melbourne (FL, don't get too excited there Luke!) registered a whopping 107 degrees yesterday. Today, the heat index here will rise to around 110 degrees. at this point, I can only look out the kitchen window and mourn. all those sweet little blossoms...(sigh). oh well, at least now I can save the money I was going to use for "Too Many Peppers". thanks again, el nino (*&^%*&) to our "newbie": I heartily recommend the indispensible "The Pepper Garden" by Dave DeWitt and Paul Bosland. I keep it at my fingertips for quick referencing. "Chile Pepper Magazine" is also great for recipes and has recently begun a Bosland authored gardening column. to mary: I'm behind you 100% your site has a special place in my heart because it was one of the first I ever accessed when this magnificent obsession began. it's also one of the few Brevard Co. School Board didn't block me from as being "worthless"(e!online, on the other hand...). good luck in the good fight. actually, I was being a little overdramatic up top. thanks to Cal's pot wrapping strategy and that handy garlic spray, I think my harvest this year may just turn out to be modestly successful. in spite of the horrifically hot temps, I may be able to salvage some of the flowers and our sorry flea market tomatoes actually seem to thrive in the gawdawful heat. go figure. mad dogs and englishmen, baby. Bets