Raybo, Celery should be mounded up with loose dirt at least 6 inches on the stalks to blanch the stems. Celery is mildly poisonous and blanching helps reduce the level of toxins. The leaves make excellent flavoring for soups and stews. Celery is a cool season crop best grown either in late fall or early spring. It can handle short periods of sub freezing temps down to 22 degrees, but this seriously slows down growth. Do NOT grow celery in the heat of the summer, it will not be happy. Knowing your climate, you could probably grow it successfully from either December or January seed start. It is best started in cell trays with 2 or 3 seed per cell. The above tip about taking 12 weeks from seed to transplant is pretty close. I've managed to transplant at 8 weeks but the plants are small. My suggestion would be to fill an earthtainer 1/2 full of a very rich soil mix and set the plants to grow. When the plants are nearly full size, fill the earthtainer up with peat moss to induce blanching. DarJones

High, if your dh bought the plant around a holiday, most like it's a florist azalea and can be grown indoors. There are several types of azaleas. I had literature about the differen types given to me at a flower show.. I wouldn't fertilize in winter..do you think it could be fertilizer burn? Also, if the plants make it, I think I'd look for an acidic fertilizer, use as recommended. Or better yet, buy an Azalea fertilzer. It doesn't need to be applied as often and contains the necessary nutrients for these plants. You can also use this fertilizer on hydrangeas, gardenias, citrus, camellias, or any acid loving plants. Toni

Hi riceke, thanks for the response. I have never grown tomatoes from seed (on purpose anyway). I was lurking in the greenhouse forum since my greenhouse is getting close to being put into use and saw this wonderful thread complete with photos on someone's success in growing Better Boys from seed and then training them as vines along a suspended cattle panel in their greenhouse which looks very similar to mine in approximate size, shape, etc...It looked like a real space-saving technique. I have always done well with Better Boys in the garden and just wanted to get some additional takes on growing them from seed, preferably from folks in my neck of the woods. I have also been conversing with that thread's original poster too and have alot of info to work with. I didn't even know hobby gardeners could grow named market hybrids from seed until I saw her post. Now I'm a little more knowledgeable about F1 and F2 seed generations. Still would love to hear about anyone else's experiences growing Better Boys from F1 (first generation) seed. Specifically tips on germination rates, success and care of young seedlings. I've grown melons, cukes and some flowers from seed so I'm not a total seed growing noob but I am when it comes to starting toms from seed. Danielle

Actually Margarita is hardier than the typical. Here's a photo from Bill in RI 6b who grows it successfully in New England. It is way down near the bottom of the thread. http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2048105/show-us-your-gardens-a-photo-thread-june-2012?n=71 It stayed alive (limping along) in my garden for about 3 years, but I think the winter that hit -23 finally did it in. I think it might be worth trying for you since it is supposed to be hardy to zone 5. With added mulch for protection you might find it does fine.