I have a sinking feeling I'm going to be hand-pollinating this year since it seems that most everyone's hives in and around Central Ohio got wiped out this past fall/winter from Colony Colapse :^( so that's good to know about doing it early in the mornings. I imagine the same thing would apply to cucumbers? What about bush green beans, or are they self-pollinating? Edie

As the jewel painted sky slowly slides under the cloak of night my mind drifts into another world where the sounds that are muted during the light of day suddenly burst into a crescendo of music and the fragrances of the day that have been overwhelmed by all the heat and frenzy of the sun sweep across my heightened senses teasing and flirting as they tempt me to put a name to their heady aromas. I sit under the stars and watch as they slowly waken and paint the sky into the most gorgeous map of the world. A map that can direct any person regardless of their location. I watch as the lights wink from airplanes circling overhead and the occasional shooting star that blazes across the dark night palette. Slowly my body unwinds and relaxes as the sounds of night birds caress the darkness with their sweet haunting sounds as one by one the lights in the homes dim and the houses blend into the blackness that speaks such color. Scents taunt the ragged nerves of my soul and massage them into pleasing chords of bliss. Fireflies illuminate the dark as if thousands of small candles flicker their lights around the area. Occasionally the bark of a seal brings me back into reality but then as the soft warm summer breeze teases the hair surrounding my face and sweet sweet nectar fills my nose with heady fragrance I let go and drift once again into a land of mystery and delight. The clock strikes midnight and I slowly stroll around the garden for a lingering goodnight to my babies and then crawl into a freshly laundered and cool bed only to awaken around 3 am for another quiet time in the garden. I amble around the streets that are not quiet as they are alive with the nightlife that awakens as the sun disappears. It is another night spent communing with the other world of shifting senses and I greet the new day as lights once again come on one by one in the slumbering houses and the rosy fingers of dawn begin decorating the sky with jewels of light. Flowers awaken and turn their faces upward to greet the morning and once again the nightly beauty and life of each garden fades into the heat of a new day and the morning crew takes over. It is at this point that I thank God for allowing me to witness both worlds and for all the intricate work he put into the beauty of a single flower and leaf. Enjoy the new day and save some time to experience the night. Linda

Jon, I'm living in Upper Franconia, the former border was only 20 km away. Now we are in the middle of Germany:-) It is a pleasant region, very green and no big cities around (thanks to the border). If you're interested just google Küps, that's where I live, very small, only 8.000 inhabitants. The beer is famous here, unfortunately I prefer a glass of red:-) Maybe twenty years ago every little village had it's own brewery, you would have liked it! Koffman, thanks for using that german word :-) Karin

I do my walk early afternoon...... I am a late sleeper, benefit of being retired, and after I feed the cats and make my coffee.... it’s afternoon, early...... hahaha! I am no different than the others. Don’t care what I am wearing (within reason), and I do the same as others, inspect, pull weeds, admire progress, make note of any issues and take pictures. I am wanting to photograph my hostas at different growth stages this year. My 2020 garden goal. liquidfeet and others, thanks for your lovely shares!! :-D