>>the short season (here last of May to middle of September)<< Hi Claire, Thanks for your insight. I didn't think of how a short season affects the perennials and biennials that we grow..I usually only consider it when I am picking vegetable seeds and I look at "days to maturity". Your growing season sounds like mine. We are on the 45th parallel. How about you? Cindy Johnson White Bear Lake, MN zone 4a