there are really only 2 things... to think about first is the bargain warrantied ??? second.. and think about this .. might not the price say it all???? many a nursery.. simply throws away such stock.. wanting the buyer to pay full price for newer stock.. the fact that they are trying to sell you a bargain ... makes me wonder what is going on ... w/o a picture ... i dont know what to tell you.. other than i dont recommend giant transplants ... that have been wintered over as ball and burlap ... as to the one in the pix.. did you knock off a bud.. and see if there is any green in it??? are they hard.. or squishy.. as in.. they are already rotting ... on my 5 acres.. i could leave that thing out there to do its thing for quite a number of years [as compared to dave.. who would have had it at the curb.. before the computer could boot up.. lol] .. and never fixate on it.. in your comparatively smaller garden.. i dont know if i would want to look at it.. for more than one more month.. hope springs eternal ... but even if it buds out at 50%.. is this really an experiment you want..?? any help at clarifying for you??? ken

Jstropic, my DH used 1/2" conduit(sp?)Pipe and PVC for sprinklers that we bought at H.Depot, and cut it with a hacksaw. I cleared all the mulch off during the day to catch as much sun on the soil, I wrapped the lights on the highest part of the trunk, and laid the rest of the Xmas lights on the ground, covered it up around 5-6 pm and turned the lights on around 7 pm and didn't turn it off till the outside temps got above 40 degrees. I was also lucky enough to get some of these plastic Xmas light stakes that were clearanced at Wmart, that I used to tack down the frost cloth, since it was windy that night. Main thing was to keep the heat from the lights inside. Make sure the cover goes all the way to the ground to retain the heat. I ordered my frost cloth online, since the stores here only carried the very light weight ones. I bought the medium grade, I think it is 1.5 Oz. It came in 12'x50', you can cut to size. I'm sure there are others out there that are just as good, and come in different sizes. You are lucky though since you are in zone 10, you should be a little warmer than me. I live 2 hours south of Orlando. It is a lot of work, but for me I love Mangos and lychees, so I really wanted these trees to survive so it was well worth the extra work...

Are we almost there yet? LoL Getting closer!!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone and trading plants again this year. I wont have all that much this year because I traded so heavily last year :-(. But I should have a few desireables. Can't wait! Tina

Mdgardengurl, your recipe sounds a lot like one my aunt ussed to make. Thanks. When cranberries are on sale around Thanksgiving, I always make a few batches of this and freeze in freezer bags. Kids like the pink color. HOLIDAY APPLESAUCE 4 lb. sweet apples (Red or Golden Delicious, Empire, Winesap, etc.), cut into chunks (donÂt peel or core) 3 cups cranberries (12 oz.) 1 cup unsweetened apple cider Two 3-inch strips lemon zest 1/ 2 cup sugar 3/ 4 tsp. ground cinnamon In covered pot, simmer apples, cranberries, cider and lemon peel, stirring occasionally, for 1/ 2 hour or more, until apples are very tender. Add sugar and cinnamon. Simmer, covered 10 minutes. Discard zest. Pass mixture through a food mill. Add honey, sugar, or brown sugar to taste. Makes about 2 quarts. Can be frozen.