John: I have to ask this question: Did you apply any kind of insect protection on your trees when you first noticed the caterpillars? Situations like this usually do not develop overnight. Almost any of the commonly used insectides like Sevin, Malathion, Permethrin (there are many more), would be able to handle a caterpillar outbreak. If you did spray, what did you use? If you are of the organic persuasion, even the organically acceptable treatment Bt should work, since it is specifically intended for caterpillars. It you are a convinced organic grower, I am not trying to convert you, but you will have to do something to protect your trees, organic or not. I have, however, tried Surround, and it is definitely not for me. I favor early use of chemicals, beginning at bud break, but rarely find it necessary to spray after mid-June. By that time, my thinned apples are safely in their Ziploc bags, and stone fruits are past the insect danger point. Austransplant: I also have a very nice crop of figs forming on a tree in a protected location that wintered over with 8-foot branches. This is the very first time I have seen figs set a Breba crop in April after over 20 years of trying. I guess they like snow, and, as you suggest, a consistently cold but not below-zero winter. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Sam and friends, Sam-me, Aggie-other half, Pooh Bear-a 104 lb Bouvier, Fifi- something that weighs 7lbs only has 6 teeth and cant see, Radar- our cat who drifted up 5 yrs ago and the other half adopted. Oh the pepper question I used jungle growth from Lowes, it has quite a lot of fine pine bark in it. However next year I will make my own. I dont know where you are at but if your in south Fl you know we got 2 days of solid rain followed by a cold front. Ive got a feeling your right about the peppers. Merry Christmas to you too Denise, Sam

Hi everyone! Don't know what happened to my last version of this posting. I had it all written turned around and it was gone :(. Well my brugs are here at home. The very sweet woman who gave this to me and her equally nice husband who dug up and put into my truck each one of these trees made me feel warm and welcomed. Kristi, the woman who gave this to me even brought out toys for my kids so they wouldn't get bored. Not hand me downs - which are prefectly good in my book too - but new, in the box toys she keeps around for just this kind of event. When greeting with this kind of generosity, a simple thanks does not seem enough but she didn't want anything in return. What I brought home were trees taller than me, taller than the inside of my greenhouse. Well they've been well trimmed now and I have cuttings ready to go. Here's what I have to share: Rosamond Versi Peach - limited amount Mayan Magic Maya Arlene's pink Beauty Golden Lady - nice double - but be warned it has a virus. The virus does not spread easily but you have to clean your pruners before you go near another brug. It's lived side by side with the other brugs with no ill effects and grows nicely anyways. I just want you to be warned. Unnamed seedlings of her own crosses. I didn't get butterfly or the big Creamsickle :(. Someone else beat me to it. I can't really complain too loud because the person who got it was a friend who has given me sooooo many plants. Jaye - what kind of truck did you get? DH loves trucks. We've had quite a few. For anyone who wants one post it here or email me with which ones you want. Canna - sorry to hear about your kitty! I had that happen to one once. She survived fine but what a fright! I shudder to think of the pain. MaryS - Can I move in with you??????? That lake looks so peaceful. MaryB - Thanks! Dawn - Did you get my email? Please tell me that you've forgiven my rash comment :( Will more brug cuttings help?????? Hmmm just what I needed - Another plant to collect! Anyone ever had bursitis - just got it in the shoulder. I feel like an invalid. What did you do to help it. My mom said she heard something about Vitamin B. Does this sound familiar? Ellen

Here's another link for you to follow.. It's a fun well written blog using TJ's ingredients. Here is a link that might be useful: Cooking with Trader Joes