I spent a couple hours outside Saturday morning carefully shaking snow off my trees and bushes - about 8" of heavy wet stuff, then it started melting faster than it was falling. We got aroud 3" between the rain and the snow. This wasn't nearly as bad as 2007, though. I only lost some smaller branches and some that were growing at too low an angle. I looked it up - it was around May 25, 2007 - I was woken up at about 5:00 AM by the sound of big tree limbs breaking. My planting times - Potatoes go out between May 5th and 10th. The main garden goes in between May 17th and 27th. I plant my perennials out in May, and pansies go out early - sometimes snapdragons, but they break so badly if they get that heavy snow. My petunias will start going out this week, with the really tender stuff like basil and tomatoes not going out until June 7th or so, and getting row covers on top. I know they could probably go out sooner, most years, but I've lost too many plants to frost over the years. I think my latest frost was about July 7th - one of those freaky things. Connie

There once was a local Hosta Society in Spokane, right? At least someone said so and I attended the National Convention there about 10 years ago! Some great Hosta gardens thereabouts and in ID. Maybe it's time to grease the wheels and get them turning again! Alexis, you might inquire around the local nurseries, to see if you can find a few interested people, to restart the organization. I can't imagine a Hostaholic taking the cure and hasn't fallen off the wagon! I have, several times during the past 20 years! Rb

Wow! Didn't think this post was anywhere around anymore! Sorry mandav, I reorganized my online photo albums quite some time ago, so that is why the pictures are not showing up. To update everyone, we did build a picket fence in spring of '05 and did create a garden along the side walk. We only went part way with the fence, but are hoping to finish it to the corner and then built a low stone wall around the corner next spring. I already started the flower bed to the corner last spring. Within the corner (behind the stone wall) we will build some type of arch and mount an 1859 bronze school bell that we purchased last year. This picture was taken in 2005. The fence is built out of cedar and we have left it to weather without painting or staining it. I will link to my web page below if you would like to see more pictures. The pages for 2005, 2006 and 2007 should have some pictures where you can see the fence as it ages and the flower bed as it fills in. Marylu Here is a link that might be useful: Our Gardens

And do let us know how it goes. Remember that anything not up to snuff will be credited and easy-peasy to cancel the entire deal anytime. Your first box will be around 20$ I think including shipping. I had planned to put on hold for the summer but I do like getting organic produce I cannot grow in my climate. They have an odd pear now. Some new variety that has odd exterior coloring. Would no doubt be passed up by grocery shoppers. Just delicious. I don't need my discount but your discount is co-applied. I would rather my discount go to the workers/packers. (I e-mail them often and suggested just that). Best for adventurous scratch cooks. Knowing what veg keeps long and what needs to be used within a few days or a week. I have a gorgeous big bunch of pencil asparagus from last week I need to use up. Frittata tomorrow morning! 😜. I also have an enormous leek so maybe a leek/garlic/asparagus soup. Early covid had lots of delivery issues but that seems to have been corrected. This last box had two big ice packs. I recycle and re-freeze for our weekend cooler. And to fill freezer space for storm power outages. I advise to not get overly excited, 😜. If something is immediately limp like kale. Soak the stem ends in cold water. Only old and gross has yellow leaves. Fresh green leaves of most produce will perk up. I've picked fresh greens from my garden wrong time mid-day heat and have had wilting in an hour. They hire less fortunate than most of us. Just out of prison, illiterate. Those not familiar with most fresh veg. Especially the unfamiliar vegetables. I so get the screw-ups when packing the boxes. It does seem to be a good business plan that helps so many. The pear farmer trying a new variety that is discarded by groceries that want perfect color and shape and the organic farmer that has a few tiny bug holes in their very fresh leaves.