That's right today is the 11th Annual Naked Gardening Day. I can't post a link to their site, it's too graphic for my readers.

Here's a little information about the celebration- "Why garden naked? First of all, it's fun! Second only to swimming, gardening is at the top of the list of family friendly activities people are most ready to consider doing nude. Gardening naked is not only a simple joy, it reminds us, even if only for those few sun kissed minutes, that we can be honest with who we are as humans and as part of this planet."

I do have some advice, be sure to wear sunscreen, stay away from rose bushes, bee hives and wait until the nieghbors are gone.

Have fun out there!

This ornamental glazed pot is filled with lettuce. Looks like it will be ready to be harvested in a week or so. Photo by Doug Oster

Just about any vegetable can be grown in a container. It's about picking the right pot for the right plant.

Tomatoes need at least a five gallon container although I'd want twice that size, but leafy crops like greens can grow just about anywhere.

I love filling containers with lettuce and putting them right next to a pot of flowers.

Lettuce and other cool weather greens will produce in the container for six weeks or so and then I'll plant something that blooms.

If you don't have room for a big garden, or you just can't get out there anymore, try containers.

Sweet allysum brings in the good bugs. Photo by Doug OsterSweet allysum is just one plant which will attract beneficial insects.

This easy to grow annual comes in a few colors, most popular are white and purple.

Ladybugs love the flowers and will mate around the plant. As their eggs hatch the hungry larvae will feed on aphids.

If you have a plant which gets aphids every season, plant allysum close by for a cheap, beautiful organic control.

My garden is filled with allysum and other plants to bring in the good bugs.

Dill, oregano, thyme, fennel and many other varieties will attract beneficial insects.

Organic gardening practices are a must as we don't want to kill the good bugs. Did you know over 90 percent of insects in the garden are either benign or good for the garden?

When you let the good bugs eat the bad bugs, yo're perpetuating the cycle of nature.

'Wendy's Wish' has become my favorite salvia. Photo by Doug Oster

Discovering a new favorite plant is just one of the joys of gardening.

I found salvia 'Wendy's Wish' at Hahn Nursery three years ago which started a love affair. It blooms all season, attracts hummingbirds and can be wintered over if protected.

Although I couldn't track down any plants last season, one of mine made if through the winter and bloomed again last year.

'Wendy's Wish' is a perennial in zone 7 and higher. Most of our area is zone 5b or 6. That's why I'm growing it as a hardy annual, it will bloom until frost. Feeding it weekly with a liquid organic fertilizer will make it happy.

I bought three plants in one gallon containers and then transplanted them to big pots for the summer.

It grows best in full sun, but will also bloom in part shade.

'Wendy's Wish' is tough, beautiful and long blooming. There isn't much more you can ask of a plant.

I left about 10 plants at the nursery. Better get them before they are gone, I doubt if they will re-stock this specialty plant.