I live in Zone 6 in the NE corner of Oklahoma. I have been picking lettuce, green onions, and sugar snap peas for quite some time now. In fact my earliest lettuce is starting to spike up to make seed. This has been a very strange year so far and I think some things are going to fail. My squash has made blooms for about a month but has produced no squash. I have seen a few pollinators on them but the symptoms would indicate poor pollination as all of the small fruits are falling off the vine. My cole crops don't seem to be performing as normal and I even see a broc that looks like it is already going to flower although the head is only about an inch and half wide. We normally shoot for tomatoes by the 4th of July but I will be picking the first two or three tomorrow. One poor plant looks almost to little to produce fruit but they are ripening. Most of my tomato plants are looking really strong and I think it will be a good year for them. I bought two transplants and all of the rest I grew from seed. These first tomatoes are from the transplants that were planted as large plants, but my toms grown from seed appear to be stronger plants but are just now starting to set fruit. I noticed today that the peppers are getting really green on top and starting to put on new growth. I think they are going to do great once the heat comes. The banana peppers have small peppers on them now. I never succeed with eggplant but am trying an experiment this year - and so far, so good. I will report if, and when, I pick the first fruit. Because of the strange temps and heavy rains I had to plant pole beans and cucumbers more than once so they are going to be a little late. I think I will get to pick three tomatoes tomorrow if the birds don't beat me to them.......and I have enough grass in my garden that I think I could bale hay. I may never catch up on that. Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato 3 Jun 07

Thanks again for the comments and compliments, everyone. I looked up Cherokee Sunset on Bluestone's site, and I guess I DO have my plants labeled correctly. I have a lot of different-looking Cherokee Sunsets, and that's actually correct. They're short-lived perennials, and this is year 2 for them. Will they come back, do you think? Remy, that is your Salvia, and your Veronica! Thanks for posting here! Last year I used very short labels, and lost several. I'm glad to know the name of the Veronica. Brandymulvaine: I keep trying delphinium, but it does not seem to like my yard. Hmm, my yard is sandy and dry, maybe that's why! I do keep amending, so maybe they'll take hold sometime. I'll try the seeds you recommend next time. I have sea holly just starting to bloom, and I think I'll move it in with the allium and yellows. The roundish blue flowers will mirror the allium! How cool is that?

Patty, those are beautiful roses! And I'm glad to hear so many good things about icebergs because I've now got three! The area is a long way from being done, but I'm very excited about the results. And Renee, I have to thank you again for your original response. The minute I read your comment about pulling the hawthorne from the wall and putting them in a grouping, the lightbulb went on over my head. I've been stuck in a "plants in a row" rut, which was why I just couldn't figure out how to pull the area together. This plan is exactly the effect I'd been going for. I just needed someone to point out the obvious to me. I've got more plants to bring in, namely some purples and some smaller perennials, but I've got the bones in with the addition of the roses and pink hydrangeas back in my shadier spot. I will probably refrain from planting too much more this year, as I'd like to wait to see how this all fills in first. Maybe annuals just for fun. And now I have a fun project to make a birdbath for the area. I've set the base where it will go, but I still need to construct a top. I really never expected this project to turn out so well, and I really owe it to all the great advice and suggestions here. You guys are awesome!!! Here is a link that might be useful: loribees garden blog

Yes, been meaning to post an update. Took Maggie yesterday, they decided to keep her overnite to replenish her fluids with an IV. She had a bunch of tests, mostly neg. liver enzymes a little high. They gave her some meds for diarrhea/vomiting and we got her today. She's eating, seems to be feeling better. Allie still has some runnies, but is eating ok She's a piggie! Gave her one of Maggie's pills. Tomorrow should be better. Didn't mean to write a book here, but thanks for asking!