Derek’s new book titled ‘GROW THIS!’ by Rodale Press is now available from Amazon and Walmart. Derek explains how the book helps gardeners make intelligent buying decisions when they shop for plants or seeds in a garden center or from a seed and nursery catalog. As an example he describes the hardy, drought-resistant strain of ‘Barnhaven’ primroses, developed by an Oregon housewife, the late Florence Bellis, and which can give three months of early spring color. Our interview this broadcast is with George Ball, president of Burpee Seeds. He explains his company’s history and famous Fordhook Farm testing facility. He also describes new flowers and vegetables featured in the new spring 2013 catalog. Listeners’ email questions include how to grow a giant pumpkin, advice on plants for a boggy, shaded area, also the hardiness of the ornamental grass called pampas plume and whether it can be invasive.