Reply #1: Hi ML and welcome to the gulf coast

[BOSSHOG]

We live 60 miles northeast of New Orleans across the border in Mississippi. I put our second planting of tomatoes and peppers and okra in two weekends ago. They do require more water this time of year but we have had success for years with a second planting. We also have great success with Hibiscus, Bougainvilla and Mandevilla blooming plants. Crepe Myrtles are great down here as well but require a little more room as a large shrub or a tree. Also, Dan Gill has a great gardening show on WWL Saturday mornings from 7 to 9 and he has a very informative newspaper article every Saturday in the Times Picayune Insert "In and Out." I hope you enjoy our summers. In no time (30 or 40 years you'll be acclimated.) Don't forget SATCHMO FEST the first weekend in August.