Christine, I agree with you that the shipping costs make them expensive, that is why is a good idea to share the bag with other people. In my opinion no single product is better than other, it all depends on the condition of the particular garden and I also think that not one single solution is 100% foolproof, only fresh soil is. If you combine a few things it also works. I did cover crops in Arizona and I planted right on top tomatoes and it worked for me, it was more to use a thick mulch for heat reduction, again different solutions for different gardens. Here with the nematodes it works the starvation diet, do not feed them! from time to time it is a good idea to treat the soil and let it rest. Doug, the crab meals are a good source of nitrogen, my neighbor in NY liked to fish and used to bury the fish heads deep in the soil to plant tomatoes. However when using anything like that, you have to be careful not to attract other unwanted creatures, nothing can smell. Here I will be even concern on the neighbors.:) Silvia

So far we win the prize.....and it is not a prize I want to win. Nineteen degrees here and I suspect my onions are probably dead even though I covered them up with hay quickly last night as I was leaving to take dinner to the firefighters. I didn't cover up anything else but all my tender seedlings and potted plants were either in the house or in the well-insulated barn/garage. I hope to carry the plants back out at mid-morning after it warms up, but whether or not I manage to depends on the fire activity. Before I can spend time gardening, gotta run outside and feed all the animals, and then make a run to Sam's in Sherman to get several dozen cases of water and Gatorade and tons of food. It is taking a lot to keep our firefighters, now in their 8th day on this brushfire, fed and well-hydrated. Mitch, usually potatoes will regrow from the tubers even if all the foliage is blackened and frozen. After last year's late freeze in May, it took mine at least 2 weeks to put out any new growth though, so you may have to wait a while to see the recovery. I hope all the plants that were covered up made it through the cold in everyone's yards the last couple of nights. Jay, if y'all are "late" with the corn that far north, imagine how my "old farmer" buddies who normally plant corn in March are feeling now.....everyone's going nuts! Now that a rapid warm-up is expected, let the planting games begin! Scott, I'm not optimistic either. Know I'll lose the remaining fruit at 19 degrees. The native pecan trees haven't leafed out yet, but I bet they will soon. I'm ready to plant anytime after today but the ongoing wildfire issues will dictate my schedule, unfortunately. I'm running out of creative cooking ideas for large crowds, too! On the other hand, hungry firefighters will eat anything you cook for them. Yesterday, I made 15-bean soup, cornbread muffins and mixed berry cobbler. Today I am so tired that they may get hot dogs and chips. :) I think one of the other wives is going to make chicken spaghetti today in anticipation of the FFs needing to be fed tonight, so that takes some of the workload off of me. So far, our evil little fire has burned an area almost 6 miles long and 4 miles wide, but we've only lost a couple of houses and a few outbuildings. I need for these wildfires to stop so I can get back to my gardening. At least with a hard frost on the ground, we shouldn't have fire issues until the morning sun burns the frost off the grass. Dawn

Morning all! Fran, I put in a bit more postage than what it was for me to mail my package to you. I don't think that I'll get back what I sent because we have a lot of veggie growers here, BUT if by chanace you dont have enough postage I'd be happy to send more if you need it to get my package back to me. I'm so glad that I bought the veggie seeds, I could almost hear how excited people were when I offered them up for grabs! Thank you to anyone who sent flowers in for me, I assure you that every single seed will find a good home. Lisa

This is my go-to broccoli and cheese soup. I put it in margarine/sour cream containers and freeze it all the time. I just heated one up last nite for dinner, and I don't have a problem with it separating. Broccoli-Cheese Soup 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1/4 cup melted butter 1/4 cup flour 2 cups half-and-half (or 1 cup milk and 1 cup half-and-half) 2 cups chicken stock or bouillon 1/2 pound fresh broccoli 1 cup carrots, julienned salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half,then the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for a few minutes. Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. The soup should be thickened by now. Pour in batches into blender and puree (or use an immersion blender). Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg and serve.