I am in search of a small clump of Pink Pampas grass. I seem to be collecting grasses as I currently have two types of maiden (all green and varigated (white and green)), and white pampas grass. I would love a small clump of the pink to accent the white on my hilly backyard. I recently mail ordered one and it was delivered during the late fall of '07. I got busy and did not plant it right away and it died. Please reply if you are willing to share. For a selected list of items I have to trade, please see my trade page.

I got a Red E Ventricosum banana late this spring. It did well in a pot getting quite large. About July I put it in the ground and did okay for awhile then started growing backwards (declining).. its pretty small right now..it really does dislike the hotter night temps as Eric (a previous poster) mentioned. I have grown both the green and red ones from seed in pots in S. Louisiana and they did quite well. They can get huge when they are happy. I'm going to put mine back in a pot again and see if it improves now that the nights are cooling off and it seems to be perking up a little. I think it takes the humidity better in a pot, based on my experiences. I also think they appreciate a little shade in the hottest part of the day here. I also grew these in AZ with basically no humidity and way above 100F temps during the summer they definitely hated that but survived with some shade and a misting system I had set up for my tropicals. My two Zebrina bananas are doing quite well, currently, in the ground and are beautiful. I've killed (or the winter, I should say, killed) 2 Siam Ruby bananas here but that was before I had my greenhouse techniques refined lol. ~Sjn

It sounds like you have a great approach to gardening! For in-ground plants, considering organic slow-release options can help boost growth when needed. Here are some suggestions: Compost: This is one of the best options for enriching your soil naturally. Compost provides a slow-release source of nutrients, improves soil structure, and enhances moisture retention. Plus, it adds beneficial microorganisms to the soil. You can create your own compost using kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials. For more on how to compost effectively, check out this article: Unlock Garden Gold: The Art of Composting. Organic Mulches: Using organic materials like straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves as mulch can also contribute to nutrient release as they decompose. This not only helps suppress weeds but also enhances soil quality. Manure: Well-aged manure from herbivores (like cows, horses, or rabbits) is another excellent organic option. It’s nutrient-rich and can help with soil aeration. Just be sure to let it age before using it, as fresh manure can burn plants. Fish Emulsion: This liquid fertilizer is a good source of nitrogen and other nutrients, and it releases its nutrients slowly. It’s especially effective for giving a boost to plants that need a little extra help. Bone Meal and Blood Meal: These organic options can provide phosphorus and nitrogen, respectively. They release their nutrients over time and can be mixed into the soil when planting. Since you typically don’t fertilize your in-ground plants, these organic methods can give your garden the extra nutrients it needs during growth spurts without overwhelming the plants. Happy gardening!

My crabapple is at the end of my driveway, next to the garage. The snow gets plowed into a pile there. It worked for years. My crabapple has fireblight and needs to be removed, but I haven't heard that snow is the cause. The chances are good that it will take years for a newly planted crabapple to provide a lot of shade, so you can put it near your planting bed and worry about the shade in 10 years.