My older (1938) home lot is small by current suburban standards. The island between the front sidewalk and the street is about six feet wide, and has a good bit of natural pitch that slopes upward and away from the street. Growing in this island is an Ash tree with a 52" girth, which I like and want to keep as healthy as possible. Over the eight years I've lived here, the root structure at the base of the tree has pushed up from the surface of the lawn in considerable measure. To the sidewalk side of the tree, I've had to replace sidewalk tiles because of the heaving - no big deal there. But on the part of the island between the trunk of the tree and the street, which I used to be able to push a lawnmower over with no diffuculty, the area has become a woody half-dome with a virtually vertical wall that begins where the curb stops. Around this area there is a small but steady amount of soil erosion I would like to control. I tried to re-establish grass on this domed area by applying topsoil, grass seeds and burlap over the problem spot, but the soil didn't stay put and the grass never got re-established. I would appreciate any advice as to ground cover or any other suggestions for dealing with this issue, so long as they don't involve removing the tree. Thanks! Steve

I'm new at this garden thing so bear with me. I would like to grow some tomatoes and peppers on pots. Can somebody tell me what kind of pots I need. I've seen some clay and plastic ones. Some plastic pots have a contanier or plate on the base. Is clay better than plastic? Thanks for your input.