Hello, lafu115. In cold climates away from the southern camellia belt, I would prefer to plant in the spring, rather than in the late fall... to allow a longer time for roots to establish in the soil before hard freezes set in. The new roots will provide moisture for healthy growth the following season. Oncve planted, water regularly and d-e-e-p-l-y, especially during the first summer. You can leave the potted shrub in a garage a water it once every week or two. The plant will remain green always but will be in a semi-dormant state. Especially during the winter months. Because my winters are usually mild, I actually kept some new potted plants outside, except when it was going to be cold and miserable. I monitored the weather using www.weather.com and paid attention to temperatures using their 5 or 10-day forecasts. When I saw forecasts of cold weather I then moved them into the garage. Luis

Nice specimen. Brian has really nice plants. If you are reasonably certain of ~12 frost free weeks after July 6, go ahead and plant, using a root stimulator rather than fertilizer. Even with winter protection, established roots help survival. If in doubt, it won't hurt to winter over in your sunroom for another year. Good luck.

Nope, no one to plant sit. I'll probably start about 6 early girls on the 20th since I have plenty of seed. I usually plant around 100 seed, different varieties, mostly heirloom. I plant around 20 in the garden and give my coworkers the rest. I thought about asking one of them to plant sit, but they all live 20+ miles away.

Kimmsr, You are on every forum! You always have the best answers. Thanks for reminding me that I just need to add more mulch. That was the plan in the spring anyways. I just didn't put 2 & 2 together that I would be solving the grass problem then. In regards to the poison ivy. I won't tackle it this year. It seems to be too late. It covers about 100 sq feet in patches here and there on the subdivision trail that runs through my backyard forest. I thought poison ivy, like any vine, would start a new plant anywhere that broken bits of vine remained and that systemic poison was more effecive. I'm a novice at all of this and prefer not to use poison, but thought that careful application of a poison was the best method of control for poison ivy. I've used a sponge brush to paint the leaves of little poison ivy's that have sprouted up in the garden. Can you get all the poison ivy out just by digging, or do you need to repeatedly dig the little parts that start over.