Ok Reimer has a bad name. I am sure it is well deserved. But to be fair I did buy a large amount of seeds from them a few months ago, and everything I planted germinated and grew. No not all the seeds, but out of 10 seeds, most of them did sprout and grow. I am lazy when it comes to seeds. I just take a Dixie cup, put the seeds in them, and cover with 1" of water. I then put them in full light until they sprout. Usually far ahead of time the seeds sprout and grow just fine. Last night I planted 10 brussel sprouts and 75% of them have already sprouted one day later. I have tomatoe seeds, pea seeds, and cucumber that have all sprouted in one day. Usually most hot pepper plants will germinate within one week, even the hard ones. In the past I was told to put my seeds into a "Jiffy Plug", blah blah blah. It did not make it grow faster. All seeds need for the first week or two is water, and sun light. Again, not taking away from those who have actually bought and had issues with Reimer seeds.

Don't forget to check out to trade seeds... I did over 1000 trades and SASBE's last spring alone. My collection has really grown with trades etc. After growing out trades I know what grew true and what hybrids I liked(hoping they were stable for next year). Trades might not be from isolated seeds but a LOT/most grow true. Postage is cheeper than $3.00+ a seed pack and the selection is MUCH bigger. Actually some crosses I've grown were lots better than what I was expecting from the traded seeds if they grew true. Hoped the crosses grew true afterwards...most don't,revert back to one of the parents eventually which sucked.

I meant to reply sooner, but have been away. Pawneepapa, you made it it a success! We just helped a little. I was wowed by the variety I received in the pack. I can't wait to get planting. This certainly helped stave off the winter doldrums. It's good to know the extras will be used and are appreciated. Thanks to all for making my first seed swap experience wonderful. I'll be participating again! Barb

Amy, I always plant sweet bells in Spring but you probably could plant in mid-summer for fall. I haven't tried that. I'd rather have the sweet bell plants large, mature and ready to explode into a riot of blooms as soon as the Autumn weather cools off to the appropriate level. I've always felt like bells planted at mid-summer might not be as large or bear as heavily as those planted in Spring. Katie, You can make the famous Garden Web/Harvest Forum recipe for "Annie's Salsa" with ReaLemon or ReaLime juice substituted for the vinegar. Sometimes I make it with 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 ReaLemon, 1/3 ReaLime, but you can use either vinegar, ReaLemon or ReaLime or any combination thereof as long as you use the proper amount. It is an approved substitution for that specfic recipe. The reason ReaLemon and ReaLime are specifically listed is because they consistently test at the proper pH for use as a vinegar substitute in canning, while store brands of lemon and lime juice often test at a lower pH that would make them unsafe to use as a vinegar substitute. Here's a thread with the Annie's Salsa recipe that includes Malna's notes, including the note about using bottled lemon or lime juice. I don't remember if this thread has the explanation about ReaLemon or ReaLime being the approved bottled substitute or if that is in another Annie's Salsa recipe thread (as there are many, many threads about this very popular salsa). I can at least 200 jars of Annie's Salsa a year, and never make it with 100% vinegar, now that we know we can use bottle ReaLemon and ReaLime. We give it away as Christmas presents and our friends beg for more of it year-round. Yes, it is that good! Annie's Salsa Recipe and Notes I also roast and freeze tons of peppers, especially jalapenos, to use in cooking in the non-gardening season when I don't have fresh peppers. Rebecca, I grow pimentoes every now and then, but not really often. A few pimentoes go a long way at our house. Dawn