I did read your caul/broc post and thought the same thing, especially about the constant fussing with the plants! I keep saying I need a new hobby to distract me from my new hobby :) The picture is of a Patio Hybrid that I bought almost a month ago from an awesome local greenhouse. It was already a hearty lookin' thing with one bunch of flowers when I brought it home. It remained in it's temp container until 5/13 when I transplanted it into the "20. We've only just started to warm up around here and, until this week, I've been hauling all of my tomatoes into the garage overnight. I even bought a cart the night we had a frost so that I could bring EVERYTHING in. We've had a lot of rain and general drear, but some nice sunny days too. I'm originally from East Brunswick NJ and every time I talk to my mom, we're having similar weather. I think I just got the jump because the plant was well established when I bought it and I've been diligent about protecting it from the cold. My Home Depot Early Girl and home-started seedlings have yet to flower. Anyway, I'm glad I bought it because this is absolutely the best encouragement I could ask for! My BF tells me and I'll tell you: You don't have to worry so much--plants grow, it's their thing! Hang in there :)

Thanks - I'm pretty proud The beds were made from scrap boards I had at hand. Some of them are cedar, I think the others are oak and pine. The man that owned this house before me left quite a bit of nice lumber. I designed the garden based on the lumber I had. I may have to actually buy some next year when I expand. The unhealthy plants aren't in the pictures - notice the tee-pee with nothing on it? I put in sweet peas that produced 2- 3 peas each and then died. Bush beans havent done well for me either - lots of insect damage, there has been some fruit production, but the plants are about the same size as when I put them in. And yes T-Bird, Carmen Miranda was my first association so I had to include the pic.

Congratulations, Jodi. Woooooo! I know the feeling. It's probably something in our genes that connects us with the soil and growing food. We've been away from it and now, for various reasons, people are returning to it. Heck, I hear that it's now fashionable for the ultra-rich to have their own personal organic gardner. They're missing a big part of it. Anyway, you go girl. Tony

Hey there. I am in Cape Coral too. I picked up 4 tomato plants at Lowes this morning. I grew some from seed and starter plants this last fall and winter, but none of the plants did well. I wouldn't be suprised to find nematodes on my roots. The ones I bought today will be going into large plastic containers. I also picked up a flat of strawberry plants that have even begun to fruit. The label says they will fruit through the summer, so we shall see. Those might go into a long plastic container, or maybe the ground. Don't know yet. Congrats on your first harvest. I am certain that you will enjoy the fresh grown over the store bought! In the fall, you should try growing brocolli. Hmmm yummmy, and green beans too. My youngest thinks "farming" our own food is the only way to go now. chuckle.