All good ideas and input above. This year Cuz and I are going to try a 3X3 wrap of landscape fabric round each plant like a blanket around your Christmas tree. (a great idea from Nightpharmer) After placing the fabric, we will then cover it up with the usual mulch, leaves, dead grass etc. This should limit the need to visit even more by detering competing weeds. We are really trying to get this thing down to as few visits as absolutely needed. I figure just a couple water visits at first to get em started, a couple or 2-3 visits for supplimental water during any real dry periods, and one check with a fert meter about half way through and re-add the time release ferts as needed. Thats a total of only like 4-5 trips.:thumbsup:

good luck to everybody

bob