Soaht, I used to live in California many, many years ago. Monterey. Used to drive up near San Jose in those days and hit the various roadside stands for all kinds of goodies. I'm also very familiar with the Fresno and Central Valley area. My cousin lives in the desert near Victorville and I have spent lots of time in Palm Springs and down in San Diego. I used to go to California at least once a year but have been too busy lately. I have been gardening and farming off and on for 30+ years. You don't have to be from California to grow a lot of cool things, we just can't grow it year round! ;o) My Asian friends have, over the years, introduced me to bitter melon, Asian chiles, Asian eggplants, spices, curry plant leaves (I have a 3-year old tree now...), basils, culantro, a host of things. Some of it, I have to start in the greenhouse as I have about a 180 day growing season that is reliable. I think Californians would be very surprised when they see what we are growing here in the Kansas City area. We have a large immigrant population now and some pretty nice Asian markets, Middle Eastern markets, Indian and Pakistani markets and now a new Burmese/Karen market near my neighborhood. Significant groups of people from Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,Mexico, Central America, Cuba, South America, Haiti and the Caribbean have made my hometown, their hometown and with them, they have brought their culture and their cuisine and they are teaching us to grow some of the things they grow and eat some of the food they eat. I lived in Hawai'i, after I lived in California and that was a WONDERFUL experience with so many different island and Asian cultures. It really changed my life. You'll find a lot of interesting produce in the Kansas City farmers markets now as well as the ethnic markets that one would not have found 20 years ago. But yes, I still would enjoy visiting some open markets in California. When we were in Maui a few years ago, I stopped at the farmers market on the way into Kahului, evey morning. It was near Kihei. Anyway, thanks for your comments.

thanks for the feedback so far. not jwala, only because of the length. my friend told me she's seen these types generally used for drying, but has no idea what they are... i've sent my uncle who picked up the seeds the pictures.. maybe he'll have some info? any further input would be appreciated. regards, -E

I am biased towards well composted manure. Try to find out well composted manure from stable or cowshed near you. Many times, you can get it for free from Craigslist.

Meyerk9, thanks for your input! Which kind of Indian Hawthorn do you own? I would be interested in one with pink flowers ... Are they as hardy as the white? Don't understand why I read about several people in Dallas, TX who thought the sun was frying theirs. Maybe it's a weaker variety they planted? And am I right that azaleas can't take that much sun - not even the double bloom? Greg Bradley ... never knew any of CA could got that hot! Makes me feel a little better. I was beginning to think no place got as hot as it does here!