Planted some milkweed and a friend gave me some campanula seedlings that it's probably too late to plant! Might as well try though instead of throwing them out!

KC

Yes, I'll be planting. It isn't ideal, but sometimes that is when the plants I am looking for show up at the nurseries. The Anisacanthus 'Flame', Leptospermum 'Snow White' and Dicliptera are all fairly tough plants, but if some don't survive, I will just try again the next time they show up for sale.

I was thinking of putting in some vinca, but it hasn't happened yet. I like it because it's trouble free, fills in nicely and reseeds. I don't find it a problem. Mostly though this time of year I just keep weeds and shrubs under control. I'm so discouraged--thrips on the roses again this year. I should spray I guess.

Yes, indeed in Maryland. I had a 18 x 3 perennial border in front that was too much work: devilish grass constantly got in around everything; things burned up too fast in the full sun site so it only looked really good May-June. After 15 years, I had had enough. Out came the trimmer and mower and its all nubs now and I feel free. Not sure what's next, maybe just lavenders; or whatever small evergreen is on sale in August. I'll water everyday but that's ok, I can do that with a drink in my hand.

Socks, I have no luck with vinca! They just refuse to grow in my garden!

Mary Bright, my front yard is almost all lavender and a few roses! Realized the hard way that I should have been hard pruning my lavender every year, so pulled out the woody ones, and put in a few new ones last week!

Nice to hear I'm not the only one braving the heat to plant!

kcandmilo--really!!!?? For me they sprout like weeds in the spring. Yay, free plants!

I was planting some potted pansies still hanging in there from last fall under the tree. Maybe they will seed there like the violas did last year. I start annuals in November now and by September most have gone but it makes more sense to do the potted cool season stuff and water less in the summer.

I had great success last August planting basil. I've been sewing a new batch of basil seeds every few weeks so far this summer. Going to seed more tomorrow! I'm also getting ready to plant some mint and kidney beans in my front yard (they're the only plants that seem to stay alive in the dry part-shade there!) thankfully here on the peninsula it doesn't get too hot, and the growing season is long!

Great idea! I'll start some basil too! It will feel like summer is lasting longer! :)

I picked up some Chocolate mint and a zucchini plant that I just got uppotted and planted. It's not ideal but why not :)

BaconEater, be sure to water the chocolate mint frequently. It's thirstier than other mints.

I did not follow my own advise not to plant during the heat of summer and just put in a Mexican flame vine . I put a chair to the west of it to block the afternoon sun, and that will help a bit until its roots are established.

I planted late- June- Sunflowers for the grandaughter. They are getting floppy at 3'. Hmm,why? This is the best time to plant semi tropicals...or June. This whole period the soils are warm..what they need to get off to a good start. So,if anybody wants to do a low water use cactus and Aloe garden with other dry plants..still plenty of time for them to root and grow.

I did plant some kind of "1,000's" cherry tomatoes in a 4' long flower box. Its giving a cup full every few days now. Not bad. At least in potting soil they haven't gotten V-wilt. I get that with in ground Tomato plants every year. This a new direction.

Stanofh, it's so hot!! Everything seems so stressed and dry! My tomatoes have been sulking all year, and the squirrels have shredded my sunflowers to bits! The only things going all out are my eggplants!

Lgteacher: Thanks for the info! I had bought it on the advise of a coworker who likes to cook. It's been pretty tasty so far and is trying to do the typical mint thing and escape from the pot. :) My wife and I have been putting it in lemonade we made from my parents lemon tree.

My tomatoes have been a little stressed this year as well. Although the compost pile survivor (cherry tomato) is over 7 feet tall. I started a little late with seeds and several varieties did not like the heat. The only varieties that survived were compost survivor and an heirloom. I am going to have to try to start earlier next year.

I noticed sweet peas have sprouted where the old vines were. They aren't waiting for cooler weather. I'm going to pot them and put them in half sun and see what happens. Salvia coccinnea has also self seeded this month.

Good news- The Sunflowers are blooming. Except,when I planted "Mammoth" I expected those big Sunflowers Rocky and Bullwinkle used to pop out of. What I see are Bonsai flowers..6" across. Hmm.

Cherry Tomatoes have to be a must have....the sweet types that are small? Really,the only way to go in the bay area. Ace,Early Girl,Brandywine...none equal the flavor of the little ones. Not to discourage..results are mine.(ADDED: I do know somebody who gets great tomatoes..she never plants them. All reseeds of medium sized tomatoes and a dark type.. How her soils never get infected with disease as she grows them in the same spot year after year is a wonder.)

If you live where its hot,I would enjoy all the rest of the big types. Less picking.

KC..Enjoy the eggplants!.I love those.

The tomatoes are going tomorrow! No more Ms.NiceGuy around here! I'll get some beans going and start some winter veggies soon!

KC

I hope Summerwinds isn't in trouble? I didn't know there were some closures! At least the Palo Alto store continues. I just had someone tell me that is has the highest sales per square foot of any of the Summerwinds locations and it is also the smallest.

They are keeping the Palo Alto and Cupertino stores open as far as I know, and shut the Mountain View and San Jose ones.

One of the employees at the San Jose Summerwinds told me it was just because their leases were up at those two locations. Palo Alto, Cupertino, and Campbell locations are staying.

K--I am in Walnut Creek and I've had a similar experience this summer as you have: not much in the tomato producing crop, good egg plant, zucchini and basil, and my peppers have done just fine. I, too, am about to tear out a number of my tomatoes. :/