I couldn't braid my three, 1-inch diameter trees together, so, after planting all three together, in one container, with the individual trunks as close together as possible, I fastened all the trunks together with stainless-steel screws. I would imagine that in order to braid tree trunks, they would have to be still quite green, so that they could bend without breaking. I tried bending a 3/4 inch dia. fig tree stem, and, it cracked. So now, I just screw trunks and branches together, to "make" the tree that I want. BY the way, my "composite-trunk" fig trees are doing quite well, and some of the screwheads are almost hidden by the new bark. There's and old thread re: "Fuse-Grafting" that can be checked out for more information. Also, google: "Arbosculpture" and see what can be done with woody, plant material, time, and plenty of imagination. I was amazed! Enjoy, all. Frank DV

Scott, I've seen black rot on fruit, but haven't noticed any severe leaf issues. I didn't even realize that it attacked the leaves, mistakenly assuming it was like brown rot on stone fruit. I don't think I have any pure vinifera, so that may explain why things haven't been so bad. I think most of the UoA grapes (what I have planted) are hybrids. The only one I'm less confident in is Somerset Seedless (not from UoA). Bill, I've been using zip lock sandwich bags with the corners cut off, just like with apples. From the pics I've seen, some grapes may produce clusters which won't fit, but my Mars and the unknown seeded variety haven't ever been that productive. Mars was in a pot (will be planted in-ground this spring), so that may have limited it. Because of the potential size issue, I'll probably try a few paper bags as well. Speaking of bagging, I just wanted to mention my father's experience with bagging peaches on his young tree this past year. After he used zip-locks, I warned him that I had heard they would rot. He kept them on anyways and it worked great- no rot at all. I may try it on a few this year.

Soil is very important for blueberries especially the Ph. I think a lot of varieties would grow there so you could probably pick most anything that was a northern variety. Duke is my favorite blueberry in terms of flavor and it's an early season which seems to give us a better harvest than later varieties like Jersey.

My goodness Jack, that's some very serious weather you are having. I did not know you were in the tornado belt. I hope your property and family are all alright. Never heard of Untermyer gardens. Just looked them up and they are gorgeous! Thank you for the tip, I will make a point of visiting them this summer. I'm less than two hours from there. Has anyone here ever grown the large variety of San Marzano tomatoes? I am wondering if they are truly like heirloom San Marzano's. I'm planning on growing more of those this season. Sad to say I am not planting from seed this year. I have to create a set up with more light and ventilation than what I had last year which killed all my poor leggy tomato seedlings.