You've got to have some guts to be a gardener in the Chicago area. I know the phrase "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes" is used in reference to just about every geographical location, but this past weekend showed how we in northern Illinois truly play meteorological roulette. Without bravery how could one plant forsythias and lilacs that have to be frantically rescued from heavy branch-breaking snows just when they're budding? How can one grow spring bulbs and perennials that risk damage when they dare to appear in March or April, when temperatures can swing 30 degrees in either direction in the span of a few hours? For us gutsy gardeners, all we need is courage and flexibility to literally weather the storms in our corner of the world—the willingness to trudge out into the snow to save those shrubs, the foresight to keep some leaves and winter mulch on hand to quickly cover those bulbs as the storm approaches. Will our gardens sustain damages? Probably yes, to some degree. But as spring temperatures return and winter's waning fury moves eastward, we should remember that by having guts now, we will have glory very soon!

—Rose Rankin