You can make your own, using vermiculite or perlite and peat moss. Peat moss can be bought in large quantities (i buy it by the bale), then broken down to the finest grade by running it (dry) through a blender. I mix 2 parts peat to 1 part vermiculite or perlite, with a sprinkle of lime as a pH buffer. This mix is as fine as any you can buy, and so much cheaper.

Micki - your excitement is so contagious! Makes me feel like a first time WSer all over again! I bet you folks WS sunflowers too. And ANNUALS, those too right? Yes, on both counts. I don't normally grow sunflowers, but lots of folks do. Annuals? For the more tender annuals, you'll want to wait until very late winter - early spring for those. Others can be sown earlier. Don't know what a SASBE is yet but think it has something to do with what seeds I'd like to have. Hehe - yup, it's got something to do with the seeds you want. SASBE = Self-addressed, Stamped, Bubble Envelope. You put postage in the envelope, and a mailing lebel with your address, then send it off to the member who is offering the free seeds. Then you haunt the mailbox till the enveolpe comes back with it's precious cargo. PV whatever your first tomato is there it looks meaty, juicy and delicous, That first tomato is "German Striped". Good tasting. how do I find members names, Duane is going to send me seeds but I have to research how I see his seed trade page. next to the name on each person's post is a link that says "My Page" - click that and it will take you to the particular member's page - trade lists, email addresses , etc. Welcome to winter sowing! Glad to see you are enjoying yourself so! PV

They still sell basil plants in stores, Buy several, and allow them to mature a month outdoors, as by then you can get a larger amount of basil leaves. If you are wanting these today or tomorrow, sorry..

Thanks for all the very informative replies. I truly appreciate the spreading of knowledge. This is a great forum for newbies to roses. Another lesson learned this weekend. I had no clue the "Kordes" brand of roses are hot commodities on the shelves of Lowe's. I hesitated a bit given I was in Atlanta and worried about the longevity (or the lack thereof) of roses purchased in Atlanta but planted in FL. Today, not a sign of a single Kordes rose. Gone, vanished, not to be seen or found in the garden center. Had I known better, I would have bought both Dark Desire and Summer Romance when I seen it back on Thursday. The staff at the stores couldn't say when or if they'd get more in stock. No worries. I guess it wasn't meant to be for Kordes roses this time. But I did find another gem...Belinda's Dream. Cell phone research showed a lot of positives and not much for negatives. It's a teeny little thing stuck in a 2 gallon container, very healthy with plenty of new growth on the way. Something about the plant caught my eye, likely the lush green foliage with so little blackspot present. And to be honest, the reviews on the plant convinced me to take this bushy little thing with me. Valrose...can you tell me more about the amended soil you wrote about and tell me more about the Dames de Couer rose? I looked up each rose you mentioned and became star struck this this one. Is it prone to black spot or susceptible to other disease? Does it do well in the FL summer heat? This rose on first appearance seems awesome, or at least it does to my eyes. A quick search reveals this rose was released in 1958 and faded away from popularity and production except for a few rose growers. Where did you buy yours? Antique Rose Emporium? Ken...a personal thanks for your wonderful help. Thank you. All the rose plants were bare root (body bag specials from Sam's). The hole dug was no where near as large as the one in your directions but then again I had no clue what I was doing either. I'll follow your direction to plant Belinda's Dream. barbarag_happy...Savannah looks impressive. I have one yellow rose...Golden Masterpiece. I'm not so impressed with the duration of the yellow...a few days and then it fades. And no scent. But my rose plant was placed into the ground only 6 months ago. I'll definitely consider Savannah for the front yard redo.