ooops, I didn`t mean to cause a discussion. Just for complete information: I took the pic myself. They change the plants twice a year, and I always mean to count the amount of plants per square meter (or feet or something) and never get around to do it. I watch and admire tthis particular bed for three years now, since we moved to this area. About the soil: yes, they really go out of their way when preparing the bed. Last season they even changed the top soil, so everything was fluffy and perfect for planting. masses and colors: sure that I get a different result when playing around in 4 puny window boxes, using summer annuals. It`s just that I loved this light color scheme. The two from the previous years werent bad: one with orange, yellow something, the other pink, purple .... But this year`s just looked so ... light and freshly laundered and happy (well, positiv somehow). So this pic is just my source of inspiration and a way to have more fun when planing my next year`s planting. I will dig up more pics with other planting schemes of this bed, just some more eye candy for flower lovers... Well, enjoy your present summer flowers, bye, Lin

I overwinter peppers routinely, and have had the same good experiences. You basically start out in the spring with a fully mature plant, and by the time the warm weather comes on, it's already frantically producing peppers. Around here, I can be harvesting in April. Of course, peppers are *extremely* frost intolerant, and protecting them can mean a lot of work. Some winters, we never even get a frost, which makes it easy. This last winter, we had hard freezes (down to 22F). I had the peppers piled high with foam pads and sleeping bags, with a light bulb underneath. I still lost a few branches. In retrospect, it might have been easier just to start with new ones. Just remember that the bigger they get, the harder they are to protect. A couple of years in, the plants have stems like small tree trunks (almost an inch in diameter at the base), which you can see in the picture from the OP.

Jan, I want to steal your thunder a bit so I can tell the folks what been ailing me. I know it shouldn't be on this side but I will post a pic so as to keep in line! I had an episode about three weeks back where the Dr thought I had a mini stroke. It turned out that, that wasn't the case but I spent a couple of days in the hospital anyway! I went to Fl with my sis and started feeling a little sick in mid Ga. by the time I got to Orlando, I was ill but able to get around. we went to Abajians garden. He is a lovely man. Then to Stamiles ( guy pierce ) but they were closed. Then on to Trimmers where he was closed but we looked at his dls. fabulous garden. I was supposed to visit Phillip Reilly but he was a no show! Anyway by this time I was really sick so we started back home. I finally went to the Dr and had.. Pneumonia, pleursy, ear infection, sinus infection and an intestional infection. I have been treated at home and am on the mend but still weak and not able to do much, but take pix. Not that I have that many to take yet! Here is one I ordered from Guy Pierce a couple of months ago. For a ffo, it's lovely. BTW, Frank Smith was a few miles from my sis's house in Apopka but wouldn't let us come to his garden. No exceptions! Oh well, I didn't feel like it anyway! Thanks for all of your well wishes...Ellie

Thanks everyone..Yes zeetera the same dogs....Eddie always poses but we ususally have to work with Ivy......Eddie is a camera hog....LOL Brian took them to town with him today and a lady came over and asked to take pics of them....so funny...Stacy