I've got two beds I put in this year near the sidewalk; they're vulnerable, therefore, to human and animal critters (deer, especially), and to winter grunge from the plows.

Functionally, the plantings near the sidewalk serve as a human fence; these new beds are next to a prickly raspberry patch.

So, my question -- and I know the week before Memorial Day is a little late for this -- is what should I plant in the beds?

For a Corrente mapping project I'm -- touch wood -- coming down the homestretch on, I'd really like map icons that represent political actions; for example, Dan's meeting with local officials might be represented by a gavel, a march by a sign or people marching, etc., for many forms of (non-violent) action. For example, we have Green Map Icons for bike trails and farmers markets and so forth, but I'm looking for icons in the (non-violent) political sphere. Readers?

I've got a couple of rosa rugosa I've planted along the sidewalk, in front of some beds.

They're part of my unfence: Prickly plants like raspberries, and now roses protect the garden from animals, including deer and humans. Both the raspberries and these roses (also known as "beach roses") are quite tough, and so next to the sidewalk is a good place for them.

But what should vegetables should I plant in the beds behind the roses? And are there good companion plants for roses?

I'm in light-blogging mode now as I do some composting and lay out some new beds, about which I have some questions:

Since that carpet runner project worked out great, here's a harder question:

I'd like to abolish my front lawn entirely. And I think what I'd like to do is grow flowers there (and not vegetables; quite a departure there). But I can't picture how to do it.

Just in case Salmo is still around, here's a very bad, low light image of the carpet runner on the stairs so far:

Just as I was typing "Not that I'm foily...." I heard a noise as of a water droplet striking metal, looked around for the source, and finally looked up at the ceiling... Where I saw a small circle of paint coming loose, and then saw a water droplet come down and hit the lid of a pan on the stove (I work in the kitchen). So....

OK, my seeds arrived today! Now I have to figure out how to start them. This is my plan:

For the third year, I'll use the milk jug winter sowing method for tomatoes, squash, and cukes. And this year, cantaloupes.

How do I get the smell of woodsmoke out of my clothes?

I've got a steam boiler and I'm worried about the water level.