Despite the original posters overly extensive post, with certain questionable content, the central point is still quite vaild. We as a nation spend more money on grass than on any other crop. That by itself should be reason enough. Read up on the history of lawns and you'll find that they were orginally created as a means of demonstrating wealth (aka, I have this big area and I can afford to do nothing with it except grow grass I can't eat) Regarding the comments of junegem13 and zachslc, you might want to read up on the legal history of this movement. As it turns out, most weed laws (ones based on hight, not on noxious weeds) are unconstitutional. Nonetheless, if you are in a city or subdivision and decide to do a wildflower meadow where there is not an reasonable ordinance, then you should notify your neighbors and the city about why you are doing and the legal preceedants. The EPA has all this information. Regarding property values, that was the original complaint neighbors made against one landowner when she converted her lawn into meadow. When they were unable to demonstrate an actual decrease in property values, the city ordinance was ruled unconstitutional. Afterwards, the neighbors decided if they couldn't beat her that they'd join her and replace their own yards with meadows. Property values in that one neighborhood are now some of the highest in the city (Specific names and places, are available if you want them). Time and time again, lawn alternatives done correctly have shown to raise values, not lower them. In Charlottesville, VA local government is working on an ammendment to exclude native meadows from our weed ordinance. Other cities are doing the same very quicky, especially since the weed ordinance as written by many localites constitutes a legal liability to local governments.

hi warhawk... the green and gold hosta society is based out of green bay...here is their schedule for this year... june 9th and 10th,,,1 member is having a personal garden walk and plant sale at her house june 16th,,,the green and gold society hosta sale is at one of the members houses... there are 3 chit chats held at different members places...so you can see 3 more yards...those are scheduled june 20,,,july 11,,,and august 1 august 7th is their roadtrip to oshkosh to visit 4 gardens, have lunch, and go shopping at 1 garden center... september 8th there is a sale at the green bay botanical gardens with lots of vendors....not just hostas... you can inquire about membership to: Karen VandenHeuvel W1842 Culbertson Road Seymour, WI 54165 dues are $8 per person or $12 for families per year ____________ there is also the "Wisconsin Hosta Society" based in Madison maybe you would like to check them out also... Dues are $8 per person or $12 for families per year also... Send inquiries to: Neil Cummings 5031 Crestview Drive Marshall, WI 53509 hope this helps....jill

Marlene, Cindy, Kathy, It was my pleasure to host the swap and we will do it again next year as well. I can't believe that the weather turned out to be the way it did, nor rain, sun and a few clouds, but I could have done with out all the humidity. And to think, at 6:30AM this morning I was sitting here trying to decide who to scream at first for pushing me to go with today for the swap. It was storming for the 4th time since 1AM this morning and the weather maps where showing a wall of rain and storms heading in. Who would have thought we would luck out the way we did. Glad you had a good time, we do have a wonderful group of gardeners that come every year to the swap and keep adding and adding to the selection of plants and seedlings every year. Marlene, I will email you if I find any more pots that Michelle could use, and you should tell her to start checking out the yard sales whenever she can. She will be amazed at the pots she can find that way and the prices are really a steal. Kathy, I checked some of the pics in the link and those flowers still didn't look like the one you gave me last year and I got seeds from. Happy planting to all of you and happy gardening. How about some pics of the plants and seedlings when they bloom and thrive in their "new homes'. Hint, Hint Kathy, "new homes". Fran

Miss Lilacs, I certainly never intended to exclude anyone from the club based on age, interest, or location. I do realize that there are clubs composed exclusively of elderly ladies, and that fills an important niche for them, but I'm looking to fill a different niche, that of the average homeowner that works during the day, is busy with kids, and needs a horticultural resource that can help him/her with a boring landscape, or just wants to get started in gardening. I expect and look forward to quite a few elderly members. Age = experience! Crocheting may not be the focus of the club, but I would be surprised if you were the only member to have that hobby. As far as where you live, I specified a local region just so people wouldn't have to drive far to attend a meeting. I don't want to travel all the way to the Botanical Garden for a meeting because it's inconvenient. There is room in the Denver area to support many garden clubs. I just think each area needs its own simply for convenience. If a club formed in your area, I am sure you could arrange a ride from another member. We had several such arrangements in our Illinois club, and some of those elderly crocheters were fantastic gardeners! Keep watch for more information. If this new club is successful, you may still be able to join and hitch a ride with someone. Congratulations for escaping Illinois. I lived there my whole life and could hardly stand it. I have an 8yr old solid black cat named Shadow. He just loves the garden I'm currently creating. Keep in touch.