Others here will know better than I about the quality of their trees, but there is a seller named Freedom Tree Farms whose main location is in Pelham TN. They claim to be the largest nursery east of MS River and they supply Lowes, Home Depot, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. You can google them to find their online site, though I know for certain that they have a much, much wider variety than what is listed on their web site. Their trees are all potted and about 5-6 foot tall- you can decide for yourself if that is better or worse than small bare-root trees that many here prefer. But here is the best part for you: They operate a satellite retail business which carries a pretty full selection of fruit trees and berry plants (more than shown on their web site) at the Nashville Farmers market every single weekend. Their trees are $15 and berries are $12 and both are large and healthy looking potted plants. So you now have an opportunity to buy almost any kind of fruit tree or berry right there in Nashville, hope that helps. Daves Garden rates them great, but only has 2 reviews so you have to take it with a grain of salt. I've bought trees from them and been very pleased, but I'm new to fruit trees and lack experience needed to be a good judge. Good luck. Nashville farmers market is near downtown Nashville at 900 Rosa Parks Blvd.

I think my question is pretty clear: You have offered your place for sale to some potential farmer. You have not named a price, said how many acres, soil type, water resources, etc. You have said a rental income of 32k justifies buying your place and trying to make a living farming it. There is no way to know that without knowing at least the answers to the questions above. In most parts of the eastern US the market value of land makes trying to "make a living" by selling farm produce is an impossibility. It's all fine if one bought the place years ago when it was much less valuable in relative terms, and/or paid off the mortgage if there was one by doing some occupation much more remunerative than farming, or most workable of all, inherited the land. Buying land these days, most places, to live by farming is not feasible. The result will be a big loss of time/labor and any money invested.

I've been transient for over three years, having lived in many different locations. I take my worm bin whever I go. It's been outside under a tree, on two different balconies, in a closet, in a hallway, and outside my trailer. I've never replaced my worms since the first batch I bought nearly 4 years ago. I've left them for long periods of time, (like a month). They need very very little care. Just make sure they don't fry in the sun or run out of food in warm weather when they're extra active. make sure there's plenty of bedding (I use newspaper sometimes I don't even shred it.) It's always best to shred food and newspaper, but often I won't shred either, and the worms are just fine. There are always avocado shells in my bin, too, as they break down very slowly. I think the worms like having these in there, but I don't know for sure. And, no, don't let them go, they will most likely die in a "wild situation" although I can often find them underneath my potted plants after having escaped from the bin. if you do go away for a while, just put in a lot of food (not a ridiculous amount) and bedding (I think newspaper works the best) and they'll be happy as can be while your'e gone. hope this helps!

Hi rickd, There are no photos of my worm factory (brand name "Reln Worm Factory") posted here, but they are in the album on photobucket: and more. I am primarily composting my kitchen waste and all junk mail and cardboard in the totes and WF. You are right, it is going to be way overkill if I let the totes fully develop, but here is the plan: (1) Start at least 10 totes to have plently of breeding stock (and room for oops') (2) Once running well and stocked with at least 2000 each (s/be in about 6-8 months and half full), give them away to other people who are interested in Vermicomposting. I fugure about 2000 well settled adults (plus cocoons and young) is enough to take care of most of an average household's kitchen scraps. (3) Maybe accept like a $20 donation, which will allow me to setup the next 2 totes, and so-on. (4) Perfect the bin (simplicity for the newbie, holes or no holes, that is the question....) (5) Feel good about doing something for the environment and reducing landfill. I'd never really thought about what I'm going to do with the castings. I haven't seen one dot of castings from my WF since it started, and of course the totes are new, and mostly won't be harvested (by me anyway). I suppose you've hit the nail on the head. I am breeding worms at this point rather than focusing on composting. The composting will just happen as a result of the other I think. If I end up with 10 totes at various stages of developement, I'll have around 20,000 adults just in the totes. Wow, that's a nice thought. I am not in this for financial reward at all. If I can cover costs, and share the worm message to as many people as possible, I'll be happy, VERY happy! More to come.....stay tuned and thanks.