One of my peonies that escaped the rain and isn't lying on the ground. If you look closely, you can see a couple of the ever-present ants. Marcia

Audrey, Consider this - in October when it looks dead and ugly, dig up the bulb. Store it in a cool and dark spot. Replant in March (including a bit of bone meal to encourage the root growth). I do that with my cannas. Those who grow gladiolus around here do the same.

I like how we are derailing this thread with talk of cheese. So I looked it up and I didn't realize from your post above it was a mixture of the two types of milk. I've had sheep cheese before (soft spread one) but my sheep do not have good enough udders for milking. There teats are teenie tiny. PITA to milk. Also, though I'm sure it would be good as a cheese, last year I did try sheep milk for the first time from our sheep and thought it was soooo disgusting. I'm sure it would be good in a cheese though since it was very strong. I have done feta before and it was very easy and very good. It looks like a similar concept, just different bacterial culture. I love cheese.

Oh that's a wonderful garden! Dad had a big one at the farm when I was young. I loved going with him to dig up the potatoes. I knew mom would take the little tiny red potatoes, scrub them well, then fry them whole. Omg they are so good that way. But fresh dug potatoes are good any kind of way. And fresh tomatoes! I didn't get to the farm store this weekend for my tomatoes and I will miss them. Yes you should be very proud of that garden.