token and trowelgal, thank you so much, saved token's instructions. I'll try to do with the stubble that remains as trowelgal suggested, don't have paving stones but some bricks or glass blocks over cardboard might do along with plenty of leaves I have. I hate to buy new, too, but maintaining plants over the winter is getting to be a chore, still don't want to give it up. I grew Salvia Sangria from T&M from seeds a few years back, started too early in my sr, got crooked. So I tied them to little stakes. When I set them out, they straightened up, are interesting plants, and that was the only one of my flowers I saw a pair of hummingbirds go for. My neighbor tells me he had scads of them on his hisbiscus on his deck. The following year I tried a mix Salvia Salsa and added a purple. Those didn't do so well in back. Neither did the Blue Ribbon (looked pretty blue in the photo but more purple) ones I planted where I had had the Sangria the year before. They were disappointing. All annuals. I don't think I have any perennial ones although there are some for my zone. Burpee has what looks to be a beautiful Cathedral Mix, but they're pricey and you only get three plants, so I passed on those. Would love to try some of those from seeds though if they ever become available or may splurge next year if I don't have to buy more of the black and white. Thanks for posting the photos, enjoyed them. They never appealed to me but have grown on me.

Yes Brown Widows. I am glad you reminded me...I was going to bed but now I must hunt Widows. I have knocked them down radically by going out at night and "torching" them. (Small torch called a BenzOMatic for soldering) My local entimologists really had no advice for me. Getting rid of spiders is very difficult. (I will not kill everything to kill them.) So I am making it up as I go. (They want me to let them know how it goes! LOL, Geeez!) From hundreds to 10s is pretty good! I also use sticks (cause they are slow) when they are in my plants, so I don't burn them up. :-( They are NOT aggressive. Each egg sac can have upto 35 babies, ewww. So you definitely want to get rid of them. Not fun but you must go out at night because they are highly visible. Kill them. In the morning remove the webs with broom or whatever so the next night you can see the new webs. Continue for a few nights and soon there will be very few. The entimologist says to put the egg sacs in alcohol to kill them. I "torch" them. The webs and sacs are so sticky it is not easy to put them into a jar of alcohol! Like trying to get a piece of tape stuck on you to fall into the trash can. Not fun when you already have the heebie jeebies. They are everywhere here in SOCal. By the hundreds. zyperiris, I wish for your Father a smooth as possible journey. (I went through lung cancer with my Mom) Oh yeah, as far as your Dads animals the vets have said they are not getting any more spider bites than normal since the Brown Widow introduction/infestation. Thank goodness! (Same with hospital reports and humans, by the way.) I have read everything I can get my heebie jeebied hands on. Take good care of you and your sister. Allison ps I love my spiders and beetles and ants and all, but this has been crrazzy!

That's funny Pelargonium! :) Icadena, After looking at your pic again it looks like the "mix" is a few inches lower from the rim and the spaces down in there are VERY inviting to widows because they need nooks and crannies to hide in. Can't help wondering if raising the level of the "mix" closer to the rim(and thus making the "shelter" less secure),wouldn't make it less appealing to future tenants. Worth a shot,no? Edit: When/If you do this,First take a hair from your head and set one end into the web,then twirl it between your fingers to simulate prey. Once you know where she is,you'll be less likely to put your hand in her way,thus avoiding potential accidents. Good luck! :) This post was edited by asleep_in_the_garden on Fri, Aug 16, 13 at 19:21

You might call your local garden club--there are probably several in Winchester--and they might be interested in them for plant sales--or just giving away at their plant sales. They could have a sign next to them with alternate uses for them--great for garden or garage storage. If worse comes to worst, you might be able to put them in the recycling bin. And some nurseries will take them.