Experiment. Try a number of different kinds and colors and decide for yourself which is best. I go through stages, and right now I'm rather fond of Lucullus. One could argue that the various colored chards may provide more anti-oxident value, but for pure flavor Lucullus is hard to beat. I've had marginal production from bright lights, but everything else seems to grow like weeds. Fordhook Giant is tasty and truly lives up to its name.

I'm Ania from Southern CA. I live with my boyfriend and 2 of our own little terrier dogs (also known as terrors) and a third foster terrier. We just purchased a house a year ago so this is my second year gardening. Until we bought the house, I was one of those people that would kill every plant that was in my care. I'm trying to change that and I have several houseplants that have lived a year for me now. For me, that's good. I did some landscaping on the property last year and well, let's just say I did it again this year with plants that would actually work for the area. They are working so far. I grew a few things in pots last year with limited success. I started really late a got a just a few tomatos from 3 plants that got attacked by hornworms, some Jalapeno's and Cubanelles and some Okra. My herbs did well and I had a lot of basil and still have pineapple sage and mint from last year. I tried, unsuccessfully to grow eggplant as well. This year, I decided to actually learn how to garden and here I am. This year I'm growing 8 varieties of tomatoes, several varieties of peppers, a couple of eggplants, tomatillos, several squash and zucchini, green onions, lima beans, and a few other things all in containers. I am also just now sprouting chard and amaranth. I also have a lot of herbs growing. I made some big mistakes to start with and got a late start on some things but all is going fairly well. I'm really glad to have found this place so I can learn and maybe I can know what I'm doing with this gardening stuff one day. Ania

My poor pumpkins are fighting a battle. The leaves on top are really old. This particular plant was started from seed back in March. It was transplanted in May and boy did it fry and die. All of the beautiful leaves shrivled and died. With much watering and shading, they did come back. The leaves that are older are a bit light, but all of the new growth is nice and green. The older my garden gets, the more I learn about composting, mulching and fertilizer. I've learned for instance, that things cannot be transplanted out here-period. Everything does well when started outside. It learns to deal with the harsh elements and accustoms itself from sprout how to deal with it. Such as my watermelons. The transplants fried so bad, they didn't come back. However, the ones you see were planted 2 weeks ago and they are awesome! The new bed was supposed to be for my fall SFG, but I can hardly contain myself. How can I look at all that beautiful dirt and not plant something? Scratch that. My big stupid great dane just rolled her big butt through it and tossed all that gorgeous (expensive) Mel's mix all over!!!

HELLOOOOOOOOOO! I've been missing in action and I'm really sorry about it. I've been busy, busy, but now can communicate with everyone while I am on the road cause I'm going to invested in a Blackberry. Right now I have a loaner for a couple of weeks to see how I like it. It is an older model, and does not take pictures but I love the idea that I can access the internet while not at home. I've been working both my jobs, went to Greenbay/Wrightown, Wisconsin to pick up Shelby and Deanna's two Boston Terriers on the 24th of July. I can't say I enjoyed getting out of the Ohare airport and going through the Port of Milwaukee was no picnic either. Oh lord, I could have never done it without the GPS a friend let me borrow. So, while Shelby and DeAnna are celebrating the 7th year that Shelby is in remission on the beaches of Antigua. I get the pleasure of watching the two little devils. I love them, but garden dogs they are NOT. The weather has been great and we've been able to shut off the central air and enjoy opening the windows. But, the little devils whine, cry, bark, and run from window to window and I can hear them even when I'm way out back. Needless to say this drives me nuts, and don't get me started with how bad they terrorize my cats. Will I be glad to take them back? OH LORD YES! The idea of skipping August sounds good to me. This will give me time to get caught up on more boxes. Speaking of boxes Alana and Sassy what kind of fragrance DO YOU NOT LIKE. I only have one of the Pillow talk and would hate to send something you guys didn't want or use. Kat, Welcome, and glad to hear you are doing well with your shoulder surgery. I would love to see pics of your Great Danes, they are wonderful dogs! Vic, I wish I could help you out with a cat, but........I'm sorry,as much as love ya. Would I drive cross country to bring you on? NO,NO,NO! You say Why? (see above for my trip through Chicago and Milwaukee. Crazy drivers, the speed limit says 65 and these people are going 90. Trust me, if you don't keep up with the flow they will run you over. I just about had a semi up my you know what. I believe I used several new cuss words. Tracy did I see you say you blew up Alana's garden. Now what could Alana possibly do to have you do that? Or should I ask? Sassy, I tell you what, I will trade you Kensie for two little angels for a week. HeLLO to everyone else. I miss you all! This is my only day off and I am leaving for Chicago Friday then Shelby will drive from the airport to his house. I will be coming back on the 9th. Work three days then I'll be off except for doing my part time job a few hours each day for a week. I need some coffee!! LIFE IS GOOD, Annie