I agree with Stage_rat about the Nasties and Profusions. Or a lot of people grow flowers by color, so getting a bulk pack of all red, deep "black", or all pink flowers, something like Zinnias, Nasturtium or snaps would go over well. Take a look at Stoke's seeds - they sell in single colors. But then I also agree with BonnyLynn, You can never predict what the sweetheart seeds will be because all it takes is for somebody to post a single gorgeous photo and everybody on GW will want the seeds for the plant(s)! I would say the interest in red flowers has gone up 1000% since Gottagarden has started posting her photos here on the CG Forum. I will say you will have better luck if you know the height and color of the flower/plant. It's almost essential if you want people to repond to posted trade offers. A Pink Cactus Zinnia is "worth" more than Mixed cactus Zinnias. Also, things with very dark red or purple foliage like Salvia Purple Volcano or Purple Knockout are extremely popular. I bought a giant pack of Red Rubin Basil last year and got a lot of trading mileage out of it. (Gorgeous BTW, highly recommended!) Last year, I noticed all black, dark maroon and brown or chocolate flowers were very popular, but this year? Who knows! I would say that any flower that is out of the ordinary for color is ALWAYS sought out. Nasturtiums in any color except orange or mixed; Thunbergia that is any color except gold with a black eye; red marigolds; maroon Zinnias; Coral or bright red hollyhocks; Red Sunflowers; ultra-short sunflowers; stuff like that. If you do decide to purchase seed, be sure to let people know it is C. (Commercial) To some people that is "worth" more than collected seed. Oh, and F1 hybrid commercial seed would likely be sought out, too. Lime

Here's my question: Which heaths & heathers bloom during the winter? I've heard that some heaths bloom even in January in my zone, and that sounds too good to be true. And... How long do the blooms last? And... Has anyone ever put in an all heath & heather front yard instead of a lawn? Cuz that's kinda what I want to do! Well, I have more questions than answers I guess! Hopefully that will change in a few years once I have some actual hands-on experience with these cute plants.

Wow... again! LOL... Such responses. It's taken me the better part of the day to absorb it all. I'll try to take them in order. Guapogardener... I'm trying to do the whole xeriscaping thing. I am not one that likes to spend copious amounts of water when it's not available. Also since all of the watering done will have to be done by hand, it's a lot of work to do for this entire lot. My old garden in Portland was large, but not as large as the lot I have now. I can't imagine planting labor intensive flora in the long run. I am looking for 'substitutes' so to speak. I feel it would be strange to try to put in plants that thrived in Portland here in Orlando. Additionally, there are all these beautiful tropical plants to choose from - I can't imagine picking something as 'mundane' as a rhododendron when I can have crotons. I would actually *love* to get rid of about 40% of the lawn I have now. Not just because it's a hodgepodge but I'm just not a big lawn person. Mowing, edging, weeding blah blah blah. And in return... a lawn. Now I know there are those that love lawns, I'm just not one of them. Also in Portland a brown lawn in the dry season is a badge of honor. It means that you are doing your part to conserve water. Countrynest... thank you for the welcome. :-) I intend to be asking many questions. Especially on plant identification. There's a couple plants I've seen that I'm really finding attractive. I just need to go out and get pics of them to post here and ask. Gardencpa... The nickname is actually from my boyfriend. I have a lot of Irish in my background and because of my hair and skin, he calls me that. I have to admit I like it. *grin* Watering... there are plenty of nozzles available for hoses. Which is a good thing in the establishment phase of things. "only the toughest plants survive"... there must be a lot of tough plants here. It seems like everything grows so well... almost too well. It confuses me because of the sandy soil and the heavy rains that wash away minerals. Yet... everything grows like wildfire. Is everyone fertilizing like mad or did too many people bring in too many plants? The skunk vine... is that the name of the very delicate looking vine that's very invasive? The one with the clusters of small white flower with magenta throats and small pointy leaves? I'd love to know the name of it. You know what they say... 'know thine enemy'. ;-) Ill_mannered_ache... I think you are so right about starting small. If nothing else it makes sense when trying to establish plantings. Instead of driving the water bill sky high by trying to establish new plantings all over, it seems better to so a bed or two at a time. Not only for labor but because you do have to water things that you're trying to establish. Lakeron... I sooooo know what you mean about microclimates. I've noted so far that I have at least four... not just for the four compass directions either although they do play a role. The western sunset sun is much more harsh than the eastern sunrise sun. Also the southern side is much more prone to have things wither than the northern side. I'm glad you posted because it made me think of sectioning off parts in the yard into individual areas. I've got more than enough space to do it. Lacoquina... One of my big concerns is planting 'bad plants'. The ones that can get out of control, be invasive, have environmental issues etc. I am glad you posted about the passion vine simply because I'd been looking at it. I think I am better off with a different flowering vine. Any suggestions? :-) Fawnridge... I'm trying to go with the approach of creating 'islands'... I'm not big on water features simply because... well if it's a fountain and it runs it makes me have to go to the bathroom. *grin* Anna... thank you for posting. I'm still confused about things growing so big/fast and the condition of the soil. If the sand is so bad, why do things grow so well? Susieq... a sidenote... that's my sister's nickname. :-D My oleander hasn't bloomed much for the past months, is it possible that the bugs are eating the blooms? What product do you use? In Portland I used natural controls for bugs - alliums, marigolds etc but I fear that natural controls may not be enough here. Whew! Thank you all for your feedback. I'm watching this thread like a hawk. So much knowledge in one place. It's like I've found nervana for garden info in Florida!

Just because it says round steak doesn't mean you can throw it in the pan & brown nicely on both sides & eat!!!(My 1st company dinner) Lucky for me everything else was good!! Coffee in a recipe usually means brewed cold coffee, not the grounds!! Very crunchy tho! (I gave her some lessons after that) "dot with butter" means about 1/4 tsp dots around over filling of pie. "dash of salt" about spot on your hand size of a pea & not piled up. Often to just "cut" the powdered sugar taste in icings. When your recipes get old copy them so you can read them & cover with a plastic sleeve, then put it away when you are finished using it. Candy can't be thrown together like cookies or sweet breads. Candy can't be doubled if it is cooked kind. Just make another batch. Learn to make a cream sauce & gravy from someone who knows how!! And of course be sure you have all of the ingredients before you start. Neighbors may not appreciate you banging on the door every other day!! Oh, this is important. Waxpaper should not be used anywhere near a gas stove. I had finished frosting carrot cookies & took them to freezer when the fresh orange icing was set & I was tired so didn't think to pick up the sheet of waxpaper it was about 12 in. from burner. I went to make tea on gas stove, I just boil water & put tea bags in.Second the flame started the waxpaper literally walked to the flame & flames shot up into the vent. My 1st thought was I need to run water from sink but realized I had a whole pan of water for tea just dumped it over & it got it all. I have made cookies in same spot for 40 yrs & left wax paper there hundreds of times. I'll bet someone changed the formula, just like Pyrex has been changed & DD had a fairly new Anchor Hocking glass casserole break in her hands last year. Pyrex is very dangerous now & no recourse it it blows up & cuts you or blinds you. Chinese co. is not responsible. I had taken 9 old Pyrex pie & cake pans out of my oven last week when I got the email & heard how dangerous it now is. The old stuff is Ok!I think!! You might want to use stainless steel pans now. Safer! Google Pyrex- wow!