heirloom bulbs, plus take my 2014 pledge: more mulch, no sprays   

If I say "heirloom," you'd probably say "seed," but the topic today is heirloom bulbs -- and especially dahlias. Mr. Heirloom Bulb himself, Scott Kunst of Old House Gardens, tells us why we should share his "anthropological passion" for these exceptional plants, and how to grow them. And you might win a $40 gift certificate in my latest giveaway.

take my greener pledge, win a ruth stout classic 

With help from the late Ruth Stout, I'm asking you to do two things this year: Use lots of good-quality mulch, and use no sprays or other chemicals. Get two nuggets of Stout's 1961 wisdom -- and a chance to win her book "Gardening Without Work" if you take the pledge now. Can I count on each of you to help your garden grow greener in 2014?

miss it last time?

• More spring-planted bulbs: tuberous begonias, callas, eucomis
• My attachment to a dear old car (letter #2 in my series on aging)