I just dug those tomato plants out and buried them in the garden, as the only thing I could think of: a mix of soapy water and jojoba oil didn't harm the bugs at all and I didn't seem to be able to win the fight. There where SO many bugs on these huge and healthy plants. I collected a few adult bugs and nymphs and sprayed them with my soap and oil mix but they didn't mind it at all and kept running around after they had cleaned the spray off their bodies. Obviously the adults survived when I trashed the plants as they can fly and now I found them all over my new little tomato plants in the garden, when they are only supposed to become a pest late in the season and it's just february... So I am starting the fight early this year and would appreciate any ideas. For now I am spraying the plants twice a week with a stronger solution of soapy water. I use 1Tbsp Dr. Bronners to a quart of water and rinse it off after 30mins. Apparently soapy water kills Lysus bug nymphs, so contrary to what I observed last year, it should kill the tomato bug nymphs too. That's why I'm trying a stronger solution this time and hope for it to kill the younger nymphs? Although it makes me feel like a weirdo I also vacuum those plants to get the adults. From what I read they lay their eggs into the plant tissue, so I can't try and get those. Any other suggestions? I would love to eat at least a few tomatoes this year! Olga

As you read about trees, you may find ones that are more suited to particular microclimates of your land. For example, I ended up going with an Overcup Oak for part of my yard because I am at a lowland area that gets a lot of rain from long steadily sloped hills. Overcup oaks can grow in submerged waters for a while and they like moist lowlands as opposed to dry hilltops. I would encourage you to think in terms of five areas: 1) Trees that tend to grow together in nature, like beech-oak-hickory forest as an example; 2) groupings that create good variety of fall color (both in terms of color itself, and when in the season the leaves change); 3) groupings that create year-round interest (e.g. for winter, have some evergreen or trees with interesting bark or branching patterns in each group); 4) trees like white oak that attract/support insects, and thus will attract birds and wildlife to your land; and 5) “layers" of the groupings, like canopy trees, understory trees, shrub layer plants, and ground level plants. Again, keeping in mind that some things like to grow together (pines and azaleas) while other things like maples will use their roots to crowd out nearby plants. Still, other plants like pin oak emit chemicals that discourage competition from nearby plants. Some plants like rhododendron and eastern hemlock like consistently moist but not soggy soil (think steep bank near a stream.) You are right to approach it slowly, as it is a life's work! Think variety, and think in terms of mature size of the plants.

Thanks! Well its somewhat comforting to know that the fact that I am having a hard time finding anything is because there aren't many options! Evergreen isn't an absolute must... but yes it is quite shady and the soil has a high peat content. There are several healthy yews under the windows of the colonial, just looking for some variation to flank the door. Thanks for your input!

Are you looking for a vacation home or somewhere to spend a week or two? My DH and I lived in Midtown when we bought a weekend house in Pike County. That was a long time ago--the start of what eventually became full-time living in PA. I've certainly heard of the spots you mention, but don't know anything about them. I drive through Milford once a year in summer, but never have time to stop. It looks busy and charming. I can say the same for Stroudsburg, which is bigger. If you like jazz, you might look around the Delaware Water Gap (NJ) area, home of the Deer Head Inn, a jazz mecca, and some nice countryside. Perhaps Maire_Cate will see this. She's more knowledgeable than I about the very eastern PA area.