I grow edibles and the choices in southern MI are slim to none. I have bought a couple fruit trees from Grandpa's Nursery Online, which is in MI. The cultivars I want are not offered as much, if at all at local nurseries, and when they do they are huge trees. I want small trees I can train and shape myself. Plus the prices are way too much. So most of the fruit trees in my yard are from CA. Most of the plants edible or otherwise were purchased in different states. Part of it is me. I know we are in a trend to grow local plants, but the choices suck. And unlike what they are spewing many plants not native are adaptable to this climate. Such as tart cherry trees from Canada, mostly the Romance series. Or peach, plum trees from CA breeders. Our bees are very familiar with peach, plum, pear. apple, etc. If you choose the online route choices are unlimited. Often small, but still the variety is too large to concern myself about size. I can wait. In the last 10 years I bought two trees from local nurseries, and both have since been pulled out due to various problems. So I have zero nurseries on my list that I would consider good, and are local. The trees from CA are doing great! I also grow brambles, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, various vegetables, and various flowers too. Both annual (usually from seed) and perennial. All purchased from online nurseries out of state. I like having a choice of 40 different daffodils. I just put in a variety yesterday. I have another coming. You won't find that many from anything local. One local nursery that is OK for bulbs, and seeds, but little else is Michigan Bulb. Mail order only I believe? Trees, and bushes they sell are small, and usualy hard to establish that small. So i only use them for flowers. This post was edited by Drew51 on Tue, Oct 1, 13 at 9:14

I've placed an order with them from reading this article. I ordered oxblood lilies, red spider lily, and some jonquils. I'm all for supporting Texas companies. Too many of them are way north, and their stuff struggles to survive down here in Texas.

As per usual you have great suggestions from the local talent, floral, toys, bathroom items, etc, the two others I might suggest is shoes or laundry? I have a basket by the back entry for tossing in shoes when we come in the house, its actually used for the shoes we wear out to the back yard, or take walks in, gardening shoes etc, and the grandchildren use it when they come in and out. Its in lieu of one of those boot trays which is also handy but holds less. It would make a lovely laundry basket, you could use it for gathering laundry, looks like it would hold a whole load of clothes and towels, and then delivering it, and its pretty enough to leave out in the laundry room rather than a plastic basket although not as stable since it rocks, the handle would make it easy to carry.

I'll just throw 2 teeny things into the mix: Have you looked at Pietra Grigio (or Pietra Cardosa)? Do a search here--I had a thread about it a while ago. I have a friend who has both the Grigio and Soapstone in her kitchen. They look identical to me. She prefers the Grigio as it is more durable (less scratching) though it does require a sealer (more porous). Re: leathered soapstone. I don't know if this is true for leathered granite...but I'm not a fan of the leathered soapstone once it is oiled. Maybe the problem is only with *freshly* oiled leathered soapstone. I don't want to say anything too icky sounding, but when I've seen pictures of freshly oiled leathered soapstone, the slight sheen on the bumps reminds me of a skin rash! It kinda gives me the heeby jeebies. Since granite isn't oiled, maybe this woudn't be a problem with a leathered granite. But if you've ever seen a slightly shiny case of poison ivy, or fifth disease...well, that's what freshly oiled leathered soapstone reminds me of. Maybe that look goes away after the oil evaporates a little. Also, I'm not sure about the maintenence with the ss. What if you get, say, bread dough dried in those little pits/indentations. If you scrub them out too hard, you will scratch the ss. Can leathered ss be repaired by the homeowner the way that smooth ss can? Okey dokey: I hope that didn't gross anyone out with the dermatological remarks! :-) Btw: I'm getting soapstone in my kitchen. Not leathered! Francy