I use soda cans cut in 1/2"-3/4" strips and "engraved" with ballpoint pen. I can get 8 to 12 out of a can worth 5 cents redemption, and can still recycle the top and bottom. They can be stuck in the dirt or one end coiled around a branch. They've lasted well for me so far, but a friend says hers started to disintegrate after 8 or 10 years. But we have very acidic air and soil, lots of rain, and strong sun--those all deteriorate things quickly.

Lou, I was given a kneeler for Christmas one year. When turned upside down, it is a low seat. It might be low enough, if stable enough, to get your butt up on so you do not have to scoot all the way into your house. You should make deep pockets for your apron. Short front pockets on women's jeans are a pet peeve. They always used to be deep enough. Now the pruners fall out. What gives? Also, although jeans pockets do eventually get holes at the tip from carrying tools, especially scissors, I just turn the tool upside down and keep going. The handle end is broad enough to not breech the hole. When tying up, the ball of twine goes in my left pocket. Since I start with the end of the twine from the middle of the ball, the twine feeds smoothly without rolling the ball around. Then the scissors go in my right pants pocket and I'm good to go all day. Diggers and pruners go in the right pants pocket. I can usually carry two out of three tools there as long as the clothes manufacturers aren't stingy and making short pockets. The left pants pocket carries dog treats to keep the puppy (12 years old) where she needs to be. I use a 10 gallon bucket (I think it held grout at one time) for tools. This is kept next to where I walk out the large garage door and so is easily picked from, especially since all tools, including a small landscape saw, are set in vertically. There are enough tools to keep everything upright. I seldom bring the whole bucket. I use other 5 and 10 gallon buckets, which all have handles that can be slung over the handle of the wheelbarrow or the handle of a shovel being carried over my shoulder, to carry fertilizer and a few plants that need planting or for picking weeds. Cath

I was just out at Home Depot waiting for them to get freed up to go see if they could shake some potting soil loose for me; the kind I went after was outside. While waiting, I spotted a pack of 5 pairs of gloves coated with nitrile for $5. Can't beat that so bought those, mens' large, I like large, long fingers but smallish hands otherwise. Also, while I was waiting for them to check for the kind I wanted (took an empty bag), they had MG potting soil sitting on a low display. It was 1-1/4 something and $8.95 or maybe $7.95, can't remember. Tested the weight and could lift it with ease. I thought I should just make it easy on them (and myself) and buy the MG but didn't want to pay that and my last had more twiggy stuff in it. So they roll out 4 bags of what I wanted for me, went to check out, and it was $3.77 a bag! Those things are so heavy even they had trouble lifting them, frozen solid. So I'm waiting for help to get them out of the trunk of my car, won't try to do it myself in the snow. Son said he was going to go for me so I told him I saved him the trouble and did that part myself. Now he will come by, hopefully when he needs to head this way for something else, and unload it for me.

Yes, Mao tse mom you are correct, almost. Kelly and I could not agree on our goals for a swap. We met through the gardenweb and spoke a few times. I got permission to hold the swap with the intent to have a free event,open to the community. We will sell sandwiches and drinks as a fund raiser for the up keep of our 6 acres of grounds. This is a plant swap no plant sells allowed. If you to come to either or neither it is up to you. All I personally am doing is giving away plants to anyone that wants them. I am sure there are others out there that hate to just toss healthy plant into the composte. If you feel this way too, bring them to a swap. Pam