That would be worth the work. Even selling postcards of johhughes gardens would buy the labor paid for the work. Really, though your church could come over and help. Maybe get the kids to come over for a nice salad made from the goods, the garden would be picked clean. It might take more time to make the salad than picking the foods. Or they can come over pick the food and make the salad for themselves? Well, anyways, in the next years to come this garden board is going to be filled with jonhughes garden beds. Everyone is contemplating. I have the postage stamp gardening book, is that the same as French intensive, bioincentive? I probably got the name wrong. I tried that this year, but did it all wrong and not in beds, so bad soil. I'm planning to buy two loads of rocks, big ones, to make a few beds. It will be 200 dollars for two tons, and the cinder blocks are 2 dollars a piece, worth it, but I might get buy cheaper with the load of stones. I would imagine the rocks would have to be cut into some shapes, if that is necessary,I found a nice website describing it. I might be moving, but not yet likely, either way, I when I get situated, I can cut the stones and place them as the piles of compost work down during the winter. I'll be in a better place either way, but you are definitely the envy of gardening right now, swimming in vegetables you don't even like? That's a terrible sin! Just kidding! Maybe you can raise meat inside the veggie garden, a small lamb, or cow, with chickens and or turkeys. Free manure, plus meat! Well anyways, you'd have lots of help if most of us on the board lived in Oregon. I'm in another world in Tennessee. Here is a link that might be useful: cutting stone

The pictures are so lovely! Speedy recovery Joyce. You are incredible. So this site is not only about lotus, also about survival-? The lotus seems so full of life maybe there is a connection-?:)) I am looking for advice and tips too - being a novice lotus grower or wannabe. The lotus out on my balcony, which are all in containers, are struggling but haven't given up yet. I planted them in regular potting soil, so perhaps not enough nutrients, and they are getting half a days worth of sun? Should I replant them in early spring with compost? I have six from seeds, but I haven't seen an aerial yet... still they are trying but the leaf browns out of water... one grown from root has a few floating ones... which is probably Momo Botan, the seedlings I don't know. So they are not dormant yet, with Mediterranean climate. I really don't need seven lotuses, but who knows if they make it! Other question... the seedlings are in jugs, like big juice jugs, should they go into bigger pots packed with compost even now they are struggling? Thanks... Tarja

Makes my mouth water.......... all those different flavors

Your Swirling Water is gorgeous. I planted that one last year, and it didn't bloom very well, so I'm hoping for a better performance. I know what you mean about not always being able to capture the true color of Lady Liz, I have the same problem, but yours are very pretty, just the same. Web of Intrigue - always perfect? You are so lucky to have it open perfectly. Mine will not open well if the weather is too cool! I love Alabama Jubilee - nice photography! Julie