Chandra, I am so glad you posted the Spacemaster photo on this thread. Inspired by your photo last year, I built two, one with 4" spacing and one with 3" spacing. I've been intending to post a photo, and apparently missed when you bumped this thread in February. I agree they take about an hour a piece to build. I built both of mine during a two hour episode of Downton Abbey. Because my beds are 4' wide, I made my Spacemasters 4' by 2'. mrsfrodo, to get the holes lined up straight, I held each length of PVC under the lip of the kitchen counter, then ran a pencil line down the length. I then marked 4" down the length. Hubs just happened to have the drill press set up in the kitchen that day, but they could have easily been drilled with a plain drill. Despite all the ribbing I take from Carol, I don't use tools like this so things will look nice. Good thing too, because my garden has never been a sight for sore eyes. To the contrary, and if I was doing it for looks, I'd be very disappointed. At the end of the day, I use tools like this so for the benefit of my family (more healthy food, more time together). By using the Spacemaster, I was able to plant over 1,000 onions in record time. Moreover, my 3 year old, could plant with me with no supervision because he knew exactly where to plant. When my planting goes fast, I get to spend more time with my family doing other things. Moreover, having tools like this allows me to plants things as close together as is advisable without overcrowding. Net result, healthy plants for maximum production in the limited space available. Proper spacing does not preclude interplanting. Yesterday, My 4 year old helped me plant the popsicle sticks he had painted over the winter. We ran the 100' tape measure the length of the four foot wide beds. He was able to practice his pre-school patterns by placing one red, two greens, one red, two greens. Mom is coming this week to put my cabbage in the "greens". I won't need to leave my office-at-home job to show her where the plants go. When the tomatoes are ready to go in the ground, it will go quickly because everything is already laid out. If I don't have it laid out, I spend too much time trying to decide how to fit it all in. I really enjoyed the days when I could piddle around in the garden, but those days are gone for now. I've got to just get it done, and these toos really help. Jo, I would LOVE to have a pretty garden like yours. If you get the itch really bad while you are sans garden, come on down. You can pretty mine up to your heart's content! mrsfrodo, I planted my potatoes in an on-top-and-visible method much like you described. I laid out all the pieces, mostly to ensure they would fit in the space allotted, then drilled into the beds with a bulb auger and cordless drill. Much easier than fighting the loose soil that wants to fall back into the trenches. Dawn, I'm so glad you mention the busy mom with the hands off garden, because that so largely represents where I am. I spend a lot more of my time volunteering for Scouts than I spend in my garden. The Cub Scout motto is "Do Your Best" (implying not anyone else's best, but yours.) I take that motto to heart, and while I enjoy seeing what others are doing in their gardens, I don't worry what others think about mine. Seedpapa was inquiring about henbit yesterday, as it is something that doesn't grow where he grew up. He asked, "Is it a weed?" That facilitated a discussion about eye of the beholder. I happen to think it is very pretty, and is, in my mind, one of the great signs that Spring is arriving. I LOVE hiding Easter eggs in it. Alas, I am in a minority, and that doesn't bother me a bit. I made similar comment as Larry, in that if it was viewed as desirable, we'd all have such pretty lawns in spring. It's tough as nails. Larry, don't despair. I haven't been able to do anything "properly" in more years than I can remember. I'm still standing and you and I can keep each other company.

I believe I have had the same male for 4 years. He has blue farther down on his right side. I know there has been at least one female change. Something happened to the first one after the first nesting 2 years ago, But a new one showed up for the second nesting and has been here since. I would be careful where you put the feeder. I learned the hard way. I had suet on the deck for the Wood peckers, didnt think the Sharpie would come that close to the house.....WRONG. Luckly we have tons of wood peckers here, I woud have been devistated had it been a Blue.

Your bathroom is wonderful, newhomebuilder! I love the wall color. msrose, I have looked at Twilight Gold (only on the strip), and I think it's a little too taupe. But I may get a sample so that I can see it in the room. I have a little more time now - the contractor had to order the wood he needs for the baseboard and molding, so that and the installation of the toilet and sink are now put off for at least a week. So I will continue thinking and perhaps get a new sample or two. It also occurred to me that I might mix the Acorn Yellow (darkest board) with the Yellow Squash (peachier shade) - they are next to one another on the color strip. I'm worried that the Acorn Yellow is too pumpkin-y.

Roseseek - I don't remember if they had Charles de Mills. I had a list of roses (roses that have done well for the florida rose growers on this forum) that I wanted when I stopped by Cool Roses and this one rose was not on my list but I loved the look and bought it. Portlandmysteryrose - It's been 20 years since I last grew roses and I have forgotten almost everything I knew about roses. I couldn't tell you if it has Gallica foliage and canes. I am attaching a picture. I hope it helps.