Thanks Michelle for your kind words. I love the picture of the tulips in the snow. We are due some snow tonight, here in Ohio, but hopefully not that much!! Tulips aren't even in bloom here yet.

Hi I,m new to this web page when I was looking , I saw that you and I both live in the same state I live in Tekonsha its 10 min. from Marshal would you like to be my Friend.

Drat! Let me explain. We bought our first house (handy-man's special) a few years ago. The back yard, dominated by ancient oaks and a massive white pine, was dark, damp and teeming with life, especialy earwings. Over time I've been able to decrease their numbers to a tolerable level. Then I noticed the petals on the flowers in my only sunny spot were disappearing. They appeared pest free until I examined them at night and found them covered with earwings. While planning my assult I found a notation in an article that they ate slugs. I have hostas...I love hostas. I also have slugs. Yet my hostas rarely have any damge. I thought if the earwing were protecting my hostas I'd let them stay.

Thanks Michelle, I hope your winter is an easy one.

Michelle, I bought the red Rudbeckia last year, there is a picture on my page. It's called Tomato Soup and is a beautiful red. This year it was a low growing coneflower. about 3 ft. tall. I saved seeds and hope to put a lot more out in my garden. They are very easy to start from seed as you know. Diane

Don't be afraid to prune back your prickly pear. Some metal tongs and a sharp knife work great. In cold weather the thicker varieties may droop and shred. By winter I cut mine back to 2-3 pads high. The smaller varieties will just lay down; prune them back some in the spring. I probably prune mine 3 times a year. Look for odd shaped pads and save these on the plant or to restart. Use a good thick rock dressing on top to reduce weeds, then use a handicapped grabber to pull weeds when they do come up. A leaf blower takes care of other debris. Using throw-away latex surgical gloves will keep the glochids (hair like spines) out of your hands.