Graham, your question is sorta like asking what type of gun is best. There are tools and guns for different purposes. The two things that give me the most problems are my aging body and the weather. If you can find a way to control either, you will be in great demand. I garden about 2000 sq. ft. which is small by most standards. Two tools I would not want to give up are my wagon to to haul compost, mulch etc. and a small hand tool that is much like the Ken Ho weeder. I even have one that I put a long aluminum handle on. You might get a better response if you ask this question on some of the gardening forums. Best of luck on your project. Larry

Hi Faye, Glad to answer questions for you, however, I think you have a beautiful garden and obviously are an accomplished gardener. After a terrible summer drought and water bills that were just stupid we did have an irrigation system installed about 2 yrs ago. It's an in ground Hunter system and we hired a professional. We also had to have a new well dug to feed the system. How often do I water? Probably too much. I have the system set to water at each station for 40 mins. It's more important to water deeply than to water often. We are having a dry period right now and I tend to let the system run everyday when we don't have rain. I probably don't need to water more than twice a week. As for fertilizer...I use granulated 10-10-10 in the spring in the flower beds. This year the bag is still sitting in the garage waiting to be spread out, lol! When I put the fertilizer out I just throw it by hand all over the flower beds. I am blessed with really great soil and I believe that is the big reason my plants do well. I have lots and lots of worms. When 3 of the 5 LARGE flower beds were made (2003) I added compost and good topsoil. The other 2 original flower beds have been in existance for 20+ years. My beds are what I call "raised beds" as they are approx 5" above the lawn level. I think this helps drainage. I also keep the beds mulched. I'm honored to answer your questions and thank you for the compliments on my garden. Vikki

In the spring, like in May, I have often found lilies on sale at a local hardware store. (I canÂt resist a deal) Many are sprouted. I try to pick ones that are not brown tipped but even so, some in a package often are. Though the spring planting may not be optimum I consider it an investment for the next year. Many of these will not bloom at all the first summer. Of the ones I planted this year several bloomed very short like yours did: a full sized bloom on a pygmy stem. I have learned from experience that even ones that seem to produce no growth above ground are busy growing underneath. I planted a bunch of apparent "duds" a year ago last spring and this year every single one came up.

Typical government rip-off, you get cheated out of 6-9 months of a 10 year purchase. (Why not make it 11 years??) Book to your hearts content, travel people could care less if you have one or not. But they remind you that boarding can't be done without proper documentation. I got mine right before the last price hike. Some peoples travel qualifies them to use the Passport Card. Cheaper. You get your old one back, punched invalid, but keep it. It is still a vaild form of ID. Happy travels to some beautiful sunny beach.