PM2 - A ways back you asked about where to get spun bond row cover. Johnny's carries it in two weights, one for summer mainly to keep insects off, though I have used it for fall frost protection stretched over hoops of black plumbing pipe, this year allowing me to harvest peppers and cherry tomatoes until 2 weeks ago. I've never harvested warm weather crops into November, and I've been gardening in this town for 34 years. The other is specifically for winter protection and is a heavier weight. Where you are, with a combination of plastic sheets or bubble wrap and spun bond on hoops over rows, I imagine that you can harvest until the first heavy snow. My redbor kale is still out in the garden totally unprotected, and it's fine even though the temperatures have been down to 20 degrees the last two nights. It is deep purple and ruffled, gorgeous to the point that one of my neighbors stopped to ask what it is. (During the summer it was more blue-purple, and while attractive enough that I plant one in a container of ornamentals each year, didn't stand out as much as now in an empty garden). I mostly eat it as I am out working in the garden - a grab and go salad - since DH isn't fond of cabbage family veggies. I grow kale, broccoli and edible podded peas since I love them, but don't grow many crops just for myself. I have in past years started spinach in the fall for early spring greens, and as with Defrost, it works well. I am warmer in the fall than she is, but I think colder in the spring - I am a slight bit further south but in a river valley so get late spring frosts. The spinach was fine, and under a row cover might start up earlier. When we had raised beds with weeping soaker hoses at a previous house, each bed had its own separate line that we could switch on. It was a while ago, but as I remember, it watered evenly and was easy to use. Thanks to all who contributed to the directions on herbs that work well in salt and proportions. Someone gave me some rosemary salt, and it's been lovely on popcorn, so I've been meaning to look up how to do it. I haven't spent a lot of time on this forum, though I have been growing organic veggies since I was in my teens. The recent posts listing in the sidebar has pulled me over here recently. Thanks to all for such great information!

Have the seed pods turned yellow yet or cracked open? If they are still green, use a twist tie and cut up some nylons and put this around the seed pod. Using the nylon allows them to expand and continue to do what they need. When they crack open they are ready, I suggest leaving them on the stalk until they crack open. You can cut them before frost and store them in a dry spot until they do their thing. Tree Rats have been know to take off with them here, matter of fact I watched a rree rat do so and about a half hour later this same tree rat was doing back flips, running back and forth, up and down the two trees!

I start indoor annuals early and it depends on what they are. -Hot peppers were started a couple weeks ago -Sweet peppers are being started this coming weekend -Tomatoes will be started mid March. Some will say too early but it's been working for me for years. -Annual flowers - now starting things like impatiens, coleus, pentas and a few others that are slow growing for me. I'll keep at sowing other annuals, a few each week, until about mid April or till I run out of vareities I want to start. I'm lucky to have a room dedicated to seed growing, a small harbor frieght greenhouse to put them in come April. I do all my perennials via wintersowing!! Sandy

regular ... CHEAP florescent shop lamps are good enough ... how many and how close is the issue ... key word: light intensity ... 2 words.. lol ... plants started now .. [too early!] .... will not go dormant until next fall ... you need a 2 or 4 light fixture.. fully adjustable from about 6 inches to 3 feet ... lights will be on a timer .. 16 hours on.. 8 off ... one on/off cycle if your timer allows ... did you find the link .. oh crikey.. i will do it for you ... but i have to tell you.. if i have to write a tome for you .. i will probably lose interest ... i enjoy answering specific questions ... etc .. see link .. ken Here is a link that might be useful: yep.. right there.. just right of dead center on the library home page .... your choice on location ..... read up.. narrow down your questions.. please .... and trust me.. your first 'get up' need not be anything as complicated as those shown here ....