Compost is applied, not so much to feed worms (which after all, aren't essential), but to feed the soil SYSTEM and the plants. The most important living components in every teaspoon of good soil are the millions (billions for bacteria) of beneficial bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi that break down organic solids and then release the elements (as pure elements) into the soil system for plant uptake. Without these microbes, plant life would cease to exist, in nature. Compost is a food source for them. Mulch, as we all know (hopefully), creates the kind of soil environment that these microorganisms thrive in: moist and buffered from temperature extremes. So Donna has been a partner in creating a rich, productive, healthy soil system. Not so far from a miracle, I think. Even though I've seen the workings of a soil system from the inside out though the lens of microscopes, I never cease to be awed at the results. Just like Donna. I'd FAR rather devote my energies into the care and feeding of the tiniest population in the soil. (Well, tiny in size but enormous in numbers.) Worm activity is simply a collateral benefit and, in my mind, a subordinate one.

Don's latest update... ----------- Hi all, This crew of hosta fans never ceases to amaze me. Many donations are in at this point, around half what we usually have as a total, and we have yet to hear from many of our long term donors yet. Amazing! We are on track for one of our best auctions ever if things continue in this direction. Some time this coming week look for a link to be posted to get you all to the auction site. I will begin to post announcements and have one for you all to test out your existing user name and password. Forgot? Use the same news item to initiate a new one. You will then be good to go! I look forward to the usual fast paced action and generosity of the bidders that matches the generosity of the donors! Again, help your friends and the society out by relaying this message to any hosta fans that may not be on the mailing list or have not relayed their new email address to me. As usual: 1. I (dabber) enter all items ... attempt to protect donors from numerous unwanted contacts, prevent malicious entries 2. a reserve price is posted as a target or goal ... not required that this be met unless stated in the text of the item, some are suggested to me, some are estimated by me to indicate a minimal goal we would like to meet fundraising 3. closing times are staggered ... allows an individual to bid on as many different items as they wish and time to do so 4. results will be posted as soon as completed and double checked ... aiming for some time Sunday, stay tuned to NEWS ITEMS ... several will continue after the bidding is over 5. corrections, changes, reminders, payment info are all posted (or in process of being posted) under News items (these are ALL none bid items and bids will be trashed at the end, there are no items to be had here - just pictures) 6. payment may again be done on-line ... PLEASE help out by being sure to include the item title AND alias(these are a nightmare to sort out if only your real name and amount are included) 7. make payments within the 10 days ... many reasons (one is personal ... I really do have another life in addition to the auction) 8. estimate 99% of those participating are quite positive and appreciative of the donors and the people involved to put this together (several have input) 9. Bob Axmear has continued to allow us to use his site and lent invaluable assistance ... a HUGE THANKS TO HIM Different: (ONLY ONE this is posted in News items) CHANGE IN ENDING FOR AHS ON-LINE WAS INITIATED IN 2010 and CONTINUES THIS YEAR Each year we try to take what works and improve upon the way the auction performs. The way that items end will change this year. End times will STILL STAGGER as in the past. Past years the items closed the moment that the internal clock hit the posted closing time. This time IS STILL important for you to pay attention to. The time posted initiates a type of "interval timer" that allows bidding to continue until there is a 5 minute lull in the bidding. Once a 5 minute break of no bids occurs, the item will close. There will be no need to "out bid" yourself. Restated, bids will continue until there are NO bids for 5 minutes beginning at the posted closing time. We hope that this will reduce frustration for the new comer and even the playing field for all in terms of technology skills and equipment. Some participants have dial-up service, others vaguely recall how long it takes a screen to refresh especially with a picture included. This is especially true with todays speeds on DSL and CABLE. Thanks, Don Dean Here is a link that might be useful: Contact Don here

Here's a pic. I put a little sphagnum moss along the stem thinking it might help it root. It's putting out a peduncle instead of a stem. I''m not sure what that's about.

2 days ago , I had a petite Ah Ha moment. More of a ahem moment. Here in Texas , it is opposite world. Our major leaf drop , if you live under live oaks like I do, happens in March. That ialso just happens to be when I begin planting seeds outdoors in 4" pots. For years I have spent my morning coffee time picking seeds out of these pots. Either my small oaks have gotten a lot bigger or I have planted way more pots because this yea, it has been driving me nuts. Maybe I have just lost my patience and the zen-ness of the moment has given way to the onslaught of the reality of this nit picking time sink. Every year I forget about the leaves and put out my pots and consciousness comes leaf by leaf slowly as the drop slowly starts. On the second day of coffeee and stooping to nit pick leaves, that unused bug cloth that I wrap my tomatoes in kept coming to mind. I am slow. It still took another day to go and make that long walk to the pot ghetto for the cloth . Here's what a spring live oak leaf drop looks like. Not nearly as nice as a New England fall. The trees go a sickly yellow before the drop. No technicolor show. They will quickly follow it with some nice spring green. Leaflessness only lasts a week or so. Here is my solution to the yearly conundrum. The word "Dumb" comes to mind when I berate myself for the years that it took for me to get to this solution. Hmm I could work this into a poem. It now takes two minutes to flick the leaves off and I can even wait a day or two.