OMG!!! Token, you are fantastic!! My computer has not been working and while I am waiting (impatiently) for a new one - I haven't been on our forum, but today I was able to use my husband's and WQW! you've been busy!! Everyone - I have had the honor to meet Tom (token) and while he exudes energy and enthusiasm on this forum - along with expertise knowledge - he is also a VERY caring, considerate and friendly guy - but I guess you all know that! :0) I'm impressed - especially because I haven't even started yet! I have so many perennials that I started last year in my holding beds that for now I've been working on eleven huge compost bins and having a ball doing it. Trowelgal (tina) encouraged me to use some of my huge wire bins for holding my chopped leaves and Starbucks has been supplying me with grounds everyday - so I've been busy. Tom - I love the pictures - keep posting them - Now I am going to your blog - you sure are an inspiration Carrie

The seeds are all packaged and ready to go. Information is for zone 7b, so your mileage may vary. I'll choose the winner from the pool of entries on Tuesday morning, posting here and sending an email. You've got today and Monday to enter.

Tom, it's 3/4" schedule 20 pvc. I used 1/2" metal conduit to hold the pipe down. I drilled 11/16" holes in the raised bed timbers and hammered the conduit down. Last year I used rebar hammered into the ground, but I wanted something more permanent this time around. I kept the pipe inside until I was ready to install it. It needs to be done while the pipe is still flexible enough to bend. The pipe will be replaced each fall. Sunlight degrades PVC, but the UV protected pipe isn't as flexible. And I wanted the thicker pipe to protect against snow loads (rare) and for vines this summer (heavy). Here's a shot before I bent the pieces over. You can see the conduit. It'll be used this summer to support trellises for beans, maters, and cukes. Zahzeen, treat all your summer veggies like annuals. I start my cukes and squash about 2 weeks prior to the last frost, which is around April 15 for me. Pumpkins and gourds like it hot, so don't plant them until the soil is warm. I always plant things like that, watermelons, cantaloupes, etc directly in the soil. I don't wintersow beans either because it heats up so fast here in the spring. You might want to do that to get a longer season. And for comparison's sake, I sowed tomatoes indoors this year on February 8, planted out April 13, the day after Easter. You'll be further out than me, so adjust according to frost predictions. Snow peas, started March 19 last year, had no time to grow before the heat wilted them. This year, they'll be sown in early February with cabbage. Check out your local Ag sources. There should be a county extension office nearby. Ask them when you can plant, then sow them 4-6 weeks earlier if indoors, 2 weeks if wintersowing. I mix and match trying to find a system that works for me.

Hi from Debbie in the midwest... -- so, here we are on your rose adventure! Do you know what kind of rose it is? I know many people know lots more than I do about roses, but I will tell you that what I've done is the following: a mixture of the dirt you have, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 peat moss is a good idea. Dig a hole much larger than your rose, and use this mixture to plant. When I plant anything, I also use root stimulator to give it a good start. Also, roses do well with a systemic -- it can be powder or liquid applied at the base of the rose, and it provides both plant foot and insect/disease control. That's what I use. You can find it at any garden store. I never had roses either until I discovered miniature roses. They are so wonderful that I have changed and now have lots! They bloom all the time, do not have to have an entirely full day of sun, and this spring in zone 5, were growing unbelievably fast in early spring. So give it a try! I think your several hours of sun that you have the rose now is good. I am sure many will have more ideas to help you out. Send a photo of the flower when it blooms again! good luck, Debbie