Hunter, I would check ebay. They have nice 3 gallon sized washingtonias for 20 dollars including shipping and they are pretty good quality. They are dirt cheap in areas where they grow well. And US Marine, Virginia Beach is a zone 8b. But the same latitude on the west coast (about San Fran) is still a zone 10 despite much much cooler water temperatures. Unfortunately during the winter the wind blows offshore on the east coast which means that we dont get the moderating effects from the ocean as much as the west coast. In comparison to the east coast, the water temperatures on the west coast are much colder. During the summer, the water temperature here in NYC is usually the same or warmer than San Diego! I wish we were as mild as the west coast though. NYC would easily be a zone 9! -Alex

Hunter, No problem! Its really great to start growing plants at a young age because you have your whole life to learn about them and you have plenty of years to have a really amazing garden! Im still young so I also have a lot of time to make my yard better too! I looked at my pics back from 3 years ago and I cant believe how much more I have now! Im kind of excited to see what things will look like 10 years from now in my yard (or whatever yard I have by that time!) Im glad to hear that they are prediciting a warm fall Jim! My Cannas were blooming into the second week of november and they didnt actually die down until early december (they had a bit of frost damage in the last days of November). The longer I can keep my plants growing the better! I have about 2 full months left before the plants start winding down. Last year we had almost a week of 70s and even an 80 in october though so if that could happen again this fall, I think my plants would love it! Andy, I actually picked up the spindle palm because of the swollen trunk it had. It was definitely an impulse buy because I love the look of the swollen trunk on palms. I have a bottle palm also, but its far from getting that trunk and its my slowest growing palm in height (I think my parlor palm is faster and they are suppose to be slow growers!). Thanks Jacklord! Unfortunately I've had a big grasshopper problem this year on my plants. My Plumeria leaves have been shredded. I caught 3 baby grasshoppers and I just got an adult. I felt bad about killing it though so I drove it down somewhere far from my yard! Other than that, its been a great year for the plants and everything has been growing really healthy! I should probably feed them more often though! Thanks everyone for all the nice comments and for looking! -Alex

Thanks Randy! I used to have a pygmy palm, but it died last year. I never have good luck with them indoors. My fig tree is doing good, but I saw a fig tree a few blocks from be that was about 25 feet across, 20 feet tall, and probably had somewhere around 2000 figs on it (not 200, 2000). It was LOADED! I never saw so many figs per stem ever, everywhere a fig could grow on the stem, it was growing. I might knock on the door just to know what they are doing for it because mine had a lousy 5 figs this year (but in its defense, it was planted just this spring). Even though figs are suppose to be somewhat marginal here, I have to admit that I have never see a fig that wasnt full and loaded with fruit! Good luck Chadec! I hope it doesn't do doo much damage by you either! Looks like you should be far enough to escape the hurricane force winds, but some of those gusts can definitely knock a few plants over. Definitely take some pics! Thanks TJ. Im not sure the name of the fern, but I got it from Home Depot and I think its a Polystichum, but I dont know the species. If you can find out, tell me and I'll tell you if I do find the name! I was under a tropical storm warning a few years ago and I remember some minor damage to the banana plants, losing a large outdoor lamp, and having a few potted plants falling down. I think your plants should make it through though! Good luck! Good luck to everyone who is dealing, or will be dealing, with Irene. It isnt as threatening as before, but its still dangerous and can still do some plant damage. -Alex

Awesome spoons. Here's a link to my favorite soup featuring kale. http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-chicken-soup-with-kale-131067 Kale and Chicken Stew Serves 6-8 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 5 medium mixed potatoes; diced (I used Yukon gold, red and purple) 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 4 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt freshly cracked black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion; chopped 1 large shallot; minced 2 carrots; peeled and diced 6 cups chicken stock 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese; finely grated 5 cups chopped kale 15-ounce can cannellini beans; drained salt and pepper to taste Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan. Rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a separate sheet pan, toss the potatoes with olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat. Cover and set aside. Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and shallot and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and cook 15 minutes until softened. Add in chicken stock, thyme, chicken, potatoes, Parmesan, salt and pepper bring to a simmer. Add the kale and beans and simmer for another 20 minutes, until the kale is tender and the beans are hot. Lpink's note: I don't roast the chicken and potatoes ahead of time. I saute them in EVOO and then just cook them along with everything else.