The proof is in the pictures! I totally agree with Al's statements. I often say that I wish I had been exposed to a few basics in plant science and physics long ago, when I first became interested in growing plants, but the basics are not what circulates through the general gardening community, nor are they anything promoted by the gardening industry. The first thing I wish I had learned is that growing in the ground or garden, and growing within the confines of a container, are two very different environments that each require a different approach. I've come to think of the garden as organic, and growing in pots as more inorganic and something I have more control over. I think if I'd had that separated in the beginning, I'd have had much better success, and a lot sooner. I'm also fond of saying that a green thumb is nothing more than applied knowledge. And that's very true. There's no luck or magic to growing plants. It's all skill from applying the basics of science and physics. And the more I learn, the more I realize that the industry exists to help itself, and not necessarily the gardeners. Once we learn what containerized plants really need, we are more or less forced to search down various ingredients and mix our own mediums better suited to how plants respond when placed in a confined space. As Al says, we can't make a case when it comes to personal choices or convenience, but we certainly can show how various practices benefit or limit our plants. And to be honest, I don't find it inconvenient to grow healthier plants with healthier roots, anyway. To me, it's worth it to mix my own mediums custom to my unique environment, more in keeping with what is beneficial to my plants from a scientific angle. So, I save organic methods for the gardens... and I go with a more controllable, inorganic approach to growing in pots.

After some creature bit the seed pods off my Sprekelia bulbs outside, I decided against taking my bulb collection outdoors. Call me paranoid, but I just don't want anything to happen to my "babies", and I know they're safe and sound indoors! When we finally get the greenhouse up and running, I'll feel a lot better about moving my collection... but for now, I can keep a better eye on them all inside. I will say, though, that I'm very impressed by the healthy root systems my Sprekelia bulbs have! They've been outdoors, under the partial shade of a willow shrub, since spring. Their leaves and roots have been extremely healthy, and I know it's due to Mother Nature!

I wont try to give "advice" but I'll tell you what I tried last year, with some success. but first I'll tell you that I did not know then, what I know now. So first thing I'd say is ask a lot of questions and read up on posts here and on the tomatoe forum especially. OK, about middle to end of July last year (my spring/summer tom's were about done) I went out looking for any plants I could find...and got some at the Ace hardware garden shop in Perry, the only place that still even had some for sale. (1/2 off too :) bonus). I planted Sunmaster, Celebrity, Health Kick, Husky gold, Roma's, & Cherokee purple, I planted a dozen plants all together, some repeats. I planted these on the East facing side of my house, in a bed with daylillies :) (this might have been my first mistake, not enough direct sun...but I was thinking in the moment..it was very hot in July...and I thought that this would be the best option, I was not thinking ahead (for say November/Oct/Dec...when it would not be very warm in this location. anyhoo....Sunmaster was very small and didn't do much...a handful of tom's, Celebrity I'd say (and the roma's) did the very best...It had a bunch of nice sized tomatoes on it and kept producing up til I gave up trying to keep them covered from the frosts...I did cover them all at least a half dozen different times...cant remember when I finally just picked off the green fruit and told them they were on their own... Husky gold, would be something I'd try again...as well as cherokee purple...they seemed to be very healthy strong plants, but I guess they really needed more heat to perform. All that said, and I'd say definitely go for it...I'm going to do it again this year, with MUCH better preparation and planning. and a regular spraying schedule too. Here are some pictures that were taken I'd say probably August/September maybe? that's a guess...I dont really remember exactly.

Michelle, your flavored oil is fine in the refrigerator for that small amount of time. As for vinegars, I think Linda Lou had recipes for a whole bunch of those and they sounded really yummy. She sent them to me, I'll see if I can find them. Yes, the dark side is lots of fun and you got here just on time for the big marmalade making season. (grin) Ken forgot a couple of sizes of jars, though. Now Ball has a cute little tiny 4 oz. jar, perfect for jam for one or for babyfood. I do most of my tomatoes, sauerkraut and beef in quarts. The two quart or half gallon size is nearly never found and gallons aren't considered safe for canning anything but they are great for fermenting pickles or sauerkraut. Right now I have: 4 oz. = 1/4 pint 8 oz. = 1/2 pint 12 oz. = 3/4 pint 16 oz. = 1 pint 32 oz. = 1 quart 64 oz. = 2 quarts or half gallon 128 oz = One gallon In addition to canning I use canning jars for storage for rice, beans, barley, dried peas, dried fruits, chocolate chips, anything where I use part of a bag and then end up spilling the rest. Gardengrl sent me some cute little squatty 8 ounce vintage jelly jars that don't take screw on lids. They are from the era when paraffin was used as a sealing agent and they just have metal lids that sit on top of the jars. They're cute and match my kitchen so I have sea salt in one, red Hawaiian salt in another, gray Fleur de sel in a third and packets of Equal in a fourth. Amanda wants a couple to use at her house for Equal packets and she thinks one would be a great butter dish! Annie