its always possible, here in VA weve had snow in April, if it happens id cover what i could and bring the others inside. it wouldnt be a total loss. Most of my peppers/tomatoes are in containers. Corn was old seed and between you and i, not a variety i cared for anyways and i have probably 2lbs of corn seed that needs to be planted in the next 1-2 yrs anyways i guess it wouldnt kill me, just really pi$$ me off a little(more because its my own fault, and i should know better). Im more worried about another hail storm. had one last spring that just destroyed my garden, including my corn. then 2nd run of corn we had the hurricane...

Nancy, I appologize for the way this thread has ended up. YOU know that wasn't my intent. However, when someone is trying to pull rank on others...that is just silly. When I said over and out, I had no intention of comming back to this thread....but with some of these comments, I have to say my piece. First Gardengirl, pulling rank is hilarious. I have a Diploma in gardening and landscaping. I run a gardening business in spring, summer and fall. In the winter I start all sorts of seeds. I am head gardener for more than one garden. And I have lived and gardened in many of these gardening zones that are listed on this forum. Yes I have lived in Annette's zone and I have lived in Nancy's zone. I am also an educator. ..teaching gardening, both hands on and theory. I also lecture. I won't list the rest of my education, because well...it has nothing to do with gardening. Lets just say I am educated and leave it at that. Now, without trying to hurt your feelings or anyone elses, please educate yourself about gardening in the north...and other zones you may not be familiar with. Actually my garden is really not all that unique.....its not anymore unique than someone gardening in zone 8. Every garden zone has its ups and downs. There are many MANY gardeners in zones 0 to 3. Not unique gardens, but beautiful gardens the same as everyone elses. Many Far North gardeners have to educate, because southerners just don't take the time to learn about other zones than their own. They dismiss the far north gardeners thinking that nothing will grow there. Or saying there isn't many gardens in those zones...or calling them unique. I believe the Far North garden forum was started years ago, by crazygardener. It really does help educate people willing to take the time to look at it and ask questions there. The gardens shown there are neither rare nor are they unique. We just have to do things a bit differently to achieve these gardens. Now if I was sitting in California, I would be saying the same thing, they have to do things a bit different than here in zone 2 to achieve the results. The cottage garden forum is a combination of all zones and Countries. We are a varied bunch from north to south. No one needs to be singled out as our common interest is gardening. Is Edna's garden different than Nancy's....hell ya. Is Libby's garden different from Eduarda's....ohhh I think so. But we all get there. No one pulls rank, we all help each other out.....and educate each other. That is what gardening is all about...teaching and LEARNING!!! Jumping down off my soapbox now...and won't take time to respond to this thread again. Again, Nancy I appologize, I hope you do try some hellebores and tell us how they do in your garden. Sierra

Hmmm...about everyday! Right now, I've got a section where my yellow blooms (Harvest Moon echinacea) didn't survive, so all that's left is blue...and all spires...salvia ulignosia, salvia black & blue, buddleia 'Adonis blue'. I need spheres and pale yellow! The yellow must be tall, drought tolerant and deer proof. It must be able to withstand 100% HOT southern sun in the wide open spaces all day long. I've also got an edging of hypericum hidcote along the meadow side of the dry streambed. I'm wishing that I had planted a summer blooming lavender there instead. I'm very tired of my blue love grass. I used quite a few them as place holders and now I feel like it's wasteful to shovel prune! They seed like crazy, too. We've got to completely redo a section of the garden inside the fence. The weeping cherry is again losing the battle with Japanese Beetles. Due to that pest, this tree looks good for only 1 week of bloom out of a 52 week year. Not good enough. This fall, it's going to go...along with 3 abelia that should have stayed small, but they want to grow 6 feet tall and wide!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I know the vintage (late 1940s) and value of the knotty pine. The essence of "cottage" will indeed remain, but I do sometimes wish for a "pickled" brighter look -- influenced by much time spent on beach/cottage blogs linked from earlier posts. i think w/a few thoughtful decor changes (the fireplace surround and improved bookshelf visuals) I can brighten the room up w/o making major changes. As this is a summer home for us, it tends to get second-hand extras and lots of beloved cast-offs that I have no idea what to do with otherwise. Your input here makes sense...lots to condense and clean up. Yay! Another excuse to spend even MORE time here and on other forums than i already do. On another note, Sweeby: I'm so impressed by your astute memory, but it's a strange coincidence re: the urns. I picked them up at an estate sale years ago, and have often wondered about them. Mine are almost identical to the ones posted, but are extremely heavy (are ashes that heavy?). Makes me think maybe something is inside them...never thought to look. I'll be down at the house shortly, and will look more closely. If there's a treasure inside, maybe I'll be able to afford a decorator to come fix up the fireplace. Stay tuned here, and I'll post back.