Hi Michael I ordered from Ronnigers and they have very good customer service. Especially for us that we want potatoes at a certain time. It is a good idea about ordering together. I will include your Russian fingerlings too. They are all good. I don't remember if you saw the light half whisky barrel buckets that they were in. I also had some in 7 gallon pots. I had Bill lifting them, so he would know how light they were. This was important for me that I had to move them when the freeze came, to the porch. Only 2 nights I moved them and I covered them with a blanket a couple of times during the season. They were planted November 12, next season we can do earlier. I put about 6 inches of Miracle grow mixed with pine bark fines. And as they were growing i added straw. Once a week they had water from the sprinkles. That was all. Michael(the ultimate gourmet), we must grow them again!!!

Hello Marshall, Brandan and others, Thanks for your interest in Whole Systems Ag and I am glad you enjoyed Dr B's paper. I think it's one of the best I've seen on oaks. Yes, I've visited the Santa Barbara museum many times when my family was living in Thousand Oaks. The botanic garden was a particularly nice attraction because, at the time, I was doing a lot of work with native plants. I checked out the PGI and that looks like a kind of Jungian place. I had a big interest in that stripe of psychology at that time too. At present, my work on the farm and with the tasks in front of my nose keep me from the more academic pursuits I once enjoyed. The garden at Pacifica sounds like a wonderful endeavor. Indeed, I'd be delighted if you should come for a visit. I seldom leave the farm so one time is about as good as another. It's easy to find just 6 miles or so north of the San Joaquin River on Highway 41 toward Yosemite. Send me a personal email at daddyoat@netptc.net and I'll return detailed directions.

Received my great box from Rose today and what fun to open. She included a 4 o'clock tuber which is great because I couldn't grow any successfully last year so this will give me a head start. The cutest little painted gourd ornament that is hanging on our tree as I type this, nothing but that is on that tree because I am so far behind but it looks great. I love the ornaments I hang on the tree each year from my gardenweb friends. A decorative spray can for misting my plants, (much needed), seeds, hot cocoa mix, (again much needed as our temps have dropped), all fruit spread that will be out on the table tomorrow morning at breakfast and a huge jar of honey that I can't wait to start using. Thank you so much for all the great things packed in my box Rose. It is all much appreciated. I hope everyone is off to a great weekend. I spent an hour last night standing in the freezing cold after the maintenance guy hit a gas line while trying to dig next to our building to fix where we had water leak every time it rained. The store quickly filled up so we had to leave and it took almost an hour to get the company out to shut off the gas. The guy that hit the line thought it was no big deal and told other businesses that they didn't need to worry. The gas company was not happy with him. Since he was the one who caused the problem, he or his boss will be responsible. He made a real mess that escalated into big problems so this will cost someone thousands of dollar. Thus, the reason the gas company says "call before you dig". Smitties

My 34 yr old stepdaughter has moved in & out of our home 6 times in the last 10 years. Besides being on drugs & supposedly being "clean" now, she has 2 children (never been married). She doesn't get along with her mom & ends up on our doorstep whenever she gets caught breaking house rules. My husband & BC (stepdaughter) are both co-dependent. Husband & I have never fought about anything but this stepdaughter. She doesn't want to work, can't keep a job, goes out at night (dragging her 5 yr old with her) & parties with her "rehab" friends & comes home drunk OR doesn't come home for several days. Sooo disrespectful! She finally became eligible for Medicaid & thinks if she gets a job she'll lose her medical benefits. Her medical benefits include ongoing Rx's for Suboxone which she sells for spending money. I confronted her on this & she reluctantly admitted it - shocked that I knew about it. There's no reasoning with her. I've spoken with an Addiction Counselor about this & he says you can't reason with an addict. Husband & I have had several sit down discussions with her & her eyes just glaze over. Husband can't confront her because he's afraid he lose contact with the grandchildren. Husband has also tried to put me on a guilt trip about this - he has always succeeded each time. My 2 children (I raised as a single parent) are independent & have decent jobs - which makes this so inexcusable to me. One thing that helped was to approach husband & agree to set a "move out" deadline since she has no goals. I had lost all respect for her & got to the point where I couldn't stand to look at her. Finally decided to sit down with her (with husband present) & tell her how frustrating her behavior was to me. All we got were more excuses for why she couldn't get a job. Unlike her Dad, I didn't buy her excuses. She got up & left. She's been gone for 6 weeks. But I don't expect this to have resolved anything. Addiction counselor said "bottom line - she won't change. She has no incentive to change. Either she goes or you'll have to". I went to another counselor for a second opinion - same advice. Needless to say there is much more to the story. Much more. I've tolerated so much crap from both daughters & ex-wife you wouldn't believe it. Thank God my husband doesn't dispute me anymore re: this particular daughter's behavior.