Grace Harrison popped the plastic lid on a tabletop “greenhouse” about the size of a cookie sheet. Under the moisture-covered lid was a tray lined with perfect rows of what appeared to be sushi rolls—but actually were ornamental pepper plants germinating in tiny round seed pods. Patience is in short supply in today’s society, but Harrison thinks there’s added joy in gardening from scratch.

Clichés and rhyming weather lore passed down through the generations supposedly predict weather patterns and seasonal changes. Naturalists and amateur forecasters enjoy correlating these sayings to what they observe in nature to suggest what the future might bring. Though idioms such as “no weather is ill, if the wind be still” have become part of our culture, most of the predictions are unreliable. The few that are valid are those based on underlying scientific cause-and-effect relationships, such as the response of plants, animals and insects to changes in atmospheric and environmental conditions.

Berkleigh Cook stood in the center of her cluttered playroom with her hands on her hips, her curly hair cinched in a power ponytail and her pink-and-black outfit perfectly matched. “I’m in charge,“ the 6-year-old reiterated. Matt Paxton concurred. “We’re not going to take anything you don’t want us to take,“ said the founder of Richmond-based Clutter Cleaner. “You are in charge.“

Cindy Bennett’s only initial concern with the sandbox in her son’s first outdoor play set was the mess it would create. She never thought the threat of cancer would be the issue that would keep Angus’ sandbox empty to this day. “When we went to Lowe’s, Home Depot, et cetera, to find something to fill that box, it seems that most play sand really isn’t sand at all, but it seems to be derived from quarried quartz rocks,“ said Bennett, an agent with RE/MAX Action Real Estate in Richmond.

Divorcing pair should settle case Q:I am involved in a divorce case. Can I use this information in regard to not dropping the price of our home? Is it something the divorce court would listen to? Our real estate agent wants us to reduce the price every three weeks until someone makes an offer. The price is just about down to what is owed on the mortgage loan, and I would like to come out with a little profit.—Paul

Calendar of events relating to homes and gardens Williamsburg Garden Walks: Summertime guided tours of the gardens in the Historic Area are included in Colonial Williamsburg admission. Registration is required for all walks: Gardens of the Gentility, 9:30 a.m. today; repeats Fridays and Tuesdays through Aug. 28. Through the Garden Gate, 9:30 a.m. tomorrow; repeats Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays through Aug. 29. For information or registration, call (800) HISTORY (447-8679) or visit http://www.history.org.

We have beautiful lilacs that are attacked by Japanese hornets a couple times each summer. These huge hornets girdle-strip the bark from branches and trunks apparently to use for nest-building. They appear to be immune to Sevin applied to the bushes or directly to the insects. The only success we have had against the hornets is to ambush them with a direct shot of wasp and hornet spray while they are gnawing on the plant. We would appreciate any advice you have.

Hot, steamy summer days are here for a short window. Get out and enjoy the summer heat before the cold, dreary winter returns. Turn on a sprinkler and cool off, hit the pool, enjoy a Popsicle . . . or try beating the heat with an activity that’s a little more out of the box. Here are five ways you and your family can beat the summer heat. 1. Visit an indoor water park: When the thermometer reads 95 degrees, outdoor water parks and pools will be packed. But indoor parks offer the same enjoyment without the heat or the long lines. Even better, summer is the off-season for indoor parks, so you may be able to get exceptional package deals or deep discounts. A Buttoned Up-tested favorite: Kalahari Resorts in Ohio and Wisconsin.

Q:I’m a member of the Orchid of the Month Club and have had great success with 32 plants so far. The only exceptions are the lady slippers whose leaves are dying and falling off. What can I do differently?—J.C. Answer: One of the challenging aspects of a multi-genera collection is keeping track of the divergent cultural needs. Much like day care, in which teachers must know who is potty-trained, who has food allergies and who takes naps, orchid growers have a mental tally of their plants’ culture.

PROJECT: Powder room renovation TIME: Two weeks COST: Less than $100 HOW SHE DID IT: About a year ago in Pennsylvania, Gay Neale fell in love with a friend’s powder-room wallpaper. The friend gave her leftover remnants of the paper, which was “sort of a Japanese/William Morris theme,“ Neale said. “It wasn’t much, but I have a tiny powder room, too, and I drew lots of plans until I figured out how to use it,“ Neale said.

Many of the Richmond area’s rose gardens are showing the effects of an abnormally rainy spring and summer. Excessive moisture has created conditions that support black spot—a fuzzy-looking, dark-colored fungus that appears on leaves and slowly defoliates the plant. Since roses rely on their leaves as a source of the sun’s energy, a reduction in foliage often translates to less vigorous growth and less flowering.

New neighborhood gardens are growing in a Richmond city park, in a project that could lead to adopt-a-park opportunities around the city. The new community garden at Humphrey Calder Park, next to Patterson Avenue between Thompson Street and Interstate 195, was constructed the last week in April, planted the first week in May and already is bringing neighbors closer to neighbors.

Editor’s Note: Information includes plant title; annual or perennial; start from seed or plant; sun requirements; water requirements; soil requirements; herbaceous stuff

Calendar of events relating to homes and gardens Lewis Ginter Programs: Increase your gardening know-how at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave.: Arranging for the Altar, 9 p.m.-noon tomorrow, $50-$60. Practical Gardening—Introduction to Design, lecture 6-9 p.m. Thursday and small-group workshop 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5 or 6-9 p.m. Feb. 12, $40-$50.