> Since coming to Kentucky three seasons ago, > growing them here has been a dismal experience! I will NOT give up > - we > MUST have them ;-) I am trying to learn more about varieties that > will > grow here with 90 days less growing season and wet weather. If > anyone > can suggest varieties they've had success with in this part of the > country, we'd appreciate that! What may help you succeed here is to garden like we do: start pepper plants (and tomatoes) indoors about March 15, and don't set them out till the guaranteed frostfree date, which is May 15. That way you can succeed with practically any chile, except a few Southwestern types that need a 150-day growing season. The head start is helpful for most peppers, and essential for habaneros. For sweet peppers, same deal. Yes, pimientos do well. Blushing Beauty in particular also does great, and so do banana peppers. As to compost, I've never found that the type mattered much as long as I used some. The soil-test idea somebody mentioned is a good one too. My soil's neutral, so I do throw 4 or 5 paper (not wooden!) matchheads in each planting hole and cover them with a little soil before setting in the pepper and tomato plants. It keeps the PH just about perfect and doesn't burn the roots. I envy you living near the Gorge. I love it down there; in fact, so much so that Sky Bridge is where I want my ashes scattered when I die. Rain @@@@ \\\\\\\ ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!