thecurious: Definitely not too late for Beets. Do yourself a favor and grow Chioggia, the sweetest Beet in the world, and it doesn't "bleed". An Italian heirloom, it's the one with the alternating pink and white rings. About 70 days if I remember correctly, so it'll be plenty sweet in the coolish weather of September and October in your zone. Do yourself another favor and grow Kohlrabi, with a taste of Turnips and Cabbage, but twice as sweet as either. Also about 70 days for the heirlooms White and Purple Vienna (as I recall), and a shorter period, still, for hybrids. Also a good time to grow Turnips, particularly the sweet all-white varieties, that mature from 50 to 70 days. The three above are always at their best when harvested (and eaten) in cool weather.

I do much the same with MLdSG as I do with Great Maiden's Blush. I try to cut them for them to stay up with no support. I would like to have kept the growth more natural, and let the tip of the canes arch down to the ground but I just don't have the space for it. My GMB is old, older than me, and I have never dared to cut them to the ground. But I have cut them to about 2,5 feet, and I was a bit nervous that spring. I didnt' get any flowers, just a few on one of the outer canes. The next year I pruned new growth rather a lot too, but not as much as previous year, and they bloomed fine. Now they have more of a vase shape or bouquet shape if that makes any sense. I don't hesitate to take out old canes in the middle, or any where really. At the base of the plant I have to use saw on some of them. These are 40 year old plants, and have no problem shooting new growth. My point is much the same as roseseek's; your alba will live fine what ever you do, at worst she will not bloom for a year, or just have a few flowers. Younger canes seems to set buds more easily, and when it is pruned much in the same way every year, it seems to get used to it. It forms buds much more easily than when it gets pruned more than it is used too. However, I wouldn't do any pruning to the ground if I wasn't forced to. As long as the plant gets to keep a lot of foliage and new growth, it doesn't get too set back this time of the year. What ever you do, it will hardly be a mistake, it will always grow back. I have seen very old roses being cut to the grown, and unfortunately they don't always sprout again. Younger roses do much more easily. I hope you get something out of my "out loud thinking". Regards

Hi! I don't know you but I like you what wonderful New Year wishes and prayers for everyone! My New Years wish goes for everyone on this forum! I have met the nices, most kindest, funniest new friends here,who have brought much laughter and joy into my heart! Dorothy,Lucy, Daniella,Mike,Eloise,Theresa,Brenda who is some one I've known from E-Bay quite some time now!Karyn and the list just goes on! So my wish is this, may you find love,happiness,peace,new friends,health and we all could use alittle money, so I hope our economy gets better so we keep jobs so we can provide our families, things they need! May God Bless each of you and keep you safe! Happy Near Year 2009! Your Friend, Susan P.S if your name was not mentioned it's still in my heart!

This rose is more beautiful than ever, and looks a lot larger, too. There is a lovely variety in bloom structure and petal shading that I haven't noticed so much before. Please tell us (again?) where you obtained this rose. Idaho doesn't allow several big sellers to send their roses here--frustrating, but the Dept of Ag really protects the farmers, and I'm not sure what their objection to these sellers is. The sellers don't say. Diane