I killed Abe Lincoln. I don't know how; maybe too much chicken manure.

It's a mystery. Abe's neighbors look fine. Julia Child is alive and thriving right across the aisle.

Such is the daily drama of the tomato patch in our new community garden plot. Out of seven seedlings, one didn't make it. Old Abe – officially Abraham Lincoln, an heirloom with stellar credentials – withered within days of going into the ground. Its leaves curled up and browned, despite water and tender loving care. Too much nitrogen probably led to its demise.

But the other six seedlings are growing strong. They managed to avoid holes from hail and withstood some very cold nights. They're ready to kick into high gear.

All they need is sun, water – and ground temperatures over 50 degrees.

Like most Sacramento gardeners, I gave myself a Memorial Day deadline to get the vegetable beds planted in our Bee Garden. The space is only 10 by 15 feet, but feels sometimes like an acre (especially during weeding and digging).

Thanks to seed-starter extraordinaire Kathy Morrison of The Bee, the plot has six tomato plants: the aforementioned Julia Child, an award-winning potato-leaf heirloom with deep-pink fluted fruit; Rocky, an heirloom paste tomato; Juliet, a prolific mini-plum and the 1999 All-America selection; Tie-Dye, a fantastic bi-color hybrid from Burpee; Zebra Cherry, like the name implies, a striped hybrid cherry; and Djena Lee's Golden Girl, a yellow heirloom with an unusual name.

There's an empty cage where Abe once stood, but it will be occupied by Monday, most likely by an Early Girl or something else that's fast to fruit. Right now, the tomato bed is lacking an old-fashioned red, round slicer. And summer is coming.

Meanwhile, the peppers are well on their way. Like the tomatoes, they come with interesting names and pedigrees. They were grown from seed by another expert germinator, Farmer Fred Hoffman.

Hoffman gave me a colorful assortment of old favorites and interesting new-comers from among more than two dozen varieties he's growing in his garden.

Among his favorites that are now in our plot: Gypsy (a large sweet pepper that changes color from pale yellow to orange-red); Lilac (a true light-purple sweet pepper with yellow flesh); and Jimmy Nardello (a green-and-red sweet pepper that's great for grilling).

Getting tested for the first time in our garden: Serrano Tampiqueno, billed as the most popular Serrano variety in Mexico; Red Bull, not the energy drink, but another sweet bell pepper; Bull Nose, a true heirloom that traces its roots to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello; and two Quadrato D'Asti – one giallo (yellow), one rosso (red), both Italian bells.

Filling in the space are three squash mounds: One each for tri-color zucchini, ball-shaped yellow squash and golden pattypans. Also occupying a prime piece of the plot is a "compact" watermelon, Tiny Orchid, which (we hope) will have room for plenty of 3-pound, softball-size fruit.

A double row of Kentucky Wonder pole beans and a clump of red Chianti sunflowers anchor the plot's northern edge. And the hope is that a border of marigolds, yarrow, angelonia and coneflower will hopefully attract bees to The Bee Garden.

Now comes the hard part: Waiting and watering. But like hot summer days, the fruit of our garden should be here soon.

'Wicked Bugs'

Amy Stewart has a sequel to her New York Times bestseller "Wicked Plants" – "Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects" (Algonquin Books, $18.95, 272 pages).

Stewart, who lives and gardens in Eureka, will talk about her work and sign books at 2 p.m. next Saturday at United Methodist Church Social Hall, 14 Main St., Sutter Creek.

Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Amador County, her appearance is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Call (209) 223-9133.

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Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

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