Another Coloradoan checking in here...born in Denver, dropped out of Kindergarten to move to OKC (lol)...lived here (except for 17 yrs in Dallas)...back to stay, most likely. I check out my old house in Denver occasionally...thank you Google Earth!! I have so many memories of that place that include plants: the big lilac by the corner of the house; my dad's iris beds in the side yard; the two crabapple trees in the front; the bed of daisies (where I found out I was allergic to them...my skin sort of peeled off my fingers when I messed with them!); the cherry tree we had, etc., etc...AND I remember ants on the sidewalk, worms in my pocket....the usual "in touch with the earth" stuff!! Sharon

"I'm sure owiebrain and Soonergrandmom will be along shortly to firm things up." 'Firming things up' doesn't appear to be the problem, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Keeping it from visiting the neighbors may be a constant problem unless you can find it in your heart to share. I assume it is not the size of the vine that concerns you as much as the size of the 'fruit of the vine', but please be aware that the vine will be a huge monster. I planted mine late but it has reached the top of an 8 foot trellis and has it's first immature squash. I would say that 18-20 inches is a good length, (no yardstick Lisa, just eye-ball it) and you shouldn't experience any 'woodiness' with that size. At that point the neck will be one to one and a half inches thick. I did make squash pickles with mine once after I had cooked squash in every way I could think of that year. Anything larger than that and the seeds will become large and tough, but the neck will probably still be usable. If you recall, when seedmama grew this the first time, she was expecting it to be, in her words, "diminutive", so if it grew to "woody" (her words again), then possibly she needs to take it in a little sooner. There seem to be over-achievers in every field. I love this squash and plant it every year, but I would never consider using it as a winter squash, although I have seen one at Baker Creek that was huge, darker colored, firmer, and probably 'woody'. Seedmama, it is odd that you didn't have a desire to name this lovely squash after yourself, but choosing seedpapa for this honor must make him very proud. And....I'm not sure that any of us will be ready for what owiebrain will have to say. After all, she is a younger woman.....and hot. I just saw where it is 106 there today. Expect the best from owiebrain, but prepare for the worst, just in case. LOL

Larry, I bet they all grow and you'll be trying to figure out what to do with 600 onions. Paula, Ten bunches? Trying to set a record, huh? : ) I am only planting 7 bunches. My onions arrived either Monday or Tuesday but since the ground is so wet from this week's rain, I haven't planted them yet. Sunday is supposed to be a pretty nice day, so I hope to plant them on Sunday afternoon if not before. With clay soil, it pays to wait a few days for it to dry out some. It was drizzling when I woke up. I don't know why it always has to rain the week that the onions are due to be planted, but it does. Dawn

It's Official! Our order has been placed. It will ship on 2/21 by UPS, scheduled to arrive at my place on Thursday, 2/24. I will be meeting the OKC people on Friday after work (details to follow) and pmac will be meeting the Norman/Moore people on Saturday. Carol will be sharing the details of her Tulsa trip soon. We got a better-than-anticipated price on the leeks, so you'll see that reflected in your total. Thank you for having personal checks postmarked by February 5. Here are the final totals: Norman: avidchamp, 2 onions, 2 leeks, $14.00 biradarcm, 12 onions, 1/2 leek, $33.00 momfryhover, 3 onions, 1 leek, $12.00 P-mac, 8 bunches, $20 Mail: Dodemeister, 2 bunches, $5.00 plus $5.20 shipping Justsaymo, 3 bunches, $7.50 plus $5.20 shipping Leava, 10 onions, $25 plus $10.95 shipping Okiedawn, 6 onions, 1 leek, $19.50 plus $10.95 shipping Tulsa: Danni girl, 4 onions, one leek, $13 Msspriggs, 6 onions, 2 leeks, $24.00 OkiePokie, 2 onions, $5 Soonergrandmom, 4 onions, 1 leek, $14.50 Oklahoma City: Aikimikey, 5 bunches, $12.50 Carsonsmimi, 3 onions, 1/2 leek,$10.50 Chefgumby, 2 onions, 1/2 leek, $8 Daleok, 2 onion, 1 leek, $9.50 Jcheckers, 6 bunches, $15 Mrsb73122, 2 bunches, $5 Okfella, 6 bunches, $15 Yippee! Seedmama