach, and apple blossom pink to snowy white). Narcissus (white, fragrant blooms) is another favorite.

Once amaryllis bulbs bloom, I save them from year to year. I used to dig the bulbs into my garden so the green leaves could recharge, but more recently I have begun keeping them in their pots and then moving them outdoors once weather permits. When fall comes, I pull the bulbs from the pots, put them in a paper bag, and store them in the house to avoid frostbite. The leaves turn brown and crisp, ready to be discarded. Then all I have to do is remember where I stored them. Some years I have had to search.

No matter whether I buy a new bulb or replant an old one, I always begin planting by putting a layer of styrofoam packing peanuts in the bottom of the clay pot for drainage (much lighter than rocks). I have taken to planting multiple bulbs in one pot because I like a profusion of blossoms. Then I put in a layer of soil and nestle in the bulb, covering only the bottom half with soil or moistened moss. I have learned amaryllis don't need as much water when sprouting as they need when blooming. Once the bulb's first green tip appears, I get excited to watch daily growth. Because I never label bulb colors from year to year, each blossom provides a surprise.

I also save a few paper white narcissus bulbs. I know most of them are sold for Christmas, but when the grays of February and March drag on, a blooming flower is a breath of fresh air. Just a hint about growing these fragrant flowers so they don't get so leggy that they fall over: Give them a nip of alcohol and keep them in the dark when rooting. I root my paper whites in gravel and fill with water just to cover the root level. Once the green shoots are about two inches high, I move the plantings into sun light, pour off the water, and add a solution of water and 4-6% alcohol. Yes, use booze.

You can use any hard liquor (vodka, tequila, whiskey) or rubbing alcohol, but not beer or wine because of their sugar content. Here's a formula I learned online: "To convert your booze to 5% alcohol, just divide the percentage alcohol by 5 and then subtract 1. That will tell you how many parts water to mix with your 1 part alcohol. Example: 40 divided by 5 = 8: 8 minus 1 = 7... 7 parts water to 1 part alcohol."

I make my mixture in an empty water jug and continue watering with the water/alcohol solution for the duration. It seems that the solution stunts the green growth of the plant but not the bloom. While there are a few more hardy bulbs that can be forced indoors, I have not been as successful with tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, particularly starting this far into winter.

If you do not have bulbs but want just something green, try growing wheatgrass. All you need is a pot, a bit of soil and water plus seeds. Most health food stores should have red wheatgrass. Soak the seeds for a few hours. Then spread them on top of the soil in a container. Keep them very moist for the first several days until sprouting occurs. In seven days you can have a stand of grass that's a reminder Spring comes next. Happy indoor gardening!