Barb,
Greetings and welcome:
You are correct, mail on our list is pretty slow during the outdor gardening season. On growing veggies and herbs in indoor containers- I say start anytime, since you control the conditions.
To everyone else:
My spider mites are dead! (ding dong). I do not know yet if the ivy will live, but I cute it down and am hoping for the best. Thanks for all you quick responses on that . . . I've never had spider mites before, so never paid attention to any of the "cures". Also, I got a box full of clearance plants yesterday- wahoo!
Molly