You're right about everyone wanting easy-prepackaged foods and not knowing what to do with something like a squash, jicama, turnip or any other vegetable that requires skinning/cutting and preparation. I always notice the people shopping at the grocery stores and what they buy. Except for at the produce market, I rarely see anyone shop like me. Most are full of prepackaged foods, boxes,junk, junk, junk with maybe a token apple, orange and ice burg lettuce thrown in. The other day I went to Walmart's food department and my local produce market. The four families in lines near me at Walmart were all obese, from parents down to the youngest toddler. Carts loaded with cheap cookies, hamburger helper and white bread. I was buying canning jars and pectin or I wouldn't have been there. One lady was all concerned over the prices of her apples and other nasty looking produce. She was taking forever checking out because she was having Walmart price match produce of the other big grocery chains. When she took a breather and looked towards me I mentioned to her that the nearby produce mart had the same produce she was buying for 1/5 the price and fresher looking. She said "that won't work for me, I don't have time to shop like that". Of course, she was obese and her kids were too. I didn't mention to her that I shopped like that, even when I was a medical student, intern and resident I shopped like that. She's probably much busier than I ever was with 3 jobs in residency and a small horse/cattle farm to run, I'm sure. At the produce market, most of the people in the store except for me where either ethnic or elderly. They were all quite slim and healthy looking. I wish I could get my husband to enjoy squash and sweet potatoes more. This year I'm growing them so I hope that coming from our garden will make a difference. They are so full of nutrition! I have gotten him to enjoy a spicier squash or pumpkin soup and he also likes the pecan/sweet potato crunch that I make as a substitute for his families sugar/grease covered sweet potato marshmellow casserole at the holidays. If someone's only experience to squash and sweet potatoes is what is served at Thanksgiving, and they happen not to like marshmellow casserole (yuck!) or pumpkin pie (why is that not more popular?) then I can understand where it wouldn't become very popular.

Got mine today too! Walked down the street to the mailbox in the snow and ice for it lol I saw carolinaflowerlover got seeds and i had to check!! SO many things, i really wanted from my list so thank you for the thoughtfulness put into this Sassy! And in my madness, i ripped alot of gifts open without putting names to them but thank you everyone for the gift ones too!! I started off with so little to try this year and I have so much to revitalize alot of the old gardens!! I can't wait to share pics with everyone later this year! Since I didn't really keep everything seperated to thank everyone individually for the gifts (i'm sorries :( ), here's some of my favorite things that I thought I wouldn't get or that I'm looking forward to trying the most: Lavender Hyssop....never really thought about it till i looked it up and it attracts bees and butterflies...well thats a keeper for sure! :) Docmom, i was looking at an old post about your malva and i was so impressed with the deep purple and i really wanted it so I saw you had it on your list and searched in vain yesterday, to find something to impress you lol well I guess someone heard my prayers on that one! Daylily! (poisondartfrog) - really didn't expect to get any daylily seeds to try this year and i can't wait. all i have is the wild orange ones and stella de orro lol Trumpet Lilies....love lilies! :) Zinnias! (yes i said zinnias!), again i was looking at old pics by people and i saw someone who had a bed of these and they looked so pretty! so i will attempt to make a bed of these, just as nice! lol so many more, in fact, i could probably keep listing all of them but really i am so happy with my seeds!! thank you and i hope this swap will take place again! :) Happy winter sowing everybody!! :) ~Michael

I am very pleased with the different varieties! I got my package yesterday and went through it last night. I'm excited to grow some of the new to me varieties. Thanks for getting all this work done despite surgery, etc. I'm sorry you had so much on your plate, Belinda. You hosted a wonderful swap!

Hi, Donna! In my zone, if I transplant in spring I do so as soon as I can work in the soil. It all depends on how wet the ground is...I try to avoid compacting the soil around the hostas but if I get too enthusiastic and can't wait, I end up with more work...needing to fluff up all the soil I tramped on! :( the cultivation around the hostas is beneficial any time as it disturbs and exposes any eggs laid by slugs, etc. If it's too wet, then I wait until I see some pip activity (by that time the ground has warmed and dried somewhat) and get digging before they hostas are fully emerged. It's gratifying to see them in their new location, continuing to push out pips as if they've been there all along! :) In the fall I place markers in front of all hostas - they serve as a gauge for me where to start digging if I haven't left old flower scapes as markers (usually remove all old vegetation to avoid harbouring slug eggs). I love dividing and replanting in the fall but with the heatwave expected, spring it is! I used to divide, or relocate on a whim, all season long but the summers have been hotter each year and regardless of the after-care, I found it stresses most hostas. Those that hate to be moved put on a sulk and some years it set the plant back 2 years size-wise (GE as an example). Everybody has their own preferences (based on their experience, depending on their zone and length of growing season) for when it's best to move or divide their plants. The ultimate goal is to minimize stress on the hosta. Your zone allows you a longer growing season than mine. If your hostas have time to set roots before going into dormancy, go for it. If you are even slightly doubtful, wait until spring - it's much easier moving a leafless hosta! :-) Thanks, Donna for asking for my two cents. I got a wee bit chatty but enjoyed it! Lol :-)