Nothing to be nervous about. There's really no way to do it wrong. Just look at The Earth. Plants grow from the arctic to the equator and from sea level (actually below) up to the tree line (and actually above). They grow in river delta enriched soil, in sand and in the cracks between rocks. You'll grow all the seeds and weeds you want in Florida. Of course, you'll also kill some plants and have some eaten by every type of bug you can imagine. Your lawn service will whack a few out of existance and the sun will dry some up. The heavy rain will wash out a few - some years it will wash out all of them - but they'll either grow back or you'll plant more. Every plant that dies leaves a space for the others to get bigger or for that new variety that just caught your eye. Then you'll have to find new places for the plants you get at swaps. One day you'll be thinking that you will never have room for all the plants you want and then two weeks later you'll wish you had kept it to one small bed because you can't find time to weed everything you have. You do have time to start some seeds and it's as easy as throwing some potting soil in little cups and dropping in the seeds. Or buy one of those trays at Walmart with the plugs in it and a package of seeds. Problem solved in less than 30 minutes! But don't stress because if you don't get it done, you can always pick up seedlings at any nursery or big box store about the time you want to put them in the garden. Although you might not think that's as much fun, they often carry the varieties that do well in this area and you don't really need the 25 tomato plants (unless you are Tony!) that you'll get from seeds anyway. 3 or 4 plants will feed your family and your friends. For every option in the garden that slips away, there will be several to take it's place. Take it slow your first year and you'll have more fun with it. Add more garden space each year if you want to but don't try to do it all right away. Never forget we do this because it's fun. If it turns out to be too stressful, then plant a couple shrubs where the veggies were going to go and find a different hobby. "Experts" say that most people go through 3 major career changes in their lifetime so picking at least 3 major hobbies seems OK too. You'll be fine and so will your garden. You'll discover parts of it you like and parts you don't. I learned to garden from women (Mother, Grandmother, Aunts, GreatAunts, and Crazy Garden Friends) who were committed to veggies as well as flowers. But I discovered that growing my own food was no fun for me. I believe that's why God made Publix. So I tossed the tomato plants and put in more cat's whiskers and coleus. I'm happy. Publix is happy. It's your garden and there is no right and wrong other than what's dictacted by the sun and the weather. You haven't screwed up and everything will be OK. Keep us informed and don't forget to ENJOY! Kate (PS - we really...

That was a great read.thank you Whenever I cry I try to turn whatever it is I'm thinking about into something positive and thank my fiance for bringing so much joy into my life and thank God for him

OMG, I went through this with my little Tubby and I know how you feel. Mine was in a shelter, in a damaged cage next to his sibling. Both were deposited at the same time. When I brought the little fellow home, I was not prepared for what happened. He would not let me out of his sight for an instant. I had to put him in the car, drive back to town and get him a crate so I could bring him up to work because he mutilated himself if I was out of sight. He only stopped crying long enough to chew his tail to the bleeding point. My husband was out of state and thankfully I owned my business and it was on my property, so up to the greenhouses he would come with me. It continued, I could not go from one structure to the other without him chewing at the metal bars to the point of injury. I did just exactly as Justplaincountry said she did. He had to learn that when I was out of sight, I would return. I told him to be a 'good boy' and did the come and go routine for days, extending the time by a minute or two. Then when hubby came back he was tolerating ten or twenty minutes and we took turns being inside with him or taking him on leash to 'visit' the other. Even a month or two later we were afraid of his anxiety level if we went for more than an hour or two, so we dropped him off at our daughter' house nearby to socialise with her pooches. We used to do the same for her dogs. The moment of truth came later that summer when my cousin died and we went to her services. It was four hours and that didn't even include staying for the wake. When we got home, he was fine and has been ever since. They just need to know you'll be back. I suppose this has something to do with trusting another human who never did come back. God only knows what they went through in a previous life. I believe mine was treated well. He came trained, healthy and with manners. Somebody broke his heart.

I sure see what you mean, but supposedly a dog's attention span is short, so you certainly don't give him a reward as soon as you go back in. You catch him in the act of negative acting out. It's like catching a dog in the act of peeing in the house. I don't buy into not verbally reprimanding a dog when you catch him in negative things. That's why I said 'supposedly'. But I do buy into NOT yelling at them when they bark inappropriately. They just think you are barking along. LOL. Neither would you make over him, or in any way make him think you were happy with him until he settled and you gave him a diversion. Then rewarded him. Tubby needed me to come back in repeatedly for a week or two. It was easy for me, because I work outside in a greenhouse range on our property. I could hear him acting out. He really, really needed to know I was coming back, I suppose. He's a smart little guy, and he caught on. I was also in a position I could gradually space out the time I was away from him until he got used to me leaving him for longer and longer intervals. He's up to four hours now and gets into no mischief, other than counter surfing when nobody's looking, and that's pretty typical of iggy's and we may never break him of that. But, we're working on it. After he got comfortable and trusting with me leaving for periods of time, my saying "Stay, I'll be back" seems to prepare him for the extended 'home alone' experience. He seems to understand I won't be back immediately and usually runs to his bed to stay until he gets bored. I'm sure no expert in dog training. But, Tubby has been the only one we've had who had real issues with being left alone in our house. I even got a crate for him, but immediately when I left his sight, the tail and cage chewing begain and that just wasn't safe for him or an option. Good luck, hope you figure out what shall work for your fella soon.