Several years ago I grew out rosella purple, Iditarod, and beryl. Grew them in 5 gallon containers with 5-1-1 ( before I stopped that craziness and switched to fafard).

Did OK. My experience- Good for those with limited space who want a fresh tomato now and again...which equals most weekend gardeners. Plants in 5 gal sold well at farmers market once they started producing - sort of like a novelty for those with a small balcony.

Didn't save seeds and was a one year deal for me. Tomatoes I'm growing out this year include Prue which has produced the best for me plus has won the taste tests for 3 years running. Black Seaman and goose creek also do good down here in the Sandhills.

I don't think I can make the Spring exchange this year in May. Have shows double booked that month leaving no wiggle room. Sigh.... Heading to Europe for a month this summer so have to pay the piper...

Laura, I am devastated to hear that you will not be at the Spring swap. You always have such interesting plants. Let me know when and which shows you have scheduled and perhaps I can meet you at one to swap. Will you have any of the tomato plants that you mentioned above for sale? Likewise, are you growing the green fruited eggplants this year? I am interested in your results with 5-1-1 mix for pots as I have been reading about it on the Container forum. Which of the Fafard mixes did you switch to? I used to visit their plant in Anderson, SC and they had a lot of different combinations. I have been using a mix of pine bark fines and Ecozyme compost for most things but this will be the first year growing tomatoes in large containers.

I've used Fafard 3B, 52, and nursery mix. 3B is a medium mix where as the other 2 are a heavier weight good for larger containers. I did the 5-1-1 the first 2 years I did containers.... Ridiculously amount of work for me as I have over 200 five gallon containers to fill plus a group of larger ones. Cost wise - a lrg bag of fafard was under 20 and filled 5ish five gallon containers. Less then 4 dollars each. 5-1-1 cost close to 3 dollars each and literally took hours to sift and mix... Didn't see any difference in production and health of plants. ( I use a slow release fertilizer in both- ) For me fafard is worth that extra dollar any day!

Those green eggplant! None of my seeds have germinated this year. I threw an email to my source out in Arizona and she is having he same problem. One nursery out near New Orleans has the plants but doesn't ship. I'm trying to convince them to make an exception! I'm growing a green apple and rosa Bianca . Have been told the rosa Bianca is just as sweet and mild as the green heirloom.. Will have to see.

I'll have plenty of tomatoes and peppers (hots and sweets) and such to share... I've been wanting to make a trip to the arboretum end April, first May time frame so definitely can meet up.

It's going to be difficult missing the exchange this Spring, took a gamble that it would be held end of April time frame and booked May. Luckily the Fall one is not too far away! And just for the record, you're the one that brings the most awesome plants! Got me addicted to salvias., Heucheras , etc. Ha

Laura, Bakers Creek has seed of many, many different shapes and colors of eggplant including some green ones and the orange striped ones. I think that I will go ahead and order some and if yours do not germinate right away, i will split the pack with you or give you some of my plants when we see each other. I have several new salvias that I will start trying to root for you next week. Are you interested in trying any of the newer dwarf tomato varieties? I will give you a list of any that I am able to get the seed of. Also, Craig LeHoullier will be selling his seedlings frome home this year. I also have a couple of new hardy begonias if you have a partial shade area in which to try them. Thanks for the growing mix info. I am thinking of making my own out of pine bark fines and Ecozyme compost screened to remove very small fines. Have you tried growing potatoes? Last year was my first year - I grew 4 kinds in a 4 x 8 bed and ended up eating most up them as new potatoes roasted with the skins on. We especially like Purple Majesty which are dark blue all the way through. I get organic seed potatoes from Country Farm and Home in Pittsboro for $2 per pound.

I'm loving my begonias and would love, love any you are willing to share. Did the begonia leaf from the Fall exchange send up shoots? (Remember I dropped the thing!). It's one of my favorites, Little Brother Montgomery., and is supposedly hardly even in zone 6. I've propagated plenty of those over the winter and have them as starter plants if you'd like a couple. Also have begonia dregei babies. I'll also have them for the Fall exchange.... for anyone who wants ...

We did potatoes last year as well, tried 12 varieties and the purples did extremely well. The fingerlings did the worse. I've increased the allotted potato planting space plus am going to do plants in (10) 25 gallon containers. ( my garden feeds 15 of us., kids- grand kids- etc! ) I saved the most productive ones as seed so don't need any this year., but will definitely keep Pittsboro in mind, I pass by there often.

I think I'm good on tomato plants, sadly all my containers are earmarked and I dare not add anymore...this year! I'll be interested to see how the work for you.

I'm so ready to go with the garden.... Come on Spring!

Laura, the Begonia took a while but is now thriving in my cool (Sometimes cold) greenhouse). I would like to grow more heirloom tomatoes in containers and am looking for sources of large pots (15 gals or larger). Any suggestions as to sources?