Yes, it really is best to remove the leaves and stems of the part that will be buried. But since you have already buried it it will do more harm to pull it up to remove them that it will to just leave it. The buried leaves will eventually rot allowing the new roots to develop from the stem. Tomato plants grow roots all along any part of the stem that has soil contact - thus the recommendation to plant them deeply always a good practice. Assuming this is a standard Early Girl which is an indeterminate variety, rather than the variety called Bush Early Girl and since you are only using a 5 gallon container, then yes, you will need to cut off all but 2 of those side stems. But check the tag to be sure because if it is a Bush EG, you don't have to remove them. Bush varieties are bred to grow that way...like a bush. ;) Some trim to one stem but the plant will get quite tall (6') so in that small a container 2 stems will work better I think. You'll find a great deal of info about all this over on the Growing Tomatoes forum here (linked at the top of this forum's front page) and there are also great FAQ's there on how to prune and how to grow in containers, feeding, staking the plants, etc. Be sure to check them out. Enjoy your plant. Dave

The cling wrap will help keep in the humidity and heat like you said, so I would keep it on. I am guessing you have shop lights or CFLs, and they don't get very warm so I would not worry about it getting to warm. If the cling wrap is giving you more of a headache just remove it, your seeds will be fine...just take a little longer germinate. As soon as the first one germinates, get the plastic off, and crank up the light. I have never started succulent seeds, what kind are your growing? Sounds fun and interesting! What is their mature age? Keriann~

Don't give him cold shoulder. Lay it all out. Specifically. I don't like it when you _____________ because I feel _____________ when that happens. Then tell him what you will do. Example. My 7 year old (yep, because that's how old your dh is acting!!) keeps not appreciating what I do for her. Not only that, but acting like a little brat prior to us doing fun stuff. I finally told her today that I am tired of feeling like this. I told her I cannot control what she does, but I can control how I react to it. So the next time she doesn't listen to me about eating in the living room or whatever, I'm not going to get all upset. We're just not going to do the fun stuff we had planned. Then I won't feel that she's taking advantage and martyr myself. End game. I think she got it. So, what will you do when DH does something like that? DH: I think your tattoos are hideous. You: I apologize for my husband. That was innappropriate to say to you, a guest in our home. Would you like to come with me to the patio for some tea? DH: Rush Limbaugh is an idiot, I don't see how any smart person could listen to him. You must be an idiot. You: It's obvious we have different opinions on this subject. Aren't politics a heated subject!! By the way, Aunt Jen, this is a lovely coffee cake. How did you make it so fluffy and light? By doing that, it takes the attention from him, lets him and everyone know that you won't stand for it, and lets him off without the humility of being kicked or told off. Just smile, and cut him off at the chase. Diffuse while in the heat of it, then when you get him alone have specific things to tell him, without anger or blame.

I'm assuming this is on grass? Mow the leaves right into the soil, it's a nice winter mulching and a gentle feeding for your grasses. Very thick layers may need to be distributed out to other parts of the lawn. Overall, the leaf mass atop the grass is cutting off the air and sun from the grasses. That damages them, so mowing at least once a week is recommended for normal leaf drops. Light drops can be ignored, however, while heavy, blanket-like leaf falls should be taken care of as soon as possible.