Well, I have more minis than I realized. I put the first ones in small pots. Hmmmm, that just did not work too well, because they dried out quicker, and were easy to overlook. So I began using big flat bowls and put from 4 to 7 minis in each one. I think I have about 4 or 5 bowls now. If I can afford to get stiffer plastic bowls, or maybe make some sturdy hypertufa bowls, I will have the problem licked. Next spring, of course. I have a few small/mini hosta that are holding up nicely. If you like the mouse series, be sure to check out Snow Mouse. It is very thick leaved, and durable. Then Cracker Crumbs is hanging tough this late in the season. Atom Smasher seems to be shrinking a bit, but is still very green/yellow. I love Little Jay and White Dove--reverse variegations. Then a strong grower seems to be Verna Jean. Never heard of it but what the heck, my best friend's mama is named that, so I got two of those. Lemon Lime is doing well, but it does not have heavy substance. I ordered a second Grand Tiara, the first one is in a nose dive to oblivion, and as many Masquerades as I've bought this year, I'm hoping at least ONE will survive. It makes a gorgeous clump. It will be very interesting next spring to watch for little eyes peeping out...or maybe not....and then we'll be off and running for a 2nd year of hosta addiction. Some really fine plants came through my garden gates this year. I'm already looking forward to spring!

I HATE this keyboard, so please forgive the spellings and lack of periods, and commas!!! My hubbie took my cordless to work with him so the laptop keyboard is all I have and it sticks!!! AHHH!! Sorry! I TRY to be in control of my tomatoes!! Pruning them means taking out all of the little "between" stem leaves,...I will try to get a photo of one before I pull it to show you! It keeps the plants only producing off the main stem! So,...there is a main stalk, which I use stakes and tie up, then there are the branches which I stake later as they produce, and then there is the "betweeen" the two in the crease, little leaves that you can pick EVERY TIME they grow! I will post photos as I go this year! I ADORE my raised beds.....I just hope to inspire others! It is strange that my tomatoes started taking off soooooooo soon here in zone 4! I started all but three of these plants from seed! There is: Beefsteak Big Boy Early Girl Heirloom green somthing's Roma Lg Red Cherry Lemon Boy Health Kick = NOTHING too great or risky!!! Next year I will try some more less popular varieties for sure! 6 varieties of the 16 plants are in those beds shown...I would have to go look at the tags to know which ones! Thanks everyone who responded! Becca

dean: Looking good here, lost five I set out early to the late freeze. All the rest went in after the weather stabelized. Out of 20 lost all of the fruit to critters when the plants were just picture perfect. Big green toms and the first ripe one was a Prue right before the 4th. Dangit........ After construction of the fortress of welded wire and poultry netting, and a bout of Late Blight, and what I believe is some Fuserium Wilt, the chippies decided to take a whack at it. I found the biggest, well formed Prue I had been watching , on the ground gouged out..........curses. There was a second wave of blossoms and fruit that are ripening behind the fencing and netting. The munks seem to be disappearing......... We have a counterload of small ones for sun drieing and have blt'd, saladed and snacked galore since the ripening started. Summer sweetness:) Life is Good here in the Heartland! Tom

Eden has stiff canes similar to William Baffin, the best I could do was train it at a 45 degree angle , I think it was too stiff to do anything else with. Darlows Enigma is a hardy shrub/climber for me, hardy to the tips. Starts blooming for me around this time with dark red new foliage. Repeat bloomer, sets hips for winter interest, very fragrant but probably the worst thorns ever. The blooms are single and white. Another very hardy climber for me is Seafoam, this rose will do whatever you want it too do. Starts blooming around now and goes well into the fall,no fragrance but that's OK because it has exceptionally healthy,dark foliage. The blooms are white, a little pink in thefall. I have another hardy rambler called Ghislaine de Feligonde. This reblooms for me, if I deadhead. Some people on the forum says theirs repeats and others say theirs doesn't. This thing is a MONSTER for me, and hardy to the tips even after this last winter. Blooms are yellowish to pink, very pretty. As far as structures go, they are always iffy for me. Eventually the older, thicker canes of the rose are what I tie the new shoots to. For additional color for my once bloomers I either plant clematis, liatris,daises or any tall perennial. Oh I also have Veilchenblau, it has always been hardy to the tips. Young canes are easy to train if you get there soon enough. Once bloomer, but when it blooms there are so many you can't even see the foliage. Orange hips in the fall, leaves turn a nice yellow than as well. Semi double blooms, every shade of purple, will get as large as you let it. It's practically thornless. Honestly winter protection is a gamble for me, some people bury the canes in the winter, I did this once and the rose got canker. It's just too much trouble. If I had a rose I loved with questionable hardiness, I would plant it close to the house where it would not be subject to northern winds.