Mary, check out the vegetable forum. There is a great thread on growing potatoes in bins. I linked to one below, which is actually a continuation of an original thread. Search for others too, not only the first two in this series, but other threads too - some good info there. I grew potatoes for the first time last year, using a big garbage bag. Did okay, not great, but okay. Will be trying again this year, using the bin method. Good luck! :) Dee Here is a link that might be useful: Bin-again thread

I have grown chard before. I sow the seeds just below the surface about twice as deep as the size of the seed itself. Mine are sprouting in my jugs already, so you will probably have good results too. Good luck!

Thanks - I plan to prepare bed for them this weekend - if it turns cold I can wait until spring but I think we'll be in the 60s-70s for a while yet. These lilies are truly lovely in summer with their pink nodding flowers - 4feet high! The leaves are a good 2 1/2 feet high & I was kind of waiting for things to cool down abit before plunging my hands in to check out their bulbs. I know the bed has been undisturbed since we bought the place in 2001 - but don't know how long in place before that - other than not before 1997 (prev owner gave us pics of house when they bought it). I would love to get more of these - they have lovely brilliant green foliage that tolerates blazing beach sun so well & really makes things feel tropical. We have had freezes to 0 degrees F here & they're come right back in the spring - though the semi-evergreen strappy leaves melted back to the bases rising up from the ground (kind of bad salad greens yuckky). Remarkable plants, just overwhelming the walkway.

I'll make another plug for the Bosch SHV58E13UC or SHV68E13UC (I use the SS version - SHX68E15UC). Both are part of the 800 Plus series. The SHV58 usually sells for under $1200. Sometimes you can buy it for under $1000 after rebate. I have noticed that plastic items in the glass rack tend to stay put - much better than other dishwashers I've used or owned. I'm guessing this is due to the variable spray pressure feature found in the 800 Plus Series. This feature has a lower spray pressure in the upper racks. I personally recommend the SHV58/SHX58 to every customer. If someone doesn't like manual cleaning a filter, then I'll recommend a KitchenAid non-EQ model (the EQ series has a European style filter that needs to be cleaned manually). Also, if you have hardwood flooring, the Bosch, Asko and Miele all have a protective base that will catch most water leaks and shut the internal pump off when the water level gets high enough. The unit will go into a fault setting prompting you to call for service. The KithenAid and most American units are completely open underneath and have no such protection. You can boost the final rinse temp through a programming sequence that helps dry the plastic items better. I love the 3rd rack for silverware and utensils. I like the built-in water softener as it helps with cleaning and preventing mineral build-up. My glasses are always sparkling. It also shines a red LED light on the floor when the cycle is running and shuts off when the cycle is done (InfoLight) And it has about 8 more plate/bowl positions in the lower rack versus the KitchenAid if you remove the silverware basket which I hardly use because of the 3rd rack. Here is a link that might be useful: My company's Bosch SHV58E13UC web-page