Hairmetal, just send me a envelope to J. Gogola 119 Vail lane Smock, Pa 15480. Put a couple stamps in it, and I'll send you some acorns. Some have the tip of a taproot coming out already. I planted out 2 or 3 acorns already in my yard. My friend's yard will get 3-4 of them. There are 6 (likely more) at least, it should be worth a couple stamps anyway. I am also going to order more Q. Virginiana "late drop" for spring planting. I would just put all faith in the Q. Fusi var. Virg, if not for the slow growth and die -back in winter2012 of my slow-growing Q. Fusiformis. I hope it's not all too confusing. My Quercus Virginiana "late drop" planted in spring 2012, have withstood 2 winters, and have good buds for spring 2014. The Q. Fusi I planted in winter 2011 (I think) have died back in 2 out of 3 winters. I hope that is less convoluted twisted explanation. I still put the most faith in the "late drop" Live oak, it has done the best. If your stamps aren't enough to cover the cost, I don't mind adding a quarter or so.

Nice patio area! Very kick back - my kind of place. Love your trees, too. ~Annie

Hi Karyn and Gill, yes its so sad to see that on t.v. and I can visualize it in my mind where it all is. When I went back in 93' all the same area under water. An un-real sight to see. I haven't been able to reach one of my first cousins, I stay in touch with her e-mail. Am going to try and reach my aunt again today. I have to feel that most are ok..guess the massive tornados accross Kansas, they carry heavy rain, is a path of weather storms there that go accross Missouri and on up to probably Iowa. Yes, too many devistating storms now, Gill you had one too..Yes Karyn we are in drought conditions here, and look at all that water that will not go down, too much saturation. Am going to try again today to reach my aunt..I have a huge family back there, my mom was from a family of 14, most are gone, but I have lots of cousins, few aunts and uncles. Floods make such a mess, everything must be sterilized, top soil is ruined, toxic conditions too. I am going back to St. Joseph next year, is my high shcool renunion, don't tell anyone, my 50th!. Karen B.

Hello. How exciting. This is my third summer in my house, so I can tell you some of what I have learned so far. I think If I were you I would just water, weed and mostly watch the first year to see what comes up. I'm still discovering stuff I didn't realize was there. Right now it's too late to plant much of anything. You could put in some bulbs if you just have to plant. I did that my first fall. You can also still put in pansies, ornamental kale and mums, just to satisfy your "I want flowers right now" compulsion. If I were you I would leave them in pots for now, though, until you see what comes up and until you have a better sense of what you want. Probably the best thing you can do is read this forum and check out some of the others, depending on what you want to grow, what kinds of growing conditions you have (shade, sun, etc.) If you have trees, you could shred your fallen leaves and start a compost pile (check out the soils forum). You could start some lasagna beds (basically sheet composting) so they would be ready for planting in the fall. You could sit down with some graph paper and draw up plans for spring - Order some seed catalogs to see what you like, and then ask the smart, experienced folks in the forum if what you like would work in our climate. Tell us a little more about what you've got to work with, and I know you will get many many suggestions. Also - most important - be patient, and learn from your mistakes - Don't get discouraged by them. There's always next year. And the learning is what makes it fun.