I just sowed the last of my cilantro seeds this past weekend, and they've already sprouted. The first batch was started in April and was fully grown (and eaten!) by mid-May. They grow fast and bolt in the heat, so I decided to do 2 batches with the hot months in-between. I've had success transplanting basil and rosemary from indoor starts. I'm in Zone 5/6, and started my tomato seedlings in mid April for late May transplant, and believe me, they were more than ready! For basil, started 6 weeks before planting out, and 10 weeks for the rosemary. I think I could've done 12 weeks for the rosemary, as it took longer for it to get established. Hope this bit of anecdotal info was useful!

At first glance reading your prior post, I thought for sure you were dealing with the arms dealer from Saudi Arabia. I was close, his name is Adnan Khashoggi...strangely similar.

Congrats, Big Mama, and I offer my hope that you have many healthy years to enjoy it (and prosperous). I hope that you have a number of interests to pursue to keep you busy. As I said a while ago - sometimes we hear, "Use it or lose it", and we know that if we are confined to bed for several days, it's a bit hard to walk when we get on the floor again. It seems to me that muscles, our body and mind and spirit need exercise to keep active and healthy. As a number of our communities have deteriorated somewhat in recent years, I hope that you will use some of your free time to help build a healthier, happier more kindly commuity. And nation, and world - as there are lots of problems there, as well. Good wishes for the days ahead. ole joyful (more or less retired, now at 75 and holding) Actually, old Col. Sanders never retired, did he? But he was doing something that he loved. And - he was his own boss. oj

Cotehele--Just buy & install the deep sink base for apron front sinks along with a drawer front sized to cover the apron front opening. Then you can proceed with using laminate counters and an inexpensive drop in sink, or the apron front sink with the BB counters, the more involved custom laminate, or a metal clad counter...perhaps zinc. Using Ikea or LumberLiquidators BB will be the least expensive option unless you DIY laminate & use material you have on hand. (When I fabricated my first countertop for an undermounted lav, I used 'used' plywood that I had on hand and a plain white formica that I found at rummage for $2. I bought a fresh can of contact cement & a laminate trimming bit for the router.) Also, I'm almost certain that the KD was referring to MDF in the cabinets. Particle board, not MDF is the usual substrate material for factory countertops. PB & MDF are two different products; the terms are not interchangeable. PB is less expensive than MDF--which is why it is generally used for laminate counter substrate. I wouldn't use either in an undermount situ. Exterior grade plywood is a better option though far from perfect. When you are ready to replace the countertop, you'll still have a sizeable hunk of plywood in the form of old countertop that can be used for other purposes. The bottom line on going w/ the laminate countertop is that you are not expecting it to last 100 years. You're wanting a temporary countertop. And, I'll add that I've made three laminate countertops with undermounted lavatories using plywood substrate (back side primed & painted & the seam carefully caulked), the oldest going on close to 10 years, and all are still in perfect condition. Granted that bathroom sinks don't take the abuse that kitchen one's do, but I'm a rotten housekeeper & I've raised two sons in this house. But assuming that you do a full undermount of the sink (no reveal) and are reasonably diligent about wiping up, IMO, a laminate countertop as I've described is going to do the job & do it for probably quite a bit longer than you need it to. ;) Here is a link that might be useful: Zinc sheeting