A lot of my plants are blooming a little early this year, but the strawberries seem to be right on schedule. I grew a dozen plants in an upside-down container, but it has split open after a couple of days of incessant raining. I guess I'll have to find a spot in the ground for the plants.

I like growing several different varieties, to prolong my season. The day neutral berries, like Seascape, Tribute and Tristar, produce berries intermittently throughout the summer. They're a little smaller than June bearing berries, but you get a prolonged harvest. You could also plant a couple each of early season (Earliglow), mid-season (Honeoye, Jewel) and late season (Cabot, Sparkle) varieties and keep the harvest going that way. I like that method because if we have a tough month, I don't lose my only chance to have strawberries.

• Choosing Strawberries

Photo: Abid Katib / Getty Images News

I've been watching the Cornell Lab of Ornithology webcams for the past week, as great blue heron and red-tailed hawk eggs hatched. It's been fascinating watching the parents feed, shelter and protect their little fuzz balls. I also had an up-close encounter. A pair of cardinals like to nest in the yew shrub, in front of my house. You can see how close they are to the windowsill. The cardinals are empty nesters now, but they haven't gone far.

I love having all types of birds in the yard, although it can get a little LOUD in the early morning. I try and provide an environment to attract birds, including food, water and shelter. I even leave the overgrown yew out front, because I know the cardinals like it. If your yard could use a little more bird song, here are some tips from Melissa Mayntz, our Guide to Wild Birds.

• Design a Bird Friendly Landscape
• 4 Requirements for Attracting More Birds
• Best Ways to Provide Water for Birds

  Photo: © Marie Iannotti

Is it that time already? I feel like I just got my plants in the ground and yet they're begging to be pinched back and deadheaded. Perennials really are little attention seekers, aren't they? And after all these years, you would think basil plants would have learned to branch out on their own. Every year we have to train them.  Oh well, I garden because I love it and primping plants is a large part of gardening. After all, they'd be perfectly happy to bloom once and go to seed. We're the ones who expect them to perform week after week. So grab your pruners and get out there. It's time to pinch, prune and deadhead.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti

Rust - Powdery Mildew- Black Spot. Could we be talking about roses"

I've said before that growing roses shouldn't be so worrisome and dreaded. Unless you are growing your roses for show, a little spot now and then isn't cause for alarm. Nevertheless, we all grow our roses for their beauty. So to keep them looking good all season, here are some tips on avoiding problems and what to do if a disease should find its way to your garden.

• Rose Growing Problems - Prevent Rose Problems Before They Occur
• Growing Roses - Dealing with Rose Diseases

Photo: © Marie Iannotti