Well so far the storms have been mostly rain and this afternoon (SAT) we get about a 1/2 inch of sleet and then back to rain. Maybe we wont get alot of snow if the temp stays up enough. I am just getting to see my younger blueberry plants and if the weather stays nice this week like it is suposed to might beable to get outside to do a little bit. All will tell by morning. I think I am going to start some seeds soon. I know I should wait another few weeks. Maybe I will give it another 2 weeks and call it close enough to April. We have a few bulbs already sprouting that we bought sitting in the house. They need to be potted I think. At least until I can get them outside. My agenda is set to finish spring cleaning this week and early next week at both houses so I am ready to work outside and spring clean the berry field and garden ASAP. When the weather finally decides it is spring I will be ready to rumble.

Dear "julio01", My name is Everett and I live just south of you in the Water Valley area. I have been in the practice of collecting leaves in the Fall for the past 10 years. Each year, I seal my collected leaves in telephone books until Spring, at which point, I rubber cement them to cardboard and laminate them to make colorful displays that last for about 2-4 years (before they begin to fade). This year, I am specifically on the hunt to find some olive trees nearby where I live. Someone at work had mentioned that Mississippi University had some olive trees on their campus (which you confirmed by mentioning in one of your reply posts above), but that's a 2 1/2 hour drive from Water Valley. I'm trying to find some trees located closer nearby (within driving distance). I found your post by plugging "olive trees in Mississippi" into my browser's search engine. So, I became a member and am posting a reply in hopes that I'll reach you in time... What I'm looking to do is get a few small clippings off the end of some olive tree branches. If your trees' leaves have not already browned or fallen off, could I possibly arrange a meeting to make a few 2"-4" clippings from branch endings on one of your trees for my collection for the 2012-2013 lamination season? I'd be more than happy to make you a leaf laminate this Spring in exchange for some clippings. Just to show my sincerity in following through with what I say, I have posted links to a few pics from Mr. McCullough's yellow maple tree (he lives at University & Ninth in Oxford) which he gave me permission to take leaves from last Fall (2011). I made him a laminate this Spring (2012) in exchange for leaves from his tree. To view the pics, copy and paste the links below into your browser's address window in a new tab to view them. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=421910634495932&set=a.101148946572104.2516.100000309971650&type=3&theater http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=421911031162559&set=a.101148946572104.2516.100000309971650&type=3&theater http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=421902244496771&set=a.101148946572104.2516.100000309971650&type=3&theater I have a portfolio book of prior year's laminations which I can bring along to show you when we meet in person. I hope that you enjoy the three pics and that I'll hear back from you sometime soon (hopefully before your olive tree leaves have perished for the Fall)! Sincerely, Everett MaestroBaran@gmail.com

Containers have the advantage of as was said good feeder roots. They can also be planted any time of the year in most areas...though I would avoid shock if they just came form a greenhouse by letting them adjust to the area for up to a week before transplant. Disadvantages: Transmit pests and disease in soil which is why your local Ag is not too wild about containers being shipped into the state. Cost of shipping high. Trunk caliper large so no fruit bushing few viable eyes down low. If you buy a container from a local nursery during bare root season it likely will fall apart and leave you holding a severely pruned bare root.= that was planted a few weeks before. You should take a hose and remove all soil before planting into their permanent site. Container soil is often not good planting soil, plus you can inspect, spread out and prune the roots if needed. As to preference...I don't care much. Bareroots are cheaper and with a DWN SOFT order through a cooperating nursery I can get most on the rootstock I want at half the price of a container tree. I have ordered trees from Rolling Ridge, Burnt Ridge and DWN/Bay Laurel, Trees of Antiquity, Sanhedrin, Raintree, Stark, Grandpa, Just Fruits and Nuts, and Willis. Willis is the only one I would not order from again unless they were the sole source. Be warned the nurseries well out of your area may not carry cultivars that will do well in your area or on a good rootstock for your area. I would only look there if your orchard is full of varieties known to do well in your area and now you are now experimenting.

Hi, Everybody! WOW, what a great group of folks that are planning to come, Melissa! Some old friends, plus a lot of new folks I haven't met yet. I'm so looking forward to that! And I can't wait to give all the "usual suspects" a hug around the neck!! I really wish I had more to share, but I know you all understand what has happened to my yard, and I know I'm not the only one. This still gives us a chance to share what we DO have left unscathed, and just to hang out and enjoy each other, and be inspired by each other. What a great way to spend the day. I'm not the world's best cook (I'm the Designated Eater), but since Kate isn't able to come to this one, how about I bring a trifle? She taught me how to make her favorite version, and it makes a tasty dessert, for those who want more than one. I'll do the lemon/blueberry one, if Publix cooperates. Anything else I can bring, Melissa? Kara, I am taking fresh lion's mane cuttings for you today...hopefully, they will be starting to root by Saturday. This is the first day I've had to think about finding something to share. Looking SO forward to seeing/meeting you all! Marcia