Every time we get used to the weather, it changes ... drastically. One day the high is in the 70's, the next day it hits 90, then back again. If people are having a tough time adjusting, it must really be hard on plants. No wonder some are struggling to survive.

Many of our "old faithful" perennials have put on their show and are done for the year. Those blooming now include the tall phlox, Shasta daisies, true lilies, sweet williams and various types of campanula.

As most of you know, perennials do not bloom all summer like annuals do. They all have a certain bloom period. Most only bloom a couple of weeks. Luckily, there are a few that will bloom for much longer ... IF they are kept dead headed. These include coreopsis, gaillardia, (blanket flower), black eyed Susans, scabiosa, (pincushion plant), and coneflowers. These will all grow in poor soil. In fact, they can get tall and floppy if the soil is too rich.

I was having trouble getting my annual sweet peas to attach to the arch they were supposed to climb. After a close look, I realized the rungs were too big for the little tendrils to wrap around. What would work? I tried making "rungs" of dental floss every six inches or so and that did the trick. Good old Yankee Ingenuity.

I grow a lot of foxgloves and they were fabulous this year. Many flower stalks reached seven feet tall. If you haven't grown these, remember they are biennials meaning they have a two year life span. The first year, they grow a low rosette of leaves and do not bloom. The second year, they shoot up a central bloom stalk surrounded by several shorter ones. Then that plant dies. Once you get these plants started in your yard, they will alternate and some will bloom each year.

These are beautiful plants, but beware ... All parts are poisonous if eaten. Don't ever grow them where a horse or cow, etc. can reach them. Like many other plants, these have been found to be valuable in treating a human ailment. In this case, they produce a substance which is used in the heart medication called Digitalis which has saved millions of lives over the years.

Many of you have rose bushes which have finished their first flush of bloom. Be sure to snap off the old blossoms so they don't go to seed. The plant will need a short rest. After a few weeks dig in an application of fertilizer having a high first number. New buds should form shortly followed by another burst of blooms.

Believe it or not, you can water your lawn too much. If you've fertilized and aerated and the grass still doesn't look all that good, this may be the problem. Early morning is the time to water and not every day. Do it every 3 days; 2 if you must. Remember, you're not growing rice!

Some of the big leaved perennials are also sporting bloom stalks now. These include hostas and ligularias. Many people cut off the blossoms so all the plant energy is directed toward growing large gorgeous leaves. Personal preference.

Apple trees need to be sprayed now for coddling moth. Do this every two weeks until two weeks before harvest.

You know you're a redneck gardener if:

* The only exercise you get on hot days is moving your lawn chair as you follow the shade.

* You have a "North Idaho Lawn" ... your yard has a foot deep layer of pine needles instead of grass.

* All that corn you're growing is destined for your still ... not the dinner table.

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting 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 and is currently secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.