Thank you for asking maidinmontana ... sounds like an excuse to post some pictures, LOL! I did end up digging down 8" - 10" after removing the sod, bought a half yard of compost from a local garden center, then added about 20 bags of organic composted top soil. The soil level is actually a few inches above the original sod height, so it is kind of a semi-raised bed. The edging is holding all the dirt in well, but the grass has managed to sneak some runners underneath. Then my DH built a trellis for me out of some left over cedar from the fence. Before: After: As far as WS goes, I had good germination on my herbs and veggies, but between the 12 hours a day of high altitude full sun exposure, and the lack of protection from the wind, there have been some casualties. There is only one dill seedling left, one marjoram seedling, a couple of tiny thyme seedlings, and a few sick looking basil seedlings. The peppers sprouts were all eaten by something once they were planted out. It wasn't a total failure though. The oregano is finally starting to grow some, and the swiss chard is taking off now too. WS Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights' I have to say that the things that are doing the best were all direct sown - the carrots, bush beans, cucumbers, and the 'Jack B. Little' pumpkins. Jack B. Little pumpkins: I will probably do some WS again this year so that I can feel like I'm gardening while it's below zero outside, but I might stick with annuals, and perennials, and just direct sow the veggies/herbs or start some in the kitchen windowsill. The basil, and parsley that I sowed in pots in the kitchen windowsill (south facing) are much bigger and healthier looking than the ones WS and planted in the garden. I know these results differ from many of the success stories on this forum, but the high desert/mountain climate here makes gardening more difficult than many areas of the country. My problems weren't with the WS process, but keeping things alive once they were planted out. I'd love to hear how it went for other WS'ers from this part of the country! And post some pics if you have them.

Way cool! Thank you for letting me know about the article. I went to iDIG and found the link to it also. The are article is titled: 'Winter sowing' is a frugal gardening technique, using homemade mini-greenhouses It is one of the better articles I've seen because first, it's well written, but next because it is complete. The ideology and concepts are correctly stated and there's also some sample seed lists. Wonderful. I penned off an email to Mr. Seigal, the auther and thanked him and gave kudos also to the WSer Pat King. T--who after prepping garden and food and home for a family bbq is quite beat but WOW! this was a pick-me-upper! Here is a link that might be useful: 'Winter sowing' is a frugal gardening technique, using homemade mini-greenhouses

We might not get there till about 12:30 ..BUT!I'll be there. I have plants of daylils, Irish eyes, liropie, and oodles of seeds.. are seeds OK? My SIL rebuilt my puter over the weekend. However he didn't save any of my info. If you could please email me again with the House Addy. I do remember the street. I drive that street almost 2-8 times a week. What is funny, you might have seen my old truck going by with many plants hanging out of it. Looking forward to Sunday. NJ master gardener

My cute tangelo enjoying some afternoon shade. It gets tons of full sun too but with the temps we've been having, this spot is advantageous. This was a couple weeks ago -I just noticed this thread and its HOT so I'm not going out there to take current photos lol. The leaf curling in the new growth in this photo isnt happening for the new growth in getting now. I'm thinking I wasn't watering enough at that point- the common cause of anything here when it's so hot. Sun scald on the navel after we had a couple 120° days. Glad to say it's dropped to 110° so the rest of the tree is still a good color. The top half is going to suffer for a bit longer but I've see them make it before. Hoping we make it to monsoon without another scorcher! Once it cools down maybe I'll get some current photos and my lime - this is their first summer and I'm impressed they are doing this well. ❤️ Loving all of your photos on here - makes me want to get more citrus trees! I'll have to pick your brains about kummwats - I've always wanted to try them.