As a commercial grower, I buy seed in such quantity, and with specific varieties in mind, that mail-order is really the best option. I do, on occasion, make the rare impulse buy if I happen to see something that tempts me in a seed packet at a retail outlet, but it is rare that I'm actually looking for more things to plant. I spend a substantial amount of time on garden planning every year, easily over 100 hours, so that I can take advantage of the discounts to be found by purchasing in volume, not to mention shipping charges. The process of planning a commercial, widely diversified and intensive growing operation is not unlike playing a 3-dimensional game of chess, one must carefully consider time, space, climate, and stamina, as well as all the normal duties of running a business. For non-horticultural reasons, I'm disinclined to buy seed from large retail outlets as well, but I am glad to hear that Walmart is now carrying organic seeds, and that there is nationally a growing interest in home vegetable production, supported by those same retail outlets.

Brassica does not grow well in summer in the deep south, that's a fact. Cabbage, collard, kale, broc and sprouts are all high-latitude cool weather adapted. They do well in the cooler seasons in the southern states, not summer. Some cauliflower and broc strains are adapted to the mediterranean type climates, but that is a long way from the near sea-level tropics. This odd request pops up perennially on these boards. It's an odd and rather presumptuous idea, that people in the tropics don't know anything about growing adapted vegetables to their climate. Doesn't it seem likely that at least some gardeners in any tropical region are experts in the matter?

This statement was kind of funny, if you are sure it's a hybrid then it is a gamble what you'll get: "Its a neat hybrid, hope the seeds come true" I have had adventures, though, in letting pumpkins and squash grow together and then planting the seed. I had the coolest green and orange striped pumpkins one year. I save heirloom tomatoes plus beans, lettuce, cilantro, parsley, pumpkins, squash, parsley, onions, even garlic 'seed.' One set of pumpkins, after the third year the seeds were sterile I remember. I saved eggplant seeds this year from an enormous eggplant. I grow vegies from seed not just by saving them, but by being a lazy gardener. I had a good broccoli crop this year by letting last year's go to seed. I moved some small plants to a suitable spot and they have done well. I also find that the lettuce that 'grows itself' from seed usually does better than what I grow, because it starts at the optimally correct time I suppose. I tend to save bean seed mainly because there are some beans I miss when picking, and next thing you know you have some seeds. Radishes I let go to seed because that is supposed to repel bugs, but I find that the radishes from seed aren't very good. Probably hybrid parents I am guessing. Oh, and I mentioned on gardenweb that I saved tomatillo seeds from tomatillos I bought at the store, and grew them. Some Canadians wrote to me and asked if they could buy seeds from me. I sold them some, but it was funny because anyone can just buy a tomatillo and save the seeds themselves. Marcia

Wow -- is there still time for me to join in? I'm kind of a newbie but from your lists I see lots that I can send to fill wishes- so here goes. Any heuchera Coleus (black dragon or others) Columbine - single colored varieties- bright colors or an all white variety is better! Lobelias -- or other trailers for pots Black, rust or peach colored flowers for my peach garden Echinachea- other than white swan or the plain purple variety(Peach would be great) Daisies - have clara curtis, giant white, and white shasta-- my three little girls just love to cut and cut all season long and far be it from me to discourage future gardeners! Coreopsis of any variety I don't have (coreopsis I have include: pink, zagreb, seashell, mahogohny midget, moonbeam) Lavendar - Spanish Pink Forget me nots Black Eyed Susan Vine - all colors Gladiola Seeds Monarda Flowering Groundcovers -- nothing invasive like vinca or ajuga I would prefer not to get-- Daturas, Moonflowers, Four O'clocks -except for the variegated kind -would love those, Cactus, Succulents or shade lovers --other than what was listed above-- I have very little shade. Also not interested in herbs and have all my veggie seeds for next year allready.