Dan Heims makes no apologies: "I'm a plant nerd and proud of it," he says.

Considering that it took an hour to regain feeling in many of my fingertips, it might not have been the brightest thing I've done recently.

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During the third weekend of June, 30 of the most private gardens in Amsterdam are open to the public as part of Open Garden Days. Some of them are opening for the first time ever, according to a press release from the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions.

The job of a homemaker is 20 percent more physically demanding than that of a clerical worker, according to a survey by the National Institute of Health and Nutrition and J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo.

When the tomatoes are finally planted, any old daffodil foliage is cut back and the beds are weeded and mulched, it's time to add the final touch of perfection -- tropicals that give your porches and patios a little island mystique.

The lemon beebalm or purple horsemint has simply been incredible this spring and is continuing to show despite some record heat for our region. Here at the National Butterfly Center this native plant was used extensively as part of the Geoffrey McAllen Memorial Native Grassland and Wildflower Refugium which is planted around the Visitor Pavilion.

Now that we're well into spring, we know warmer weather is coming.

WHAT'S NEW: ROOM FAN FRESHENS AIR

Chalkboards may be old-school, but they're the newest accent in home decor.

The mother of a mentally ill homeless man who died after he was beaten by Fullerton police has reached a settlement with the city that will pay her $1 million, officials announced Tuesday evening.