What is frustrating about lisanthus? I think lots. First, to start from seed, most vendors seed them in Jan. I have one friend that seeds his for the greenhouse in Nov. The people that seem to have the best luck use bottom heat. Germination rate isn't too bad but it seems to be common to lose 10-25% to too much water or not enough water. They are incredibly picky plants the first 2 or 3 monthes. They hate being root-bound and once they are -- they are almost always doomed. If you buy plugs -- they too have trouble with moisture issues at first and most greenhouses plan on losing 5-10% of the plugs. I planted 1050 plants this year -- I still have one variety that has not bloomed and probably won't. I think they were too root bound when I got them. Most of those are alive but still small. Easily 850 are in bloom now but good drainage and regular moisture is essential. I don't bother with plugs as I may not be able to get them in the ground before they are root-bound. I buy finished plants but I think my success rate is a little better than buying plugs. That being said -- they are the workhorses of my late season bouquets. They make every bouquet look elegant and they will last 2 weeks easily. I'm certain that Maricahi is an annual. I don't have a Ball seed catalog in front of me. I usually grow Echo --its my favorite but I have grown other varieties including the shorter types in the past. They definitely don't self-seed in Iowa. I have never tried to save seed. Maybe someone knows something new about lisanthus. Every book, catalog that I have list them as annuals. Cathy

JerryA, We got a couple inches of snow here in Dallas on April 7, 2007, Easter Sunday. Snowed like crazy. My tomatoes had been in the ground 3 weeks at that point. Even being covered, they took an additional 10-14 days to recover from that and start growing again. I'd rather wait. Last two years have been terrible for growing tomatoes in DFW. Last spring it was a hot wind for weeks that prevented fruit from setting in April. In 2007 it was a tremendous amount of rain. All summer. I can only hope we have some mild weather in late april to set fruit. This year I am plating Celebrity, Super Beef Steak, Big Belgian, Sunmaster, Sweet Million, Burger, Best Boy, Sprite, Jetsetter. I picked each variety based on a full range of possible weather scenarios. Some produce very early, some do very well in the heat, some are season long producers if we end up with a nice mild summer. I'm ready!

Hi Bree It is such an honor that you thought of me in such a positive way, thank you. Like Dave said feel free to send me an email, I always try to answer the best that I can. Being you in zone 8 ( I am in zone 9b) it will require different dates to start seeds. I will start the fall tomatoes early in July to be transplanted in August. I am growing 45 different varieties of tomatoes, some of them are from Trudi ( from wintersown, thank you Trudi) I can make you a sample packet of the varieties that did best for me this season. Send me your address. And I am very sorry about your little girl, but your positive attitude will help you through, my best wishes for her speedy recovery, you have a wonderful family! The best way for anybody to keep healthy is to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, even when I spray I try I to use products that do not harm my family or my pets. About the recipes they are very easy, use fresh herbs that your family likes, garlic, red onion or scallions mix with 6 eggs. I have a cast iron skillet that I use and cook the eggs till they are set, add a thin sliced feta on top and broil it in the oven for a minute or 2. Add roasted tomatoes, when you get your tomatoes going I will give you some recipes for that. :) The tart is another easy recipe. Make your favorite pizza dough, cook it in the oven. Make pesto sauce and add to the cooled tart, add fresh sliced tomatoes. And I really hope that you can get 2 seasons in Texas, another poster (Dragonfly is also trying that). When I moved here about 2 years ago I was told by the experienced gardeners in the area that you can not grow tomatoes here, lol. This morning I gave her a basket of fresh tomatoes. I will save seeds this season having you in mind, don't forget to send me your address. Happy gardening! Silvia

I have poppies (California poppies, are goldish orangey colored) and larkspur, which are both annuals but they reseed fairly reliably each year, especially if you allow all the seeds to mature and fall. They don't bloom till spring - the poppies first, about late March to mid-late May and the larkspur later - around May - June in my yard. I pull them up when they are done reseeding because they get pretty ratty looking in the heat. Poppies get almost full sun, and larkspur about 1/2 day sun. You won't get year long color from these, but they do bloom for a good month or more. I get alot of positive comments on the poppies from the neighbors and runners and dog walkers in my neighborhood. My soil is amended red clay. The larkspur get moderate water, and the poppies bloom best when they get very little water. Of the 2, the poppies are my favorite.