3 years after I first planted Autumn Bliss I would have said it was better than Heritage. People are always citing favorites on line without specifying how long the relationship. It takes 10 years to really be able to evaluate a variety. Not that I'm suggesting that people shouldn't share their excitement- I just wish I could qualify input better because everyone on-line sounds equally expert and confident in their opinions without usually mentioning the depth of their experience. It was after growing brambles for 5 years that I began to realize that a lot of varieties get diseased after about that time and you have to start up a new bed somewhere else. Some sites last a little longer and some less. By the time I realized that I had so many other kinds of fruit growing that I couldn't be bothered with species so short lived. I tried about 8 varieties of raspberries, 3 or 4 blackberries, 2 types or purple raspberries and 3 types of blackraspberries and now all I grow are Heritage and a couple Navajo blackberries. The exception to the 5 year rule are primocane bearers (fall bearers). I am speaking from southeastern NY but have heard this is a problem over a very wide area of the humid U.S.

Jose thanks for the tip. Looked up the place's web site and it's located close to a friend of mine that I visit once in awhile. I called him and told him about the place and to check it out. Will visit and have a meal there. My friend told me that that name is very common in Staten Island. Lou

Beginners should definitely investigate growing their own herbs. They are easy in containers and even if you buy the plants ($2-$3 for smaller sized plants) are a wise investment considering how much herbs cost at the grocery store and how hard it is not to waste them. You usually only need a plant of each type (more of basil!) to get fresh herbs from May/June to frost. I've grown the following herbs in pots with success: mint, rosemary (take inside in fall), many type of basils, dill (one of the few that is best started by seed in a deep container versus buying plants), lemongrass, chives, sage, Greek oregano, French tarragon, parsley,... Plus some of the herbs overwinter behind my shed with little effort (mint, sage, Greek Oregano, chives are ones that are reliable overwinterers).

Posted by Jackie Fox: I have a townhouse with a back yard that is shaded by taller homes and a large oak tree. During the summer months the small yard receives very little direct sun. I live in northern New Jersey. Kirk Johnson: Aren't Summers in your area hot? A splashing fountain would make it even more inviting. Ferns and foliage plants would make it seem cool and peaceful. Lisa Kuhlen: Sounds like my garden. Be prepared for very little in the way of blooming things. I have lots of lovely greens, but few blossoms. Here's our plant list: In the sunniest areas, echinacea, valerian, some herbs (like chives), self-heal (nice plant, but DON'T let it go to seed). Astilbe, great lobelia, variegated hostas. In the deeper shade, bleeding heart, golden wood poppy, green hostas, sweet woodruff, sweet violets, english ivy, ferns (cinnamon, shaggy shield, christmas, leatherwood). kathie hayden: I have full shade and I keep trying everything but what always works best is the hostas,coleus, begonias, IMPATIENS (its nice that something with bright colors works!) Astilbe works too. barbara: There's a nice book put out by Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record, "Gardening in the Shade". It contains lists of shrubs, vines, annuals, perennials, bulbs, moss, ground covers, etc. d. scott: I recommend "The Natural Shade Garden" by Ken Druse. He includes several landscaping designs for shade gardens including the one behind his N.Y.C.townhome. ruth anne: Check out 'Fine Gardening Magazine's' book called "Garden Rooms". also "Garden Design Ideas" and "Great Gardens". They have designs such as you describe that are to die for!! I think a spot such as yours would have so much potential as the oft desired "secret garden"!! Shade Garden under High Deck Posted by Mary Ellen Mulhern - 6: I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania and have a high deck off the first floor. Weeds grow under the deck so I assume plants would grow as well. It is definitely a shady area and the soil seems dry. In the fall I planted hosta around the outside perimeter. What types of plants can I grow under this deck, which is fairly large? What about ferns? Bill Hoppe (DC area Z7): If the bottom of the "header" and the joists that hold up the decking planks is at least 8 feet above the elevation of the space under the deck, and if that space is directly accessible from the basement via a regular door or a sliding glass door assembly, why not use the space for more practical purposes? I would hate to see it go to waste. You could pave part of it, surround that with plantings that tie in with the rest of your garden, and leave a 4' wide opening for a walk/path that leads out to the garden and, voila, you have a nice seating area! Dressing up the posts that hold up the deck with some lattice work against which you can grow all kinds of vines (like clematis), would add a nice touch. Sue Vanderhoff - 5: I also have a high deck. I have used lattice on the 3 sides. One piece is hinged so I can get to it. I have black plastic sheeting under it and I use it for storage,(wheelbarrow, leftover straw mulch etc.) In the summer morning glories grow on the 3 sides. Mine faces west with sides north south. I have a lilac bush on the south side, flowers on the west side and the stairway north. Gail Trimble Z7/Ga: We have a high deck also, but our plans are to put a jacuzzi underneath. Currently it has pinestraw on the ground and stores the oversize patio chairs that don't fit ON the deck!