I planted in Sept and the plants are well-established and bearing, but not a lot (not every plant) and aren't running (runnering?) yet. The ones I planted in spring 2012 and plucked the blossoms off that summer bore well last year, ran (?), that's where I got the ones in Sept, but this spring went crazy and started taking over the veggie garden. So plant in Sept or whenever the worst heat/drought is over for you to get a head start, but I wouldn't expect them to bear much the first year.

Seed of Change and Mountain valley Growers are the only truly certified organic crown sources in the country as Pranther Ranch in California stopped producing them because there were not enough buyers. Unfortunatly, so-called organic growers can purchase conventional crowns and grow them as organic, allowable by certifing agencies. Just like you can get around purchasing organic seed and using conventional because they are not "available or not enough quantity". Just like "free range, excess to outdoors", too many loopholes in the system. We need to change the system.

I agree with Brent. Frost is so variable in the MAG area (at least here in the DC outskirts) and winter temperatures set in so late, that while my cannas and sages might be zapped in late October or mid-November, I usually have reblooming irises on my Thanksgiving table and two years in a row I've been out in shorts on New Years' day planting bulbs (in 70 degree weather; I'm no masochist!) Since it takes so long for the ground to freeze in the DC area at least, I find that most fall-planted things have no trouble achieving enough root growth to spurt ahead in Spring -- with the exception of mediterranean plants that can't deal with the wetness; they rot out from the crown. By the way, I'm writing this from San Diego, visiting my Mom; we're going to a couple area nurseries tomorrow to see what goodies we can find for both our gardens. But I've already snagged a gallon Princess Plant and a greggeii sage at Lowes for $3 each -- oh, those California gardens! Lynn

rolling river was good but hartmanns I've got some ratty plants. nourse farms has good berry bushes too. just got some blackberry and raspberries from them. fedco in maine has lots of berry plants also. little more pricey but you get a bigger fuller plant. good luck!