Tomato seeds were started two-and-a-half weeks ago. (Sungold, beefmaster, better boy and supersweet 100). In a week or so, I will start sweet corn, pumpkin, and snap beans (murai, sweet sugar pie, and Kentucky wonder). In late August, I will start brocolli oseeds (pacman).

The Terro says not to use in food prep areas. But I had DH put 1 of the leftover Terro traps from last year under the DW b/c that's one place they seem to be coming from now. He moved the range and I vacuumed behind it but there wasn't much there - don't know why they seem to be interested in that area too. Still don't know why they're in FR, but I read they don't like cayenne and I have lots dried pods from last year so I put 1 in each cabinet, 1 under range, 1 in slider track, etc. I told DH after he has breakfast, makes his lunch, etc. in the AM he has to spray and wipe the counter and not leave any crumbs for me to clean up an hour (or more) later after I get DD off to school. I should tell him to empty DW and put dirty dishes in it if I ran it overnight, too - he leaves his in sink and DS leaves his on counter. Though I grab those ASAP and rinse them, put them in sink too, and I haven't seen ants in DS's bowl yet, can't be too careful. I have 1 plant tag with name in each flat, have tongue depressors I can put in each pot if need be. The tall florist stakes with index cards for price sound good, I'll see if I can find any. Yeah Deb on the TIP!

Jennifer, Would you believe you are not the first one to ask that question? Thanks, it is a lovely compliment. There are many great gardening books out there, and I can't imagine I could find a way to say anything that hasn't already been said before. And, I can't sit still long enough to ever write a book. I often DO joke that I AM writing a book here on Garden Web, one thread at a time. LOL Dawn

I live about 1.5 hours north of Austin. I learned how to grow great transplants from Dr. Sam Cotner, TAM. I use a soil cuber, soiless soil and cheap over head lites from wally world. Take a plastic storage bin, (big one) and line it with foil, bottom and sides (shiny side out), 2 layers of newspaper in bottom. Make your soil cubes. Sharpen a pencil and wet the lead, pick up seed with this and softly put the seed on the damp cube and pinch top of cube, be easy! When you have gotten all you seeds you want to germinate in the cubes then mist well with warm water and cover the platic bin with plastic kitchen wrap. Tape the plastic wrap to the sides of the bin making this almost air tight!Get a second had or cheap heating pad and place the bin on this, turning on low. Hang your cheap overhead light over the bin about 6 inches from the top and leave the lights on for atleast 12-16 hours a day. When about half have sprouted take off the plastic wrap(save for next year). Continue to give the seedlings 12-16 hrs. of overhead light. This does require a few initial investments BUT they are re-usable yr to yr. WHen the seedlings have one set of true leaves transplant to cups. This has NEVER failed to sprout every seed I plant and I have shared this with many. Let me know if you have Qs!! ps. here in TX. all we really need to start from seeds in tomatoes and peppers. Everything else grows faster and needs warm soil.