Eloquent arguments...much ado about nothing. Craig, How snifty that your kids want to start a cactus garden! Gardening is a wonderful experience for children and a great teaching tool. Do you have much experience growing cacti? Will you be using pots, in-ground or raised bed? Drainage will be important for a *successful* cactus garden. As to collection of plants for your garden, let the lessons begin! Why not order one package of assorted seeds (a couple of bucks plus postage) *and* go to Wally World for one (another buck.50) *and* locate someone (in Tx that won't be a problem) who will allow you to remove one or two pads from their prickly pear. Now you've got a show going. Again, I don't know if you have experience with cactus but there are some simple tips that will help you help your children get a good start towards a successful garden. Many here, as myself, will be happy to help, if we have a bit more info. The first that comes to my mind is 1) steer the kids away from the colorful grafts at WM. Eventually the top section dies and we want success growth for young gardeners. 2)wash all dirt from the roots before planting into its new home. 3) when collecting opuntia pads, take the Sunday paper (a section for wrapping the pad), a set of tongs (in case the spines are so long they poke thru the paper) and your sharpest *long* knife (it can be tricky to get down between pads). 4) cut pads at the joints and let them scab over in a dry, shady spot for a couple of weeks before planting. 5) discuss the pros and cons of wild collection of native plants while retrieving your new project. hth - Jo

Blueangel, if you prefer to travel by interstate, take I-85 to where it combines with I-40 in Greensboro. Continue east on I-85 & I-40 until you are approaching Hillsboro and the two spit. At that point take I-40 east until you are just outside Raleigh. Take exit 289 off I-40 (Wade Avenue). Stay on Wade Ave. past the first exit which is Edwards Mill Rd., then take the second exit off Wade which is Blue Ridge Road. Turn right on Blue Ridge and you will pass the State Fairgrounds and come to the intersection with Hillsboro St. Cross Hillsboro and the railroad tracks. At the first light just over the tracks, turn left onto Beryl Road. The Arboretum will be on your right after about one-quarter mile down Beryl Rd. If you choose to not travel on the interstate, take Hwy 49 to Asheboro and get on Hwy 64 east. Take Hwy 64 all the way to the Apex - Cary area where it combines with Hwy US 1. Go north On US 1 / 64 and they combine with the Raleigh (Inner) Beltline, I-440. Continue north on US 1 / I-440 to exit 2 west bound, Western Blvd. At the first stoplight on Western Blvd turn right on Blue Ridge Rd. And go to the second traffic light which is Beryl Rd. Turn right and the arboretum is on your right as before. If you accidently find yourself on east bound Western Blvd., you can turn left at the first traffic light on Method St. and follow it to where it dead ends onto Beryl. Turn left onto Beryl and the arboretum will be on your left. Also, If you find yourself on Hillsboro St., Beryl Rd. dead ends onto Hillsboro where Hillsboro St passes under the Beltline (I-440 & US 1). I hope to see you there.

OO Carol what happened? I was really hoping you would make it to this one... Linda is having trouble getting on line with this doe commercial again but is still comming.. Cora , Kristen, Brian & Christine.. would any of yo be able to bring along some 2 liters of drinks? I went to the store and forgot drinks.,,,lol Figures wall world and $200 withou getting anything to drink! Well at least they were not busy.. Well Im getting everything together and Im sure I will be working after dark so I may not be able to post again until later.. See you all tomarrow! P.S. Im making a few signs for key turning points to help you all find your way.. Parking alongside the street is fine and the driveway should fit at least 3-4 cars.. We dont get alot of traffic on my road.. Donna

trolley_molly, I just want to second your vote for Angelo's. I've gotten some real deals there - you just have to really look at what you're buying. The japanese maple sale is sometimes incredible, as is the bulb sale. Angelo's son is a little more into talking about the plants, and he's much more visible in the business lately. He does the same thing as his father with the surprise discounts, too. There's also a young woman you often find at the register who is pretty knowledgable -you just have to catch them when they aren't swamped. The other thing that's great from Angelo's is their soil. They have a mix that's the best I've ever purchased. I also like the idea that they rescue trees and shrubs and resell them at bargain prices. It's definitely a risk, and they aren't going to deliver, but it's nice, too. I'm glad they're there if for no other reason than I can afford them! Wells, Molbaks, etc. just break the bank. Hey - someone bought a Tophat blueberry. Where did you buy it? I've ordered one twice and not gotten it either time.