More challenges about previous associations made between root rots (and other plant disease) and soil compaction and the use of compost :) While there are some risks and disadvanages about using compost and biosolids, container plants grown in soilless media as well as in hydro culture which are fed only soluble fertilizers in the absence of any compost and manures can equally suffer from greenhouse pests attacks and related fungal, viral, and bacterial diseases and root roots caused by unhygienic horticultural and hydroponic practices, overwatering/rain, root medium compaction and anaerobic conditions, poor drainage (many associated and secondary contributing factors), low light, low root oxygen, cold/hot temperature stresses, over fertilizing, and crowding. Moreover, when risks are managed and in comparable time frame, organic amendments, aged compost, and dehydrated manures often improve potting soil as well as potting mix texture, aeration, and drainage rather than causing structural problems or diseases. Depending on plant needs, climates/temperatures/moisture, availability of materials locally, a gardener's resources, expertise, preferences, and motivation, there is a range of priorities, trade-offs, and happy healthy medium both for a plant as well as a gardener. My sense is that if a soilless potting mix consists of 50-75% inorganic components with similar to uniform sized particles where good root aeration is ensured, most of the plant diseases associated with soil compaction, fungus gnat, water/nutrient/temperature/light stresses, and poor drainage issues would be minimized and managed for many species of plants regardless the exact recipe of the mix, the expertise and knowledge of a gardener, or whether compost or manures are involved especially since all organisms including plants will adjust and thrive in a range of conditions even not so ideal ones.

Just an FYI about pressure-treated wood: the stuff you buy from Lowe's or Home Depot is not of a grade meant for contact with the ground, or below ground. On the yellow tag stapled to the end is a tiny number beside ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary compound) which will read .25 or .40. The .25 treatment is only for above-ground, and .40 for ground contact. There are also .60 and .80 treatments, but those are more difficult to find and quite a bit more expensive, and are meant for marine use. In the years I've used PT wood in my gh structures, first in Vero Beach, and now in the Panhandle, I've never had a carpenter ant or termite give the wood a second look. (As a matter of fact, I once had termites destroy a piece of untreated plywood attached to a PT 2x4...ignoring the 2x4.) The termites are thick here, and will quickly make short work of untreated wood. If it's treated to a sufficient degree, the copper acts as an effective detterent. I have seen ACQ .25 2x4s begin to swell and weaken when half-buried, after perhaps 7-8 years. BTW, when using PT wood, you must use either stainless steel fasteners or ones that are coated. The ACQ will cause ordinary fasteners to corrode. Depending upon how you've designed your roof, the span, and the pitch, you may or may not need to have it strong enough to support your weight on the rare occasion you need to climb up there. That's why the selection of denser wood grades may be important. -Bruce

Melissa, I put some transplants in the ground in late July or early August and still had fresh tomatoes late into the season. They were not abundant, the taste wasn't quite as good, and the cold weather hit pretty early last year. I my case, they were just left over transplants that had managed to live in their small pots with no care all summer. I just did it as an experiment. So my answer is yes, but I would try to have them in the ground by early July, I think. My guess would be that some years you might not succeed, but as seedmama says, "You can't win if you don't play". Here is a good example (of a bad example). I planted several crops in cups this year that I had planned to move to the garden when the weather settled a little. They were all cool season crops and have been outside for a long time. They endured a three inch rain, so I gave them a drink of fish emulsion. Although growing slowly, they were growing, EXCEPT the spinach. It grew to about one and a half inches, then set seed. So try as we may, sometimes mother nature works against us. I planted pole beans in late July last year and had a wonderful harvest, so I think if we plan to start our fall garden early, we can plant a lot of things. Leave your peppers in the ground all season if they still look healthy because although production may slow a little in summer they will likely rebound in fall. Tomatoes seem to wear out much earlier. My summer squash was productive into the fall, and my ONE melon vine produced for quite a long time. I planted a lot of winter squash (which I don't normally grow) and I got it in a little late for full maturity. The butternut finished, but the others needed a little more time. I actually could have left them on the vine longer, but I listened to the weather forecast and pulled them when they said frost threatened. It didn't happen here - - twice - -, so I could have gotten them much more mature. Of the tomato plants I have set aside for you, three are cheeries and include our favorite tomatoes. Sungold and Black Cherry are wonderful tomatoes and I am trying Ildi for the first time. I know your children will enjoy picking and eating Sungold right off the vine. It is super. They might even get a few into the house, but I doubt it. HeeHee Having said all of this, please remember that I have only lived here 8 years and some years didn't have much of a garden, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt (and a heavy duty prayer) and just use your best judgement. Carol

WOW!!!!!. That is just gorgeous.You have a beautiful home and rose gardens.The roses are beautiful and such a beautiful setting for them.That samariten rose is beautiful,and Ebb Tide is to die for.Dang,Thats GORGEOUS. A lot of work went into that.Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Jean