I'm in Zone 3-4. I'm always so envious of the things that can be grown in warmer climates.

I just try to keep annual purchases in check...like for pots and baskets. I've got a sizeable yard and perennials are a much bigger bang for the buck.

many warm spring days in March, April, or early May, don't plant ANYTHING outdoors until at least mid-May (and even then you may be covering well into June).

It seems every year many get tempted with all the plant displays at the nurseries and big-box stores, but I've finally been burned once too often. Yup, Zone 5, but spring makes us as iffy as a Zone 4.

so we never get warm enough for 8b plants to bear fruit. Tomatoes? Peppers? Forget it .