Paula,

We drove up to Johnny's about a month ago. It's about a 45-minute drive from here. I got three garden hoes I had been looking at in their catalog. It turns out you save quite a bit on equipment like that because a significant part of the cost is shipping. We also brought the Johnny's catalog with all the seeds we wanted flagged and got our seeds for the year. We went last year and year before last as well, getting mostly seeds.

Locally, we shop for plants at Longfellow's Greenhouses in Manchester. They're less than 10 minutes away. A local grower called "The Pumpkin Patch" is even closer. And, of course, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and K-Mart for some seeds and supplies. I still do over half of my gardening shopping online on the Internet, because that's where the selection is.

MM

Paulaj-whereabouts in Belfast would I find the Ocean State Job Lot? Belfast is just a quick jaunt down Rt 7 for me!

I was in Burlington, VT about a month ago, and was able to shop Gardeners Supply in person! Picked up some unique daylilies who have been potted up and are residing in the garage...awaiting planting. I visited the Bangor Garden Show last weekend, and found lots and lots of leads.....will be truly shopping. Soon!

MM, did you buy the collinear hoe? I am interested it that. Have you tried it? I know you have no weeds to try it on-yet-but you must have taken it out for a spin? I got Fortex pole beans from Johnny's-the best bean I've tried.

Meandmyshadow-you can't miss OSJL. It is in the old Ames building next to Hannaford on Rt 1. I got a hand-held rake there which I love-$1.99. The plants I bought there are doing well enough in this cold and wind, i.e., still alive and budding.