I'm with you. SVB has been my biggest problem and I am looking for an organic way to handle them. I have put hoops over the squash bed with summer weight row covers over it. When the plants begin to blossom, I am going to go to the trouble to hand pollinate and keep the plants covered. This is feasible since I only have two hills of squash. In a huge bed, maybe not so much. FYI, the borers will also lay eggs in the soil, which can overwinter and have babies waiting for next year's crop. Be sure to rotate your squash bed! Also, there are varieties of squash that are immune to these borers: moschata being one. The trouble is, the squash we like best are also the moth's favorites. This is the method I have chosen for this year, based on what I have read on the internet and, most importantly, in this forum. I will post to let you know how it works.

DH and I are going to Charleston the middle of May for an annual visit, May 15 thru May 18. We've celebrated our anniversary there for about 5 years or so. We don't have an unlimited budget but do try to go to one or two of the nicer restaurants a couple of times. Rue de Jean is a favorite lunch pick. We've gone to 82 Queen a couple of times for dinner but Peninsula Grill and Charleston Grill are a little out of our reach. Can anyone tell me anything about the restaurant at Middleton Place...good food? Any other places you'd recommend for dinner? Some friends and I are going in March for the private gardens tour but we're only staying 3 nights which gives us 2 days to do whatever we're going to do as far as sightseeing etc. I always look forward to going there but I think I may check out Seabrook Island for future reference. We're staying in Mt. Pleasant again this year. jude

I woudl suggest first off visiting the visitors center. There is great info there. Most of the tour companies have info there and many pick up in that area. My favorite is a habor tour, so I would strongly recommend that. The city is great - check out the market area and shopping nearby. Check out Sullivan's Island, you will have to cross through there when coming/going to IOP. We have been to almost all the islands in that area and enjoy driving to nearby locations (SUmmerville is one suggestion). We are antiquers, so we have fav shops we like to visit in these areas. You are within about 2 hours of Savannah, GA and it's a nice drive down the coast. You might like to do that one day. It's a wonderful city/area - I know you'll have a great time! tina

Unless you are just pining for beach/golf time...I‘d totally stay in Charleston proper. I’ve been to Charleston many times, and stayed on the islands and in town. In town is more fun for what you are planning, plus easier bc parking can be a bear. If you stay in Charleston, you really only need to park once bc you can walk everywhere. My favorite place to stay is 2 Meeting Street in, but that’s more for a couple‘s trip. Plus...it’s way down on the Battery in the residential area, which I love but if your doing a lot of touring with a group of ladies, you’d be better off closer to Broad St. One time dh & we’re staying there and walked way uptown to dinner. It was fine...until...I was overserved ;). Had to get a ride back in a rickshaw, lol!! The Vendue Hotel is so fun...it’s close to tons of restaurants and has an AMAZING rooftop bar. It’s very artsy with gorgeous art all over the hotel. I think Cypress is yummy, and has A pretty courtyard to eat outside. We had fun at High Cotton, too. Really hard to go wrong anywhere in Charleston!