I think this fits. If you want outdoor cats, then you'd better put up with your garden being a cat litter box. It is, after all, used as a litter box by all the other outdoor creatures there. Yes, Toxoplasmosis is often carried by feral cats, but it's also carried by the majority of farm animals, and lots of rodents and birds. How much squirrel poop do you have in your garden? Cook your meat, and wash your hands and your veggies. Just because your cats aren't using your garden as a litter box doesn't mean that your garden is sterile.

Kimmsr, Quote: never with landscape fabric which according to an article that appeared in a recent Fine Gardening magazine article is a bad for soil as plastic Reply: Their claim is that weed block stops water and air. So apparently some of the home improvement store type weed blocks must do that. I was very disappointed in that article. They totally missed the boat. They could have compare brands, or if that was a financial problem, they could easily have explained the different types of weed block and what types to avoid, and possible alternatives. But instead they made a only party true blanket statement. Quite misleading. They had the opportunity to do an interesting article there. I think this is another of those things that's going to vary depending on each individuals garden. For me, piled leaves would blow directly south first storm. I also have tough, flat leaves that knit into solid, waterproof layers ( thus my interest in this forum long ago, and still looking for options). For me, a layer of bark/wood chips would not only become a weed meadow, due to weed seeds blowing in and catching on the textured surface,plus the whole thing would become the neighborhood cat liter box. Cats very much prefer a lighter, well drained, thus dryer texture to dig in. Once they make a choice, they return..time after time. ... pee-ewww ... Sigh.. Fine Gardening used to be a great publication. I took time off from gardening and see the magazine is now changed a lot! It seems to be written for a much less experienced readership. Sign of the times I guess.I noticed Horticulture has changed in a similar fashion. That's nice for garden beginners, but we old timers have nothing commonly available anymore. :(

Jean- My 4 o'clocks never come up the following year, they always get frozen by winter. They do not even self seed here. I mean they do alll summer but then again nothing comes up over winter. So I have to start them again, which is a real pain. I had them running all along the front wall last summer until I yanked them to make that big planter box in the front yard were lots of new daylilies are going to be planted. Now morning glories are another story, those always (and easily) self seed. I find that if I leave any or miss any they bloom the wrong colors with smaller flowers, so I pull out self seeded vines and plant new ones from bought seeds. Last year I had some on a tower but they got so overgrown I pulled them out. This spring I think I will plant them on a much bigger, stronger tower were my trumpet vine died. Julie- I love the flowers on the bearded iris but for me the bloom period is too short to go nuts and plant them all over. Also, I do not like the looks of the bearded iris folliage. That skinny bed section in the front will be it for now. The Siberian Iris are different and I think they will be a lovely no fuss addition to my garden. Last night I also ordered one Japanese Iris because the picture was so lovely, I could not resist. I had some Japanese Iris many, many years ago at another house but not since then. I have this empty spot that I tried daylilies in but moved them because I did not like the look there. Its got roses and crosima on the sides and daylilies in front and then empty spot will now be iris. I also bought my first ever Spuria Iris and still don't know where I will plant it.

I should have been more clear and not said "ate". They shriveled them up and turned them to mush. I could see the aphids, so I knew it was them. We do have slugs too, but I try to keep those at bay and they were not a problem with the kale or cabbage. I brought in a load of compost in October and they were planted directly in to that mixed with some sand/topsoil that we already had. My entire garden is black with compost, so I think (I hope?) I'm good there. I have been thinking of going out and planting some test peas (aphids got those late last winter) in another bed and seeing what happens. Thanks for your reply!