LISA — We are enjoying a little break from the heat so I am doing as much as I can in the garden. But a lot of time and energy is spent watering. Hoping for rain soon.

KRIS P. — Border Charm is the only Itoh Peony I have and it is getting shaded out. I need to convince Mark to do some pruning on our big Ginkg

KRIS P. — It's a bit cloudy outside and I can hear thunder, but the storm on radar just looks like little blobs with lots of openings in between them. All the nurseries online are having sales and I am really conflicted about buying. If there appeared to be some real rain in the future it would make it easier to decide. Nothing more frustrating than getting a shipment of plants just as it heats up.

Thanks for all your comments. Weather continues hot and dry. But the entire back garden has been well-watered, some planting done and now on to watering the front garden. Feeling more upbeat.

CECI — You are so right. When you look at the way it was and the way it is now, it looks like a quick, easy redo. Compared to the pond redo, it was easy. But it really got done now because the electric wheelbarrow Mark ordered got damaged in shipment and sent back. Waiting for a new one and he can't do any of the heavy lifting he needs to do to get going on the big project.

KRIS — I've gotten totally hooked on Weather Underground for better or worse.

FRANK— The great thing about species/woodland Peonies is that they don't need full sun, they are single flowers on strong stems and don't need staking, and they come up really early before shrubs are doing anything. Only downside is no fragrance.

CHRISTINE — Exactly what I am imagining.

DANGER — HA! It's made in Canada. But probably a bit deeper than we want.

SUSAN — I can't wait until we are able to get it in place and see the other side.

BARBARA — Now that I know ants move the seeds around, I am not so surprised to see them growing in odd places. But it is still the last place I'd ever plant something so lovely.

KRIS — My daffs are late varieties so it is always iffy if the weather will be too hot suddenly. This time it's the opposite.

BARBARA — This is the best time of the year for bouquets. And the cold weather has been a good excuse to cut things.

BETH — I'm hoping we are done with frosts. Can't stand this on again/off again weather.

BETH — We got a second rain of a bit less than half an inch, so things are really looking good. Of course, now I am worried about frost again. What an on again/off again spring.

BARBARA & LOREE — We got rain last night: 1 inch!!!

KRIS — I was thinking of you as I was writing that; mentally telling myself that you deal with this stuff all the time. But it is at least a month or so early for us — both for the plants and for me.

JANE — Have to admit that the only time I ever bought anything (2 shrubs in person) from Home Depot, I did not have good luck with them. But I've had great luck with plants from all the specialty mail order nurseries. If I have a problem they quickly replace the plant or credit my account.

BARBARA — I assume the natives do the same only more aggressively.

DANGER — This is a little more traveling than I anticipated, but much easier to control than native mayapples.

BETH — It's amazing how widely the temps and weather can differ only a few miles apart, let alone add in water and woods.

KRISTIN — The best thing is that it never slowed down even when the temps went into the 20s.

Luckily it only got down to 34°F last night but the temps day and night are lower than I would prefer. No damage and keeping my fingers crossed!

BARBARA — Mark said it may be one of his favorite arrangements ever.

CECI — We're having a week of slightly cooler weather after rain, so it should be lovely for the flowers.