Greetings all....

Time to start planting bulbs and some suggestions are needed on
repelling squirrels. I've heard of Ropel (haven't used it).

Does a natural... mix it yourself remedy exist ?? Something
low cost but effective. (Drink instant coffee, so no usablecoffee
grounds.)

Just lost a whole winters collection of potted bulbs to those tree rats
I can always set up a trap to discourage the pests from
coming around, however I'd like to try something more
humane first as I have a new assortment of tubers going in shortly.



A note for general information... returned a whole bunch of encore
azaleas to Lowes and Home Depot. I purchased 8 last year,
sinking 6 in the ground and overwintering two. Purchased another
8 on sale this year. The ones in the ground didn't fare well over the winter nor did
the mulched ones.

Started asking questions..... the answer is.... encore azaleas do well
in zones 7 - 10 however they are not recommended for zone 6 where
they need to be treated as annuals or tender perennials. I'm at the
very northernmost part of zone 7.. about 40 miles from zone 6... so
either 6 or marginal 7 depending upon how the wind blows.

The tag did not have ANY hardiness zones listed whereas
many of the other shrubs had. I had to search the encore site and look
for the FINE PRINT to discover the recommended zones.

Kinda ****ed off about this as I started looking at encore azaleas
several years ago, observed growing habits and selected the types
of plants most suitable for the growing location in terms of size, growth
rate, sunshine, color and moisture. Looked like a really nice plant.

A lot of research done, and a lot of garden center browsing done,
for a plant which is marginally acclimated for this climate. Wish I
had all the knowledge up front... it would have saved me a lot
of time better spent elsewhere.

You would think the big box garden centers would actually
THINK about what they sell. Instead, I'm finding tropical
plants in the middle of January and Wal Mart is selling
Day Lillies and Peonies, already sprouting in the
middle of February when they can't be planted till
May. Isn't anyone using their brains ???

Aargh, my gardening education continues...

end of rant...

Thanks !!!


Peter