Hi Calliope, I know what you mean, but those plants that can be planted before frost date usually can take frost easily. My nasturtiums, e.g. went through a few snow falls last year with their beautiful leaves and flowers before they finally yielded. I agree that one must know his area well and know how to estimate (though we cannot be 100% accurate). For some annuals, I wait 2 weeks after our formal frost dates, then check the forecast for the next 10 days, and if it looks good I can plant them. For tender annuals, I might wait a little longer or start indoor. For half-hardy or hardy annuals, I can start earlier.

Qbush, the peas I put in were "Sugar Lace" (snap) and "Green Arrow" (shelling). "Sugar Lace" was old seed, so I over-sowed; but the germination was still poor. In the past, I actually had better germination if planted in warm soil, so I suspect it was the age of the seed. To make a bad situation worse, one whole row died off in the summer heat. Only a partial row remains, but it was a long row, so there will still be plenty to snack on. "Green Arrow" was also old seed, but had pretty good germination, and much less summer die-off. The longest row was planted adjacent to a long row of bush beans, and the two seem very happy together... a little too happy, with the peas clinging to the beans. I've had to separate them (carefully) while picking the beans. The peas seem to have benefited from the moisture & cooler soil under the bean canopy, that part of the row is lush & full of pods. All the beans ("Tenderette") and peas were planted the same day. The bush beans matured first, before the end of August. To my surprise, both peas are maturing at about the same time; I expected "Green Arrow" to be a week or two later. I'll be snacking on snap peas while picking shelling peas, which should be pleasant. Still no frost in the long-term forecast; looks like I'll be picking bush beans & zucchini for awhile yet, and getting more cukes than I expected. 10+ more days of moderate temperatures should give at least some of the "Bush Table King" acorn squash time to mature, there are about 70-80 that have reached full size. Never tried planting acorn squash so late, it will be impressive if they make it. This wasn't the garden that I planned; none of the seed crops planned for the rural plot were planted, and will need to be put off until next year. Still, it looks like it will be a good harvest & a full freezer. "Those same cranes come to my place in central florida in the winter. I'll ask them if they felt ok about eating Zeedman's crops...." Well maybe if you had fed them better, they wouldn't be so hungry! ;-)

Hmmm, I'm abysmal at finding a ripe watermelon. I know Tricia says look for a creamy colored underside, but my round melons are green all the way around and no matter how I thump, it all sounds the same to me! Like Eileen, I've never had a spiked watermelon and I think I'll pass, no matter what it's spiked with. I haven't found any alcohol I care much about. I love licorice and anise, but don't like anisette. Don't mess up my orange juice or tomato juice with vodka and I'll take the watermelon straight, thanks. If I just could figure out how to tell when it's ripe! Annie

I don't necessarily agree with the let the kids tell point of view... although very situational dependant. BUT, if the kids are still kids not adults, and if there is any possibility whatsoever that the ex will take it badly-- interestingly, for all the reasons serenity said let the kids tell, I say don't. Maybe it'd be easier on the parents to not have to have the conversation directly, but it's not fair to a young child or teenager to make them or expect them to be the messenger of news that is going to upset their mom or dad. I would have been horribly uncomfortable if my dad had expected me to tell me mom when he got engaged. My mom was depressed for a while after the divorce and even though I knew she didn't want my dad back, I also knew enough to know it would be hard for her to hear he was happy in a new relationship getting married. I don't know how my mom would have felt about hearing it from us not him, but even if it would have made things easier for her, **I** (getting my selfish teenager hat out of the closet now) would have hated it and resented the hell out of being expected to do it. It would not have been a good start to the whole step thing.