Bumblebeez... I am fairly certain that those are a European species of Linden (Basswood), Tilia cordata, that has been introduced into this country and is usually the species or sometimes a cultivar, that is offered in the nursery trade. They are a cool climate tree and never attain the stature in the south that would be expected in the northern states. The habit can naturally be pyramidal or rounded. I know of one in a local garden that is very old and is only about 25-30 ft. tall. If you have or plan to visit the Statue of Liberty in NY harbor, you will see these trees in the Plaza between the ferry dock and the rear of the Statue. They also grow in Manhatten's Central Park. They will tolerate some very austere site locations. Many cities in Europe and the US use them as "Street" trees that are located between the sidewalk and the curb. I have no recommended source for these, but I'm sure there are a number of growers that supply those for municipalities that buy hundreds of them. If you order online, be sure to check the vendor at GardenWatchDog before ordering. Rb

Shirley, thanks for the clarification. I've been getting my produce at a small produce market that does a brisk business with mostly local stuff and some brought in from the surrounding states. They also sell grocery-type bags of onions, etc. They have the tomatoes stacked in the 25-lb boxes for restocking the tables. The box I got was just about full to the lid. The guy seemed like he wasn't sure about finding me a good box, or maybe he didn't want to part with them at a discount so late in the season. He first said he could sell me green ones, but when I said I was canning he found me a good box with only two or three split-open ones. Next summer I will be sure to can tomatoes in July when there are piles of yellow & pink ones in every shape and size. Your cocktail is delicious, I wish I had a bigger pot to do a whole batch instead of half. Two jars didn't seal, so those will go in the freezer while the jalapenos pickle, then they will go in with some worcestershire, vodka, and dilly bean swizzle sticks for a fantastic brunch. Melissa

Nick, come on down next summer and help me at my booth. I would love to have pictures of our busy time. With 4 people, it's not as bad, but we still have customers that have to help themselves to bags and inform other customers of how we do things. I'm lucky to have some really GREAT customers that will even help out sorting or anything else to help us thru a busy time. I don't take as many pictures of the farm and market as I know I should. I've often said that I would like a video of how our booth operates. I know we've had vendors sitting beside us tell us at the end of the day, "How do you do all that, you made me tired just watching" Last year, we had a newer vendor, a food stand, next to us and they would call out to see if we needed food, fix it for us and deliver it, then at the end of the day or a slow time they would tell us what we owed them. This was because we were so busy. So Nick or anyone else, when could I expect you? The really busy time starts in July thru mid-August. Believe me, I've had help that could not get up. I finally have had to hire people that are used to a busy BurgerKing or a busy Speedway to be able to work it fast enough. 4 of them, plus me and hubby during the peak times are needed and we still have customers that are not waited on fast enough.

I read in one of the farming books I have that in a good climate (and we qualify, though Minnesota doesn't), a person could raise enough food to supply every single meal for a family of four on an acre. This requires two growing seasons and that you mainly raise grains. Another book I have says that standard US agricultural practices produce about 2000 loaves of bread per acre or 35 bushels of wheat. For standard bread that's 1200-1500 calories per one pound loaf. One loaf (or equivalent) per day for each of four people... 4x365 = 1460. That leaves space left over to raise herbs and truck. It's not a high standard of living, but you could do it. I could do it. I own one acre. But I have a big house on part of it and a driveway. Those would detract. I found an internet site about all the food a family raised on 1/10th of an acre and I found it amusing their harvest report was six years after starting the garden. It's like when I was reading Ruth Stout's book and she said that after 10-20 years her garden did this or that. Ha! Yes, after years of effort, you get the soil right and it is wonderful stuff. I don't think most folk new to gardening understand that it will be years before they get a really good bumper crop. I'm very happy with how well my garden has done this year and I credit the dump trailer loads of soil amendments. I'm going to pop out to Wal-Mart and get some corn chips to enjoy my fresh salsa with. While I'm there I'll check their magazine rack for Urban Farm. I might even try to scrape up the money to subscribe. It sounds awesome!