Thanks virgo for that info. So that is the right dimension 2x2,and they come that way and don't have to be cut lengthwise. I suppose 8ft would be a great height for most sunflowers, thanks for another good idea. :-) I realize that squirrels are very smart. I wonder why that is? Why were 'they' made so smart? [g] They can't be smarter than people can they? I was watching Backyard Habitat on TV yesterday and they were helping to deerproof a yard. They mixed up onions/garlic/hot peppers and made a spray for some of the plants. I wondered why something like that wouldn't do the trick? The Joe Pye Weed sounds like a great idea, and doesn't it bloom about the same time? Thanks Katy and virgo. :-) Katy, I guess I shouldn't laugh about the pumpkins but can I grin a little? [g] That was very thoughtful of you to provide a snack for your friends, but I guess you didn't know what rude guests they are! So did they eat the pumpkin or did they just get the seeds out? Katy I used those milk crates filled with leaves over the hydrangeas and now the snow is covering them over fine. So I hope we get more snow to cover over all the pumpkin carcasses in the yard. You could end up with yard art. [g] I don't know, with all the squirrely stories I hear, I am starting to think Wendey has the right idea, a trained squirrel dog. :-) adam

The source of my beliefs is research, practical experience, and observation. The application is borrowed from the science of geology, but physical laws of adhesion, cohesion, and gravity combine in container soils to govern its variable effect. The primary influence is the particulate size of container soils. You can prove its (PWT) existence in myriad ways. Hold a saturated sponge with its largest (in area) surface horizontal until it stops draining. Turn the sponge so it's smallest surface is horizontal, and more perched water will drain as the height of the PWT equalizes in a lesser volume of sponge. Grasping the sponge by a corner after it has again stopped draining, so one corner is down, further reduces the volume of sponge occupied by perched water and even more water will drain. Finally, with a corner down and no draining occurring, touch the corner with a toothpick held vertically (a wick) and even more water will drain. Or: Hold a toothpick to the drain hole of a container of saturated soil that has just stopped draining & watch its wicking effect drain more water that had obviously perched in the container. If you care for more details of how it all works, follow the link provided. Al Here is a link that might be useful: More information

Figs in San Diego! Here is the information site sourced right in San Diego: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/ Good luck even if you may not need it for growing figs in San Diego.

I meant that your competence at growing healthy, appealing plants is the first step in enabling you to compete with big box stores. But I don't think you will be able (or want) to do it at their price or on their terms. That's where your artistry comes in. Grow something they don't, or in ways that they don't. Unusual baskets could be the answer. I have to say I have shopped for baskets at big stores and nurseries and ended up buying nothing. I wanted bigger baskets than any of them had. Really big, to hang ferns and other shade plants from trees where I didn't feel like watering constantly. I wanted tiered baskets and found none. I guess I saw nothing that knocked my socks off -- so I would have been a perfect customer for someone like you offering something different. I would take photographs of your work so you can show people what the baskets will look like when they fill out so you can sell them newly planted -- or take orders for color combos to match their gardens or decor.