Ditto most of what woodyoak posted above. I have several feeders, two of which hang from the branches of a crabapple tree and one which is free-standing mounted at the top of an aluminum pipe. Squirrels and chipmunks actively graze the area below the feeders and eat spilled seeds. As noted above, the lawnmower keeps anything that sprouts in the grass under control. None of my feeders hang above a garden bed but if they did, I'd just pull up the unwanted seedlings rather than disturb my perennials. Chances are they don't have an established root system and should pull up easily. My garden beds are heavily mulched with shredded pine bark spread over layers of corrugated cardboard which suppresses nearly 90% of weeds.

Well, my compost pile has a frozen crust on it and I'm now adding materials to the old black box rather than trying to get into the pile. When the black box is full I think I'll try using birdseed bags. I have a lot of empty birdseed bags (and a lot of full birds). While the cold is annoying, I had an epiphany of sorts this morning as I walked to the pile. Frozen dog poop and frozen turkey poop don't stick to your shoes! A small pleasure, but it matters when you're about to re-enter the house and didn't check your shoes. Claire (grasping at straws at the onset of winter)

I sent her an email the other day to see if she was still alive. lol She wrote back that she has been super busy with work and also some renovations at home. They are all fine and her DD is growing like a weed and has learned to do her own laundry and even has made a whole meal with just a little guidance. I am sure she will come post when she has the time but at least we know she is okay.

I'm so sorry you missed out on it. I only caught it because the store is two blocks from my house, and I walk up there to get staples a lot (since I don't have a car). My old DG in Venice had much more markdown stuff than this one does. I remember buying seeds and a lot more there at 90% off during the final markdown, but there are so many gardeners around here, the seeds are gone at 50% off, as is most of of the better garden stuff. I snagged this stuff at 70% off so I wouldn't miss out on it, but if those shepherd's hooks make it to 90%, I'll snag a couple more.