My garden is 16' X 16', and, Caroleena, I'm not in a wheelchair, but am disabled. I want a full sized potting table, just cuz they're really pretty, (as proven above)but not entirely practical for my set up. Truth is, I have a potting table, but nothing like y'all are talking about. My potting table is a cheapo, plastic 2' X 2' table found in someone's trash, "parked" right near our picnic table and right in front of my chair. I sit to work, because I already stand up way too much for my own good gardening. (Innocent look up at my ceiling. LOL) My wooden tool box, generally sits up on the picnic table, along with my soda, and paper towels to stop dripping sweat on my projects. If I'm putting soil in a container, I bring over another, smaller plastic table, next to it, so I don't have to lean over too far. (I've found three tables in the trash really, but only consider one my potting table.) As for storing away additional containers, soil, and such, I just got free plastic shelving through FreeCycle Network, put one behind the small grill, and have the top shelf full of herb containers, with containers on either side for most of the rest of the herbs, so hubby can grill sitting down, and just grab some herbs, to add to dinner. The second shelf has one more herb and an outdoor clock, that is sheltered from rain by a couple of planters in an aluminum pan. Underneath are our longest containers, now that the lettuce is done for the early part of the summer. The other shelf, is next to our old big grill (filled with soil and two kinds of basil) - has my sweet potato plant growing on half of the top shelf, and I plan to sort through the unused pots to cut it down enough, to use the other half of the second shelf for succulents, which can't take much watering, but like plenty of sun, after adding plexiglass onto the top shelf. That ought to give me enough room for any extra pots, and the bottom shelf is leftover soil. And, to keep from bringing in and taking out all my gardening tools, next to the grill and new shelving unit, is a child's wooden toybox, I trash picked (why do people throw away perfectly useful stuff?), and added several layers of wax, before opting for a plastic tarp on it (held in place by a container with my terra cotta shards in it), and some PVC pipe under it, so it won't rot from the rain splashing on or under it, where I keep that toolbox, birdseed (or the mice and squirrels will get at it before the birds get any), and any spare pots that don't fit elsewhere. Also a good flat area for hubby to put dishes of food on as they wait their turn for the grill. As for useful tools to add to potting benches or work areas, along with the obvious trowel, cutting tools, and that three prong "hand-rake" (sometimes I just can't remember words), I recommend spaghetti prongs, if you're into cactus or thorny plants; a used flour sifter for sifting tiny seeds and sand together to spread seeds evenly and to sift on powdered insecticide onto your big leafed plants that bugs are enjoying a bit too much; plastic measuring cups and spoons - since so much has to be measured; two plastic bleach or milk cartons - one cut so you can use it to scoop soil, and the other cut horizontally, so you can fill it with soapy water to either clean your hands or drown annoying bugs in; a metal brush for cleaning the grill (assuming you have a grill); a spool holder for your spool of string; a pair of scissors; a cup (with small holes on the bottom, if your bench will get rained on) to hold a small paint brush to carefully wipe a thin layer of soil over your seeds, a bigger brush to clean off your bench when you're done, a single chopstick to use as a dibble, pipe cleaners, computer cable holders, and/or strips of stockings to tie up plants, a permanent marker, whatever markers you use to identify your plants, clothespins, which seem to often hold my paper towels, so I can wipe dirt or sweat off, but are also good to stop umbrellas from flapping around on a windy day or temporarily holding other stuff on windy days; a nice sturdy hook on one side, so you can hang a bucket on it to wash your hands or water your newly planted plant; another one on the other side, for your bucket with sand and oil, to push your tools in after you've cleaned them, to keep them sharp and never rusty; and extra hooks since we can never have enough stuff. At least, that's my dream when we win the lottery, buy a bigger place with a bigger yard, and I finally get that potting bench and shed. LOL (The gardener can add soil into containers and move them around for me, while the maid cleans! ROFLMBO)

Twenties last night,and it actually spit some snow during the day. As I left the house last night, I stopped and caressed the silky velvet of a lone morning glory and said goodbye to them for the year. sigh. I know exactly what is going to happen. This was not a frost. It was a serious killing freeze. It's to last about three days and then we'll get some seasonal and warm fall weather. Just enough cold to ruin all but the hardiest of the annuals. Even though I said I wouldn't, before class last night, Iwent out to the garden and gathered a few more tomatoes and quickly picked the last of the green peppers. I left the cabbage to fend for itself, and also the celery. I am honestly contemplating putting in hothouse cabbage, radishes and lettuce. I can squeak by for a few more months with those in an unheated g'house and should be able to get enough for the table. I hate to say this, but for the first time ever I can remember, I didn't feel bad about leaving the pots of flowers outside to die. I'm ready to switch gears. My apple harvest is history, and even though one of the ancient trees is still laden with large red apples, I am not even going to consider climbing to fetch them. I'll leave the drops for the deer. I am laundering blankets and throws and changing bed linen over from light-weight summer to heavy winter weights. The menues have also changed to porridges and grease. LOL. Bought new metal cans to mouseproof the birdseed and the mice, as per usual to country homes, are venturing inside. ARgh.

Have you talked to your neighbor? Why are people so hesitant to approach a neighbor about something like this? I'd talk with them in a friendly manner, explain what the squirrels are doing and that they could actually do damage to the building. Tell them you appreciate them wanting to feed and watch birds, but that their feeders are attracting squirrels and other rodents to the apartment. I would NOT suggest a "squirrel proof " feeder, which won't solve your problem at all. Tell them that birds need clean, fresh water more than they need birds seed (absolutely true) and that a little bird bath would attract a lot of birds for viewing (also true). Perhaps they can consider a hummingbird feeder? Suggest that as a solution. If you find them uncooperative to your FRIENDLY and NONCONFRONTATIONAL approach, then make a personal visit to management to tell them of the problem of the rodents (a better word than cute little squirrels). Mice and rats love bird seed, too, as do racoons. Emphasize the rodent problem, not that your plants are being damaged.

I get my bulk ingredients from a local feedmill, so start by searching for local co-ops, grain elevators, or feedmills. And yes, most store bought bags of "mixed seed" are filled with junk, which is a cheap way to add weight, so they can sack you for 20lbs, when they actually only have 5 to 10lbs of useful seed in it. As for those blackbirds and other regulars, I have them too. Here's how I have my feeders set up: First, I have my main area, where I feed only black oil sunflower seed, and suet for the woodpeckers. Then, about 20 feet away, I have a tray feeder with my homemade mixed seed, which equals 1 part sunflower, 1 part cracked corn, 2 parts white proso millet. This mix keep all the sparrows, blackbirds, and doves entertained, while allowing the neater birds like cardinals and various finches, to eat in peace, away from the more aggressive birds. On the the bluejays, my favorite bird. It's perfectly safe to feed them cat & dog food, although for me, the crows would just eat it all. I find that my bluejays like peanuts the most, especially in the shell. They also love cobbed corn, and also really like cheese nip crackers. Also, you said that your squirrels eat the cat food?? I can't seem to get them to eat anything but my sunflower seed. They'll do everything they can to get on my feeders, even though I give them corn and peanuts to eat. So yeah, try & find a source of bulk seed, and buy the big three. Don't get carried away on the cracked corn though, because it does spoil over time, so I limit it to 50lbs, which lasts a long time. The others can last 2 to 3 years, if you keep them stored in a dry place. I use metal trash cans, and keep them in my garage, and make sure to clean up ALL spilled seed to keep mice away. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how there is no more wasted seed when you feed the seed the birds want. The only time I got weeds was when I had feeders over mulched areas, because it would get under the mulch where the birds couldn't find it, then sprout. But, I moved my feeders to grass areas, so all the ground feeding birds eat the spilled seed. Good luck! Joe