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You're shooting for the middle of March? That's brave! I won't put any plants in the ground before the end of March. There's too much of a risk of a late season freeze like we had a couple years ago.

That is quite a selection you are planting though! Try constructing a simple cold frame around some of your peppers. I have a tabasco "tree" that's 4 years old and still producing in the greenhouse and several jalapeno's that have lasted several seasons.

You're shooting for the middle of March? That's brave! I won't put any plants in the ground before the end of March.

It is and it isn't so brave. Our average last frost date is 15 March. Depending on weather, I probably won't get everything into the ground, into 10 15-gallon nursery pots, into 8 5-gallon buckets, and into 4 earthboxes until the end of the month. That's kinda what you aim for. If a late or unpredicted frost hits, I've got their replacements ready to take their places.

I'm like the kid whose eye for candy is bigger than his tummy. I always seed twice as many plants and twice as many varieties as will fit into my available backyard space. I can't seem to help myself. :-)

What's unplanted I offer to anyone who wants them. Wish I knew about some local gardening organizations looking for plant donations. I REALLY do overdo the flat seeding. Big time!

Big disappointments last year were varieties of pole beans, and ichiban, waltham and crookneck squash. Varieties I grew in previous years with great results. Last year, they all failed -- miserably.

These varieties of squash thrived for awhile, then suddenly collapsed, shriveled up, and died. A kind gardner thread member sent me mail, "vine borers."

Ever since that mail I've searched for how to protect my plants. The only squash I'm planting this year is Waltham butternut.

The only pole bean I'm growing this year--beans were not included on my list--is Kentucky Blue. In previous years I grew both traditional and oriental yard-long beans with good results. Our heat probably, maybe, soured last year, but I'm not so sure.

For my irregular in-ground garden, a cold frame is not an option. Wael, maybe it is. I just can't figure out how to do it . . . yet.

Thanks, so much.

Through our mild winter, I've left intact a bell pepper patch, watering it every other week. Base is thick and green. Trying to decide, should I pull them up and replant? Should I prune? What do you think?