For the most part, we have the mixed blessing/curse of sugar sand. Which makes it really easy to dig out sand to create raised bed. So, I might dig out 6" then put in a 4" edge and have a 10" 'raised' bed. Plus, as permanent plantings grow in; I have sneaky plans to raise the height of the current beds. I guess it is time to go get some current shots. But, this will give some ideas for what I have done so far. Tis all a learning experience, but even in my 'hood there have been no complaints about veggies in the front yard. Heck, most of the people don't realize the garden is a veggie garden. The best advice I can give you is - don't plant in rows or squares. Mix it up. Though, I do have to say it makes planning a challenge. To the lower left, you can see one of my new beds where I am experimenting with tiers, to allow me to get more depth in parts of the garden. On the left, you can see the other section of the new bed. It is still marinating and is currently holding pots. I am planting a perennial border around the bed, and once it has taken on good growth then I will raise this bed another 6". In the background center you can see a raised bed created with large field stone. Here is an older picture that shows a bit more of the overall form. I try to avoid square/rectangular boxes. I do have them, but then they have outer areas that are bordered with 'sexy curves'. Or meandering pathways. I would love to be able to do all our raised beds in stone, or something more architecturally interesting. Not in the cards for us right now, so I am working to grow visually pleasing plants on the borders. I have tried to place my 'bones' of the garden so there will be something pleasing to see even when no edibles are present. Bones can be hardscape, paths, perennials. I am working on having edges be mostly flowering annuals, bulbs or something with interesting borderish color. Then for the edibles, mix it up. And let stuff bolt; the flowers and seed pods add interest to the garden. I think. I'm still learning a lot myself. Experiment and see what works. Having a planting plan and plants growing up to go in harvested spots is my current challenge. Lack of full sun gardening spots is only part of my challenge. The other is funky mobility. So, I have wide paths and I have as many things I can spread around to grab hold of for balance and to lean my crutches against. It all works to add to the cottage'ie feel of the veggie garden though ... at least I tell myself. ~dianne

I'm trying very hard to control myself with the seed catalogs but failing miserably (as I do every year). To make it even worse, I just learned that the oldest seed company in the US (D. Landreth) has relocated to my town -- New Freedom, PA. Since I'm originally from Baltimore, I'm going to try an heirloom tomato called "Greater Baltimore." I also want to try "Silvery Fir Tree" and "Brandywine" tomatoes. I'll also be growing "Mortgage Lifter" and "Yellow Pear" as I do every year. My dad loves "Early White Bush Scallop" (pattypan) squash so I'll have a hill or two of that and I'm also looking for pie melon seeds (see here). I had great success with shallots last year so I'll have them again. My heading cabbage didn't do well (bugs) and my Chinese cabbage bolted but I'll have bok choi again since it did very well. I want to try pole beans this year and would also like to have some peas. A couple of rows of beets and some swiss chard plus green peppers, jalapeno peppers and eggplants will round things out. Maybe okra? Carrots? Definitely kohlrabi. I've been laid up since late September with ankle surgery and am more anxious than usual to get out in the garden. Of course, the mild winter weather only lasted until I was finally released by the doctor for normal activity and now it's freezing and nasty. I'm going to have a lot of cleanup to do before I can plant anything this spring. Ah well, gardeners are nothing if not optimistic. Rich

Finally had frost and 27 degrees on Saturday night. Thought that would be the end. Many flattened, but quite a few looked just a little lower Sunday morning. I assumed they would collapse later in the day, but was wrong. Once the sun got to them, many stood back up and looked perfect. The Halcyon/June family and sports look best. Off the top of my head, that includes Remember Me, El Nino, Paradise Joyce, and Touch of Class. Elvis Lives and Cutting Edge are untouched. Many of the fragrant types still have no damage. The 'dark' Guacamole and Austin Dickinson fared very well. I have quite a few medium-sized blue hostas and Aristocrat that also look fine. LS Kadeidoscope looks just fine too, just like late last year. Antioch and Gilt by Association have very minor edge damage. That's a surprise, as they don't have a lot of substance. The past few nights have been cold but not frosty, and the oak trees are finally dropping their leaves. I need for the hosta leaves to turn to mush so I can rake the beds. It's easier to rake or blow when there is nothing to catch the zillions of oak leaves. I have voles, and need to get everything cleaned up, please, please, before the snow flies. At least half of the leaves are up in the trees, and I hear we may get snow tomorrow or Friday. Oh, woe is me. ~Bunnycat

Thanks Brissy for making me jealous especially when you mention the 'return trip'. I'd love to get over there just once! Enjoy yourself and we would love to see some decent pics. Can't recommend any sites as I haven't been there before however noticed this on the computer. France is Europe's up-and-coming country for gardens with some 800 to visit on Michael's list, and new ones are added weekly. Suggestions for the Northern part of France are the Bagatelle Gardens in Paris which contain good collections of irises and roses, the Floating Gardens of Amiens which can only be approached by water (there is a boat service), and the world renowned gardens of Claude Monet at Giverney. The French Riviera is studded with gardens created to accommodate its sub-tropical flora. Suggestions are the Rothschild's Villa Ephrussi, the gardens of La Mortolla which, in fact, in Italy, but only five minutes drive from the frontier at Menton. An American sculptor, Henry Clews, together with his wife Mary, created the gardens at the Château of La Napoule, and are well worth a visit. Also for botanical interest there is the 800 Corkscrew Beech Tree's of Verzy that would be well worth a look in the north east of France. Also Generosa range of roses (Guillot)come from over there somewhere in France and would be very interesting to see how they go over there and future types to be introduced here. So much to see I think you may be glad to get home by the end of it but I'm still jealous.... Garry