In a message dated 8/30/2004 8:37:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jglatt@ptd.net writes: Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc - seem able to have spring flowering, fall planted bulbs available for sale way earlier than mail order vendors can ship. How come? They demand receive priority from their overseas vendors and their distribution and warehousing and shipping are very, very efficient. For a peek into the big box business model, peruse the supplier information section of the Wal-Mart website at: http://walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/… er&template=ContentLanding.jsp&categoryOID=-8250&catID=-8250 Mark Mazer Intarsia Ltd. Gaylordsville, Connecticut 06755-0142 USA http://www.therapyshapes.com/ USDA Zone 5 Giant Schnauzer Rescue