I grew up in N. Central KS, and I remember that most people had rhubarb in their gardens--both my Grandmothers did. About 15 years ago, I started some rhubarb in the yard of the first house we lived in also N. Central KS. One plant was a slip from my Grandma's yard and the other was from a mail-order company. Both took off, but haven't lived there for 10 years now, so I can't vouch that they are still going! I have yet to try it in the KC area where we now live. The climate in KC is wetter and less prone to extreme temps that N. Central KS. I'm not sure why you are having so much trouble with rhubarb unless it is a variety not suited to KS. Kansas State University's extension service publishes some helpful bulletins on growing various plants in Kansas. They usually list varieties that work the best for Kansas. I hope to get some started in my yard in the next few years, but I know that I have drainage issues and will have to build a raised bed where I want to put it. Here is a link that might be useful: K-State Extension Service Rhubarb

I am new to the GW and new to gardening. I have nothing to trade but would like to SASBE for seeds. I am interested in many on your list The Yucca white seed, Passion Vine, Trumpet Daffodil, Alpine Rosy Bells pink, Dutch Iris, Alyssum,Cosmos, Gysophila pink seed, and the Clarks Heavenly Blue Morning glory. I never had time to garden but now I have time and the gardening bug bad. Thank You sweetalysiss

Kitty, "I hate the idea of burning oil, but understand that 98% of heating is by that method. Maybe radiant heat and or space heat would suffice? What is the average temp people keep their houses in winter? 50ies, 60ies, 70?" In the winter we keep our temperature at what feels comfortable to us, which is about 70 on the lower floor (where my wife and I live) and about 72 on the upper floor (where my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter live) They like it warmer than we do. Before we came here, we lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri, in that order. The utilities in all of those places were based on natural gas (and sometimes butane or propane and occasionally even kerosene) and electricity. I always supposed that oil heating was smelly and dirty. Our experience here is to the contrary. Modern oil-burning furnaces are clean burning, efficient, and odorless. I much prefer oil over natural gas, because you don't have to worry about a gas leak with oil and oil is relatively odorless. Incidentally, our furnace heats water and the hot water heats the individual rooms through baseboard radiant heaters. No ductwork is required. That's much quieter and healthier than a central air system, and avoids a noisy blower and the dust and mold problems that central air systems develop in their ductwork. We live in the Augusta area (the capital), and there is no natural gas service in this area. Ironically, a big natural gas pipeline passes near here, but it would be very expensive to bury all the distribution pipes to provide natural gas service and since everyone already has oil and electricity, there would be no demand. People who prefer to cook on gas have propane tanks. A lot of people in this area, including us, have supplemental wood-burning stoves and/or fireplaces that we burn for pleasure. Maine is very wooded and firewood is plentiful. The houses in this climate are built with good insulation and double-paned windows. When it snows, snow plows appear from everywhere to keep the streets open. Ironically, we've had far less inconvenience from snow here than we did in Fort Worth. Do continue your research on the situation here. I won't attempt any dollar figures, since that depends on so many factors. Since it looks like oil is headed for $100 a barrel, I think we can expect higher oil prices this winter. But heating is inherently cheaper than refrigerative air conditioning, and probably will remain so. I very much enjoy the Maine climate, the Maine people, and the whole uncrowded Maine environment. And I enjoy gardening here. The people here can't seem to pronounce their Rs, but I forgive them on that. (grin) MM

Ooo..russian sage! I would love some of that! I just posted in the invites thread, then noticed that little "echanges" link. Oops. I am looking for Rosa Rugosa. Not too fussy about color (red, pink, white, whatever) but prefer a repeat bloomer. Otherwise, anything with "lake" or other nautical words in the name-I am starting a theme garden (see thread linked below for list of plants I've come up with to look for so far). anything cottage garden-y or from my list on my theme garden thread I have (nothing exotic, I'm really just starting a garden back up where one was MANY years ago-we just bought the house this past fall): Japanese Quince-red (I know everyone here probably knows this but-its has thorns and spreads via root sucker, so plant with that in mind) glad bulbs I didn't get planted white wild violet rose of sharon seedlings (color unknown, these are volunteers from some very old parent plants on our property) deep purple spiderwort small green hosta with red in the stems (name unknown) possibly some large green hosta if I can split them in time day lily (colors unknown) poppy seed heads lily of the valley Here is a link that might be useful: theme garden plant list thread