On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 11:35:06 -0800, wrote:

But this year I see the group has become pretty meanspirited.
Everyone directs inquirers to other sources, never giving their
experience, thoughts or whatever, and now including a few snipes like
read the label, look it up, do it yourself, etc. etc. etc.

I beg to differ. I believe nearly all the inquiries requesting
specific information or experience are answered adequately and
politely (with the usual exceptions for any newsgroup). Even when a
troll posts only "how do I garden?" he generally gets a few hints, or
a follow-up query to clarify the situation.

I see little point in writing a treatise on, say, growing tomatoes,
when I can suggest a good web site on the subject. Some posters don't
appear to know how to use search engines. It isn't mean-spirited to
suggest how this is done.

When someone posts "how much sun does XYZ plant need, and can I grow
it in zone 6 (or mentions a location)?" there are *heaps* of relevent
answers.