In the spring a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of…cleaning the garage? Well, I hope so. It is that time of year again and spring cleaning is in the air and in the bucket of ammonia at your feet. I know there are many of you out there who have already started cleaning and are basking in the scent of Fabreze Gentle Rain even as we speak. And there are wanna-bes, like yours truly, who had a false start last weekend but are determined to get back in the groove once they find their lost Platex rubber gloves.

When it comes to spring cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming and dusting just aren’t enough. Next thing you know you are looking for a paint brush to spruce up the kitchen cabinets. It is like the line from a favorite children’s book by Laura Joffe Numeroff’s, “If you give a mouse a cookie, he is going to ask for a glass of milk.” It illustrates the notion that one thing leads to another and before you know it you’ve completely turned into Mr. Clean; single gold hoop earring and all. If you give a girl a bucket, she’s going to ask for some Murphy’s Oil Soap.

I thought I saw the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz out at the corner of Quantum Road and Northern waving his arms. I couldn’t make out what he was saying but it sounded like “oil can, oil can.” Well, not really, but what a great gimmick for Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful’s hazardous waste disposal event. Yes, this Saturday, April 21 from 9:00am to 2:00pm is garage amnesty 2007. Everything from used motor oil, antifreeze, paints, solvents, herbicides, pesticides, batteries, tires, and household appliances all qualify for an official pardon. So load up all those dirty crooks into the paddy wagon real slow-like and turn ‘em in at DPS Station located at 500 Quantum Road. Firearms and ammunition will also be accepted; no questions asked for you outlaws and no fee, just proof of Rio Rancho residency.

Once you get the garage cleaned out and before you hit the nursery on the annual petunia run, there is a soiree you won’t want to miss. Leave the Bloody Marys and spinach dip at home, this is not that kind of shindig. The City of Rio Rancho is hosting a Xeriscape Demonstration Garden Party and everyone’s invited. According to Larry Webb, who heads the city’s Utilities Division, “Rio Rancho is leading New Mexico water conservation and environmental sustainability efforts by example. Thanks to a team of volunteer Master Gardeners, residents and commercial utilities customers who are using water-conserving Xeriscape landscaping techniques, Rio Rancho is conserving precious water today to ensure a healthy water future for New Mexico’s fastest growing community.”

When some people hear the word xeriscape, what comes to mind is an inner city cement school playground. They think to be politically correct they have to do the whole dirt and cow skull in the front yard theme. Not the case. Xeriscape is actually a combination of seven common-sense gardening principles that save water while creating a lush and colorful landscape. There is a wide variety of colorful, fragrant, and beautiful plants for the less irrigated part of your landscape. You can plant varieties that will keep your garden blooming all year long. Butterfly bushes will carry you through the summer months while other plants provide autumn blooms with colorful foliage and fruit. More plants offer winter blooms with their fruit, seed stalks, and winter colors ranging from silver, to gray, to many different green and brown shades. Visit www.highcountrygardens.com for more information or go to the garden party tomorrow, Friday, April 20th from 12 noon to 3pm, next to the Esther Bone Memorial Library in Veterans’ Memorial Park, north of Southern Boulevard on Pinetree. Let’s keep our status as “New Mexico’s leader in water conservation”. Forget the petunias, think Rubinstern flowers, rocks and rain barrels.

Quote of the Week: “By the garden of the willow tree, and tiptoe through the tulips with me.” – Tiny Tim.

Jennifer Huard’s column appears each Thursday. She welcomes your emails at jhuard@abqjournal.com .