I think every state has an extension service. Here's Virginia: [link] In addition to the publications, there's probably a local extension agent you can call.

Just in case anyone else wants to find a local coop extention, here is a map, click on your state to find more local offices: [link]

Connie and Erin, those are terribly sad things. And so scary, how quickly a loved one can just be gone.

Since there seems to be a gardening theme this morning, I need some advice about container gardening in the Pacific Northwest. I did quite a bit in Texas but this is my first spring in Oregon and I'm not sure what grows well, particularly here on the coast where the sunshine is brilliant but sporadic. Any suggestions?

I am not too hungover. Crashed at a friend's house last night, and am medicating wih coffee and food. We ended up at some guy's house and I talked to this dude for a couple of hours. Need to go home and start being productive, but it's a cool rainy day and I so wish I could just nap and be lazy.

I've gotten a lot of good advice for local gardening by asking people at the nearby botanical gardens and at a nursery (a stand-alone nursery, not a Lowes or other big box add-on--although those are useful, too, for other things). Gardeners generally love to talk gardening, and they'll tell you things like, "Delphiniums don't tend to do well around here, and no one knows why. Still, that's $8 you might want to put toward something else." (I tried it anyway. The delphinium didn't do well.)

I think I am 5b. Thanks, that's so useful.

I plan on going to the local nursery -- there's a really good one about 5 minutes from our house, Soil Services, that my gardening girlfriends like -- but I want to have some ideas of things I would LIKE to ask about, to see if they would do well.

How do you know if your soil is acidic, or well-drained?

The extension service probably does soil tests for a nominal cost that will tell you whether your soil is acidic and what nutrients it needs. You get instructions for how to dig up and mix samples.

As a rule of thumb, heavy clay soils drain poorly and sandy soils drain well. However, clay soils hold moisture and sandy soils can drain too well. If you have areas of standing water, the soil probably drains poorly. The answer for both of these is digging in organic matter such as compost or whatever the soil amendment of choice is for your area. For example, in the Southeast, it's bagged ground pine bark. People from the Northeast are used to adding peat moss, which simply disappears in Georgia clay. (Note: I have heard the garden area people at big box stores recommend peat moss. Do not listen to the people at the big box stores.) I would avoid peat moss anyway, because, like cypress chips, there's no way to ensure it's sustainably harvested.

Cool. My country does free soil testing. I will dig up a sample and send it in next weekend!

You guys are so helpful!

Not drunk either. I have however been enjoying my Danger Days. Status report: the lesser tracks are growing on me with repeated listens. I prefer "Sing" on the iPhone to the TV. "Planetary (GO!)" is the most dance-around-in-your-chair-esque song I've heard in possibly years. So that's nice.

Pretty much my feelings exactly about that album. The song I disliked upon initial hearings I only like less than the rest now. It's a very "growing on you" album. Just don't play it while you're driving.