I have never collected the seeds. I generally just let the plants do their thing right where they are (dill and cilantro are great at that) and once they have established themselves in the spring. I move them to where I want them. Success rate of less than 50%. With lettuce, I don't know what I will do. I'll try a couple of things. One - cut the top and let it air dry in the garage (where the onions and shallots are curing) and then knock them into a bag; two - watch closely to see when they appear to be drying on the plant and then bag them in situ. It will be one of Jim's Experiments. The missus rolls her eyes when I tell her about any new experiments I have going.

This wouldn't post the first time I tried it, so let's see if it works now. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nancy - glad to hear your pain level is subsiding. I really had no idea what the recovery from knee replacement was like. It sounds like an ordeal to me! You all nailed the first two birds, a robin and a chickadee. The third bird was a rose-breasted grosbeak, which is apparently not as common around your houses as it is mine. They are pretty birds and I really enjoy their songs. Since the grosbeak wasn't a very fair question, I think you deserve five stars for getting just the first two, so for Schoolhouse, Annette, and Nancy. TM

OH NO, please go over to the birdwatching forum and read my post about the flufed up birds. What you have there is salmenilla. I had two that I cought and brough in two days ago. They rooseted together through the night, then died the next day. You must take all your feeders down and wash them with a bleach solution. You know the drill I am sure. Clean under the feeders and any bird baths too.There has been a outbreak in our reigon. It is highly contageous and can be transmited to humans and domestic pets. There are several good links in the post over there. This is NOT one of those things that you want to let nature take it's course with. This affects birds in the finch family the most, including pine siskins. I know how badly you felt, I go through the same dilema myself and it was so sad to watch those little birdies die, I was going to take them to the rehabber to be put to sleep, there is nothing to cure it, I am glad they had each other in a warm place to die. So WARNING to anybody in this region, pleas please keep your feeders EXTRA CLEAN especially UNDER them , this is spread by fecies. I am so sorry dirtgirl. Lisa

Yes, sometimes this IDing the birds thing can make a newbie feel like she's gone a little "around the bend" as they say! :) Especially with all the species that are brown with stripes! LOL Thanks for writing, though, I appreciate the thought. I did realize that a photo would have made a huge difference in people being able to help me out, so I am going to keep my camera by my side and get my DH to work with me on posting photos. Thanks again for writing - I check in here every day because I haven't enjoyed anything like backyard birding in a long time. Your humor was appreciated. :)