The shrub is the double flowering plum that I mentioned. It is close to the ground because that is the way it grows. I do want/need/intend to trim up a bit, but only one or two branches. The shrub will not be removed, it is one of the foundations of this particular garden bed. If GA needs to be moved further out, that can be arranged. No, the dog did not lay on it, but I can't say whether any rabbits or woodchucks or others might have done. I will examine it more closely to see whether I can tell It sounds like most of you think that Liberty and Sagae are just babies and will need time to establish. I am surprised because others that were planted last fall are bigger and stronger. GA was planted in 2009, so would have expected more by now. At least as big and nice as irawon's. ken, I usually can wade through your unique writing style, but I don't understand this one: if you have a leaf.. of a given size.. and you see plants with similar leaves.. and yours is half as short.. well.. its too deep Are you saying that if I find another plant with leaves the size of GA, they should be the same height? Even if they are different ages and varieties?

Fantastic. My favorite is also Sea Lotus Leaf, but all three are very nice. Looks really great. Don B.

Chandra, I have had that happen this year too. I assume that the high temperatures and lack of moisture cause it. I've had it in Big Beef, Beefmaster and Bushsteak tomatoes harvested in the last month---not all the tomatoes from those plants, but at least 1 or 2 from each one. With cucumbers, when I have too many for fresh eating and already have made all the pickles we'll need for the next two years, I give away the extra or slice them in half and feed them to my chickens. Chickens are great about gobbling up lots of excess produce. It is a great cucumber year, likely because the cucumber beetle population is almost non-existent this year. Dawn

He is so cute !! They grow up way to quickly though. It seems that you just turn your back and blink and there they are married with young babies of their own. Enjoy every moment you can with them. Helen