While the rest of us are shopping for summer, Target already has its sights on fall.

The retailer announced that its next capsule collection will be with New York-based designer Phillip Lim. It will roll out in stores and on www.target.com in mid-September.

The line for men and women will offer apparel and accessories, including shoes, bags and travel gear, in classic autumn hues and prints.

“One of the reasons I wanted to collaborate with Target is because I felt that together we could create a collection that would inspire – one that is cool and chic, but still very accessible,” Mr. Lim said in a release.

The 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection will retail for $19.99 to $299.99 for apparel and $19.99 to $59.99 for accessories.     

Lettuce is not tender, but will be happier when covered with a floating row cover to protect the leaves from frost. Photo by Doug Oster

There are rules about planting tender plants in the garden. Unfortunately we gardeners get lulled into a sense of false security after weeks of nice weather. I plead guilty to planting cucumber plants, caladiums and few others which resent temperatures under 50 degrees.

My mother always said not to plant tomatoes and other frost sensative plants until Memorial Day. That was years ago and in a little bit colder climate, but the advice is still sound today.

Most plants will survive the cold weather on the way, but will be happier with warmer soil temperatures and a little protection.

If the garden is already planted, here are some ideas to keep your plants thriving.

A floating row cover is the tool I'm using to cover anything in danger. It's a spun bound translucent lightweight fabric, so light in fact, the plants themselves can hold it up. One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is covering their plants with something heavy enough to damage the stems, foliage or flowers.

Whatever you use to cover the plants, try to have something to hold it above the plants so the frost is on the covering and not coming in contact with the foliage.

I was also given some plastic skylights which work just like a greenhouse in the garden. I can move them around to different beds to protect the most tender plants.

If you can't cover everything, make sure it's watered. Moist soil holds and releases more heat than dry soil and creates a humid environment which will help retard the frost.

Usually we never want foliage to stay wet overnight, but it's another way to prevent frost. Spray the plants and the water will freeze on the leaves instead of allowing the cells to freeze inside the plant which will most likely blacken and destroy the leaves.

Water requires a certain amount of energy to change from a solid to a liquid. It gives off this energy when it changes from a liquid to a solid. The water releases this energy, creating heat.

Lots of gardeners also swear by spraying frosted plants in the morning before the sun hits the leaves.

There are lots of plants we don't have to worry about. Any perennial shrub, tree or border plant will be fine. No need to cover those. Azaleas, rhododendrons, spring bulbs, hostas and more will shake off the cold.

The 10 day forecast looks pretty good for getting the garden planted. Remember, it's soil temperature, not air temperature which the plants really care about. Nothing wrong with waiting to plant.

This simple frame make out of PVC tubing will keep the covering from touching most of the plants.

This simple plastic skylight will keep plants growing strong when it gets cold.

The clock is ticking ... only a few more hours to find a gift for Mother's Day. 

Gift cards always are a good option when you're in a time crunch, especially one that promises some quality time. Tell Mom you'd love to catch up over a cup of coffee with a Starbucks gift card. The coffee chain offers a variety of Mother's Day-themed gift cards (one example pictured above).  Put one in a card with a note telling Mom the two of you can have an afternoon coffee outing soon. 

If you'll be apart on Mother's Day, www.starbucks.com allows people to email a gift card to someone with a message. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Pittsburgh, Pa. – On May 25, 2013, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens invites families to join the festivities at Children’s Discovery Garden Day, an annual celebration featuring hands-on crafts and activities for kids of all ages. Held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the public garden’s multi-sensory outdoor garden — a space created to capture the curiosity of young adventurers — all event programs are designed to encourage exploration and observation while kids unwind and have fun. 
   At Children’s Discovery Garden Day, games, potting stations, crafts and more will cover a variety of nature-inspired topics, uncovering the fascinating world of pollinators, the life cycle of plants from seed to fruit, and the botanical origins of the foods we eat. Event participants will also have the chance to simply enjoy the garden, which has a giant tree stump for climbing; plots designed to attract birds, butterflies and bees; a color wheel garden; a bog garden with carnivorous plants; a sensory garden; and a new Nature Play Area, where kids can let their imaginations run wild as they play.
   All Children’s Discovery Garden Day activities, including light refreshments and entertainment, are complementary with regular paid admission, which costs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children ages two – 18. Members and kids under two enter for free. The garden, which is open seasonally, can also be visited daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until dusk on Fridays. Regular offerings include story time and pot-a-plant activities under the Discovery Pavilion.
   To learn more about Children’s Discovery Garden Day and other family friendly programs, including immersive summer camps for ages two – nine, please visit phipps.conservatory.org.