Kathy I was just thinking about that. Although they are pretty showcased among the flowers and plants in the rest of the garden, I thought it would be cool to group all the junk flowers and critters together in one section of the garden. Like the plate flowers and someone made bell flowers a couple years ago, and critters like Roberts' (and others) snails and spiders and those fish with that great seaweed. I like the name luna had- the glass garden. Yours look great especially against the color of your house. The only thing I could suggest the clear ones add some colored glass accents for contrast. See how the one on the bottom jumps out at you, it's dark against light against dark. I think that's an excellent suggestion about adding to the first post. Even others besides the original poster. Bring on the pictures and the conversation (for me anyway). I just got to thinking though, how does that really work? Does one post drop off the end every time a new post is added? Because it brings it up to the top, is replying to an old post the same as posting a new one? Or is it already in the system and you can add to it as many times as you want without an old one dropping off the other end? I'm not really clear about how it works. Love your sunflowers and plateflowers. Donna

Below is a link to the Suggestion at the Suggestion Forum. Maybe bow that the worst of the updating problems are over, they can address a few of the 'wants' with a lot of replies there. Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Rate and Review Forum

I have done the lasagna method, too. I suggest you check out the book at the library..by Patricia Lanza, I think. Texased is correct....you need significant newspaper, which is why a lot of people choose to use cardboard instead. You can use color print with no problem, as most papers use soy based inks these days. But you cannot use paper with a glossy finish. I just took large rolled up sections of paper and let them soak in a bucket of water for a few minutes before I layered them. I think I have six layers under the garden. In the raised bed, six layers was enough....under some pavers in the kids' playhouse it wasn't, so I think the layers on top might be key also. You can use "browns" in a bed (composted manure, compost, brown leaves, etc.), if you wish to plant it right away. I also have some thin layers of peat per the author's instruction. While the bed will cook down several inches, it will not be too hot to sustain plants. I had a nearly six foot tall cherry tomato and some healthy globe basil in there. I didn't use any dirt. The last layer (top layer) was about four inches of compost, and I planted directly into that. If you use "greens" or "hot" stuff....kitchen scraps, lots of green grass, fresh manure...the author recommends an entire season of cooking before you plant. I've heard that you can speed the process a little with black plastic over the top, but it seems like too much trouble to me. As far as I know, nothing short of chemical warfare will kill bermudagrass...and sometimes even that doesn't work. Fortunately, I don't have much in my St. Augustine. My mom has Bermuda lawn, and we have a terrible time keeping it out of the beds and the mulch in the walkways. Have fun!

My mom has a Kirby, I'd like to get my hands around the neck of that door to door salesman ;) It actually cleans well, and isn't quite as bad once turned on and running, but just try to pick it up or move it unplugged. The Kirby sales tactics are another story. When going to her house to help her with some housework, my Oreck makes the 4 hours round trip with me. I've got two Orecks and haven't found anything to dislike about them. They are actually my second and third, I used the first one about 14 years, replaced it rather than spend the money on updating parts. I have a new XL (purchased from an Oreck store on sale) at the office end of my house where there is carpet and then tile hallway, laundry room. At the living and bedrooms end, I have a year old Oreck Magnesium that I hadn't planned to upgrade to, but DH tried it in the store and loved the impressive maneuverability, the swivel and even lighter weight. He doesn't vacuum often if at all, but wanted it, and it was also on sale (I think marked down $100). I do enjoy it over the XL, and now seem to have a utility model for working type floors, and a more advanced model for the more expensive flooring ;) I have the Oreck floor steamer and hand vacs too....guess you can see I've been satisfied with the product line.