hmm...I just came across this when doing a little searching. Yes...having ones location is as much or more important (IMHO) than having just a zone. It is most helpful if members put the info into their Member Page Profile. That way it will also show on the Member Page, and will automatically be filled in when one posts. Additionally it is best to have an email link on one's member page too, so they can be emailed privately if the need arises..... which I see someone in this thread doesn't have one....hint, hint. The state abbreviation (or something similar) goes in the one box provided for the garden zone. See I am zone 5/6 S IN and it is on my Member Page as well. Once can update their profile info by clicking on the Member Pages link, found in the green banner at the bottom of all pages here. Sue...resident busy body on the main Exchanges

Hi buckeyejoe, I'm also a transplant to a Zone 8 place from a Zone 3, so I understand the culture shock you're going through. It's also sandy where I live and hard to grow anything (even though I haven't really tried because I'm only renting right now) and the sun is so hot in the summer that some Yukon Gold cosmos were the only things that didn't wilt before I got home from work.

I've only been using LED downlights for about 9 months, but my oldest lamps, BR40s made by Lighting Science (both their Definity brand at 3000k and the Home Depot Ecosmart at 2700k) are going strong. Our au pair never turns out the lights, even on a bright sunny day, so these have been on for at least 16 hours a day (full blast for 8 or more hours a day, dimmed at night). Almost as old are two Phillips Airflux BR30s in 2700k and 5000k, and a Lighting Science Definity BR30 (GP30) at 4000k. The reason I went with LED in the first place because (1) we were going through halogens left-and-right (lights left on all day), (2) LEDs are dimmable, and (3) the halogens left on all day really warmed up the kitchen and family room. Right now I'm experimenting with Feit/Utlitech 22-watt (1350 lumen) BR40s in the basement. The previous owner had installed 65watt Br30s in the 6-inch cans, it was like a dungeon down there. As each bulb burns out, I'm replacing it with LEDS (also, the au pair never turns out the lights in the basement). They are WAY bright and dim well, but I've only had them for a month. One thing I have learned is that I definitely prefer 3000k over 2700k (2700k is too dingy), and 4000k over 5000k (5000k is too blue, and 4000k seems to be just right). So far, only Lighting Science seems to make bulbs in those colors. I did try a CREE CR6 (it didn't fit my cans), but I was unimpressed with the brightness and color.

I got a 2/3 of a full induction top, that's with a large double ring and two smaller side ones, as my main cooking station, and a 15" Wolf with the small and medium gas burners as overflow and for those things you actually want flames for. I've added hot air to the list of what to do on gas. The way I use them is the way I intended, but with fantastic functional ovens I don't do nearly as much cooktop cooking as I used to, and I need to be entertaining more than a dozen people before I have the gas going for overflow. I do use it for the things its better at, and I do use it when making large quantities for many people. I don't wok. If you wok for real, a gas burner for the task, or a dedicated induction wok setup, is worth it. You also need powerful gas for pressure canning. Do you need more gas with your induction? No. You have your grill for emergencies. Will you regret not having more induction? Probably not, unless you don't have the big, high powered double ring (some 30" do, some don't). I expected to use my gas more, but I really don't. It's far superior to any other gas cooktop I've used, belying the Forum contention that you need dragon's breath to cook with. I just like using the induction more. A lot. I'm rambling. Sorry. I'm trying to give you an experiential feeling, but I don't think I'm succeeding. My kettle (Le Creuset (a gift) in Flamme) looks very nice on the gas grate, where it lives. When I boil water in it, I put it on the induction. Which, I guess boils down to the thought that I think you have plenty of induction and gas is good. I can't imagine that a small extra ring is going to transform your life. You can always just put it on the gas! That's what I do. It cooks really well, the gas does, and has a legendary simmer. :) Aha! So... What do you have on the other four elements that you'd be hankering after a small fifth element over? Do you have enough room for all your pots on the cooktop you've chosen? Do you have the 11-12" big double (or triple) ring?