Mel and Jo, I often donate my services as designer/consultant to various charitable organizations for fundraising events. In my case, it is my time and knowledge that is being provided - there are no materials in involved - and the value of those services on the open market is what I write off on my taxes. The caveat is these donations are provided for a charitable organization and they in turn provide me with a statement for tax documentation. To my knowledge, tax deductions for donations are only allowed provided they are made to a registered charity. I think you might be hardpressed justifying to the IRS that the contractor is a charitable organization should the question arise :-) Had the design been implemented, you could make a case that the value of your time and effort in creating the design could be considered marketing or advertising expense (getting your name and talents out before the public) but barring the actual implementation of the design you may be just out of luck and have to chalk it up to an unpleasant, unprofitable and time-consuming experience.

I didn't know about a St. Patrick's Day planting schedule for other plants, but both my grandfather and my father always planted potatoes as close to St. Patrick's Day as possible. Of course you must take into account the weather and soil conditions. I watch the 10 day weather forecast closely, and plant accordingly. For instance, seeing that we have several above average temperatures ahead during the next ten days, AND the forecast for rain today, I spent a lot of time in the garden preparing beds for seeding, then planted my first batch of onions and potatoes yesterday (March 13). I also planted a new Red Blaze Climbing Rose. It seems that if the soil becomes saturated and cold weather returns, you can often miss out on optimal planting dates. Right now, my peonies are sprouting up to about 6 inches and my lilacs are full of unopened buds. Another thing I watch for is the leafing of Oak trees- I feel more comfortable in planting warmer weather crops when the Oaks tell me that warm weather has arrived. Ron Z

Joellen, Looks great. I 2nd what Dawn said. Like I've stated I usually use both hay and straw. More hay as I have lots of loose alfalfa every year. I have a coworker who takes care of lots of yards. He brings me several big trailer loads of leaves every fall and I put a tarp over them. I put down a layer of unshredded leaves over the garlic and shallots in the winter. Then put straw and hay over them. I bought a Troybilt chipper/shredder at an auction this spring. I'm using it now to shred leaves and putting a few inches around the tomato plants. Then again straw hay over them. There is a few reasons I put straw/hay over them. The main is after I shred them if I don't the wind carries most away. The alfalfa hay especially if I don't shred it will lay in the wind as good as anything I've found. After working all my mulch cover in last fall I have a lot of mulching to do. But I have lots of hay along with some straw. So should have plenty. I don't plan on using as many of the grass clippings this year. And the reason is the Rec Dept has changed Director's and they don't notify me when they spray like they used to. I don't want to take a chance on it causing damage to my plants. I should have enough without it anyway. Around here I always seem to be able to find something. Jay

I can't find the address. From Tulsa go north on 169 toward Catoosa. The exit is a couple of miles or so past the Port of Catoosa exit. Watch for the bridge over the Arkansas. If you cross the bridge you have gone too far. (It may be north 56th but I'm not real sure). When you can see the bridge ahead, take the exit ramp and go west about half a mile. The greenwaste site is on the north side of the road. They are open till 4 pm every day including Sunday. It is FREE. If you have a pickup they will load it for you (free) with a front loader. You can also take bags and a spading fork and bag it yourself. Before I got the little truck, it was amazing how much I could cram into the Blazer. If you need a lot, you can hire a dump truck driver to get a huge pile for you. I live west of Sand Springs and I was paying a driver about $60 a trip a couple of years ago. Probably a lot more now with the gas prices. Cheaper if you live in the northeast Tulsa area. Renting a pickup costs more than hiring a dump truck and driver. It's kind of fun to watch the heavy equipment. Any tree trunks that are too big for the shredder are cut up and piled to one side and labeled "free firewood". I think it would be awfully hard to split it for firewood, but if you had a big hydraulic splitter it might be OK. I've thought about getting one of the great big ones to use for a rustic "garden bench". Suzanne, I'm never sure if I'm in zone 6 or 7. We're right on the edge. At the gardening class last year, Barry Fugatt said Tulsa is now officially zone 7.