Gardening in a new climate is both terrifying and exhilarating.  (And yes, I do realize that these are strong words, but I get a bit worked up about my garden!).  On the one hand, I feel like I've just landed on another planet trying to figure out what works here and what doesn't.  When is the best time to plant?  What about the rain that falls in the summer time?  What kinds of pests will I encounter?  Luckily, I have many knowledgeable gardening friends in the area, and they will undoubtedly coach me through my first year of Missouri gardening. In the exhilarating category are all of the new plants that I will be able to grow: watermelons, big bell peppers, … [Read more...]