Folks, it's Zone 5-6. Get used to it. And check out the Old Farmer's Almanac; they did predict a cool spring for our area. They even got the dates of the snow in March on the nose. The great thing about NJ's climate & weather is that it's not the same same same thing all the time. You can have plants that N Englanders can't, if you put them in facing S-SW & in lee of a wall or the side of the house. You also can have bulbs that need a winter chilling, and birch trees, unlike the folks down south. We have the best climate in the East, here, because we have a little of everything. The extreme swings are due to the climate change we are creating ourselves; write your congressperson & yell about signing the Kyoto accords, wanting more fuel efficient cars, etc. Dump the SUV. My glads always survive winter; at least the ones I plant facing south next to the stucco foundation. Some of the ones I plant out in the open also have overwintered for several years. I view them as gifts.

Absolutely, Deanna, you are not alone with this problem. That you made it all summer is a sign of TRUE GRIT. Quite possibly, you can get some leaves and lay around the open wounded dried cracked ground, and it will help cool the hosta roots. If they were losing their leaves all summer, I think they were going summer dormant and protecting themselves. At least they were not rotting from standing in water, so they are preserving life through dormancy. The ones I lost here were in pots that I neglected to drill enough drainage holes in....then we got lots of rain and those plants sort of withered away more surely than if they'd been dry. MadPlanter, I think you are a very disciplined individual. When you get right down to it, I remember during WWII (the big one) that we had water restrictions for each household, and we had one tub about 3 inches deep in water that the four of us bathed in. As kids it did not bother us much, since it was not a swimming pool to play in. :) Nowadays, I love a deep tub of water, and a long soaking bath. But I also have an outdoor shower which is on the irrigation meter and that is where I "outsource" much of my chores like house plants and dog baths and such. If we ever have water rationing here, I hope to be ready for it. Also, years ago we put the washing machine drain into the flower bed to reuse the gray water. Don't do it now, our washer is a front loader which uses a tiny amount of water. But big washers use 30-40 gallons PER FILL, meaning for the WASH and then for the RINSE. That is a lot of water you know.

(((Karen))), Well, all I can say about that BF is... Nope, Thumper's mom said if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!! With everything you have been going through plus the holidays on top, I am amazed at all you have been able to do this past holiday season. You are one of the most positive people on this forum and if you occasionaly share some of your problems, we are more than happy to listen and share some of your load if only by encouraging words! I would never view you as a whiner, and I would say that "friend" was just using you. When you needed her support, she wasn't there for you. She only wanted you to support her. I am constantly impressed by how you take the time to visit everyone's post and comment. You even find items for others and share the links to help them if they want the items!! You are one of the most giving, caring people I know although it is only through the internet, LOL. With all we have in common, you could have been my sister. I never had one, although I do have a brother. I'm so upset for you right now, I just cannot believe how selfish that other person could be!! As you can see, all of your friends here are lovin on you right now, and we will support you, even if it is only by sending you positive thoughts and messages. BTW, great finds. I always feel better with a little retail therapy. I think you should get the gold and white nativity also, if you want it. After all, that is the reason for the season. Please continue to be your wonderful, supportive self and if you need some encouragement, don't hesitate to ask!! Even your sign off, HUGS, says what a thoughtful, caring person you are! So, HUGS right back at ya, and know your friends here will continue to be here for you! Big Hug, Candy

Thanks Cyn427! Great suggestions. I love the sound of good ol' native Florida tree frogs, and encouraged what I thought were a slightly different variety when my Cubans 1st arrived about a year ago. CTFs sound like a really loud, squeaky, rusty massive gate swinging in a tornado, at all different pitches & keys. The noise is maddening! I did try soap n water sprays, vinegar & water (that kindof worked, at first, killed my grass & begonias, tho), tobacco tea, oil & soap (i use this for whiteflies, aphids, etc), garlic emulsion sprays - all to no avail. I dumped & relocated my rain barrels, moved 90% of the plants under our bedroom window area, left lights ON, left lights OFF, prayed, cussed, ....nothing worked! Our local black snake and corn snake population won't even eat them! These are some bitter, tenacious little rascals! Ear plugs only muffled the sound a little bit...... (sigh) but not enough to STAY asleep. We finally resorted to Removal.......SUCCESS! They are down to a manageable 2 or 3 now . And the geckos & REGULAR tree frogs are coming back. Hooray! Our neighbors chuckled & thought we were absolutely bat-crazy during the process, until the congregation moved into THEIR side yard. I now see them out at dusk, with their butterfly nets & strainers.....hunting big amphibious game, haha. :)