hi my name is ric and i would love to try growing some wax myrtle as large container plants. please check my list for things you would like. i prefer to get my moneys worth out of the post office so let me know if you have other tree or shrub seeds in your area you could include. if there is nothing on my list foryou i will send postage with a bubbly thanks for this opportunity ric Here is a link that might be useful: ricjo22's exchange list

David, I don't know that the garlic spray would work on the mosquitos since the ones after your blood are the females and they aren't repelled by garlic. Something you might consider are "mosquito plants". These are a part of the geranium family and, supposedly, repel all mosquitos. I have never tried them, so I can't vouch for them, but two friends swear by them. They are available in most of the spring gardening catalogs like Spring Hill and Four Seasons. I believe you have to place them every 3 - 4 feet apart around the area you want kept clear of mosquitos to really work well, but someone else may have more info on them. Anne

docjsf, We also had a banner year for bc cones. I have never seen the trees so loaded. Also walnuts, it's like walking in a fun park. We are on the north side of Indy. Jay

Straysod, Like you, and others who replied, I have a small tumbler that never really finishes. I dig it out by the bucketfull and use it rough. the places where I have dug it into the soil, it disappears quickly and though partially unfinished, hasnt hurt any plants. in fact, they seem to like it. I use mostly kitchen scraps and have a lack of browns too. I don't know why we introverts are so silly about this but i also put off asking my neighbors for leaves for almost a year. I was so awkward in avoiding this simple conversation that I once waited until they weren't home and hastily swept up all the leaves in the street in front of their house. I felt like a bandit! How embarrassing! But just last week I finally asked one of my neighbors for her leaves and she was so sweet and happy to oblige! Why had I been putting it off so long?! Now I have access to a neverending supply! ....And yet despite this success I am still avoiding asking my other neighbor for her grass clippings! O.o The worst thing they can say is no and you're right back where you started. Best case you have a new free resource. Maybe offer to blow and sweep the leaves yourself if you think they're likely to say no. Good luck to you with your compost and happy gardening.