Sorry so many have to deal with the heat. Seems some pretty bad storms hit the north east the last couple of days and when Missy called KJ she couldn't talk since they were all headed for the basement. Will let you guys know when we get in touch again how things are going there. In the mean time our biggest tree decided to break off at 12 feet up last night, the Eucalyptus with the Banksia roses 50 feet up in it. This is going to take a week to clean up as there are many plants roses and stuff under the mess. All hand work with hand tools while sorting out what to save and how to direct the giant Banksias. They have 6 inch diameter trunks under there and the Euc broke where it is 2 1/2 feet in diameter. Here is a link that might be useful: Banksias

I use the fresh chips for just about everything - but mostly as the surface for foot paths instead of gravel. You just have to watch out for poison ivy mixed in when your chips come from a tree service company - it can cause problems if you move the chips around with your bare hands. My peas are about a month old - I started them in pots because I needed to work the soil more in the beds and it was just too wet and cold. So they will go in the ground this weekend. They are only a few inches tall now. I think a lot of stuff is late this year so you should still be able to plant peas. The bigger problem will be if we jump to summer without a mild Spring. If things stay cool we could get a large crop of peas, if it gets too hot too quick the plants will shut down early. The only things going strong in the garden at this point is onions onions onions (I may have over done it). Rhubarb is up and doing well and the strawberry patches have been thinned and spread out. Just about everything is going in the ground this weekend. Seedlings of cauliflower, broccoli, early tomatoes (Stupice), celery, lettuce and more onions are ready to transplant. Seeds for summer tomatoes, peppers, squash and odd ball stuff have been sown and just now starting to sprout. Fruit trees are blooming. Bees are buzzing. Things are about to get very busy.

I had 27 tomato plants last year. Six were romas, two were supersweet 100's, one was yellow pear, and the rest were either big heirlooms or hybrid, but mostly heirlooms. I was feeding just myself and my husband and I liked having some to share with family and friends on occasion and plenty for freezing/canning. I was so glad I planted that many in the end, because I didn't account for the ones that ended up with blossom end rot due to the drought we experienced last summer, nor the ones that the tomato worms would ruin, or the ones that the birds/squirrels/rabbits would nibble on. I ended up with just enough for ourselves, and some for GOOD friends and family, and I froze about 20 quarts of tomatoes and 10 pints of tomato sauce. So, this year I have, I think, 42 tomato plants. I need to recount with my latest purchase. But I decided to grow more so that I'd definitely have plenty for us and the critters and pests. Plus, I just love to grow different varieties. This is my long-winded way of saying plant at least 30 plants for a big supply of tomatoes. In perfect circumstances, 15 might do you fine, but you never know what weather or animal factors might come into play.

And I still have some Brandy Boys that I promised you Brandy. Along with some seed promised Theresa. I just sent her an email and she has all of my contact info. I am heading back to Wilmington tomorrow ( Tuesday at the latest) and also have to go through New Bern one day this week ( maybe that passes closer by?). I am taking some to drop off to a friend in Columbia, SC and can haul around some for you if you still want them .. or I can try mailing them if you still want them.