Just popped in and caught up on this thread - and what a fine and lovely thread it is! Thanks, Maggie, for setting up the google group for us Mudcat gardeners.

Looking forward to seeing more of your photos, Bobert, as well as those of others who will post photos in the future.

One of the neat things about reading here is that people are posting from so many different regions, soils and climates.

Maggie, you asked about drought. Here on the northeast Piedmont of North Carolina we have had some good rain this spring - wonder of wonders. The water tables are still low, as are stream levels, but soil moisture levels are good for the time being. I can see the drought damage to my garden, but am in awe at the resiilency of of those beings with green above ground and roots below.

As sadly neglected as my garden has been for the last year, spring, which is it's forte, is beautiful without my help - riotous color from poppies, hesperis, larkspur, coreopsis grandiflora, veronica, lychnis, field daisies, etc - and all tall enough to hide the weeds that haven't been pulled. In the presence of human neglect, the garden has transformed itself into a meadow garden. At least for spring.

One thing I notice this year is far fewer aphids, and no thrips. I wonder if their populations were held in check by the drought.

I will soon be harvesting poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum). This year they are all red. If any of you want some, p.m. with your e-mail and snail mail addresses, as I am only making quick checks a couple of times a week right now to the 'Cat, and often just check for pm's, without opening any threads. E-mail, however, I check daily.    When the seeds are ready, I'll e-mail back for your snail mail. They will grow in a broad range of climate zones, are stunning spring flowers, and the seeds are not available except as "pass-along."   They absolutely must have excellent drainage. If you have clay soil, you will need to make a bed for them, heavily amended to create a well-draining, loose loam. They are so beautiful, they are worth it.

It is likely that hesperis (Dame's Rocket), lychnis (Rose Campion, in white and magenta), and coreopsis grandiflora seed will all be ripe before I move, and I'll be glad to harvest some of them also to send. Other than the poppies, I think the rest are readily available through seed catologs.

Kat, I continue to read about your "vinegar" adventures with interest.

Don't think I will be gardening much for awhile when I move. Going from full sun to what appears to be full shade, and am going to have to live in the place awhile to observe the light and get a feel for what the place wants.

Pecan pollen everywhere - gong to be a bumper year.

Luv, y'all.

Janie