Judy, I have mine in pots because the place where I want to plant them isn't ready. I'm hoping to get it ready this fall/winter and plant the roses in late winter/early spring. But I still wouldn't plant a band straight into the ground. I guess if I had a nice bed prepared or were replacing another rose I could, but I don't like the idea of those tiny things in the ground. Plus as you say the drought has been horrible this year and I have enough to worry about keeping my established ones watered. I have the pots on my deck (mostly full sun) and it's easier to keep them hydrated and move them out of the sun if I have to (like when I went away for a few days and wouldn't be able to water them). Also if it gets very cold in the winter I can move them to the garage and not worry about having to protect them. I probably could plant them this fall, but as I said, the bed I have in mind is unbroken clay and needs a lot of work. I did put compost down on it and then heavy mulch, so hopefully by this fall it will be softened up so I can till it and add some good soil.

Hi! I'm from India and grow gourds on my farm.Snake gourds are not only edible but they're actually very tasty. The trick is to cook them before they get all woody and hard when the seeds inside mature.A light saute with a seasoning of salt, pepper and a bit of coconut (if you like the taste of coconut) makes a great change from heavy food. I normally serve it with rice at home. I grow snake gourds and bottle gourds in my farm during the monsoon season. (Here, contrary to what everyone usually says, the monsoon season is when everyone grows gourds). Unfortunately we dont have access to seeds of most types of gourds... or rather the interesting ones used for crafting. Bottle gourd, sponge gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, bitter gourd. Thats it! All edible ones, by the way, but not very interesting for crafting.I recently got hooked on gourd crafting via the Net and ever since I've been possessively keeping an eagle eye on the bottle gourds. The others do get eaten but the bitter gourd is definitely not a favourite!

how big is the plant you have ... hosta like to be root bound to some extent.. in your pot ... your main issue.. i suspect.. is that you want to put it in one pot for life ... and that aint gunna work ... first off.. you will have to lift the pot and cut out tree roots.. at least two or three times a year ... tree arent stupid.. they will find the drainage holes.. and fill that pot faster than the hosta can .... in fact.. Butch graves did this under norways ... and used two pots .... so he could easily pull out the one with the hosta ... and put it back ... and then he built a new house.. and moved away from the norways.. lol ... and took his hosta with him .... pot size is dependent on plant size NOW... not at maturity .... it does not matter if the pots are on the patio.. or in the ground.. you will have to repot often .... i once had a 10 gallon pot ... ON TOP OF THE SOIL .. under a maple ... placed there in spring.. and by fall.. i could NOT move the pot ... the maple grew that many roots UP.. into the pot ... i wish you luck.. you will need it... ken

Hi, I would use the strongest support that you are able. Most vines are surprisingly heavy, especially gourds and especially the large hard-shelled types. I am having great success with "cattle panels". They are a kind of welded wire fencing that comes in 5'by16' panels. They are meant to be used for fencing for livestock but I have used them quite successfully stood on end and tied to a utility pole in my yard. I also have an entry arbor with two of them arched over a double gate coming into my garden area. Those support several passionflower vines along with some smaller type gourds. I don't have photos of them but would happily explain in more detail if that would be helpful. Incidentally, I had the feedstore deliver them to my farm because I drive a small Nissan pick-up and didn't feel confident about tying them onto my roof. I use those panels around my farm for dozens of uses. The wires are about 1/4" in diameter and must be cut with bolt cutters. Good luck. Your house sounds lovely! spiderwoman littlestown, pa