tactical_2012: Do you think that worked better for you than mulch? I was initially planning on just mulching the daylights out of the beds with chopped up leaves, so they would break down slowly. I'm sorry that you might not get to garden this year! What if you were to just stick with a few containers that wouldn't force you to bend or strain your leg? I've got strawberries coming the middle of the month. I'm also planting a distraction garden/bunny garden so I actually have a chance against Mother Nature this year.

Hollohas: Those photos are positively inspiring. How many tomato plants did you end up growing? I tried growing tomatoes in Walmart bags, set in a kiddie pool that I kept about two inches of water. I learned a lot that year- namely yellow jackets are attracted to still water and I needed to add much more nutrients to the soil than I did. I need to grow cukes and squash, but well away from each other or I'll get all sorts of weird fruits.

I desperately want to plant some fruit trees and bushes: Northstar Cherry, plum, and a pear tree (all dwarf size), but until I can actually pay attention to the lighting and successful placement of the rest of the garden so I can plot out the ideal place for them, I'll have to wait until next year.

What are your thoughts on compost tea? Does anyone have a worm bin? We've got a compost bin started (the word 'bin' meaning a fenced-in area of ground) and a leaf mold area started, but that's going to take a while to break down. I have many varieties of carrots that I'm anxious to try, and a zillion varieties of beans. I am polishing my canners. And I keep checking on my potatoes. My stupid Russets rotted and the slips turned pale and keeled over, so I'm left with sweet potatoes under the grow lights.