Well, the AARS WAS a trade organization, but as reported in the below thread from the RHA, they have disbanded. Here is the quoted email at the link below. Of course they would release the latest winners to capitalize on the "value". Kim "Dear Test Garden Supervisors and Judges: As you are likely aware, today�s difficult economic conditions have created challenges for many American businesses. Unfortunately, All-America Rose Selections is not immune to these realities. As a result, we have been forced to make some very difficult decisions. I am sorry to inform you that at the recent AARS board meeting we have decided to stop our trial program effective immediately and will also cease to exist as an organization." This is a sad day. I have witnessed first hand the progress that has been made in creating roses that were free of black spot fungus at least for the two years some of the roses were in trial. In the Dallas metroplex Blackspot is the number one problem of roses. The AARS test gardens have not used chemicals for the last 5 or 6 years. bill cashin Argyle, Tx Here is a link that might be useful: RHA link

Claire, we're in an outwash plain, so we have layers of sand, clay, and silt. I know we're not supposed to add improvements to the soil when we plant woodies, but if I just mix my soil and put it back into a planting hole, I get a fine grade of concrete. So, my Franklinias are in fairly large mixed borders that have had a fair amount of compost mixed into the native soil, and they're mulched (although I need to check on that soon, it's been awhile). I wouldn't call these areas damp - not by any stretch - and I'm not good at remembering to water. They might be growing a little more slowly than they would in a more well-tended or irrigated garden, but they seem to do pretty well. I did use soaker hoses on the beds for the first couple of years, but no water to speak of after that. I guess I used the hoses partly because earlier attempts to grow Franklinias failed - I bought them all from Forestfarm, in quart pots, so wasn't too invested in survival with my earlier tries.

Wow ten pairs with eggs?! And I feel like I hit the lottery if I get one pair a year! Good job on your part, maybe you can help me to get more pairs to choose one of our nest boxes and have successful fledglings, which has been rather hard because of so many predators that threaten them and have killed newly hatched eggs or this years issue pulling out eggs and pecking them. Anyway, Im going to start a new thread asking for help once again from all the knowledgeable blue birders here like yourself to help me have more success in our nest boxes this year. Thank you for helping so many blues nest in your boxes, I would love to see that many blue birds in one area, accept in the winter when they are all flocked together in search of food. Good for you! Gina

Went out to our build site today, and an alligator was sunning on the bank of the pond. I knew we had one, but I hadn't seen him yet. I'm from northern Michigan, so spanish moss and alligators are quite an adjustment. We have concrete in our trenches now and they're getting ready to set the block on the rebar. I can't wait to see framing go up. MFatt, I celebrate your hole with you! Jujubean, gorgeous setting! I admire all of you doing your own GCing. We have been living on a boat for 4 years, so we're not from this area, don't know the in's and out's and where to go to get stuff - for a variety of reasons I'm really more comfortable going with a builder. I'm really happy with the one we've chosen. But being with a builder means that I've been obsessing over getting all my selections made since June, because he wanted almost everything decided on before he broke ground. With very few exceptions everything is chosen and costed out. We need to buy our appliances before the end of the year in order to take advantage of the promo dishwasher package. So now I'm starting in on choosing and obsessing over the interior choices. Because we sold our house and moved to the boat 4 years ago, and have sailed +/- 8000 nm since then, we got rid of most of what we own. What we did keep is in storage, and all of the upholstery pieces I kept need reupholstering. I'm going from a very northern design sensibility with rich deep colors and patterns to a low country lighter palette. I really look forward to watching everyone go through the process and choose all of your materials and appointments. Autumn4, I'm hoping all goes smoothly and within budget from here on out. good luck