Does it say weed seed free? I'm not familiar with that brand, but the product I buy at Lowes says 'weed seed free' and so far it has been. On doing a google search, I see that WF is a product of Scotts -- when I click onto the Steer Manure for more product information, it is stunningly unhelpful. The five-star rating is by "1 person". Hmmmmm. If the bag label is as unforthcoming as the website, no wonder you are asking for experiences from other organic users. That's a clue. is the product more expensive, with less information than the cheap stuff? Another clue. http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?proId=prod70306&itemId=cat50132

That's interesting. I didn't realize figs would continue root growth while dormant. I know other plants do (why fall planting is such a good idea), but I kind of thought of figs as a hot weather kind of plant that shuts down. Never considered it. That changes things. My big concern with overwintering just potted bareroot trees has more to do with moisture in the pots than cold temps. Heavily rooted plants seem to regulate water better - even while dormant. The channels through the soil that the roots make maybe? What I have here is kind of an "overpotting" situation. I have enough roots for the size pot, but they are all in one spot, basically, surrounded by a mass of water retentive soiless mix. Not a healthy situation - making me nervous - the pots are sodden. I've actually started wicking some of the moisture out with clay pots and paper towels. I've overwintered very successfully in the garage - even when temps dropped to 10*F in there. The only time I had a number of plants die was early on, when they seemed dry in late winter/early spring, and I gave them a drink. A number died. I know it was the water because I also "helped out" some hosta I had in the garage with a drink and lost them also, and they are dead hardy. Never did that again. The problem is finding a place cool enough to keep them below 40* F. Anyone have any experience overwintering at higher temps (40* +)? If I go this route, I'd probably want to take you up on the Wilt Pruf. Thanks for the offer. Another benefit of a deep horse manure mulch might also be in preserving roots. Many roots are right at soil level (probably why it got the reputation for being shallow rooted) and low temps and fluctuations (freeze-thaw) might do damage. So not only would you have new root growth, but probably also root preservation. This manure mulch sounds better and better. I think there is a little misunderstanding about horse manure. When I say it's hot I mean that it heats up when composted, not that it "burns" roots. Old time market gardeners in Canada used to use it to produce melons. They dug a pit, covered it with a cold frame and put in very fresh horse manure and a layer of soil. Planted melons in the soil very early and got a big start on the season using the heat from the manure. I'm not sure where it ranks in "burn" potential - I'll believe Christy's assertion that it's less "burny" than cow - sounds like she's talking from experience (How great to have your own manure sources). It would be helpful to know just how old the manure your friend gets actually is. Probably through the hottest part of the process? I have a friend with large manure making machines (Clydesdales)and could get some, but would want to make sure I'm reproducing the conditions your friend has.

Greetings Cyrus! Have you checked on Craigslist? I have gotten mines for free from someone on Craigslist. There's usually a couple of people willing to give you the stuff for free. You can in most cases get as much as you need. Here is a few links, call and check it out to see how close they are to you. Local Recycling facilities sometimes have regular compost as well made from tree cuttings, leaves etc. 1. Free Aged Horse Manure/Compost (Alpharetta) http://atlanta.craigslist.org/zip/1114140511.html 2. Free Horse Manure/Compost! (Canton) http://atlanta.craigslist.org/zip/1111569557.html 3. horse manure/compost (Covington ) http://atlanta.craigslist.org/zip/1108947756.html This is Craigslist main FreeStuff Link http://atlanta.craigslist.org/zip/ Hope this helps. Jahness

Don't know why the label would say that, clarendon. But when horticultural commerce disagrees with fellow gardeners, I go with the gardeners every time. Although I agree with donn, I often ignore best conditions and just go with what I have. In this case, I have Carex testacea in two spots, one in heavy clay and one in competition with mature holly roots. Both are partly sunny, a blessing at my house this summer with 76 days in the 90s. The soil is naturally very slightly acidic. I feed neither one and water only when I feel really guilty. My point being that C. testacea is a pretty tough plant and will probably be happy in ordinary garden soil. Just don't kill it with kindness.