Peeling and removing seeds comes naturally when you can large ones. The skin is too tough and makes the spread uneven. For guidelines - I do not can for sale. We eat it our self. And I do the way I do for many years. Driving the car has some risk as well). The key with the zucchini spread - you almost fry it with good amount of oil covered for about an hour, that makers the temperature high enough to kill bad guys. And then I store all my preserves in the spare fridge - too hot in summer to keep it on the shelf. I do not encourage anybody follow my way and do not share recipe.

I attempt a Fall cleanup but haven't finished it all ever because I just get to the point where I don't want to go out in the yard anymore! The last two years DH and I used an electric hedge trimmer (with a heckuva long cord) and it works wonderfully! I grab/bunch the foliage up at the top (sometimes with rope it it's tall), and he "clear-cuts" it to the ground. Not much muss or fuss. We do the same only use a chainsaw for the tall ornamental grasses. We have a JD gator with a dump box--we just throw it in there--it's quite painless! We just start making our way around the yard. This year I plan to get 'er all cut back all the way around--or die trying! Over the last few years I've been planting dwarf evergreens throughout the borders so it doesn't look so bare when the garden's asleep. Makes a huge difference. There are so many gorgeous dwarf evergreens/conifers in different colors, shapes, textures, growth habits, etc. I seek them out now almost as much as I do perennials! I dread cleaning up the mess if I wait till Spring to cut back. Especially if I don't get to a plant before it sends out new shoots--then I have take the nippers and pretend I'm a surgeon--which is a painstaking--PIA! I'm on a quest to tidy up the property in all manners. Goal is to go to the furthermost part and have it look nice. I've slacked on this for too many years and now I have the time to do something about it. Been on a mission inside the house, too. I'll maintain the look after I'm all done. That's the plan, anyway! LOL Funny how many different takes there are on this, I love that!

Garden Web- First and foremost!! From our swaps here in MN- to trading in the forums- but more than anything- WinterSowing- and seed trading. Gardening has never been the same for me since finding GardenWeb- and making many wonderful friendships here in MN- and virtually around the world! "Shovel tours" of friends gardens are a special treat- I like to share what I have- and it seems to me that many of the folks I have met feel the same way. I have found many sources for buying plants as well- local home grown garden sales- mail order- online- and nurseries around the state- I do have fun "Shopping" and seed nabbing at many places- but find I buy at closeouts and end of year sales- except for a few new treasures every spring. I just can't seem to help myself in the spring. When it comes to mail order and on line shopping- look towards the 'Garden Watchdog.com' to give you some advise as to what others have thought of their purchases with various companies. It is a useful tool when considering who to buy what from. Funny thing- a lady who works at a Malbergs told me about Dragonfly gardens, and I tell you- I can not wait to go see their selection and prices after what I heard! The Lily Society hosts a to die for spring and fall sale- check out their website northstarlilysociety.com for more details- and the MN Rock Garden Society has a great spring sale with VERY reasonable prices- always a good idea to go there- you won't be disappointed- but- hands down- one of the best sales in our area to go to is the Friends of the Earth plant sale- Just give their last years catalog a look @ friendsschoolplantsale.com and you will see why! For gardeners and dreamers- it just doesn't get much better than that- unless your into seeds that is- then I would suggest signing up for a seed exchange (like you could stop at one)in the Round Robin Forum- that is a whole-nuther kind of gardening crazy! If you need some seeds to start trading with- I think I may have a couple of, ah-hum, "extra" packs to get you started.... And those delightfully silly folks in the WinterSow forum just love sending out "newbie" packs to any who are interested in trying their hand at wintersowing. There is a whole new world awaiting you here in GW- Enjoy!

Diane I grew I rhubarb for 2 or 3 years over at my other house. I had good soil and lots or water and it did well as long as I would take care of it. My problems with it were Horseradish and bermuda. I had never seen Horseradish or rhubarb before so I bought a few plants of each and planted them near to oneanother. I also had bermuda everywhere. I finaly got tired of fighting the Horseradish and bermuda and invested in Roundup. If I were to try it again I would plant it in an area by its self and keep it watered and mulched and expect it to come back each year. Larry