I use the gritty for slow growing woody plants (japanese maples, japanese red pine, etc) and the 5-1-1 for fast growing annuals (Lantana, Cuphea, etc) and a modified 5-1-1 (for Salvia) which is 3-1-1 with the "1" pearlite replaced by Diatomaceous earth (OptiSorb from FastenAll) for increased water holding capacity. Although this year I'm going to do a pot with 3-1-1 and one with straight Miracle Grow for the Salvia. They are on my deck in full sun, I mean dawn to dusk FULL sun! and there is a bit of a wind tunnel effect. I have to water 2x a day in 90+ weather or they will start to wilt. They are dark green and lose a lot of water perspiring, and I like to put 2 plants in a 4 gallon (ish) pot so there are a ton of blooms for the hummingbirds!

Hello toeraki, i live in Greece as well and i am planning to start a blueberry farm next year. Northern Highbush varieties need low temperatures in order to bloom which can be accommodated by the north Greek climate. If you live at the south of Greece then you should consider other varieties like Southern or Rabbiteye. As for the cranberries there are native to Greece, they are called "Krana" in our language, so you might find this plant easier. If you cannot then i might be able to send you some wild cranberry bushes from the hill. Now about the transport, it is not illegal as stated before but they have to be checked for diseases and viruses and be in specific condition, in dormancy for example in order to be able to be sent from USA. From Europe there is no problem. Of course this apply to big orders, you can get plants from USA through post without any problem, if you get bushes from ebay for example.

I think we are in the same situation! I have a house 1800 miles away that I have been very slowly cleaning out for the past year (needless to say, it has been a very painful and sentimental task). Since I can only go out at a week's time, I have spaced out my trips every 4 months. There are items I want to keep, but most is good furniture that I want to sell at a fair price. Here is what I have done and my experiences: 1. Yard sales. Can be good, but very, very time consuming. Especially if you are going it alone. Good way to get rid of the small stuff. Promise yourself that whatever doesn't sell, DO NOT box it back up, but instead truck it over to a local charity. 2. Ebay. I have found that you really need to be on-site for at least 2 weeks: lots of stuff to do prior to auction end (writing the listings, taking initial photos and extra photos as requested by potential buyers, answering emails) and after auction end (waiting for payment, boxing and shipping items, followup emails). An example: I sold parts from a collector truck that my late husband dismantled. Listed as a 3 day auction, started most bids at 9.99 with a buy-it-now price, and (very important!) required payment within 3 days via Paypal (no checks - takes too long). I boxed/shipped small items and left large items (such as doors, windshields, engine parts, etc) to a professional shipping service to box and ship. Whew! It was a 2 week whirlwind of dirty truck parts that I knew nothing about, but it was a success: got most of the truck sold within my tight timeframe. An alternative is to use a Ebay agent: they will list, pack, and ship. I believe they charge around 30%. 3. Consignment Shops: good for big ticket items such as furniture. Most will pick up item for a fee, but if not sold within a specified timeframe, either you need to pick up yourself or they will donate it. Usually a 60/40 split, with most going to you. However, the longer it is in the store, the ratio may change. 4. Donate, donate, donate: Some items are just better to give away and get a tax beni than to deal with selling it. 5. I haven't used it, but am looking into it: renting a POD. They drop one off, you pack it at your leisure, then they move it to whatever state you want. Another similar option is ABF moving (you pack, they drive) - we used them to initially to move out west. Once I get most of the stuff cleared out that I don't want, large pieces I cannot move myself I will have POD or ABF handle. For the valuable, sentimental,breakable, etc things, I will take with me on a "cross-country adventure move" (have to play it up somehow). Since you will be out in September, use that short time to take photos of items for Ebay, maybe get stuff into consignment stores (you can pick up the stuff in November if it doesn't sell), call for quotes on movers (starting in October is usually their slow time so rates will be cheaper than the summer), check out the local ebay agents (in phone directory). Prior to your November trip, get your Ebay listings written with photos so you can list them on your first day (I have found people will email you throughout the auction asking for more info including aditional photos, so I have found that I really need to be where the item is during the auction.) Good luck to you. It can be very overwhelming, so try to break things up into manageable tasks.

I ordered more lavenders and a penstemon and for the life of me can't remember the fourth one, that one is new to me. They all have small purple or blue flowers and grayish foliage. I have some large lavenders along the side of the house which are not very showy but I've noticed that no one ever snacks on them. I like the scabiosa that Lisa has and want to order that if the description says deer and gopher resistant. They don't talk about rabbits for any of the plants but I'll consider them as overgrown gophers. I no longer have even a single gopher here; I think it got to be too dry for them. I really do have to think about feeding them away from the garden area. I used to feed the rabbits in the back under the tree, but that's too far a hike for the squirrels. Okay, I'm crazy, I freely admit it. They're destroying my garden but we still consider them our outside family. There is no help for people like us.