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

No bunnies here even though we have clover. Years ago our cat used to catch the babies and leave them at the back door .... that was sad. Also no coyotes in the last few years. There are woodchucks and mice/rats along the river but probably better hunting elsewhere. I do see the Sweat green bees like the one you photographed, Jane, among all the others in the gardens. And sadly, we also have the dreaded Greenhead flies. Those monsters are making it difficult to work in the garden, especially in the afternoon, without long pants and sleeves. Many mornings a Black-crowned Night-Heron comes to fish for breakfast along the river. The one from yesterday looked particularly "blue". He'll stand a long time at the edge of the dock waiting for the glimmer of fish. He fishes from the edge of the river. I love to watch him "creep" along the bank towards the best spot. The white plume coming off the top of his head.... Finally... a dove nestled into the top of the garden shed roof .... between the Black Mulberry tree behind him and the feeders below.

Great slideshow! Really enjoyed it. Want to share one with you too. My buddy did this clip, but he's a little bit shy to share his work, so i do it for him :) It's about butterflies, and it's very beautiful, i hope, you'll like it :) Here is a link that might be useful: My buddy's butterfly slideshow