Nanaboo Being in Baton Rouge, you are more likely to have hummers during very early spring when migration starts (end of Feb. early March) until early May and then again once fall migration gets underway. You may also be able to attract winter hummers by keeping a feeder or two up during the winter. Our members on my other forum from the NO/Metarie area have their hummer hayday during the fall and winter and plan their gardens for bloomers during that time of the year. Feel free to contact me for more info. Penny

I had to smile about the phase "evil twins". I had no issues with Great Expectations. I have 2 (rescued from the nursery at the end of season as babies) and they have grown well for the last 3 years, every year the eye count increases and the texture and leaf shape and color are absolutely the best (in my opinion). RS on the other hand seems to be less reliable for me. I actually lost one 2 years ago so I got more last year. I will wait for a few more days. All of my hostas have pipped out except 2 on the north side of house (El Nino and First Frost). I am hopeful at least one of the RS will survive. Babka, I will check for other damages if I can locate the roots. Thanks for the info. Vivian

A few thoughts: 1) That's my point foster, a sloped sill door still has pockets that can fill with water and debris. Granted, there are fewer, but there are still these pockets nonetheless. This is not the case on double hung windows for instance, which is why doors and windows are viewed differently. 2) I disagree on the mechanically fastened point. Just as those joints could open up over time and seals deteriorate on a sash panel or window, they can on a door frame as well. This is an inherent issue with vinyl as a material, and is why welded joints were introduced in the first place. A pocket sill on a door is NOT cheaper either. On a window, manufacturers save money by using the same extrusion lineals for all four sides. Perhaps some of the lower end models accomplish this one doors with snap in pieces, but the better models will still have an entirely separate extrusion for the sill. This eliminates any potential cost savings. 3) On performance vs operation, I'd agree with you in large part. A pocket sill will generally provide a better seal, while a sloped sill can operate a little more smoothly due to less friction, as there are fewer surfaces weatherstripped and sealing. Personally, I explain that there are pros and cons to each for my clients, although as I have stated above, neither offers a "night and day" difference over the other. 4) Softlite does not make a fully welded frame. The head and side jambs are, but the sill is not.

I've got some 'Aurora' coming! Quite excited about this whole honeyberry/haskap thing, I must say. Somewhat surprisingly, to me anyway, Haskapcentral proposes 'Aurora' as a good pollenizer for any of its 'Gem' series. I say surprising only in the sense that, for a variety with as good fruit quality as 'Aurora' is said to have, one might think the relationship would be the other way around. As a practical matter, it doesn't matter. All plants will be picked as appropriate so it's not as though the 'Auroras' would be wasted. In fact, I went with a 2 to 1 ration of 'Indigo Gem' to 'Aurora' for this initial planting but I may well reverse that ratio next year or whenever I get more. Also def. going to make a run for bare-root starters next time around. Ordered too late-they were sold out of BR-so had to go with the rather spendy little starter plugs. That's OK as this is just my initial planting, and the overall cost is not major. But should I make the plunge and go bigger next year, will def. be doing that. In fact, when my starters come, which looks to be early next week, I'm going to pot them up at home and grow them on for the summer. If they've bulked up enough by fall, into their permanent homes they will then go. That gives me all summer to prepare their place up at the tree ranch. +oM