Lovely pictures everyone..Sharon your "arizona sun" gaillardia looks taller then mine..I was disappointed on how short mine are...Pudge your grass bed is wonderful. After poking along all summer my polish spirit clematis is finally blooming most of the annuals in my flowerbeds paid no attention to the frost Last year the annual Hollyhocks were outstanding...this year they have just began to bloom and the flowers are really weirdly shaped It hasn't happened before but my rugosa cabbage type rose decided to put on a few blooms on this years new growth..second time around for it and smells just as lovely.. ---savona---

In addition to the sales April 26, and May 9-11, there is a sale May 4 at the Earth Center which is the home of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. They also have some wonderful gardens worth looking at. EARTH Center Plant Sale Date: 5/4/2008 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Middlesex County EARTH Center, Davidsons Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave South Brunswick, NJ Speaker: Middlesex County Master Gardeners Description: Dont miss your chance to buy your summer gardener starter plants from the Middlesex County Master Gardeners at their headquarters, the EARTH Center. The enormous selection of plants includes (but is not limited to) heirloom tomatoes, unusual varieties of perennials & annuals, flowering vines, ornamental grasses and dozens of types of vegetables for your gardens. Feel free to bring a wagon or small cart to transport you purchases. You can get a glimpse at the EARTH Centers various demonstration areas while you are there. There will be a special Mothers Day gift making event for the kids as well for a small fee. Dont miss it ! (Raindate May 10) Cost: FREE Sponsor(s): Middlesex County Master Gardeners Contact: Denise, 732 398 5262 http://events.rutgers.edu/njaes/event.asp?id=11231&d=200805&u=all&c=m2 ellen

All you pepperheads are soo blessed. My one huge desire this year, other than for Italian roasting peppers, was for poblanos and my worst fear came true, mislabled pepper plants. What was supposed to be was a couple of poblanos turned out to be Aneheims. That's part of the beauty of raising your own seedlings, you know what you're getting. However, as long as I can make Chili Rellanos with them, I'll still be a happy camper. Anyway, on today's menu from the garden will be sweet corn picked just before dinner time, NY Strips with roasted garlic butter from garden garlic. (I'm definately off my vegetarian kick.) Then, a tomato, green pepper and cucumber salad. I was surprised I've been having tomatos for a couple of weeks now, but that due only to a few large tom plants I bought for starters. The biggest and prettiest ones have been Parks Whoppers from my raised bed. Happy 4th to all, Barbara

Hi there all- Yep Ann- I posted back on the 20th that I had received your envelope- thanks again for the very nice selection sent in! I received a few more envelopes today- Roflol, Clay Lady, Kliddle, and Nan6161! Whew- so many many great seeds you all have sent in! I am using a laundry basket with an alpha-accordion file for the general swap- and individual pocket manila folders for each member- and I am already running out of room with only 13 member envelopes out of 38 members (so far) sent in! That IS a lot of seeds!- OK- a lot of paper too but hey- Shilohyn - how ever many or few you send in is GREAT! The mix is wonderful too. They are sure to be appreciated by those who receive them! I hope I have been answering questions as they appear on the board here- But some of the entries are being "squished" so that I can not read them- It must be time to start a new update thread- but I think I will wait till Sunday if I can. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail if I missed your important question- Thanks- Julie