Springing to life: Albuquerque residents prepare for gardening season

Apr. 17—Osuna Nursery was bursting with life Tuesday, and it wasn't just because of all the flowers and trees. The aisles of the Northeast Albuquerque business were full of residents gearing up for the upcoming planting and gardening season.

Among them was Debbie Mask, who had her shopping cart packed full of flowers.

"I love flowers. I love the colors and just the freshness of springtime and the coming summer," she said.

The flowers that Mask was buying served a personal and professional purpose: Some would be planted in her yard, others at Sunset Mesa School.

Mask has owned the private elementary school for the past 25 years and has undertaken all of the planting at the school.

"I've got about 35 pots, and I try to do a variety of plants for (the students) and just beautify the campus," she said. "The kids know when I'm out (planting). It's my happy place."

Flowers were seemingly in every shoppers basket. This came as no surprise to nursery employee Vangie Chavez, who said, "Right now, because the weather is warm, people can plant flowers and a lot of herbs."

And that goes for vegetables, too.

"A lot of people are eager to do their chile plants and their tomato plants," Chavez said.

The number of green thumbs was just as great at Jericho Nursery in the North Valley on Tuesday, as flowers, trees and vegetable and fruit seeds were flying off the shelves.

"It's a mad dash for everything, right now," said Jennifer Hobson, the nursery's owner.

With the warmer spring weather sweeping into the area, Hobson said now's a perfect time for people to start planting and said those seeking advice on how to care for their newly planted vegetables or flowers can find help at local garden centers, such as Osuna and Jericho.

"Those of us who are independent garden centers spend a lot of time training our staff to understand what needs need to be met with plants," she said.

Hobson also advised residents to keep an eye on the forecast for potential overnight or early morning freezes.

Those freezes are "very unlikely to occur," according to Matt DeMaria, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. "Normally, the last freeze of the year happens in mid-April."

With a freeze not likely in the near future, many people like Mask will be in their garden, happily planting away.

"Winter is over, and we loved winter," Mask said, "but it's time for color and spring and having fun."