Thank-Bean, Vj and MadG... Do you know how far away winter sowing is? LOL... I have tried that a few yrs ago and did have success with it...I'm trying to incorporate more perennials...and just am a little to gun-ho... Were there any growth for the ones that didn't bloom? Thanks All for your input! p.s. Bean...I didn't use a filter or software...maybe adjusted contrast slightly and unsharp mask-once in Irfanview...That was most in part from the time of morning with the fog/haze Glad you liked it!

Thank you so much for all the input. I've got "a long row to hoe" before the garden in my yard resembles the one in my mind! This garden has descended into nightmare status. I had to hire help with the rocks. They showed up when I was gone and proceeded to slap them down every which way. I had started the first five stones by laying landscape fabric under the stone, tucking it under so it didn't show in front and leaving enough to cover the stones from the inside of the garden. As I added all the layers of "lasagna" ingredients, I tucked and moved the fabric into place for each stone. To our already deep, rich North Dakota topsoil, we've hauled in trailer load after load of old, composted horse manure and straw, emu manure, dirt from the potato farm's cleaning facility, three years of grass clippings and mulched leaves. The soil is deep and rich and alive with earthworms. I finally said "enough" this season and decided to start planting. The neighbors didn't need to look at an empty dirt pile any longer, LOL. Ianna - I agree. Some of the rocks are perched on the tip; the guys that "lined" the garden didn't have a clue as to placing a rock in a natural position. I was shocked to come home and find this job "finished." At least it was a barter-system job and I didn't have to put out cold cash. I am going to line the path, properly, by myself. If it takes the rest of the summer that's fine. Once that is done I'll tackle two or three of the outer border rocks at a time by myself until they are "correct." I can move them with a pry bar and the heavy duty handcart; I just can't lift them. They are all larger than basketballs. I don't use Facebook, but I love the Garden Web forums. I've been lurking for years and drooling over the many gardens. From small to large I find them all so informative and beautiful. LuckyGal - How beautiful; your garden path is exactly what I've envisioned! I think you're right. My area, though large for planting, probably isn't large enough to pull off an "S" curve. I'll play with the garden hose and see what I come up with. What are the dimensions of your garden and the path? Midnight'sMum - Right now the grassed area is between six and seven feet wide; I don't plan for it to be any more narrow than five feet - and probably more like six. I'll keep plodding along and will be asking more questions before it all comes together. Thanks again for all the input. Your help is a blessing.

Bruce - your property looks as though one could set out for a stroll and forget to come back until dark! So much to look at and enjoy. (And, I'm sure, neverending work to be done.) Jan

Herb, I have added these titles (where absent) to the FAQ page. Greg