It's (almost) spring. I saw the first sign of a day lily sprouting up in my front planting beds and I saw little tulip shoots popping through, too. yayyayayay. And here's another sure sign the growing season is nearly here: garden lecture series.

My inbox this morning yielded some serious funness (no, that's not a word, I just made that up):

From Metro Parks:

The History of Wright Park comes to life through Spring lectures. Discover Wright Park and the Seymour Conservatory in ways you may have never known at a series of lectures hosted at neighboring Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.

Each lecture begins at 6 p.m. at the Karpeles Manuscript Library, 407 South G Street and followed by a reception at the W.W. Seymour Conservatory, 316 South G Street. For more information, please call 253-591-5330 or visit .

March 20: Wright Park Then and Now. Robert Van Pelt, Research Ecologist, University of Washington in Seattle
Join Robert Van Pelt, author and tree researcher, as he describes the transformation of Wright Park over the years. From its humble beginnings over 100 years ago as a logged-over parcel of land to today’s modern park with more than 600 trees representing at least 100 species, including 30 State Champions, Wright Park has stood the test of time to become one of Tacoma’s great treasures.

April 17: An Oasis in the Great Desert of the City's Paved Thoroughfares: Wright Park and the Two Natures of Tacoma 100 Years Ago. Doug Sackman, Associate Professor, University of Puget Sound. Using slides of historical photographs and paintings, this talk will explore the ambivalent attitude toward nature held by Tacomans 100 years ago.

May 1: Taking the Fear Out of Growing Orchids. Ron Bollick, Tacoma Orchid Society. Bollick started growing orchids about 10 years ago and has expanded his collection to over 500 orchids. He successfully grows these beautiful flowers in a greenhouse and indoors. His talk will cover proper care of orchids, including watering, fertilizers, temperature, light, and pests.