Thanks, I was thinking weed too. They are not exactly the best kind of neighbors. He was going to a methadone clinic a while back and have noticed some strange things that I brought up to the authorities. Nothing has come of it obviously. I have never seen a canibus plant before, I stayed away from that stuff...well all stuff, yes I am boring...lol.

I want to make it clear that it isn't the small space that could lead to a compost smell problem. It is the enclosed nature of a garbage can which the above person mentioned that could lead to smells. You probably wouldn't have enough air flow in something so enclosed. We used to live in a townhouse and had a small compost pile, contained within a ring of chicken wire, between the air conditioner and the house. It was right below our bedroom window, so I can swear that it was never smelly, as it had plenty of air. One winter we foolishly decided that instead of wallowing through the snow to the pile we would just throw our vegie scraps into a garbage can outside the back garage door. Fine during the frozen part of the year, but once it thawed, it was all soggy and anaerobic and smelled AWFUL. Ack. At least I learned from my mistake . . . Lots of air and you won't have smelly compost, unless it is only fruit and vegie scraps and you have no leaves or anything 'brown.' You can always add ripped up paper or bits of cardboard for the browns, though. Our small pile didn't cook very fast, but we added a little all the time, and finally we took a long vacation and when we came back a month later it was all composted down to humus even though it was less than optimal size. Marcia

I'm not sure if this is the right place, but with the area I'm growing in (mostly sand) I'm looking into container growing. I have 5+ gallon containers and ample sunlight (and warmth). I also found a free organic (commercial) compost and have hauled about 75 gallons so far. What are are the best, easiest veggies and fruits to grow in a zone 9 climate. I've done a bit of online searching and come across a few things. If there is a year round planting calendar that I've missed I would love to see it. Currently I have a pumpkin vine growing in one container (2 total) and two cucumber vines I'm looking to move to the containers soon. I guess... What's currently in season (I'm an excited gardening newbie) and what will be in season over the fall and winter season. I'm also growing early scarlet globe radish seeds and chantenay carrot seeds in much smaller containers. Planning to move from .5L to 2L containers that I've repurposed. Thanks in advance all!

Just so you know, that zonal designation is not a "heat" zone - it only reflects winter cold hardiness and why an upper end is included is a bit of a mystery except that in some very mild, frost-free areas, perennials are unable to undergo a proper dormancy and so peter out rapidly. According to the Sunset Western garden book, which is a much better guide for your area than generic plant tags or the USDA hardiness zones, all corydalis species are deemed appropriate for any area/zone other than the 'high desert' areas. Both C. flexuosa and elata (the blue flowered ones) tend to be a bit fussier about establishment and often go summer dormant in hotter climates but otherwise should do fine in at least partial shade and rich, well-draining organic soil.