Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

Sue: Rather than looking for one place, I took a different tack and looked for specific roses wherever I went. Example: Most Rugosas will do well in Z5, as will most any own-root roses. How can you tell if you don't know? Look for a graft at the base of the plant -- own roots won't have a graft "ball" and will probably do well. Secondly, know that there Are things you can do to help not-so-hardy roses stay hardy in your area. Look for microclimates in your yard that could handle an iffy plant or two. Climbers, particularly. Plant deep -- no sign of the graft should appear above ground. And finally, "local" has become such a misnomer of late. There are very few retail nurseries that actually grow or graft their own roses, or anything else for that matter. Chances are that they got their roses from the very places one can order through on-line. Don't sacrifice quality for keeping the dollars in town. There's plenty of ways to do that, and roses aren't one of them. That said, there's nothing wrong with hitting the $5 table at Ocean State Job Lot for some Hybrid Teas that you know won't make it :-) If you feel like traveling at all, in East Windsor, CT on Route 140 just off Route 91, Revay's still does a lot of their own roses and sells only things that will be hardy to Zone 5. If you're down this way, shoot me an email and I'll be glad to join you for a visit! Good Luck!!! Martie

Hi Tina, I've lived in the Pawcatuck-Westerly area my entire life (a great place to live!!). Broadview Nursery is at the corner of Route 1 and Langworthy Road(?) in Dunn's Corners. Benny's, Walmart and a Mobil Gas station round out the 4-way intersection. As far as a public garden is concerned, a walk through Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly would be great. Wilcox Park is a Victorian walking garden, complete with a pond, a water fountain, bridge and even a statute of the Runaway Bunny for the kids to climb on. Here is a link that might be useful: Wilcox Park

Bumping up again -- the printed out copy that stays in my car is suitably grimy!! Thanks, again, Sue. Mart