2nd Thoughts on 2nd Spring

One of the things I love about gardening is the science of it, the gaining of knowledge and competence by trial and error. With that, I have to admit my 2nd spring experiment hasn't gone so well. Like many of you, I don't always get my plants into the ground the minute I get home. And, so, some of those plants I cheerily brought home didn't make it past Sacramento's Second Summer! But, I learned that the asters and the alyssum were the more fragile...and the vinca was quite up to our late-August heat wave.
Lessons learned: 1) the Second Spring isn't quite the same as the First Spring...duh...it can be really hot, so be prepared! 2) plants do better in the ground which stays cooler and more likely to be watered than the small easy to dry out compartment of the 6-pack.

It's "Second Spring"

...or so say the folks at the Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore. It turns out we still have plenty of growing season in California! I'm intrigued...a new solution for the problem of the late summer, heat-stressed garden...fresh plants!
Livermore's a few hours away, so I take my shopping list to my local Home Depot to see what they have...
Lobularium maritima, Sweet Alyssum... looks pretty when the weather is cooler, then starts looking ratty, shearing back 4 weeks after they come into bloom will give them a second chance.
Antirrhinum majus, Snapdragon...a friendly flower, does well in the winter garden here in the northern California, as do pansies

asters

vinca - starts blooming in late spring, and won't quit!

I don't find everything on the list, but enough to make me happy!
11 6-packs for $22...a small price to pay for a second spring.