Thanks, Phil and Marius - everyone on this forum seems so helpful and willing to share. My problem is, I have no idea how to root cuttings and think until I get a little fig experience under my belt I had better start with rooted plants. Do either or both of you grow and have success with the varieties I mentioned? I am also really interested in a Dark Portuguese from Bass. Any experience with getting these figs to ripen and be productive in this zone would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again - MK

Most, if not all, of your cuttings may become avaiable from encontofarms on or soon after February 1. Just watch and check this site at that time (pick and paste): http://encantofarms.com/Available_Cuttings_2011.html

I finally got a break and got the cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower in and after planting 5 to 6 of each variety they added up to a lot of work. the Patterson and Walla Walla onions went in along with the copra I saved from seed. Put in a 70' row of Kennebec and burbanks before it rained and it was already 2 hours past due from the weather channel's forecast for rain. But I still had red pontiacs to plant and didn't want to get caught in the rain. I went shopping and still no rain so I checked Windy.com. they showed no rain coming for another hour! Got one row of red pontiacs in before the rain started and could of gotten the 2nd row in if I would of checked Windy first, but at least I got all the late potatoes in. I'm done with the weather channel and Windy is now my exclusive weather source. I've been comparing the two sources for 6 months and windy.com has been on the bullseye every time while the weather channel rarely hits the target. Windy shows it will stop raining Sunday at 5 PM.

Seasiderooftop you are so fortunate ! I was going through your beautiful photos again , imagining the taste of home grown grapes , remembering the way living by the water smells - it's been decades ago. I've read about the apostle Paul's shipwreck in Malta but never seen actual pictures of the location, it brings home the realism of the Bible text. Carol, it's such hearty camaraderie to face the thorns of rose love together with someone that has eyes to see. You appreciate rose photos and speak of them as if they were your own cherished roses . It's such an encouraging group here I don't feel so alone in my labor. My old neighbor Bud ( great name huh ) laughed when I told him I wanted to make a rose garden here at the apartments. I remember his stinging words " No one will appreciate them ". It felt a little silly but I used to pick flowers and take them to him. The old guy died last year but the flowers did change his mind. My Evelyn stands in a deep weed patch at another neighbor's flower bed . She orders food by mail and rarely comes out her door. Evelyn's glorious petals fall never being seen by anyone but me, the delivery people and occasional passer by.