The Powers That Be on this site make it difficult for anybody living outside the USA. They seem to think that nowhere else exists on the planet. I forget how I did it now (been a long time), but I had to invent my details to be accepted as a member - they didn't recognise 'Australia'.

Consequently, on My Page, you'll see that I live in the United States, in 'Aust' state!

Well, 'Aust' is Australia, which is NOT a state of America. In fact, it's an entire continent!!

We don't talk in 'zones' here. So I usually mention in posts where it's relevant that I live in the 'subtropics'. Which I think is fairly self-explanatory - just south of the line on the map which denotes the tropics to the north. I take it for granted that people know what the climate is like in the tropics. Well, it's not much different in the subtropics.

When people talk 'zones', it really means very little to me. I just try to remember that the higher the number, the higher the average temperatures, and that's as close as I've ever come to understanding a system that is foreign to me. Same with the names of the states in America. I'd have to get out an atlas to find most of them, and still I'm in the dark about whether they get frosts and snow or heat-waves or hurricanes - or a bit of both!

I know I'm in the minority, being a foreigner (to all but Australians!) but Westelle makes a good point. Climate and weather conditions, soil conditions, and whether a plant is in a pot or in the garden are all important snippets of information that can influence the answers to a question.

My member profile clearly states what zone I am in as well as what part of the US I reside in. Many of the posters here know very well that a growing zone is very imporant as to plant hardiness in colder climates, as well as bug and disease problems. Here, I have no fire ants, and no worry about some diseases that would otherwise give me problems in my growing zone 6 in eastern Massachusetts.. My profile has always shown this, as well as my favorite garden enemy and what I do with these enemies..

You all make some very good points. Hardiness zones are helpful but not necessarily the "say all" when it comes to growing plants, especially herbs. Texas alone goes from zones 6 to zones 10. I have found many issues to consider when planting herbs, some of which are mentioned by Daisy. Many herbs say "full sun". Well full sun in south Texas will cook the herbs right in the ground, and if it is very humid, it will actually steam them. When the air temperature reads 95°, the soil temperature at the base of the plant can read 120°. Thus a lot of summer-grown herbs are winter-grown here in the deep south.

Regarding not listing information on "member page", I believe it has a lot to do with security and the fear of identify theft. That's just my opinion though.

ksrogers, your picture is very disturbing to me, but them I'm a person that learns to live with wildlife rather than kill wildlife.

I was just poking around exploring new places when I opened this thread for no particular reason, read the previous post, and then of course, had to look at the "disturbing" photo. That pretty much cures my urge to look around. Inhumane forms of animal control do not impress me.

what the heck? did you mis-post poisondartfrog?

Naa, they're complaining about the picture of the dead woodchuck on KSroger's "my page".

Yah.... they don't know what damage a critter can do in a country garden.

Au contraire! I know all about what animals can do to your yard and flower beds. I live in the country on an acre of land with many garden beds. I grow specimen plants including trees, tropicals, herbs, roses, and natives to name a few. And I have a greenhouse full of orchids.

Do I have animals that destroy my gardens? Yes, sometimes. I have armadillos, moles, voles, gophers, raccoons, possums, in addition to deer, coyotes, snakes, bob cats, and cougars to name just a few animals here, and the gators that manage to stay away most of the time. No I do not kill the animals that get into my gardens. Rather I manage to deter them in other ways. Do a little research, and you will find that there are ways to get the animals out of your yards without killing them.

BTW, the animals were here before we were, so rather than kill then go ahead and try moving them elsewhere. OR better yet, try to live with nature opposed to fighting it.

Enough said!

Wow, I like the way you think ltcollins! :D Course I am not dependant on my garden, if I was, it's me before the animals, fer shur! And I live right now in the suburbs, but have not in the past and found fencing and chicken wire to be effective. But I have to admit, wookchucks have never been a problem to me, deer and rabbits and gopher's were the extent of my problems.
I have to admit, dead animal bodies aren't my favorite artwork, yet i can understand revenge. :o)

I to would like the location of the poster. My zone 5-6 in KCMO is a lot different than my stepdaughter in zone 5 mountains of New Mexico. Zones are just a temperature range not really an indication of what will live in an area. I really would keel over if I could grow the beautiful 4 ft bright blue rosemary that they have in her zone but I can't because of other conditions other than zone.

I totally agree with Daisy (as I so often do). Full sun here means what is does in south Texas, and nothing, but nothing dries out in the winter here, as it's the only time we get rain. Summer is from April to September and nary a drop, ever. Water is expensive, and so are fancy irrigation systems. I rarely frost, if ever, but my garden is on a 45 degree or more slope, which affects things. I constantly have to translate information for my little piece of garden. Also, we have few if any sources of information like American extension services, and I have FINALLY after years of searching found a small group of community gardeners here in the city, whom I expect to leech onto for information and companionship asap. So advice like "ask your county extension agent" is useless to me. Still and all, this is the only forum where I can chat in my native language and get the bgest info available to me. But the zone thing is a sore point. Batya

LOL, Batya! It took me a while to figure out what an extension service is, too! I still wonder what it is an extension of! That's why I usually refer people to their local agricultural authority - most countries have one - or to a botanical gardens. These almost always have research stations attached. Of course, they are not always located conveniently close to home, and they might be located at a university a long way distant, too.

It's good that you have joined a gardening club of sorts. You can learn an awful lot from experienced gardeners. Batya, you have excellent drainage, no doubt, but you probably need to add considerable amounts of compost to the soil to improve moisture retention in summer.

The 'dry' season here is winter, and the 'wet' season is summer - just the opposite to you! This actually makes life easier, because most plants are dormant in winter and need less watering. Water is scarce and expensive here, too, because we're in a drought and we have missed out on our usual torrential summer downpours for several years. Severe water restrictions are in place. So mulch has become the latest garden decoration. I've always used it anyway. It protects the roots from both heat and cold, and conserves water - not to mention helping to keep weeds at bay.

I will try to answer your question about "Extension Agent Office".

Daisy, your comment That's why I usually refer people to their local agricultural authority - most countries have one - or to a botanical gardens. These almost always have research stations attached. is basically what a county extension office is and provides to the public. We are fortunate that every county in Texas has an office with lots of valuable information. Originally it was set up to aid farmers with agriculture questions, but with fewer farmers and more small-time gardeners, they have evolved to include much more.

Website Extension Offices states the following:
Cooperative Extension System Offices
This section of our Web site will help you find your nearest Cooperative Extension office. The Cooperative Extension System is a nationwide, non-credit educational network. Each U.S. state and territory has a state office at its land-grant university and a network of local or regional offices. These offices are staffed by one or more experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes.

CSREES is the federal partner in the Cooperative Extension System. It provides federal funding to the system and, through program leadership, helps the system identify and address current issues and problems.

And here is a list of the Texas County Extension Offices.

I hope that you now understand that our Extension Office is basically the same as your local agricultural authority.

I have absolutly no guilt when dealing with an animal that will destroy my garden. For two years, I lost every single squash plant and every single sweet potato plant. Once these were gone, the woodchuck went to the fruit trees and chewed off branches. Then the peppers, tomatoes, and melons were all destroyed. If you like these varmints, then, I will send them all to your area. Rodents, of any kind, as far as I'm concerned could be one less creature on this earth that we would have to deal with. Apparently that same individual who posted here, also complained to the GW people, about my photo, so it was removed, and now, because of this, I cannot even post any photos. So much for this forum.. No more posts here, after today, you people are just way too sensitive and can't deal with everyday issues... Whatever happend to the freedome of speach amd freedom of expression? It sure isn't here... To be sensored is one thing, but to do this, is proving to me that there are people out there who would be better off living inside a bubble someplace else.

I'm really sorry I started this thread. The only reason I did was because someone on this forum asked an herbal question that I could answer IF they were in an area similar to mine. When I checked with their ID all it said was USA.... not a lot of help... so I didn't respond to that thread. And, I've found this lack of info to be a problem before. Geeesh!

Gee, Westelle, living in a place that's different from someone else has never stopped me from replying to a question if I feel I have something to contribute! Somewhere, someone will benefit from it, I hope!

It's not your fault the thread got waylaid by another issue. You've made a good point, and if needed, make it again - it really is helpful to know where people are and what the climate etc is like there.

Please do not go on a guilt trip. There's no need for it.

Anyone who has seen the damage a woodchuck can do to a garden would/should take steps. Back, when we were farming with horses they were a major menace since a horse could step in a burrow and break its leg. I've tried traps and fences (they can burrow under) and now have two dogs which seem to discourage them. The German shepherd never seemed to get the idea about chasing woodchucks but the yellow lab not only gives chase but is noisy too.

All of these comments and suggestions are great and they provide much needed info for all of us. We've all read the posts that suggest placing tender plants in bright sun. In my neck of the woods, central Texas, bright sun will cook anything. We each need to adjust the advice to our own situation. On the subject of critters, we had a raccoon and a possum that visited our backyard. At the suggestion of the county agent we sprayed red fox scent and they didn't return. The scent is fox urine that can be found in many stores that carry hunting supplies. Rain or hosing will eliminate the odor. Best wishes.