plantsnobin McCoy

Don't worry too much about a doe who loses her first litter.  Not uncommon at all.  We give a doe at least 3 chances before culling.  Heat is harder on rabbits than cold is, and bucks will sometimes not breed above a certain temp, so many people don't try to breed during the hottest part of summer.  Make sure your doe isn't overweight, sometimes people tend to think they are being nice by feeding what the rabbit will eat, but it is easy for them to get too much feed. 

I think H Ludi Tyler is exactly right.  The way to get 'city' folks interested in to do it well yourself so they can see it as something they may want to try.  I know a couple who do 'permaculture' and 'green building' tours on their place.  They built a strawbale house, and they have what I would call a weed patch.  Mostly well-off college aged people come and oh and ah and think it is wonderful.  The place is a dump.  Most people would never want their places to look like that.  Most people would call somebody if their neighbors place looked like that.  I think we need to face the fact that the majority of the population is used to neatly manicured lawns, and anything that doesn't at least look tidy is going to be a shock to their system that they just aren't ready for.  If you want to give tours, get your place ready for it before you invite anyone.  Inspire others to want to do what you have done, not be glad that they don't have to live in such an awful place with weeds everywhere.  To really make any kind of difference at all, a huge amount of people are going to need to want to do it.  So you really do need to appeal to the majority, and see it from the perspective of city people, who have probably never even had dirty hands before.  Truly a daunting task...

I know that it is commonly quoted that the 'native' is less aggressive, but that has not been the case for me.  I have W. 'Amethyst Falls", and it is just about as bad.  Sends shoots along the ground to pop up once it reaches somethings upright, as well as sprouting underground from the roots.  I am in southern IN, and in our climate, I would kill it.  As a matter of fact, I will be cutting a pretty white one out today.  Not that it will be the last time I have to cut it down, this makes the second attempt to kill it.  And I am sure it won't be the last...

I grew Canna edulis from seed this year.  Didn't germinate until it finally got hot, then has grown quickly.  I may try it once it has grown enough, doubt that will take too long at the rate they are growing.  I have many plants that are generally considered ornamentals, but are technically edible.  Most I didn't know where edible until looking at the PFAF website.  We just have to remember that edible and palatable can be two entirely different things.  Still, it is nice to know there is food there if it should ever be needed.

Is there any good?  Not in my opinion.  Granted, it's pretty when it blooms.  But you have to hack that beast back constantly.  Even when you do decide to kill it, it won't be a one-time thing.  You'll be trying for a while to get rid of it for good.  The roots can tunnel along underground for many feet, going unnoticed til they are seen strangling something.  Kill it.  Kill it now. 

Not worth the paper it is printed on in my opinion.  Used to be great, and I have a near complete collection of the old ones.  Same way with Organic Gardening.  Used to be full of useful info, now no better than Hobby Farms.  Anyone who is new to growing really should try to find a collection of the old stuff.

Looks to me like Persicaria, probably Red Dragon, bred by Greg Seichert, who sadly died recently.

JLHudson is one of the best in the business.  Not only vegetables, but all kinds of plants. 

Chickenbone, I didn't mean to imply that you were a lowlife, sorry if it sounded like I thought you were.  If you have a wish list of seeds for your garden, pm me and maybe I could help out.  I have access to large amounts of a certain breeders seed, and if you would like to try mixes to see what grows best in your arean, I could send you some.

anuttama, have you contacted Tim Peters?  He has been researching wheat for years, he is a member at the homegrown goodness forum, though I don't think he spends much time there.  He has been working on perennial wheat for years.  The Kusa Seed Society also has a lot of grains.