Yeah Joe, I hope that it isn't like last winter, but I did plant a Hybrid of Q. V and Overcup oak near the "late drop" live oak that came up from the roots after last years Real, we'll say WITCH of a winter. I don't want to move it in case the "late drop" dies, but, I want that Hybrid (Compton's oak) to establish there if the "late drop" will not make it in the long run. The "late drop" has several trunks now, but, I don't want to make just one, in case a couple die back this winter, I want the tree to have "options" in a bad situation, I know sounds dumb, but, you know what I mean. If the "late drop" does well this winter, I will still keep the "Compton's oak" where it is. I think the Live Oak "L.D." would possibly croak, at least the top again. But it may increase in hardiness instead, not likely but possible. If the top dies back again, I am done hoping. I know unless it puts out some vigorous growth, the Compton's will overgrow it, and shade it quickly. As far as the L.O. from you Joe, it looks nice and green still. I have stuck a Sycamore seed ball near it, in case it gets frozen to oblivion. I hope that it gets a chance to grow some, and does well this year, though. If so, the Sycamore babies will die easy from some roundup or whatever. I chose Sycamore cause if I can't have Live oak the Sycamore colors will match the tan and brown brick of the house, love the bark also. I am hoping the live oak does well mostly though. The house is about 35 ft from the Live oak, providing some extra warmth, even if it's a few degrees. WE had about 38 F today, but the last 4-5 days, it's been 20's and 30's. Today would have been warmish, if not for the wind. Okay for now. Poaky1

Hi Poaky, The mac's I grew were all from river basin origin and do very well in all ranges of soil. It's easy for me to remember because I grew only (2) types: one a big & round acorn, and the other an egg-shaped & very large acorn. If you sift thru the soil you should be able to find which of the types you have. As to suckering, no worries. Just remove any lower growth spurts from the trunk as the graft scion matures. I see growth from the wood at the base of seedlings but never from below the soil. If you do see any from below the soil, remove them and soon enough you'll not deal with those anymore. You guys are talking about black root emergence and slow germination. No need be concerned. The root will regenerate (actually a more fibrous set of roots) as a result. I sowed 1000+ seeds this winter and maybe 1%-2% are up. Just wait before you throw in the towel. Dax Photo of large-round mac's;

Spinach is one of the most cold hearty plants you could grow. I don't imagine your winters are an issue but I really dont know your climate. Carrots supposedly tolerate light frost only, but the ones I grew were extremely hardy no problem to the teens. If you want a more reliable thing for cold temps it is spinach. But you really don't get a lot... it vanishes when cooked. But it is also faster maturing generally.

Hi Naturegirl - I rototill the wide row first until it is ready for planting - then I broadcast the seed by hand (2 lbs per 50' row - peas & beans). I till the seed approximately one inch deep by walking between the rows and holding the tiller tines high so it tills a shallow depth. A lot of the seeds lay on top - but that is part of this planting method - enough get buried. The seeds are buried 1/2 - 2"s - but enough germinate - as can be seen in the photos above. Our soil drains well - has a lot of small rocks - and not much clay. I can drive over the tilled row to compact the seed with our approximate 500 lb Honda 4-wheeler (you can see part of the 4-wheeler in the first photo above) and the soil still drains - the soil is not muddy when I drive over it with the 4-wheeler - just wet enough to make clods and the soil can't be worked for planting. The soil does crust on top from the wind and sun so I watered as necessary when it didn't rain - to keep the soil moist and allow the seeds to germinate. I wasn't sure if this method would work with our non-stop rain we had this spring. I had to till the soil when it was too wet and the soil was mostly small clods. I usually plant carrots and beets in wide rows of four small furrows per row - but this year I could not work the wet soil so I planted them the same way as the peas and beans - except I did not till them under - just tossed the seeds over the clods and compacted by driving over the clods and seeds with the 4-wheeler. I had no other options that I could think of to plant - and it worked !!