okay any of you zone 6'ers that has wintersowed seeds...please go over to the wintersowing forum and add put down how many wintersown containers you have. we seriously cant let zone 5 win Here is a link that might be useful: zone wars on wintersowing forum

Melissa, I was wondering the same thing about the Oriental poppies. Just wanted to post an update. I planted out all of the annual poppies two weeks ago, and they have made it through several nights of freezing temps, LOTS of strong winds, etc. and survived just fine. They are even starting to show some growth. I'm pretty certain now that the problem last year was that it was too warm by the time I planted them out. That high altitude sun can really fry young sprouts! I'll try to get some pictures of my baby poppies to post. Bonnie

Annette.... Growing fig trees is probably one of the easiest, and most delicious things you could do. Decide whether in ground, or containerized. Decide on location. (Full-sun, and heat, is good) Figs grow/develop on new wood, so prune if you must to control growth. Read postings on this forum about when/where to prune, and pinch new growth. The winter will be your problem. If containerized, and heavy...buy a dolly @ Home Depot and roll the plant(s) around. Read postings on winter storage/dormancy. Buying a twig/small, rooted-cuttings is a waste of time. Get a bearing-age tree, and you'll have fruit this year. Check your local garden centers for good trees. Twigs die out if not grown perfectly, and in the long run, you'll get more bang for the buck by starting off with a larger plant. I grow my 6 foot tall, single-stem trees in large storage tubs (with drainage holes), and all branches are grown at the top of the long bare trunks. I roll the trees around on dollies. This saves the back, and I'm hernia free. If you can store the trees (containerized) in an unheated garage or dark, cool, storage shed you'll probably solve your winter problems. Buy a short-season fig variety. If at a bearing age, and growing vigorously, pinch back new growth to 6 leaves on each branch for earlier ripening of main-crop figs. You'll be chowin' down on figs by September, or earlier! Seriously, this forum is the only place to get good, solid, up-to-date, fig-growing information. If you are going to buy figs through the mail, stay away, no...run away! from Ty-Ty, and Willis Orchards. Why?...search this forum. Also, west-coast nurseries are known for selling fig trees with mosaic virus. I learned the hard way. I personally have grown only one short-season variety called "Atreano"...which makes a very large, golden-yellow fig that's really sweet... if, ripened correctly. Do a search for this excellent, smaller-growing fig variety. It's a good start. Deer might not be a problem, but birds could be! Hope this helps you decide what to do. Read everything about growing figs on this forum, then decide how you will want to grow the tree(s)...then, go shopping. It's fun, and you'll be hooked. We were all normal once. : ) : ) BronxFigs

Firefox or no firefox, the ads are the ads are the ads, and they have to download before the threads will appear. I am getting really good at solitare and can get through all the craig's list sites I like along with a couple Sudokus before the GW threads even show up without some "survey" or ad floating in front of the post finally goes away.