I have a set up similar to Zenmans (though MY basement is nowhere near so neat! impressive!). About six weeks before my last frost date, I start taking cuttings of salvias, tibouchina, durantas, and a few other plants that I want to overwinter. I do it as much because I cannot count on finding new plants every year as for the purpose of saving money. I start the cuttings outside under my deck benches and only bring them inside to the lights when the plants begin to show damage from cold. (It doesn't even have to frost for some things like durantas to be stressed.) I spent $10 a set for shop lights, not counting the bulbs, and bought inexpensive plastic shelving. The shelves and light units are each long enough to hold two flats. Be sure your shelves have slats or are open in some way because you want to hang the lights from chains. Using S hooks, you can then raise and lower the shoplights over your plants. (You'll want extra S hooks.) You'll notice from ZM's photo that he has his plants in trays. This prevents runoff onto the light units below. I bought cheap cookie sheets at WalMart and filled them with a layer of gravel. My basement floor has a drain in it, which is really handy. I just drag a hose into the basement once a week to water and/or feed. I learned fast that once a week water is plenty. And that regular fertilizer is very important. The cuttings are joined in late winter by seeds that I start for my beds. In my climate, if you want color in July and August, you need annuals. With advice from fellow GWers, I have gotten pretty good at the seed thing in just a couple years. Once you get your shelves set up, it's not especially time consuming to care for your babies and it's nice to have plants to work with through the winter.

I had bad dreams last night about this Garlic Cheese fiasco. I was going to every store I could find looking for Kraft garlic cheese roll because I HAD to have cheese grits for dinner. Lord luv a duck, what a night. Meldy, I've made the grits with garlic powder when I was visiting yankee cousins and they requested them, it just wasn't the same. That old cheese roll (previously put out by Kraft) was just the right thing when you added cheddar to it. Suzy, thank you for taking the time to send me the link to the Amish store. I checked out the site and later on today when I get a chance, I want to order some other things also and of course get the cheese. If it works out for my grits, Kraft will be forever in your debt. I fired a warning arrow across their bow this morning. A BOYCOTT by the genteel southern ladies casserole brigade if they don't fire up that garlic cheese vat pronto.:0)

Rigo those are some nice brug seed mixes!! good luck with them. I sure would love to see some gardening pictures of the kids planting! Of course with the weather like this...not long and we will have a jungle. I was just looking through the photos from last year and it is amazing how fast things grow and it changes. Are your kids in school? I just heard that Ft. Worth had or has school closures. Just be safe!!and stay healthy. Wow after you are done with your bathroom. Can you come and do mine? Sounds like you are just the guy that could fix it up rofl. ha ha ha That sounds like what we used to say when we washed the car. Or you cut the grass and someone walks by and says to come on over to their house to continue on theirs roflmao You should post pictures of before and after of your bathroom. IF you got time and want to. You know we love all kind of pictures lol Take a hug with you until next time. (((((HUGS))))) Lucy

Beautiful, Jan.Don't you just love that HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE.Its gorgeous.Valentine Darling is gorgeous, too.CHRIS SALTER is a beauty, too. You have sure got some beauties.Thanks for sgaring them. Jean