I had dahlias for the first time last year, and did a lot of reading about how to store the tubers. There were so many different ways that I wavered, trying to decide which to use -- and then we had a freeze and it was time to dig. It was getting close to Christmas and I was short on time, so after letting the clump (unwashed, just had the dried dirt brushed off of them) sit in my (55-60 degrees) kitchen for about two weeks, I dusted them with cinnamon (I read that was an antifungal but it could be an old wives' tale), tossed them into a paper bag with dry peat moss, and stuck them on the steps to the basement (about 50 degrees). I pulled them out this spring and looked at them . . . and they didn't look so good. Kind of dry and shrively. Even after looking at lots of pictures, I wasn't very good at finding eyes, and I certainly didn't see any on these. But, things oddly have a way of resurrecting themselves in my garden, so I went ahead and planted out -- the whole clump -- to see what would happen. One week and then two went by, and nothing -- I was sure they were dead. A week later -- foliage!!! I was thrilled. So, it lived!! Same story with my glads and cannas (my first year for those again) -- didn't look good, but came back strong. (Half the cannas had a little mold . . . apparently didn't deter them!) I don't know what a healthy tuber is supposed to look like after storage, but I think no matter what they look like I will always give them a shot! I don't have too many, so it's not difficult to do that. Was I supposed to moisten the peat? I did not do that. Humidity in the area they were stored was likely about 60% -- it's pretty low in the house but the stairs are above a damp basement. I'm also guessing that if I start the clump in a big pot, once I see some foliage, I'll be able to tell more easily where the eyes are? If that's the case, I can divide at that point to get more dahlias. The clump that started as a couple of tubers last year doubled in size by fall; it'll likely do the same this year. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised that although I'm completely clueless, it seems like all (or at least most) of my overwintered tubers/bulbs came through. Surprised the heck out of me :). :-) Mel

I live in a rural area that has no cat bylaws. I wrote my neighbor a very respectful letter outlining the damage her cats are doing in my yard . This is the second time I have asked her nicely . Her cats have sprayed all over my porch, defecated in my garden and dug up new lawn to use as a litterbox. I have had to reach my garden soil with gravel and pull out plants. The cats are now digging and defecating along the side of my house. I have tried to use humane deterrents to no avail . I agree on the trespassing but where I live you would have no chance of prosecution. I would have to go civilly and that costs a fortune. On top of all this, the person has dogs that are holding the neighborhood hostage . We contemplated selling our dream retirement home. My wife is in tears and she's my sweetie. We have been together 62 years.No one messes with my sweetie. I thought about the 1 plus 1 rule. Where the person violates one rule ...there must be other violations. I used to be in law enforcement ...its been a long time. I felt like that Clint Eastwood in Grand Torino....good movie . I am game for Fluffy's owner doing 15 to 20 in the slammer for 3 strikes, but I think civil liberties might have something to say about that. So am utilizing every bylaw and law to take this neighbor to task . So far , they will have to rip out fence they erected in greenbelt, rip down at least 4 encroaching buildings and redo the fencing.This neighbor is facing penalties for other issues that are going to cost them thousands of dollars. Bylaws is all over the dog situation and other neighbors are now fed up and on board with the whole operation . Oh yes, I should mention there is about to be a stop work order on a bunch of expensive renos this neighbor has done which should amount to thousands too. Do you feel lucky.....damn, I think that was Dirty Harry. I digress. There should be laws that require cat owners to keep them indoors or confined to their yard ( I don't really give a hoot how they accomplish this ...check out Pintrest or something) . I also think they should have mandatory licensing and rabies vaccines for cats...just like dogs. Maybe people also....too far? This neighbor also gets multiple cats of both genders and fails to spay or neuter them. This is reprehensible. Outdoor cats have a short lifepan here because of the wildlife , but this neighbor just gets new cats ( or they are being manufactured....who the heck knows) . It seems they are disposable. Disgusting because its just plain wrong . Did I mention that animal welfare is involved?I have no idea who called them ...my Motorola brick phone was on the fritz last week. I should really get one of those new fangled flip phones . Then I could post on Space Page...or is that Face Page ..or Face book....I am too old for this.. None of this is the animals' fault. This is about a totally irresponsible pet owner. Such people claim to be animal lovers . If they cared a whit about Fluffy, they would not let him out to get eaten by coyotes, pick up parasites or get run over by a car. Nope , these people are animal collectors ....big difference . They own the animal much like they own a Ford pickup or an instant pot or maybe a Grand Torino . So there you have it. For these neighbors, life is about to become very expensive . Fluffy and Fido are going to be very expensive . I can now clean up Fluffy's crap, pee and other bodily fluids with a sense of satisfaction.My sweetie feels a bit better now and she's back to making me those morning glory muffins with my coffee. Recipe is on Pintrest folks ...just reduce the cinnamon a tad. It gives me gas. This whole Fluffy and Fido thing ...this too shall pass. Just like the muffins . My grandson says I should just chill. I told him I just put on a sweater because my circulation bad.

canudigit I am right now trying to decide what to do with the rest of my backyard in grass. Over half the backyard is already in gardens with mulch and outlined around the perimeter of that with large pavers. I have an area left of approximately 46 X 32 in grass. I have been trying to eliminate as much as I can but am hesitant for more mulching area. Literally have hundreds of thousands of maple seeds from neighbors trees drop in my mulch yard in May. Truly a nightmare trying to clean them up yet mowing is horrendous on my back and asthma and would love to get down to just mowing the front. Have worried about doing groundcover although I am considering the wooly thyme yet how much of a nightmare will I be dealing with trying to get maple seeds out of that. Maybe I could just mow over that also after the seeds drop. Can't deal with more of an area of trying to clean up seeds. Thought about just doing the clover so many are doing because atleast I could run the mower over that area. So am trying to decide what else to do here. CH

Wow-this great news! I'm so happy that your Ds & Dh are beginning to develop a true bond and enjoy each other. Yes, it is amazing how sneaky kids can be but it seems in this case he had his own bio dad putting negative thoughts & behaviors in his head. That is truly disgraceful of him to cause such problems for his own son. I'm so happy things are really looking up for you & your family. And congrats on the lil peanut :0) _Cat