I'd like to know as well. I've got two Early Girl cuttings, from my spring plants, that I plan to put out by the end of next week. I've also got a Sweet 100 cutting to put out, but I don't expect much from that one. The zucchini I put out is growing nicely under the shade cloth. It doesn't seem to take the heat as well as the butternuts and cantaloupe. I've got a straightneck early yellow seedling to put out now. Just started some cucumbers seeds inside the garage. I've had excellent results starting all of my melon and squashes inside the garage. Easier for me to keep everything moist until germination. Will be doing my broccoli and lettuces this way, if I even do lettuce. I'm running out of room as it is. Wade

Susan, are you close to Belews Lake? What did you have in mind swapping? I only have about a 1500 square feet garden (in Raleigh) and part of that is planted in berries, flowering perennials and herbs. As a result, when I buy seed, I usually wind up with extra seed and/or plants. Someone that I know frequently goes to the farmers' market in Carrboro on Saturday mornings. As a result he has gotten to know some of the people who grow vegetables and flowers to sell there, especially those living in Chatham County. He made me aware of the web site of one of them, Kathy Jones. I found it facinating and hope you will enjoy it, too. Also, there is a link to the website of the Chatham County extension agent, Debbie Roos, who reputedly is really promoting the small family farm movement. Here is a link that might be useful: Perrywinkle Farm

Some growers hide what they learn or won't share seeds. I love sharing information and seeds with others. Sometimes you can learn new things from sharing. I bought a weather instrument this year, and took some pretty detailed measurements this year. I plan on putting all the data together and posting all of the information on my website. Maybe I will see some growth patterns compared to weather conditions. Someone may use that information to help them grow larger plants than me, but that just means I have to learn more to find a way to get an even larger plant. I also want to make it as easy as possible for someone new to growing big plants and keep their interest in growing giants. Here is a link that might be useful: My giant sunflower website

Hello, I have 7 Brachychitons growing in my garden. Two are causing me some concern. They are Brachychiton reupestris. Both are about 7 or 8 meters tall. With a maximum girth of When I planted them about 30 years ago, they were a bit more than seedlings. I had hoped that they would become large barrels . Unfortunately I watered them regularly (old habits) with the result that they are now stout trees . My first question is can I cut the top 3 or 4 meters off without killing the trees? - I believe I can. The 2nd and more interesting question is will this surgery 'stunt' the tree causing it to swell whilst producing lateral branches that can be maintained? If the answer is yes and yes then I will give it a go. However I cannot sit idly by ,now is the time for me to do something! By the way I have also planted a CEIBA which promises to be an even worse nightmare .I would also like to keep it but only if I can take curtail its growth and development. Can some knowledgeable person give me some advice? Thank you David (aka Baldric)