Slugs: the bane of my garden, since I mulch with a lotta leaves, and they love 'em. I use a totally organic iron sulfate compound which kills 'em pretty good. Chances, are, guest, there are slug eggs in your hosta pot. (Little, pearly things.) You gotta moosh every one.

My front yard is real shady from the 2 big birch trees; I put down several inches of compost to smother out the grass (to which I am allergic) and planted wildflower seeds -- shady mix. Looks great. Lots of cosmos, pot marigold, cornflowers, other stuff.

I have been nursing along a delphinium/foxglove spot which bloomed gloriously this year.

I can send seeds for harebell, bellflower, grape hyacinth, and bluebells to anyone. Warning: they are prolific once established.

My early girl tomatoes are just pinking up; I planted them to tide me over until the brandywines come in. Once you have harvested them, you cannot do without. My basil didn't do diddly, so I finally broke down and put in some boughten plants, and had my first pesto last week.

I was outta town for 2 weeks, and the quack grass, buttercups, etc. had taken over by the time I got back and had time to deal with it. Today is my first all-free day since I have been back; guess what I will be doing?

My roses are terribly neglected; I will be pruning them up, too. I planted all the splashy, scented pink and purple ones I could find after I bought my house and dug up the back yard. Othello, Prince, Blue Girl, Royal Amethystm Eglantyne, Mr. Lincoln, Fragrant Cloud, Fragrant Memory, and more.

Whew! A favorite topic. My garden is a mess, it's a beautiful mess I love.