It came in today and I picked it up. I also picked up a mulching kit while I was there and replaced the stock blades before even mounting it to the tractor. So far, so good. It took me nearly 2 hours to assemble things and get them prepped. Tomorrow is the leveling procedure and the purging of the transmission. But I have to see about picking up a sleeve hitch and some other things in the morning. I will post a pic for everyone soon.

The modern Ilse Krohn Superior is also a no-spray rose in my yard. White, very double blooms and very fragrant. I got this rose from Pickering (I don't have the patience to wait several years till an own root climber start growing really good canes, though the Noisettes are surprisingly fast growing even own root), but if you prefer own roots, it is available own root from Chamblee's and from several other vendors, I guess. So is Lion's rose that is classified as a floribunda but not so in NC. Here is an Austin-like rose from the Meilland's Romantica series, Leonardo da Vinci. It gets big and bushy, octopus-like as some Autins. It never had a spec of disease ever. And the flowers last if cut for the house. Negative: Not fragrant. Here is another Romantike rose, slender, good bloomer, pale yellow with a citrus scent, according to DH "the best smelling rose" in the garden. Well, we disagree, but considering that this rose,Tchaikovsky is in a lot of shade by now, I truly appreciate the amount of blooms and the always pristine foliage. And, I cut his rose his nightstand. In any case this rose never needed spraying. Here is a bloom, hidden behind a Japanese maple: And here is a very bad photo of the bush but shows the very clean foliage: You saw if you wanted to, the photos of two Kordes roses I posted for Audrey (wuwugarden), they also have spotless foliage. So it is possible to have a rose garden today without spraying if you select certain old garden roses or specific modern roses even in this climate. I wish it were true when I started gardening and I wish I knew about this forum right at the beginning.

Jay, You should really look at the glass as half full once in awhile instead of half empty. I'm sorry but I don't think I have ever seen you post anything positive. I believe you may be one of the most negative people on the planet. I have asked you in other threads to show us your stuff, where are your intros? You as well as anyone else that has been around for awhile know that not all of the Southern plants preform well in the North, and that not all of the Northern plants do well in the South. Sadly it will probably ALWAYS be that way since many of us are working for plants that do well up here, and they are working on plants that do well down there. You need to get over that fact, or do something about it. On the subject of names the ICNCP has very specific rules and guidelines that must be followed to avoid confusion. They have been established for many reasons. About photos, I have NEVER seen a Daylily that bloomed 100% consistantly the same every day. Hot and cold, humidity, lack of rain, rain, and even soil can influence how a bloom looks. I have seen VAST differences in my own garden from day to day. Now If I am going to introduce a plant I want a good photo to represent it. I'm not talking about one that has been tampered with but one that really shows off the plant to it's best advantage. Feel free when you do (if ever) introduce anything to use a photo of the worst bloom to represent it. I literally take thousands of photos each year here and in other gardens, and I have to tell you that getting a good true to life photo of some flowers is very diffcult. I took over 60 photos of CATCHER IN THE EYE before I got 2 that represented the plant well. If you really want to critique others plants, please feel free, but please keep your negative attitude to yourself, it is only your opinion and your opioion is not shared by every one here. I mentioned that Steve Moldovan told me that promising seedlings need to be evaluated for 5 years and that some new plants take 2 to 3 years to settle in and really preform your responce was "I want plants that produce right out of the box" or something to that effect. Well don't we all! You display the same I WANT IT NOW attitude of the average 3 year old. If I have to wait 2 to 3 years to see a bloom and it's nice, I can wait 2 to 3 more years here to see how it develops, and space is a real problem for me. I anxiously await your first introduction!

Don't let anything make you feel defeated, you are just starting out and have already made some good choices to help yourself and your family. Every little you save is an accomplishment, it is amazing how much all these little bits add up so don't forget to celebrate even the smallest things - some people keep a record of achievements - finding a great book they wanted for a dollar instead purchasing at full price, getting a 2 for 1 bargain on dishsoap, every savings is a victory. Think outside the box - gee, that's nice sheet but I don't need sheets, but I do need a new cover for the ironing board - use the sheet and make a cover - look at what you might be able to do with "whatever" is what I am trying to say, it's an even greater victory if you use an old sheet you already have. Christmas is coming - gosh I've got gifts to buy - so go small, make some jams, knit some scarves, bake a batch of cookies - remember it isn't the cost, it's the thought. I think loads of people will be rethinking gifts this Christmas. Do celebrate the small stuff and give yourself a pat on the back - you've made the first steps and some people won't even go that far! Budster