I bought our pea seeds yesterday. Another sign of spring, even though it is cold outside.

There is still a crust of ice on about a third of the vegetable garden, so there is no way I will be planting them soon, but it makes it feel like spring. If it were a bit warmer, I could have titled this posting Peas Purchased Hot (the mind does funny things when I want to garden outside and can't.)

I was driving past Allen Sterling & Lothrop on Route 1 in Falmouth and just had to stop in.

We will be planting Knight -- an old family favorite -- Word's Record, Green Arrow and Sugar Snap. The staff bagged up a 2-pound bag of Green Arrow for me because they were out, and two 1-pound bags would have cost $10.50 rather than the $7.50 for a 2-pound bag. Very helpful.

I considered buying Mr. Big, an early variety that as an All American Selection Winner in 2000, but passed. After straying from Sugar Snap last year and being dissatisfied, I questioned straying again.

We were visiting friends and relatives in Rhode Island over the weekend (speaking at a garden club in South Kingston) and went to the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park in Providence. It is a great spot to begin thinking spring, and this is not just because our daughter-in-law's mother volunteers there.

In Sunday's column I report on plans for an arboretum at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.

Right now I am just hoping to keep the snow away. The cool drizzle is depressing but not dangerous.

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