I'm surprised that no one has responded with much information about sorgham molasses. I'm no expert but have seen and been around molasses for many years. It's quite a drawn out process I admire people who want to experiment and expand their foods and knowledge and don't want to discourage anyone, but I would advise anyone anticipzating producing their own sorgham to first be sure they like it. It has it's own distinctive flavor not at all similar to maple or corn syrup. It's available off the shelf at most supermarkets, at least throughout the South. Buy a snall jar and try it. I suppose you could make syrup from any of the grain stalks; milo, grain sorgham or even corn as they all have sugary juices in their green stalks, and I guess there are different varieties of molasses sorgham but I don't know. I know it needs be harvested when the stallks are mature with almost mature grain heads on top but before the leaves begin to turn brown. Strip all the leaves off the stalk and crush the stalks thuroghly. They have mule powered steel roller machines throughout the South for this but I suppose it could be done with a large mallet. Twist the stalks tightly to squeeze all the juice possible from them. Cook slowly at low heat to evaporate the water. As it slowly decreases in volume you can add more juice and keep cooking. It takes about ten gallons of juice to make one gallon of molasses. Use a copper or stainless container NOT aluminum. They have hugh copper pans with segmented channels to slowly move the juice from the entry at one end to the completed product at the other end all heated over a wood burning furnace for this. Stir continuously to reduce sticking. When it reaches the consistancy of corn syrup, pour into clean glass or steel containers and realize that it will get thicker as it cools. Good luck and give us a report of your experience. Lol

Oh... Thank you all for your kind words of appreciation and encouragement. They all have touched me. Some of you I know through GW (Remy, Medo). Remy, my garden is testament to the great trades we've had and I admire your many contributions to GW through the years. Medo, life sounds hard for you as well as for me, but I've found that when all is said and done, I never regret the kindnesses, the going-out-of-the-way things I've done, only the harsh words and bad feelings. Lynda, and ohiovalleygardener, thanks for your nice comments and wishes. Ohiovalleygardener, welcome to GW, I have been meaning to send you a personal email for quite some time now and hopefully will follow through soon. Leigh44... you have taken on a great challenge and all my best thoughts and hopes are with you. You are dealing with damage and scars that no child should ever have to live through, yet you are there to do your best to pick up the pieces. Something tells me your best is pretty terrific. I am humbled by your story. Love2gardennc, thanks so much for letting ME know I am not alone. May sweetness follow all of you, Kate

Thank you for the compliments! This was done in the spring last year, I was trying to mend a broken heart. My 15 y/o lab used to lay there and relax when he was outside. From left to right strarting in the back is iris, chasing rainbows then jobs tears and a variagated lacecap hydrangea-blue, more jobs tears and stairway to heaven iris. The iris in front of the back two on both sides is a var. iris called oceans mist (labs love water). Then the front plant on both sides is var. stairway to heaven jacobs ladder. I was happy with the outcome of this mini garden. Lisa

Yeah, that's the trouble with the cane berries. I can mess with all kinds of treatments, but with the few shrubs I have and the close proximity they are to my patio living area, it's the "unsightly" factor that is making me want to rip them out. That's why I'm torn, their appearance vs. the yummy berries they do provide. What I should really do is try and find a community garden plot somewhere for my more unsightly loves. That's the real challenge for me with edible landscaping, not the edible part, the aesthetics. I mean a well maintained vegetable garden is a "pretty" thing to my way of thinking, but in the right setting. Somehow for my courtyard, it's a different animal. Yes, I am asking a lot, but that's the fun of it, it's a real learning experience. The raspberries looked great until they became riddled with problems. I'm trying chemical and pruning schemes but it's an uphill road, like you mention Carol. Funny you should mention "wolfberries." I was just thinking about them today. They grow in huge lush hedges around here in the wild. I pass by some along the road on my way to work every morning. They are on a bank next to the road, competing with every kind of aggressive neighbor imaginable. And I was actually thinking about currants too. There is a clove scented currant bush. This has given me some more options to think about, so I won't feel quite so sad about ripping out my raspberries. Like I said, I'm just whining because I look at them every day and fuss with them to no avail, and this voice in the back of my head says, "Chuck them, they are a mess" and then this other voice says, "No, no, I like those raspberries, yum!" Which will win out, my stomache or my eyes? :) The whole yard is due for a major overhaul this fall. I'm tearing out one wild rose that was a case of "good plant, wrong place" since it is sending out runners into my neighbors yard, plus it wasn't that pretty. I gave most of it away to the arboretum where I used to work, but have to root out the last of it. That's why I'm thinking that spot I pictured above might be good for another rose. At least the runners can't get to my neighbors garden from there. Luckily they are patient with me, since they like to garden and have their own rose and grape battles!! There is another rugosa, called "Snow Pavement" which is supposed to be a bit smaller, but I haven't seen that one in years. I know those landscape roses would be perfect for my yard, but they aren't as fragrant and don't have the large hips. I gotta have a rose though, due to my last name--Rosenberg, which is where I get the "pinkmountain" from. Decisions, decisions. Lots of great options here! I may have to mail order though. As a side note, I have just been hired to teach a horticulture class at Temple Ambler!!! I am sooooo excited. What a geat place that is, they have an absolutely gorgeous arboretum. I'll bet I can find someone down there who would know where to get some of the less run of the mill plants. I'm in seventh heavan, surrounded by plant weenies!!!