I just had a general question about what would not grow, like tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, okra, and melons and I thought they would not grow at all unless under cover the whole growing season in all of Canada. The person is applying to work in various areas of Canada, but has not been hired yet. Doesn't some areas of Canada have 6 months of light, 6 months of dark just like Alaska. I'm not asking specifics for an area, but I see most fall plant to get theirs in the ground for next year. I wrote the Canadian customs office and the reply was clear. It's required to have a name of a company, a certificate to prove their right to sell, the variety name, so it's too much bother with saved seeds. It's too much work and most seed packages, the little plastic baggy ones, just say "Green Peppers", or "Spinach". If they are sold that way, then each company would have to be called back to get the scientific name. I got the answer straight from the horses mouth, but I do thank people for answers. Drhorticulture that is the questions exactly what I was asking about and the varieties like melons and okra too. A raised bed is probably the best way to get things done, with hoop houses or sheets. I've read plastic isn't as good as old sheets due to the moisture condensation, dropping on the plants, then freezing just as if there were no covers over them. Thanks again!

Wonderful thread!! If I may reinforce/add: Kew Gardens - any season - golden pheasants in the rhodo bower. In London, St. James Park!!! Wow! Also, in London, check all the hidden Gardens - not all have high walls, some have nice wrought iron fences!! North of Dublin - Ardgillan Demanse - amazing!!! A monkey puzzle tree, at least 4 storeys high. A fabulous rose garden. The nearby towns and villages are full of private pockets gardens that will blow your mind!! Dublin itself - a fabulous city park, opposite Grafton Street. Outside of Rome - Tivoli Gardens!! The garden is mostly green, but check out the water features!! Rome - the Borghese Park - great if just for the gelato vendors and folly's, but awesome on it's own. Aberdeen, Scotland - check out the Winter Gardens. All under glass - many different zones - excellent. Also, in summer, renowned for its Roses!! Versailles was pretty much shut down for Winter when I was there. Ottawa - Grounds of the Residence of the Governor-General - cool, and once a year they do the Bunny-Hop and open the greenhouses. Festival of Spring - 10,000's of thousands of tulips - donated by the Netherlands in thanks for sheltering their Queen during WWII - thank you, it was our pleasure, and continues to be!! Butchart Gardens in Victoria - even the gardens in the city, and the side streets!!! That's enough for now!! Nancy.

One good way to plan a garden tour is to contact various garden tour companies (ads are in most national garden magazines) and look over their itineraries. These garden tours generally touch the major gardens of the UK, Kew, Wisley, Montissfont, Sissinghurst, etc., and they are certainly NOT TO BE MISSED, but there are some 3,000 small private gardens in England that are open in summer, very small admission price, which are listed in the annual Yellow Book. If you've never been to the UK, are not keen on flying by the seat of your pants, why not sign up with a good tour company for your first trip, get a feel for what there is to see and do, let them worry about hotels, meals, admission prices, etc. and just enjoy the scenery. You could visit the UK every year for 20 years, doing different gardens on each trip, and not see it all!

I does sound wonderful. You didn't snap any pics, by chance did you? The Gloire de Dijon growing up the side of the school, is something I would love to see. Must have been a wonderful visit! Lisa