Hi all. Summer sure is flying by, isn't it? Hard to believe it is already August! We're going to need a nice long fall to make up for the nonexistent spring.

It's not too late to plant more containers. I've used the same yellow kids' wheelbarrow for years. It has both perennials and annuals, so the blooms just keep on coming. Any container will work as long as you drill good sized drainage holes in it. I love these tiny blue rose shaped flowers and they bloom for several weeks each summer. They came without a name, but I enjoy them just the same. A rose by any other name will smell as sweet... or something like that.

I hope your tomato and pepper plants are farther along than what most of them are. We can blame it all on the weather if they aren't. These plants don't grow or set on fruit until the weather warms up. Most plants that were put into the ground in late May or early June did nothing but sit there for weeks. They like the night time temps to be 55 or above. Otherwise, the blossoms don't "set." They just fall off. They're a lot like people when it comes to comfortable temperatures. Too cold and they don't want to be outdoors. Too hot and they don't either. Tomatoes also won't set fruit when it's hot. They like it under 90. Me too.

I'm told by the experts that those of you growing heirloom tomatoes are unlikely to see any ripe fruit as they need a long growing season of 100 days or more. If you want to call it quits, you can always pull them up and toss them into the compost heap. It's like farming, where you're always hoping for better luck next year.

Now that the weather has warmed up, we need to be on the lookout for those vampires, the mosquitoes. I ran across some good hints to keep in mind.

How to avoid mosquitoes:

1. In order to keep mosquitoes from breeding, empty anything around your yard that can hold even a small amount of water. Do this every few days as they can hatch out quickly. Blocked gutters need to be opened up for drainage.

2. Change birdbath water every few days. Also wading pools and other containers.

3. It's also a good idea to wear long sleeves and long pants in the yard.

4. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing, so wear light colors.

5. Outdoor foggers work to keep a perimeter clear.

6. Citronella candles have a pleasant scent and work well to ward them off.

7. Be sure to always apply a repellent to both clothing and skin.

Don't bother turning your sprinklers on during the middle of the day. You will just be wasting water and running up your water bill. Thirty percent of water sprayed into the air just evaporates. Windy days are even worse. Do your watering early in the morning or late in the evening. Mornings are best, as evening watering leaves the plants wet overnight, inviting molds and mildews to develop.

OK, admit it. How many raspberries do you eat for every one you put in the bucket? I think 3 to 1 is about right, don't you?

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting as a kid in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states. She is an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.