Hi, I just planted a couple of thousand of them, on my seed package, it says 90 to 110 days to maturity, every year we have an annual pumpkin patch, so in order for our plants not to rot before October season, in Arkansas, we have to wait until July to plant them, generally, the vines begin to die back when they are finished. I hope this helps.

Bad things happen every year at about this time around my house, Susan. For a month or so before the "HOLIDAY SEASON" tra-la-la-la-la, the woman I married not knowing about the holiday mentality embedded in her cosmic being since the Pilgrim days, declares that "we've got to do something with the guest bedroom", or "the carpet in the den needs to be replaced...with tile, AND hardwood", or "this kitchen just WILL NOT DO this year". Being, in spite of the reputation I've cultured with most of my posts regarding our REAL illegal alien problem, of relatively sound mind and acute realization of the repercussions of arguing with such a woman during her "time of the year", most...no, all...of my time becomes consumed with basically rebuilding my house from within. Again. Most of these repairs and updates are invisible to the naked eye of an ordinary human being, and even to her until the HOLIDAY SEASON, tra-la-la-la-la, which, coincidently, begins, for her, right after Labor Day which also happens to be the start of football season...as best as I can remember since I'm always too busy with hammers, and saws and stuff to watch anything other than the highlights on ESPN. Mad! Me? Naw. Bad? Uh-Oh, here she comes. Chuckiebtoo

I don't think someone has metioned this, but sound out the first name with your last name. If you have a tongue twisting last name (like mine with two "Z"s) you want to go with simple classic names or the whole name will be too much. I always loved the name Zackary, but with a Z last name that was out. I choose Thomas for my son because of that reason and he could be either Tommy, Tom or Thomas when he grew up. I use to call him Thomas up to grade school. Then he came home one day and told me his name now was Tommy. Today at 25 he goes by Tom. So he has been all three. My preference is for classic names that have stood the test of time and are not trendy. Maybe because I have such a classic name myself. Clare

That is a fledgling Mourning Dove. Too early to tell whether it's a male or female...but both parents care for their young...and are mated for life. One usually sits with the young during the day while the other goes food shopping. When the "shopping" parent returns...he/she feeds the fledgling and the parent who sat all day long...goes off for the night...usually returning very early in the morning to relieve the sitting parent. The fact that there's no adult with this fledgling says one of two things. One...the fledgling is old enough to be on his/her own. Or two...the fledgling...while learning to fly...has gotten himself/herself into a real pickle. My bet is that he's on his own...but I'm saying that with very little evidence other than my personal observations around my own home. Mourning doves are renowned for making very flimsy nests...or renting an existing nest...or laying their eggs on the ground in a seemingly secure area. If this area in your yard is sheltered and relatively safe...it wouldn't be at all unusual for the female to use it as her nesting area. She usually lays two eggs...and can lay twice a year...depending on your geographic area. Definitely...if you are able...protect the area from cats. This fledgling is developed enough to fly...but not with the strength or reactive time of an adult dove. Beyond that...just keep an eye out for a returning parent....either at dusk or dawn. You may get a pleasant surprise. HTH Anne