Greenthumbz--Bleach instead of vinegar or ammonia partially because it was at hand, since I keep it around to sterilize tools between diggings. Vinegar and ammonia are okay for spritzing on slugs, but these plants were getting a total emersion bath for an hour, and I didn't want them either pickled or burned. Bleach will also kill off most if not all of the eggs. On using the DE, here is part of an email I sent to someone earlier this week who had a terrible slug infestation. Okay, now to solve your slug problem quickly, cheaply, and organically, three things I strive for in my garden at all times. Go to your local feed store (as in horse and cattle feed) or your local pool supply store, and ask for a large bag of diatomaceous earth. You want the pure stuff, NOT the kind with any added chemicals, or the pelleted kind, just the straight, unadulterated, powdered diatomaceous earth. This is composed of the microscopic skeletal remains of tiny sea creatures, and viewed under a microscope it is very spiky and sharp. Without a microscope, it looks like talcum powder. If a slug touches it, the tiny particles work into its body and kill it. But itÂs harmless to pets, birds, and most other wildlife. It will kill fleas and sowbugs, too, by blocking their breathing apparatus, so it may also do in some of the smaller insects, but mostly itÂs just fatal for slugs. In my garden earthworms are not bothered by DE. Now find yourself one of those parmesan cheese shakers that you see at the local pizza place, or a fine sieve with a handle, or even an empty talcum powder container and fill it with the DE. Shake it around the base of every plant, very close to the base and make a ring around the plant 2 or three inches wide. For plants that are already infested with the slimy critters, shake some right down into the crown of the plant. Then if you are feeling really ambitious, you can also put a line a couple of inches wide around the perimeter of each bed to prevent any more slugs from crawling in. You will want to pull any mulch back from the base of the hostas before applying the DE. I did this in some of my beds 20+ years ago, and still donÂt have any sort of a major slug problem, and I live in the country and have 12 acres of totally naturalized landÂslug heaven. I havenÂt gotten around to doing the newer beds yet, but by now my toad population is such that they deal effectively with most of the slugs. Rain will wash the DE into the soil, and partially off the plants, but there is still enough residue to keep the slugs away, even though it's not readily visible. If you have a really severe problem, you might want to spread the DE around a second time in about a month, then just use it on individual plants that might still have passengers. Feed stores carry DE because itÂs an effective and safe way to deworm sheep, cattle, dogs, horses, and alpacas. Pool supply stores carry it because itÂs used in pool filters. The feed stores are more likely to have or be able to get the pure product, whereas pool supply stores usually stock the stuff with extra chemicals that you donÂt want on your hostas. Both places should be able to easily order a 40 or 50 pound bag for you, and although itÂs probably gone up in price since I last bought it, that size used to be about $10. Hope that helps. It's been almost two weeks now, and the new hostas don't have any new slug damage, so the bleach soak did the trick.

Beautiful sight and so cheerful! Here along the shoreline it's been a warm December without many bitter cold days to slow things down. I've seen some strange sights, too, in my garden. Last week I found a small white annual alyssum blooming between two evergreens. It's been two years since I planted alyssum in that spot so this must be some hardy seed that suddenly germinated. Now this week my pansies are blooming! Molie

Hi Stephanie, I am so very sorry for your loss and I feel the pain you and your family are going through. I have been there before with a special feline friend that I had for 13 years and it is painful. Currently, I have been blessed with a very special, extraordinary canine family member that I love beyond words. I have had him for 5 years now and he is my best friend and brings me enormous joy. The thought of his passing makes my heart hurt and brings tears to my eyes. I am certain the reality will be completely devastating. Your story made my eyes water. Again, heartfelt sympathy for your loss. The memorial is a wonderful idea...for many reasons !!! I do agree with Barb...don't be in too much of a hurry to get it done NOW. I am also somewhat of a novice, which is how I came across this forum yesterday. RESEARCH is the key to success !!! There are so many factors involved and if you don't do the "homework" chances are good that many of your efforts, not to mention the cost will be in vain. There is alot of information to be had here and I am sure you will get some valuable advice and suggestions. In addition, check the web. Just search for EXACTLY what you are looking for and presto, there it will be...eventually. Ha-Ha!!! A suggestion for you that I found extremely helpful, check out the Texas Cooperative Extension (through A&M) for your area. I can't send you a link, because mine is for Bexar county. There I found everything I wanted to know and then some (finally). Size, color, planting instructions, pests and disease, drought and freeze tolerance, growth habits and pictures too !!! I printed out a page that gave me 30 choices(customized) of flower with all of the pertinent info. included...PRICELESS !!! A few years ago I planted a LOVELY garden in my front courtyard. LONG story short, a lot of thought went into this masterpiece of mine. Trouble was that I was going for the VISUAL. Let me just say that it wasn't nearly enough and the longevity wasn't there and yes, I did use all perrenials !!! So that this loving tribute will last for years to come....do your homework. It will take some time, so be patient. It is spring,I am in a beautiful new home(blank canvas)I want to plant NOW. I learned my lesson the hard way, so now, I am INDOORS doing my homework !!!! Your motivation for your garden is much more important than just wanting to see the pretty flowers, so take your time. That in itself can be a form of tribute too, not to mention therapeutic!!!! Good luck and give updates !!!

Jo, you are so organized and have great research impulses. What is a 30 degree heat wave? 30 degrees higher than the usual average temp? and it stays in that range for a long time? I know that further north in the midwest for example, they have temps a lot hotter than we do, but we have a generally higher humidity. And, I suppose I'm gardening in two zones, with a 8b zone winter and a 9a zone for summer. Lows and highs but humidity in the upper reaches is a constant. Growing hosta in my locale is a learning experience, climate wise. I like to cool with a mist, which does not splash water on the leaves or drown the plants. Even with high humidity, I think they need the moisture to be there. It sounds counter intuitive but it seems to work for me. At least, I can stand to go into the garden while the mist is there, the mosquitos are not so bad until all stray breezes die down at dark thirty.