Gardening isn't always a party, but hanging out with the plants feels like being with friends. I suppose it's because I spend so much of time with them that it's easy to see them as the people they are.

Tending the garden and watching the plants change through the seasons; their different needs, likes, colors, scents, shapes; the feeling you get when you're with them; my brain translates this to "personalities".

Many plants seem friendly and easy-going, while others are pointedly stand-offish. I think "personality traits" are true of a plant in general, but can also be specific to the person.

Take Nettles. Nettles gives nutritious food and needed medicines to both people and animals. Its tea is even used to nourish other plants in the garden. So giving of so many gifts! Every herbalist I know is friends with nettle.

But nettles does not like me. The "7 minute itch" you get from nettle sting is a 7 day pins-and-needles nerve-tingling torture for me. I swear I feel that same tingly itch in my throat when I drink nettle tea or tincture, so I figure it's best to give nettles her space.

Another vitamin-and-mineral-rich Spring herb that does like me is chickweed. And I love chickweed!

Chickweed is soft where nettles is sharp. Chickweed radiates a happiness that's infectious- it's a party when we're together. And funny coincidence, because of her skin-soothing properties, chickweed is used to treat nettle sting.

Some people you click with, some you don't, right? So go ahead and start mingling. The plants' party is open invitation. I guarantee you'll meet someone you really like.