Yeah, I started my broccoli from seed too late this winter, and it bloomed last week on that warm day, so it's pretty much out of the question this late. Like 'mams' said, I just planted seeds for carrots, potatoes, and radishes. Some baby lettuce and spinach, but I'm not sure they'll produce much before it warms up... Your summer plants (tomatoes, beans, cucumber, peppers) can be started from seed inside, but not put out until it stays reliably over 50-55 at night, usually late April or early May (especially peppers, they need that warmth). Being very lazy, I will not start inside, I'll just put seed in the ground in April or buy seedlings in April. For seeds, that shortens the length of production and harvest, but as I said, lazy. Nurseries and hardware stores are starting to stock pepper/tomato/bean seedlings now, but it's pretty early. They will mostly survive, but waiting a bit will get you healthier, more productive plants. As for zuchs, you can plant seeds directly outside as early as now. They are a bit more cold tolerant than the other summer standards. If buying zuch seedlings, maybe not now, but sooner than the others (early april?) On a side note, I'm trying brussels sprouts here in Sunnyvale for the first time. I planted in fall, and they've been sort of overwintering (not growing much, but staying alive). Does anyone know if I they will still grow into summer? I've always thought of them as not very heat tolerant, and If they're gonna end up not producing anything, I could use the space for the afore mentioned zucchini seed planting...

Our asparagus grows taller than my 6' hubby and the bushy parts of the ferns spread wider than the 2' width of the bed we have them planted in. Basically, they're a small tree once they've gotten to their full height, at least in our garden. If they grow that big in your climate, then their mass might rival that of the large tomato plants you had and didn't like. They don't get that big for everyone, though. The ferns really are lovely and they do turn a gorgeous golden yellow in the fall. Ours don't flop over because the stalks are quite thick and sturdy (they get woody when they fern out), so a fence would be purely decorative. They're bushy, but not unruly. After they go through the yellow stage and start to turn ugly brown, they fall over as one big wave, though (ours are in a 20' long double row). They can be trimmed away at ground level before that happens.

Hi everyone, We know how much you love GardenWeb and we are always striving to make things better. We do listen to your suggestions and we've received many comments asking us to better target products and services for this audience. We are very interested in your feedback and would appreciate your thoughts on the following questions. Feel free to cut and paste them into your posting window and reply below each question. If you have any concerns or comments that are not related to these specific questions, please feel free to contact me. My direct email address is listed on my profile. We hope you'll take a few moments to join our focus group and share your thoughts. Thanks! Tamara 1. Would you be interested in receiving special offers available exclusively to GardenWeb users? yes, but not in pop ups or emails 2. How would you like to receive offers from GardenWeb - product offers or service offers? Email? Posts to the forum pages? A dedicated deal page? Dedicated deal page 3. What types of products and services would you be most interested in seeing offered? discounts from websites and free shipping. a decent discount like 15-25 percent at least 4. What are you looking for now that Gardenweb could help you find? seeds, bulbs, garden flags, plants 5. From which retailers/service providers would you like to receive offers? Those with good ratings from garden watchdog. 6. What would entice you to take advantage of an offer? good sale and free shipping. Also a company with a good reputation.

Hi there, excellent detective work, thanks for the two replies guys! Now I know what it is too! An out of focus photo of a Desert Rose is perhaps not a good enough reason to make a return journey to Bangkok, so I guess I will have to come up with something else eh?! Cheers! Greenclaws in a sizzling UK.