I too started here, reading, trading, growing. Let me share what I have done/learned. First off, as of yesterday I am the official keeper of over 200 varieties of OP tomatoes. That does not make me an expert, but it does show my involvement :) Let me tell you that, for one...I have a similar climate as yours, 45th parallel near Canada. I grew in two ways last year; containers and raised beds. My first year to incorporate containers...3-7 gallons. In the containers went farm dirt, taken from a former dairy farm. Raised bed #1, which I will be referring to was screened topsoil as I have clay and many ROCKS. Some mulch has been added to bed #1, but it is NOT farm dirt. The containers produced fruitful. I grew Farmer Reds...I have some to trade but can't find any information on them, they were more an orange red and about 9.5 oz and good to eat, I also grew Gardener's Delight (cherry), two others but the memory is fuzzy this morning. I keep a small notebook and do recommend that you document as well, as much of what I will share is right straight from my notes :) Bed #1 got these in order (I even drew cute little pictures :) -Brandywine Pink, Mr. Stripey (yellow with red streaks), Rutgers, Marmande, Gardeners Delight. Across from them in order-Brandywine Pink, Roma, Gardener's Delight, Yellow Pear, Amish Paste. These were started in the peat pellets and up on March 17th, I was ancy with spring fever. All other plants came up later. I used indoor lights in a homemade stand using a heat-controlled electric warmer that I get at resale shops for like $3. They were the healthiest plants and I put them in about 6 weeks later (calendar is not close to me). We still had frost going on...I hardened them off maybe 2-3 days then planted them. When frost warnings came. I used styrofoam cones and rocks to hold them down. All survived and thrived. This bed actually produced plants over 7 feet! It was a chance though...the rest of the plants in other beds all matured and faired well. Additional plants grown in other beds last year were; Beefsteak, Large Red Cherry, Orange Banana, Gold Currant, Yellow Cherry, Brandywines, Italian, Delicious, Black Prince, Evergreen, Sunburst, Silvery Fir. In one garden went unidentified mix of colors from a packet...I don't recommend that-not knowing what they are until maturation. I also ended up with a beautiful unknown pink paste (I did save seeds). Now how did I like them? For me the best sandwich slice went to Mr. Stripey...wow, I never had a tomato like that. Gardener's Delight, Yellow Pear and Gold Currants were yummy candy. Brandywines were good...I enjoyed their size and taste. Rutgers, Marmande, Farmer Reds, were always there to be picked, a matured earlier and very similar. The green one (Evergreen) was the best green salsa ingredient ever. Used that with the type of Mrs. Wages salsa mix that calls for cider vinegar to be added. Sunburst was pretty but bland. The currant and other small cherry (not mentioned) wore me out picking. The best pastes I grew-Amish, edible off the vine. I will update my inventory list of seeds Monday (three days from now). I do TRADE! I have every variety I think you mentioned trying. I will enclose picture to this thread hopefully. This year is a radical growing year for me, not only will I try new ones at the homestead in beds, but I am now the catalyst for a community garden with access to 8 acres...garden one will not be that big I ensure you. BUT...I can try all 200 tomato varieties...MAYBE :) Earl in Northern Michigan

SSE's listing for IA SSE HF on page 21 of the 2008 Yearbook says that seed orders from HF will be sent out the 2nd week of March and the last week of April, and requests received after that will be sent as time allows. I am guessing that maybe you just missed the 2nd week of March shipping date so your seeds may be in the last week of April shipment. But as dcarch says, you can ask at SSE's site at http://forums.seedsavers.org (you need to register first).

I don't know linnea - I'm in the Chicago area and I have had great luck selling things at prices far higher than what is being suggested. I don't know what area you'd be posting in - I'm North and sometimes I think that helps but the last piece I sold a guy drove up all the way from Midway and that's well over an hour from me. Yes, clean the chairs up as much as you can, but a line I often use is "wear appropriate to age". No one expects pristine in a vintage or antique piece. I'd say price them as you see fit to cover his costs and then some. What's the worst that can happen - you get no response - it happens. If you have the time, run it again. We're in the holiday season and maybe there aren't a lot of people looking to get into projects but come January it's a whole 'nuther story. If you are in a hurry you have fewer options but that's always the case no matter what you sell or where. Here's an examples for you; I asked and sold this for $175 2 weeks ago. Won't bother showing all the pictures I posted but I did close ups of where the veneer is chipped off and any damaged areas - I don't lie and always make sure the true condition is visible so there are no surprises. It looks great in that picture but trust me - it was not perfect by a long shot. You have to find the right buyer and they are out there. Someone on the conversation side asked about postng on CL and I wrote up my suggestions - let me see if I can find it. Got it: Put your pics on photobucket and post those within the CL ad - do not use the CL photo uploader. You get MUCH better, larger pictures, are not limited to 4. Pictures sell an item - we've had really fast sales doing that. Use the same code that you use here - it works the same way. You won't see the pictures, only code until you go to the next 'page'. But if they aren't the way you want them or in the wrong order you can go back and edit, just like you do here. I've found the best way to list my items is basically bullet points rather than paragraph form. Anything you can do to make it easy for people helps: Faux Ficus Tree 6' tall, 36" wide, approx. Beautiful woven basket with Spanish Moss accent Perfect for filling in those difficult corners Cash Only Please respond with phone # Then I put the pictures in following my text. Get everything out of the frame that could be distracting. I usually try to photograph things placed in front of my French doors - it makes an attractive backdrop. If nothing else I hang a white sheet behind the item. Take distance and close up - especially of the basket so they can see the texture. Make sure you put a line space between each picture so they don't scroll side to side. Glad to help if you have any questions

We do ask for lists, my DH and I have 5 kids between us. For the most part we do get each one several things on their list. This year we have gone the fewer gift but big ticket item method. We have a budget for each child and really have to stick to it. We are surprising DSD (she's newly married/baby) with a camcorder, we got a great special @ Best Buy for $280.00, flannel sheets, ice bucket and got the baby a few things. Since she is married now we go the couples gift route, don't think she is necessarily happy with that but her budget has to go to 3 now. Last year we got them a gas grill. The other DSD we got a laptop at Best Buy and that will be it and will tell her it's her b-day gift also.. she is not expecting it at all, she asked but we made it very clear it was too expensive. They had $399.00 special on a Toshiba, I hope it works OK. We got another DSD a digital camera and will give her money as she is going to Italy/Cruise on June with her grandmother. My daughter asked for Northface coat, Ugg boots, expensive perfume.. I certainly don't remember asking for the things that these kids ask for. I will get her the winter jacket and have some ideas of my own, I gave the list to her father also and hopefully he will get one thing on the list. And as far as my son goes, it will be some simple kitchen stuff and money. It feels alittle weird to buy just a few items and that's it but it reduces the stress of shopping for 5 children and having the huge pile to wrap etc.