The Red Cardinal flower, an important nectar source for hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies, is just one locally grown native plant available at the annual AdkAction plant sale. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

Jun-uary, as a friend calls this chilly season, has me regretting putting away my winter flannel sheets.

My allergies are in full bloom as I battle blackflies while wearing a down parka. There are way too many conflicting things happening at once.

Since I don’t enjoy weeding, I use these fluctuating temperatures to conduct a thorough garden cleanse, thinning out overgrowth and battling any invasive and aggressive plants that have popped up in my yard.

Those forget-me-nots are aptly named. How can I forget them? Everywhere I turn, I am pulling up those pesky, aggressive flowers. They aren’t on the New York State Invasive Species website, but it doesn’t mean I want them showing off all over the place.

There are native Forget-me-nots, but I don’t know the difference. In my annual weeding fury, I’m sure I’ve ripped native plants right out of the ground along with their woodland blue-flowered counterparts. I’m grateful for the opportunity to ask Adirondack experts about the difference.

This Saturday, AdkAction is once again hosting their Native Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival. Over 2,000 native plants were grown locally for this event. There will also be educational and sustainability workshops, kids’ activities, and a children’s scavenger hunt (the first 50 children to complete the activity will receive wearable butterfly wings). Registration for the workshops and plants is highly encouraged at adkaction.org.

I have pre-purchased native plants from AdkAction in past years. I’ve always just stuck the identifying label that came with the plant into the ground and gone about my business. I swear the chipmunks move the plant tags to mess with my mind. It could be that I forget and rip up the beneficial plants during my annual weeding frenzy.

You don’t have to judge me or reprimand me. I have enough going on in my head. Let’s agree to blame the chipmunks. Last year was the first time I decided to double-mark and stake the plants in my garden. I do learn. It just takes a bit of time. I’m still a repeat customer, but this time I’m paying attention to where I want to place my newly acquired native pollinator plants.

The AdkAction Pollinator Festival is scheduled for June 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at Uihlein Farm Greenhouse, 281 Bear Cub Road, Lake Placid.

Wear your walking shoes and pack your parka. It is the Adirondacks. You never know what the weather may bring in next. Happy gardening!