Can I ask why no wood mulch for veggies? :-) To make a long story short, the neighbors called the health department on us last spring because they didn't like all the shredded leaves we use for mulch and to create soil. (The previous owners asphalted the back yard, which the garden boxes are on top of. Other plants are growing on a bed of shredded leaves and soil.) We were required to either remove, or cover with mulch, all of our visible leaves. The inspector wouldn't listen to us trying to explain that we've been making our own soil with the leaves as well as using them as a natural mulch for the past 10+ years and have never once had the "rodent problem" the neighbors were swearing came from our yard rather than a local company's overgrown area the borders our property. Needless to say, this year, we're covering all the "fresh" leaves again rather than risk another "you could be fined if you don't comply" write up. We don't have enough grass to use the clippings as mulch. I've done landscape fabric in the past, but forgot to lay it down this year. Sorry the long-winded post. I was just curious why wood mulch, the only kind I can find locally, isn't recommended. :-)

Dorothy, I have bought from them for about 20 years, I read about their Nitron solution in a farm magazine or Mother Earth News. That was the first product of theirs I used. I dont get up that way often any more, so knowing they have a wed site will help me. Larry

Paula! Hi-jack the thread. I used the excuse of my husbands birthday to make a trip to the brew shop and "just happened" to have the time at lunch to stop by the gardening store. Really, he bought me a brew kit more than a few years ago and I've never used it. Can't seem to come up with good ideas for his birthday, so I decided to follow-up on some of the things he has been requesting. Finding the his old photo's I moved while organizing the house, so now he can't find them (Out of fear of entering my office/junk room Junk=mess) Finally brewing some beer, getting frames for some of his memorabilia, etc. I really have been wanting to try beer making- but gardening comes first! To be an enabler, I bet some spouses would be a lot happier browsing the brew shop than standing in the gardening shop. Any excuse to feed the addiction.LOL. To bad we can't sample the local brew while browsing! Andria

October 18 and 19, 2008 - 6th ANNUAL GARDEN FESTIVAL OF ROSES FALL BLOOM - FALL FESTIVAL - GARDEN PERFECTION Two days of speakers. FREE Saturday - October 18, 2008 10:00 a.m. - Mike Shoup - "New Rose for Texas - Colorful and Fragrant New Introductions" and "Propagating and Breeding" Learn from the Master. 11:15 a.m. - David Will - "Successful Bulb Growing in Texas" Learn about planting and growing the right bulbs for naturalizing perennial color in Texas, it's easier than you think. Learn which bulbs are deer resistant. Take time to shop our great selection of fresh naturalizing and heirloom bulbs while you are here. 1:30 p.m. - Lou Kellogg and Mary Fernandez - volunteer specialists from Texas AgriLife, Bexar County Master Gardeners Program present "Rainwater Harvesting" and "Water for Our Wildlife". Mother Nature's bounty harvesting. Sunday - October 19, 2008 12:30 p.m. - Cooking featuring Summer Herbs 2:30 p.m. - Cooking featuring Winter Herbs Michael T. Webb - The Fresh Cooker - presents two fragrant sessions using fresh ingredients from the local market or your garden. Learn what to do with the herbs you are harvesting now and what to plant for cooking this winter. Come taste how fresh herbs can make a difference. Learn how to grow herbs for your own fresh cooking. Our vendor showcase will be out on the Hacienda lawn along with a farmer's market. Food will be available so you can stay all day. Bring your camera... along with beautiful blooming roses, you will see the butterfly bonanza we are currently experiencing! Fresh shipment of bulbs ready to plant will be available in our sales office. Shop early for the best selection. New garden gift items are arriving daily. Get a jump on holidy shopping for purchase a gift certificate. Now is the best time for planting roses, AND now is a great time to come and smell the roses of your choice since the bushes will be showing their fall bloom color. The Antique Rose Emporium is your best source for organic gardening supplies and native plants. We are roses and so much more! ---------- Antique Rose Emporium 7561 E. Evans Road San Antonio, TX 78266 210-651-4565 Hours: Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To view our blog: http://m1e.net/c?59464590-BThjIfYw9Q9nE%403661254-UbFpGKk/xOn1c To subscribe to the Antique Rose Emporium e-mail updates: http://www.listcast.com/x?oid=31544v Map to the Antique Rose Emporium: http://m1e.net/c?59464590-JIEHAbpynnE.c%403661255-ATRkaLpYEGOWY