At least with burning not all value is lost. Regarding the OP, if the idea that insects and diseases cannot be avoided without removing or burning all annual crop plants were correct, then the permaculture systems would not really function. Let's take the MBB example: last season I established a large planting of phaseolus vulgaris in a general area (about a half-acre) where previously I had only made small plantings, never removing or burning the old plants from year to year. I don't recall ever seeing an MBB there until this large homogeneous planting, and certainly if they were present the damage was unnoticeable. This big planting was also in freshly-converted sod, sandy soil, without large additions of compost to provide plenty of the microorganisms so critical for legumes. Bang, MBB explosion once the hot weather came and the plants used up the small bank of fertility and hit some drought stress. I understand none of us have any proof that would pass review by crop scientists, and our anecdotal experience varies. Maybe if I had carefully removed every bean plant from the year before this MBB infestation wouldn't have happened, but I certainly don't believe that. Just a very few insects can explode to huge numbers and take out any number of weakened plants by the time cold weather stops them. I will leave the dead bean plants right where they are, on the wire, and plant pisum there in the spring which will not be affected, and later tomatoes. The beans will go some distance away in soil much better inoculated with microbes. Perhaps we should renew this thread next year and compare notes?

i am in MI .. they can be planted ... you did not answer where you are .... regardless of how rare you think these are.. they are near impossible to kill IF properly handled ... it doesnt matter whether you plant them or pot them.. they are fully hardy in z5 ... and the ground freeze or frost line.. nor anything will bother them.. IF properly planted ... potting requires a proper media... something quick would be a cactus mix ... wet it properly.... then pot the up.. and put them on the north side of the house ... DO NOT USE NATIVE DIRT no sun on those pots for all winter .... once the ground freezes.. tip them on the side.. so water doenst accumulate ... wont matter if they are covered with snow .. your only concern would be vermin.. like mice nibbling on them ... who sent them in the wrong season??? .. michigan bulb???? to explain how hardy they are.. i got 6 foot sticks ... bare!!! [no branches] .. in a one gal pot.. in a plastic bag from BIGLOT one spring .... and 10 years later they are 30 feet tall ... if a 6 foot tree can live in a one gal pot.. and live... yours should be near bullet proof.. unless you try to love them to death.. i would also call the seller.. and ask them to make a note that it is a bit late for shipping .. and if they do not bud out in spring.. you will be calling on the warranty .... in MI they are a late budding tree .... so dont get wound up until may or so ... GOOD LUCK!!!!! ken

Of these two options, I like the lighter one too BUT, BUT, BUT and you didn't ask for this, I think long narrow glass tiles might be too trendy for your kitchen. Are you totally opposed to 3x6 matte or crackle tile that so many people are doing (yes, I know, also trendy but they are a better match for a more traditional cabinet style and color.) Or doing something with a unique shape but all one color - maybe grey? As the photoshop renders show, this backsplash will be very, very busy. All this IMHO. I don't want to hurt feelings. Perhaps I am just being too influenced by a designer's color blog that I have be devouring lately. She posted about this exact thing (linked below) and also a great one about the undertones of beige - which are either yellow, pink or green - that is what Marcolo was getting at, not just are the related beiges. http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-everyone-should-know-about-beige.html (I might add, the photo used in this blog post is none other than GW's very own Beekeeperswife's kitchen.) Here is a link that might be useful: Trendy backsplash advice from designer Maria Killam

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