To Judy, in the Garden State, what part of New Jersey are you in? The climate where I live, Cliffwood Beach in southern Middlesex County, is moderated by the Raritan Bay. It may be balmy in the morning when I step out but when I get to work in South Orange it often feels 15 degrees (F) colder. We've had frost though the last 2 nights. I imagine further northwest, away from the coast and up towards the Appalachian ridges of Sussex county, the seasons may be weeks behind. I've got great soil, sandy but full of oak roots, that needs constant organic amendment. Cypripedium acaule grows nearby. However just around the house, and in certain spots in the back, are large clayey patches I guess from when they dug out the cellar. Bonaventure Magrys