this subject been around here and there before. where i live they compost all compostable waste they chip up old furniture and lanscaping timber/logs you name it, it gets added to garden and tree lopping waste, along with up to medium grade industrial liquid waste and the humus from the sewerage treatment works. over here they sell it to gardeners sometimes give it away, it goes to blenders of all sorts of products ie.,. potting mix, soil improvers, etc.,. and gets sold over the counter. the heaps they compost it in and mix the liquid waste into obviously get hot, how hot dunno? the stuff that goes to potting mix blenders and baggers of soil improvers is likley screened but that from the dump sites can have all sorts of stuff in it notable pieces of plastics that get mixed into the stream early on. it is in all over the counter product. to use or not to use, i follow the regime so long as you are fully educated into what something may contain and that product is all that is available then what to do? use it i would say but maybe sparingly. we all use potting mixes so very likley we are all using the stuff in someway anyway? if gardeners don't use it they will put more of it onto conventional farms that is the thrust so maybe down track it will no longer be available to gardeners. a vexing question? is this the lesser of 2 evils? len Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page

tropical I do not like SF Fog even though it is supposed to be good for coastal areas just didn't like flavor or production As far as 'early girl' if I were going to get a hybrid (haven't grown many in years) like 'early girl' I would probably get 'better boy' because it is a little larger,almost as early, I liked the flavor better and more productive - but it has been many years since I grew them - I like Box Car Willie much better and it produces like a hybrid for me You say 3 miles from the coast but is it So Cal, Central or Northern? How many can you plant? Do you like all zizes and shapes ie cherry/grape, heart, salad, beefsteak, round or oblate, plum ruffled etc etc what do you want them for fresh eating, cooking sauces etc what is your taste - do you like sweet or bold tomatoey but being new to tomato growing you probably don't know acid from balanced from sweet? - that's a good reason next summer to hunt out a tomato tasting to get names of maters you like and then see if they would fit into your gardening plan want a variety of colors? Many of those listed are pretty good and there is some variety - noted a couple opinions Black Krim (or any of the other black/purple tomatoes) - love this tomato Matina and Stupice fill the same niche and I think Matina is better choice Like geeboss said check out some sites like heirloomseeds I have not had good luck with them heirloom acres victoryseeds tatianastomatobase lots to look at here - really good site and lots of choices and info to digest Find someone in your area and talk with people who have tried different ones you are interested in By the way welocme to the tomato world Dennis

I would love to see a followup to this post. How did it go? Did you have a big turnout? I wasn't able to make it to this one. Cheryl

Thank you everyone for securing the site, establishing the swap & for your generous sharing. I scored the neatest plants & had so much fun visiting with everyone. Particular thanks to Patty for hauling down a PICKUP BED SIZED "Flores Street Houseater" rose, plus many other wonderful roses & plants. And Roselee, besides the neat Manfreda/agave cross, thank you for the wonderful Peter Beales "Classic Roses" book--what a thrill!--been pouring over it since Sat. (but ya know, there's a NAME for people who take photos of dummies making big silly grins THEN POSTING THE PICS ON THE INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!) Seriously, though, please e-mail me your addy--I have LOTS of the Gregg's dalea--I'd love to send you a good bunch so you can get it started & enjoy the blooms.