Hi Faye, In your zone you probably don't have a hard frost until sometime in January, if even then?? I'm guessing Verbena bonariens or Verbena on a Stick is most likely a perennial in your area. I'll bet the plant you "wacked to the ground" will bloom again for you before the growing season is over in your zone 8 garden. The link below is a video you might enjoy. Vikki Here is a link that might be useful: Verbena on a Stick

I was pretty sore from all the yard work I did this week, but it was worth it because the yard is now ready for summer again! I got a ton of plants outside now and tomorrow I will be bringing a ton of plants back inside. And then Sunday I will be bringing a ton of plants back outside again. The reason why I do this is because I would rather get them adjusted when temperatures are in the 60s and 70s because when its in the 80s all my indoor plants burn in the sun. Looks like freezes are almost a thing of the past, tomorrow might be the last one of the season (if we even get one tomorrow!) Greg, do you still have protection on your palms? I uncovered mine a while back, but I just put all the lights and garbage bins away today. Still have them closeby just in case! I just put a garbage bin over one of my pindos (with no lights) and so far it still looks alive and healthy which I was really surprised about. My stronger pindo was given full protection though! Looking forward to next week's nice weather. Good luck everyone and remember not to plant too early! -Alex

You will want to seal the grout first, I presume. So you can't do that until 72 hours after the grout is set. The grout should have 2 coats of sealer. If you do that in the morning, by afternoon you can set the appliances in place.

Hey Karen, did you know she does postcards? I've bought two of them and haven't sent them out yet as they are too expensive to get lost on their way to China or Russia (actually I have a postcard lost in transit to the US so it can happen anywhere). Thanks for directing us to her site, the photos are adorable. Jane