Trees planted early in the ground will grow significantly faster than same aged one in the pots (but can be done if you KNOW what to do. Just hard to find right materials for that to happen). Another option is to let feeder roots escape into the ground where there is more moisture and nutrients (see Roottrapper with knitted fabric at the bottoms for feed roots to grow through and "anchor" trees so they don't get blown down. If I had a tree farm, I'd definitely go with that route. Either that or underground knit bags. I don't think there's any problems using organic fertilizers throughout the summer. I only use synthetic fertilizer in spring/fall. Last thing I want to do is mow all the time during hot weather. Alfalfa pellets at the rate of 20lbs per 1000 sqft isn't too bad. Vigorio organic fertilizer from Home Depot is intriguing. Jobee at Lowes is exactly the same. Milorginate has good amount of iron too keep lawn deep green. Mix it up. Here is a link that might be useful: Vigorio organic fertilizer

I harvested seed from one of those ornamental purple leaved peppers one year and also noticed my eyes and nose burning from the dust. Once I was scraping seeds out of hot peppers before they went into a sauce. The peppers were small, it was easier to use my fingernail. Well, that pepper juice got underneath my nail - that really burned. At some point I must have rubbed the corner of my eye, as well which also burned pretty good...I'm pretty careful with hot peppers now.

I purchased a hydrangea and some dianthus during the sale. They took 9 days in transit to get here and were completely dried out and dying by the time they arrived during a heat wave -- only a few yellowed leaves and crispy stems remained. After much watering and coddling, the hydrangea is looking good, but the dianthus haven't bounced back. I was disappointed in the method of shipping (DHL, which delivers to the post office, then the post office handles the box like 3rd class and doesn't hurry to deliver), especially considering the very high shipping charge for the quantity of plants I received. Also, they were out of stock on about half of what I ordered but charged my credit card for the full amount, in 2 separate charges. I asked for a refund 2 weeks ago and it still hasn't shown up on my card. Also, the packing slip said the unshipped items were backordered, so I called but was informed they had been cancelled, not backordered. Two calls to customer service later, with only half the plants I ordered and an incorrect charge on my card, I have to say, I wasn't very happy with this (my 1st) purchase from them. I don't think I'll be ordering from them again. I think the end result is one semi-healthy hydrangea that ended up costing about what I would've paid at a local nursery, when you factor in shipping. Re reaching them -- I called the phone number on my packing slip and had no problem reaching them. It's getting them to do what needs doing that I've had a problem with.

Bill, Felco Pruners is very reliable, lightning quick shipping, and great germination rates! Top notch customer service. I bought some rosemary seeds that I didn't like and they replaced them ASAP. They also sent me 2 or 3 varieties at no charge due to a backorder situation. I have now ordered 3-4 times from them. Highly recommended and they don't gouge you on S/H fees either - a rarity in this business. No, I don't work for them..lol. :) Chris