If missrubybegonia is going to use gravel, crushed stone or any such permeable material in the situation she describes, having underlying landscape fabric would be a good idea. While I generally believe that landscape fabric is the Anti-Christ of gardening, this applies to its negative features when used in a planting area. As a base material in a gravel or brick path or sitting area, it will be useful for awhile (5-10 years, or whatever the expected time before the stuff breaks down) as a weedblock. And unless there is heavy foot traffic or an overhang that keeps things very dry, it is a good bet weeds will sprout in and through the gravel. The stuff that sprouts in it (that the fabric won't prevent) can fairly easily be raked out. What you want to avoid is the deep/tap-rooted stuff that comes up through the gravel (and once lawn is removed, all sorts of weed seeds that have been waiting for this moment are liable to germinate). Consider not using fabric if there's a chance the area will be used for planting again someday, as soil underneath fabric gets slick and compacted. If small-sized gravel is to be used, irregular edges are better than rounded ones, as with the latter one's feet tend to sink down and/or roll uncomfortably if the gravel is more than a couple inches thick.

Saw this very old post and had to read it. It's amazing that more than a decade has gone by and many of these items are still a massive pet peeve of mine and still regarded as faux pas. I absolutely hate red mulch, white gravel. The tacky plastic items are gross. Mini fences make no sense to me. Why not just plant a row of 6-12 inch growing flowers or plants. Not a big fan of people using wheelbarrows (other found objects) as a flowerpot. Too each their own, but I am always drawn to the classy/formal looking gardens. Lots of plants, but within a colour scheme or proportionate to each other in that the forms of things complement versus distract or compete against each other. Sometimes less is more. Another pet peeve of mine is over planting and it looking like a hot mess.

Marcia, Please help me find out what kind of snake I came across today. While I was at the local dog park (near Orlando) I came across a yellow with black stripes snake. It looked to be between 3.5-4 feet long and did not appear at first glance (that was all I gave it out of fear) to be shiny. I was about 3 feet from it and didn't know it until my dog almost stepped on it. She obviously didn't see it either. The snake seemed a pit peeved about the whole thing but it decided not to attack and to slowly slither towards ME to get away from my dog. Needless to say, I took off in a different direction real quick and hollered for my dog to follow. I am not like you or others on this site. I am not a fan of snakes and am extremely afraid of them. Although, I don't mind the black racers that seem to have taken up permanent residence in MY back yard and they love to procreate often (or so it seems). I have seen a lot less field rats since the racers moved in and that makes me very happy. Anyway, can you help me figure out what this snake was? I have spent hours and hours online tonight trying to find it and just can't seem to find anything that looks like it. I am guessing that it is not dangerous to me or my dogs??? I am scared to take my dogs back through those woods that they so dearly love. As soon as I told them, "No more woods until the snakes are gone again," they "told" me to find it if it was dangerous or not and if it isn't that they want to go back again. So that is mostly why I am asking you for your help. We all love the walks but I am afraid of the snakes. Please help me feel safer about going back. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi all, I just came back to the computer after a few days of hard-core tomato-picking and processing, and no computing! (I am already sick of tomatoes.) This has been a fascinating thread to read. Linda, I know well your thoughts on Bt and its destructive power, but I grow three corn crops...early, mid-season and late. Usually the early corn ripens early enough that I don't have to worry about corn earworms or corn borers. But, without Bt, I wouldn't get any mid-season or late corn worth eating. If some desirable caterpillars die in the process, that's unfortunate but that's jsut the way it goes. I try to keep the killing of all insects to a minimum, but there's times it's necessary. I refuse to feel guilty for dusting BT on a tiny portion of our 14 acres, since the rest of the acreage is not treated for anything. OKC1, what incredible helpful advice you offered in your post! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! I always love reading what you write. Susan, What am AMAZING amount of DE information you packed into one post! I love DE because I know I'd have to use more "hard-core" bug solutions were it not for DE. And, I'm with you on it being a bad year for the moths and butterflies. I'm wondering if it is drought-related? We have fewer butterflies this year than ever, and it is very sporadic. We'll see a few for a couple of days, and then not see any at all for the longest time. And, it is TOO HOT outside for man or beast now, isn't it? Hi again, Linda. I haven't seen any hornworms in the garden yet either, which seems sort of odd. I do have 3 plants out of about 100 that have some sort of damage that certainly looks like hornworm damage, but can't find one of those caterpillars anywhere. I know they can disappear into the green foliage of the plants, but usually I can spot them anyway. Not so this year. Hope y'all are having a lovely weekend. It is too, too hot and dry here. Dawn