Yes, maybe I should accept that I live in the North too!
One year I did get some the size of my little finger.
But that year I ordered slips, and by the time they come, and I root them--
half the growing season is over.
These, that I am doing this year, are from the grocery store.
I just need three slips, and I think that I will get three.
One has a sprout on the top, and also a good strong slip growing under the water. I have tubs and large containers to plant them out in June.
My yard has too many tree roots so I can not plant them in the ground.