Um okay sorry for not clarifying but the parts in FL I would be growing this stuff in would either be Southern FL in these areas..... I've found a map of chill hours for the entire state of Florida. The link for it is provided below. You'll have to copy and paste it into the browser manually; I don't know why, but it doesn't show up as a hyper link that you can just click on and it'll redirect to the site via opening a new page. http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/USDAZones.htm Fort Myers Naples Miami Tampa Saint Petersburg All of those zones listed have garden zones ranging from 9A-10B. The other areas would be in northern Florida and they would be in the panhandle of Florida..... These cities include... Jacksonville Pensacola Tallahassee Panama City Callahan Yulee Middleburg Also I was wondering if in northern Florida, it would be possible to grow traditional varieties of apple trees. By traditional I mean traditional, not the tropical hybrids designed for warmer climates. From what I've heard, their taste is inferior, which to me defeats the purpose of growing them. What I mean by fruit trees is peaches, pears, plums, apples, and plums. Also this is off topic, but since Florida is so well known for Citrus, would it be possible to grow it in the northern areas of FL or would it be too cold? I honestly don't know that's why I'm asking. I'd also like to know if you can grow tropical varieties of fruit such as bananas, pineapple, guava, etc.

Okay..my computer is giving me fits, and won't let me send or reply to email....GGGRrrrr! (which brings up another point, we're losing internet at home on the 5th, and if I don't have a job anymore...I wont' be able to get online...so..if I go MIA, THAT'S what happened....) Anyway...Tracy- I will work on that today. I need to wait until I get to work to put in the computer software stuff, I know the SYSTEM I use, but not the specific programs. :O) ICK! I am out of cream..and I'm having to drink my coffee black!! YIKES!!! Icky icky icky!! I need to skip the cup and just do an IV. 4 hours of off and on sleep are NOT going to work today. Nope.

Thank you for all of the replies. I have more of a problem with the integrity some of the techs than with their competence. Each time they presented me with the bill, the air was blowing cold... The fact that it didn't last tells me they didn't dig deep enough to find the underlying problem- opting instead for a quick fix. This is specifically directed toward the one who added the supplemental start kit to overcome the problem with the faulty exterior fan motor. I agree with the need for some more in depth investigation to determine if there is in fact a leak or if the pressure switch is malfunctioning- or both. I'm hoping the problem can be located and 'patched' until I can afford to do the full replacement using the recommended specs provided. Due to the approaching empty nest syndrome, we're planning on selling and downsizing which may be a good time for the work to be done. While we sometimes experience a few nights in the upper teens, we can live with extra blankets when needed. Thanks again and I'll monitor the replies in the event any other ideas are given for where to look for problems.

Welcome to the club! I've been making beer and wine for probably 20 years now. I started with beer but find wine an easy brew. In years past I've made several grape, rhubarb, apple, and the famous elderberry. I highly recommend those think about giving it a try do so. You can start with a gallon of apple juice which might even come in a glass gallon jug! Get the kind without preservatives. A cork and bubble lock like you see in Gardengrl's are only about $2-3. A cup of corn sugar (dextrose) per gallon will up the alcohol content to a reasonable level. Wine yeast is only a few cents per packet. Buy a simple instuction manual and your bottles won't explode. Forget Grandpa's way... he plowed his fields with a horse. There are better ways now. My favorite thing about homemade wine is that I can leave the sulfates out! Shelf life is reduced and you have to bottle it dry. I like dry wine and appreciate not having a pickled stomach from the sulfates. Not that I don't enjoy a nice claret but it would be nice if France (or Italy or Germany or whoever) could ship it over the ocean without chemicals. When in the mood I sweeten my wine glass by glass with pop or juice... plain water makes an excellent mixer! Great post Gardengrl! Got me thinking about the grapes I see growing out in my field. Five gallons of apple-blueberry being "inspected" by Luna Looski as I was getting ready to bottle and cork it in regular wine bottles. A magical picture because my cats never get on the counter.... Lulu probably Photoshopped herself in the pic? A cheater wine because the apple juice was store bought and the blueberries dry. : ) lyra