Analysis paralysis IS more common, with the Internet and with huge number of choices. There was a thing in the paper that just going to get a pair of JEANS (even a guy, not me) brings 100 or more options. Even this forum can instill paralysis--wait wait, back up, big picture--I know I do that. Back to raised bed. Along lines of making it good enough but not overly good (or expensive), and at risk of incurring more paralysis, you might think about whether you are going to use some trellis, tripod poles for veggies, etc and then think, will I have a problem with what will "go" with my proposed box? So you might want to reserve some $$ for some of these raised-bed veggie-supporting accessories of nicer construction or materials, and/or keep the basic bed from getting so "fine" that you can't grow peas. I'm thinking of something that might remain in the bed during the winter and provide "vertical interest" and so might be designed to be inherently attractive as well.

Around local nurseries I have only found the plain green variety. They grow well, but I don't overwinter them because they are just too plain and too readily available. ALso, I have had trouble overwintering dahlia's so I may have just (unjustly?) probably lumped these into the same category as "easier to treat as annuals". But just yesterday I got my Brent&Beckys summer bulb catalog and I think I am going to get a couple of interesting varieties for a change. illustris looks great. Prices were good. (haven't looked at shipping costs yet, but bulbs and tubers should be better than potted plants) THen the Canna pictures caught my eye, then the dahlias... HELP!!!

Okay, I was up yesterday morning at 4:00 am and puttering around the house. I ordered a set of three EE from Cottage Farms. One is almost black in color, the other varigated, and one just the big heart shaped leaves. I will not know the species until they arrive but they looked so pretty and the only ones I had were from Wally World. I live in the boonies so there are no Asian Markets handy and I really dont want to drive to OKC or Tulsa just for EE's. My DH thinks I am obsessed with gardening anyway. But I did not have to pay an arm and leg for the different EEs and by the time you pay for the gas etc to travel to find the EEs I figured it was cheaper. Susan, I plan on planting them on the south side so I will have them in the sun and should not have to worry about winter rot like I had on the north side. Now that the fence is back up and I have all the junk thrown away I am going to town on that side. I want to walk out my kitchen door and have a good view. Stephanie

I received my box from Deb today. This is what was inside. Thank you very much, Deb. Now I need to get some potted. The flowers the neighbor weed whacked in the highway curb are trying to come back. It looks odd where the blooming Gypsophia ends, though, like the row abruptly stops. I'll be thinking about all of you. Seeds- Orange Cosmos Mammoth Grey Striped Sunflower Sparkler Radish Mimosa Vitex Chaste Tree Unknown colored Cosmos Shasta Daisy "Silver Princess" Pink Oleander Shrub/fragrant (seeds have a poisionous label) Hardcover book- "Scrapbooking with Memory Makers" Tons of ideas, pics. 118 pages package of copper plant markers Roses 1001 Gardening Questions Answered, 131 pages, hardcover Big Crinium bulb! Victoria Principal's book- "30 day plan to look and feel 10 years younger", hardcover. Caladium bulb- "F.M JOYNER" Caladium bulb- "Candidum" More seeds- Lavender '08 munstead Red Kurl Uchiki Kurl Squash Cactus flowered zinnia Lemon Balm Sweet Dumpling Squash 4 O'clocks, yellow Gourd "Straightneck Wrenhouse" Poppy "Peony red" Black diamond heirloom watermelon Zinnia "Cherry & Ivory Swizzle" Scarlet Scarlet Marigold '08 Black eyed Susan vine/Orange Thunbergia Alata "Superstar Orange" Cinnamon Basil Georgia collard greens Marigolds yellow/orange 2 baby cactus 1 Aloe vera pup, rooted 2 cactus pads- outdoor optunia Boston Ivy cutting, very nice!! Thanks again, Deb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!