The "Taylor's Guide...." is a pretty good book. Ben Watson did a fine job. But keep in mind that it is a bit dated, and there were some inaccuracies even when it was first published. Even so, it's not a bad begginer's primer. It's always hard to list "best" anything, because everyone has different interests and tastes. But here are a few that you might find of interest: Beans: My all time favorite is Tobacco Worm, which is the standard against which I judge all pole beans. I also like the group collectively known as "six week beans" because they make good follow-up crops. My favorite among them is Bailey's Six Week bean, a commercial version of which is sold as "Red Peanut." Turnips: I really like the Amber Globe, which is a very old variety that's said to be the closest to the 18th century Dutch Yellow. Summer Squash: Yellow Crookneck is my choice, here. It's much tastier than any of the straightnecks, and is historically important because it is pre-Columbian. Cowpeas: The original Whippoorwill can't be beat. Butterbean: Snow On The Mountain, an old butterbean dated to the 1880s. Okra: I have two I particularly like; Betty's White, an heirloom from North Carolina; and Jimmy T, an heirloom from Kentucky. Both seem to do well throughout the south. Cucumbers: Little White is a favorite for historical reasons, but not for taste. It's one that Jefferson grew. For taste and overall usefullness, I like Straight 8. I don't know how much longer to go with this, as you didn't specify what types of veggies you might be interested in. If you're interested in regional heirlooms, I would also suggest you join AHSC (the Appalachian Heirloom Seed Conservancy), which is directly involved with preserving the edible heritage of the mountain south. We have members in Georgia who might have a better fix on heirlooms of your state. For details, contact AHSC at KentuckySeeds@hotmail.com.

>I'm trying to do all my veggie beds with heirloomsGood for you, Babe!! It might be a good idea to concentrate on varieties from the Pacific Northwest for starters. They're already adapted to your conditions. There are many of them. And there are several companies that specialize in varieties from your area. I would check out Territorial Seed; Horizon Herbs; and Victory Seeds for starters. I don't have their URLs handy, but you can find them with a web search easy enough. Territorial is now the custodian for Abundant Life Seed Foundation accessions, and you might find some really interesting varieties when you check that out as well.

There are growers from the Carolina's around here, and I was hoping some of them would jump in. Are you looking for varieties that are North Carolina heirlooms? Heirlooms that will do well in NC? Or both? It could make a difference. My line of Little White Cukes, for instance, comes out of North Carolina. But I only grow them for historical reasons, as I don't think they have much taste. Rather than naming varieites in your categories (there are so many of each) I'm going to make a couple of recomendations. First, you should join one or more seed saving organizations. Contact with the group and it's members is the best way I know to quickly learn about heirlooms and how they'll do in your area. SSE (Seed Savers Exchange), out of Decorah, IA, is the largest such organization in the world, and through it's annual yearbook you can order varieties from other NC growers. Contact: www.seedsavers.org. AHSC (Appalachian Heirloom Seed Conservancy), based in Richmond, KY, focuses on preserving heirlooms of the mountain south. There are several NC accessions in its collection, plus its members have others. Contact: KentuckySeeds@hotmail.com Next, don't hesitate to ask questions of the specialty heirloom seed houses. I'm sure the folks at places like Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Tomato Growers Supply, and similar southern-based suppliers will be glad to make recommendations for you. For learning about seed saving, you really should obtain a copy of "Seed To Seed." This is the bible of seed saving, and with it you'll learn how to maintain purity of each veggie type, and the mechanics of saving its seed. There are numerous heirlooms-oriented events, and you might think about attending one or more of them. Baker Creek puts on two of them each year, one in the spring and the other in late summer. Coming up in September, for the first time, will be an heirlooms fesitival at Monticello---an ideal location, if you ask me. Only the date--September 8--is firm so far. The plans call for seminars, display booths, seed swaps, and all sorts of harvest activities. You might keep that in mind, as Virginia isn't that far a drive from you. The annual AHSC Fall Conference is slated for October 5-7, in Berea, Kentucky. As usual, the line-up of speakers, and the formal seed-swaps, make this one of the most meaningful events in the heirlooms world. The conference is open to non-members.

Yeah, *baybee*! Our Shallots are coming up like gangbusters, and better yet, we got rid of a *huge*, old, semi-diseased maple tree in our front yard, thus enabling the penetration of more sunlight and the promise of increased veggie, herbal and floral production. Love trees, but I have no use for *widow makers*. - Had our heat-pump/AC repaired today. Needed a new motor and capacitor. Can't be without AC,...and live to post about it. Have a great week y'all! :)