Okay then - here's my WS tomato experience from last year (first year to try WSing). I sowed the tomato seeds in the same order as I usually would, i.e. longest DTM to shortest. I don't keep much in the way of records, but I know I began on 21 January with 80 and 85-day varieties and continued on through mid-March. I had the best success with sowing only 3 seeds per milk jug. I didn't have puny plants, they were bushy with sturdy, fat stems. This could've been because of: Beginner's luck The jugs being set in a raised bed directly up against the house with full southern exposure The fact that I didn't set them out until late May due to more-unpredictable-than-usual weather, or All of the above Once I set the jugs outside I utterly neglected them - no peeking, no nothing. Really, the only attention I paid was to glance at them on warm days to make sure there was condensation. If I remember right, I think it was late April before I ever added more water to the jugs, and at that point I just turned the hose on'em. By the time they went into the ground they were growing out the tops of the jugs (yeah, yeah, I know - I'm a bad tomato mommy). Our weather heated right up not too long after Memorial Day and the tomatoes really took off. Usually it seems to take 10-14 days for transplants to get going, but I clearly recall being astounded when I could see new growth on the WSown toms after only three days! That made me a true believer. For what it's worth, I did bell peppers & chilies right along with the tomatoes, and they did just as well. In fact, last year was the first that I haven't staked peppers - I didn't need to, since they were so fat and sturdy. I kept thinking that they were like little trees. And yes, depending upon where they end up at the end of the season, tomatoes readily reseed here. Last year I had dozens popping up all around the compost pile.

Please add 8 more for zone 5. That makes a total of 95! Getting close to the big 100! Thanks.

Good Morning Everyone Todays count is: Zone 0  Zone 1  170 Zone 2  204 Zone 3  419 Zone 4  1869 Zone 5  7884 Zone 6  10372 Zone 7  6763 Zone 8  2316 Zone 9  534 Zone 10  Total  30531 Ron

I don't know if you get this in time but I would never admend with peat moss, the best amendment for drainage is a product called Perma Till you should be able to find it in NY as it comes from NJ I think. Sand is OK if it is masonry sand. Does the site get enough sun that is also important for the leaves to show there best colors. I don't know your drainage issues but if you dig a hole 18 inches deep and about two feet in diameter and fill it with water it should all be gone in about 2 hours, this is a gross generalization but I would want to have better drainage even if I had good drainage. Inoculate the roots with Mycorrhizal fungi and trow in a big hand full of humate. Links for Mycorrhizal Fungi and what is humate:Myke> http://www.usemyke.com/mycorise/index.htm What is humate>http://www.richearth.net/whatisre.php One last bit of insurance: http://www.espoma.com/content.aspx?type=bts With all this stuff you will be looking for more trees very soon. Of all these product if I had to choose one, it would be the least costly and that would be Perma till. It's also sold under a different name, Espoma Soil Perfecter. I know you can get Espoma products in NY. Myke can be had from Carrol Gardens in Maryland, they keep it cool and they just got a order from Canada a couple weeks ago. Do not buy Myke in the dog days of summer as temps. much above room temperatures will kill off the fungus in Myke. Well that's enough info for free, last bit of advise move out to the county and start a Nursery and grow Hostas and J. Maples. Yes you need some hostas for that maple, Hosta 'June' , A Touch of class, Yellow River and Orange Marmalade, here is your last link and the best one enjoy: http://www.hostalibrary.org/ Here is a link that might be useful: Perma-till is a J.Maple best friend>>