Hi (again) Kristi!, I know nothing about the specific varieties you speak of, but in general a first year pepper does just fine with 1 sq ft of growing area (even less in a container). Some of the larger hot peppers will do better with a bit more space, but sweet/bell plants do just fine with 12" spacing. Also, there is a pepper forum on GW where the real pepper geeks can provide input as well. I think it's the 'hot pepper forum', but as I recall the folks there are just pepper geeks and will be happy to talk about not so hot (heat wise) peppers too.

Trader Joe's gets some really good plants at good prices, but they are ALL overwatered. I got a beautiful Echeveria, a succulent native to the deserts of Mexico, there that was soaking wet--they soak all their plants so they last until someone buys them. Echeverias can go months with no water at all. I just take them out of the pot when I get them home and put them into proper potting soil. You have to realize what you are buying--their plants are intended as gifts or "quick pretty" items, more like cut flowers than like plants from a good garden center. The trade-off is you may get them at a good price.

try emailing at sales@bloomrite.com and see if they are willing or able to identify the roses they sell. You should probably inquire if their miniature roses are registered/named. I inquired at Por La Mar nursery about one of their minis in particular and they were prompt and positive about responding. Unfortunately, while I know their internal code name for the variety, they could not provide me with a name that would mean anything to anyone but them. Suz

I love TJs....we don't get wine in grocery stores here so I've never had the $$ chuck...but would love to try it some time. I've been addicted at various times to various things at TJs including their meringue cookies and their chocolate nonpareils. While their cookies are very tasty, I don't find any soft and chewy type. Great selection of chocolates from around the world....can use it like wine tasting. We always shop there for crackers as their selection of whole grain and multi grain is the best. Love their edamame crackers. I also get my whole wheat english muffins there. If any of you, like I, have certain issues, try their 100% cranberry juice. I put just a splash in a tall glass of seltzer and it is amazing. So different from the usual sugary water with some cranberry in it. Lately I've been buying their grass fed beef and it is incredibly flavorful, besides not having any pink slime (bleccch). But whenever I'm baking anything that calls for chocolate, I always buy their belgian chocolate. I make a chocolate lava cake using their dark pounder plus and it is A -MAZ -ING! I recently made Awesome Brownies using their chocolate as well. Excellent! I also buy their lightly salted mixed nuts and get other nuts there for baking and eating. But in our area, TJs prices their bananas by the "each" not "lb". Once I bought one of their chicken sausages that was really good, but since then, i can't seem to buy the right one again....they have several. I've been not happy with their frozen foods but based on your recommendations, will have to try some again. I typically don't eat any frozen prepared foods as I make my own.