I'm really glad I checked in here this evening... I live less than a mile from a 23 acre piece of property, that was a horse arena/lounge/restaurant/stables.... it's for sale and it's vacant. by the light of the full moon tonight, I could see clearly just how much there is, of long time composted horse poop, in the cement open bins...soooo much out there. I hadn't even paid any attention to it before but recently I've been craving compost for the yard. I do believe I found my source and don't know if I want to bother to call the realty company for permission. I don't want them to say to stay out of there. maybe I could just go ahead and fill buckets and haul some home, each evening. taking care of grandkids, I always drive right by it.. what started as a surprise that it was for sale in the first place..eventually led to this latest discovery of "black gold"..of course a lot of it is sawdust, from the arena itself. that should be even better, shouldn't it?? I know it's been a couple of years now, since anyone has been in there.

Thanks, Rosajoe, I'd love to have a name for our Camellia. There are still a lot of buds on the shrub/tree that have not opened. Also, thanks to you, I went out and uncovered some leaves around my lantana plants and was happy to see a lot of tiny, new growth. I'm afraid that we've lost a lot of our plants too. Vicki, I hope you can post a picture soon of your Daphne Odora. I'm not familiar with those. Girlgroupgirl, is it normal for the daffodils to bloom at different times? I was hoping to have a big patch of yellow. This is the second year in the ground for our daffs and I'm hoping for more blooms than last year. Anyway, their little yellow faces (here and there) were a welcomed sign of spring. My phlox hasn't bloomed at all. Bagsmom, I'm with you, can't wait to get out and get dirty. I've been trying my hands at starting some seeds inside for the first time. So far, that's not working for me. Cyrus_gardner, I've been out for the past few days and it was wonderful! Bok choys...love it...have you grown that before? Too bad the nice weather left us. I hear thunder in the distance. Thanks for all of the comments, everyone. It's nice to get excited about what's blooming in your Georgia neighbors' yards as well. Bon

Alexa, Thanks for posting. I need to make plans to attend next year. The hostas exhibited at First Look always seem so new and different. FL has a great website too. IÂm very interested in what you learned about growing hostas in containers. Here in the flatlands, Chicago Zone 5, IÂve been growing some hostas in 10 to 15 gallon containers for the last four years. It gives the garden some varying heights and showcases some specimens. I am not sure if IÂve just been lucky or if my winter regimens are needed so it would be good to hear what you learned from experts with more experience. I use a loose soilless planting mix and tilt the planters on a 45 degree angle for the winter, mulching heavily with leaves to keep winter sun from the planters. Good snow cover seems to help too, but lasting snow is not reliable in Chicago. Perhaps you could start a new thread and others can chime in with what works for them. I seem to recall that Janice (Hey_J) grew hostas for years in whiskey barrels but had one year with many losses. Mark

Iris gal, in my experience Memorial Day lasts pretty well in a vase, I would say longer than an average Hybrid Tea. Next time I cut a bloom I have to count the days... Jean, I am glad you share my love for Memorial Day! Masha, to me too the coloration of my first bloom of Heritage looked very different from what I was used to see from this rose. But I liked the look quite a bit. I find it makes the Austin roses really interesting that you never know what's in store ;-)! Ingrid, glad that you like my roses and my pictures of them. I am always fascinated how different rose flowers can be, each having its own beauty. Here is a pic of the first bloom of Memorial Day this year, taken after I cut it for indoors because of heavy rain in the forecast: Second Memorial Day flower as it looked today in the morning! By carrying the container around I can change the background easily ;-): Can't wait for the next bloom! Christina