I am generally opposed to using chemicals except when necessary. I did buy some weed-killer that says it's specifically for "woody vines" or something like that. After pulling up/out as much ivy as possible, I am carefully painting the weed killer on the new leaves when they appear. It seems to be working, as I have not seen much new growth. On one rock retaining wall, I also painted the weed killer on the cut stems when I couldn't pull them out. That seemed to be very effective. Roundup will work and is supposed to be relatively environmentally benign. Everything is relative, of course. It is much more environmentally friendly to just pull off the new sprouts when they appear. It will take longer, but eventually the plants will die if they don't have leaves to make food. I agree we should make ivy illegal.

Skybird, thanks I guess! You were very gentle. I did read the thread you linked. I've read others too where folks didn't seem to be having quite so much trouble. We live in the Greenhorn Valley (south of Pueblo)on a windy ridge. Our yard is all rocked with perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses. I dislike the rock intensely-- it's so unwelcoming, hard to walk on or work in, etc. -- but no mulch will stay down in the wind. What I hope to do is replace all the rock except the winding path with a groundcover. Any groundcover which can be walked on occasionally, is drought-tolerant, and not a attractant for deer would work. We have anacyclus daisies, which we enjoy, but it doesn't spread quickly. My husband doesn't want more woolly thyme, which we have in the back. We want some kind of a quiet background for our other plants. The look we were trying to go for when we started was a "foresty" look, but foxes dug up our irrigation lines-- never could figure out why really, but it happened night after night -- and only the rock seemed to stop them. I think groundcover would deter them also. I've attached a photo of part of our front yard from two years ago. The front doesn't face the mountain and ridge, but it still gets tremendous wind. I've looked online at groundcovers but this will be a huge project in terms of time, labor, and money, so I thought something like G.h. which I know will grow here and I like the look of would be best. I hear what you're saying, though. If you or anyone else has any further thoughts I'd sure appreciate hearing them, and thanks for taking the time to do such a lengthy and informative post.

Pauline, not yet but we are getting there. At the moment we have 51 signed up for this swap and I think that the most we have had has been 53 or 54. Today is the last day to sign up. Please make sure I have your full name, address and phone number. And if anyone has moved since the last time they participated, please make sure you send me your new address and phone number. Thanks Ann Updated list 1. Linda (Doucanoe) 2. Jessica 3. Cathy (Mustangs) 4. Janet (Granjan) 5. Nancy (Wizardnm) 6. Pauline 7. Susie 8. Marigene 9. Annie Diana Tracey Alison Brenda Dolores (Finally) Ellen Stacey (Sbrkhart) May (Lowspark) Pam (Dedtired) Bizzo Jane (Tobyt) Maggie Blueiris Stacy Diane Lars Janet (Chancesmom) Gina Teresa Linda (Lindainct) Michelle (Msafirstein Karen (Trixietx) David Terri Tikanas Maria (Mer4205) Katie Debbie (Debbie814) Karen (Riverrat) Arabella Susan (Susanin NC) Sunny Stacie (girlsingarden) Sol Jayne (Kent) Netla Sherry Sharon (Chase) Deb (Momto4kids) Scott Lori316 Ann

Eden seeds have a huge range of open pollinated, non-hybrid old traditional seeds. These non- hybrid seeds are the type you keep a little back from each crop and they will always come up true to type.They sell nearly 70 different varities of tomatoes ( just found there old catalogue 2002/2003) here is there toll free No.1800 188 199 or www.edenseeds.com.au have bought there seeds through hardware's but have freinds who buy direct reguarly. Thrips Wife Anne