Yeah, my fiance planted the seeds too closely together, we were going to thin then when they grew, but I've removed them and replanted given the leaf damage. Here's another pic from the damage I found yesterday (this is of the beans, while the first was of the squash). These also just have nibbles out of them (although it's worth noting that my radish and eggplant sprouts were completely demolished last week, not just nibbled). I'm 99.999% sure it's not rabbits, as we rent and our backyard is enclosed with wooden fencing. I do trust they could find a way in; however, we've lived here for 2 years and I've NEVER seen a rabbit. Furthermore, I planted veggies last year and I didn't have this problem. Not sure if this info is useful, but last year we planted much later in the season, and while we did have a bird feeder, the resident bird count has increased SIGNIFICANTLY! Also, the bed is right next to a large bush where the birds live, so perhaps they feel it's encroaching on their territory and trying to prove a point! :) Anyway, I've put up the row covers, so I guess we'll see. One more thing...does this look at all like it could be the work of a grasshopper? I saw a very large one in my yard last week (although not anywhere near the veggie garden), and I had trouble last year with hoppers eating my basil. If it is him, I'm a bit surprised because I have two small potted basil plants i on a fence shelf right now, and they are untouched. Thanks all so much for the continued feedback! I'm a newbie constantly running into issues - it's so great to have people to go to for info! Laura

Oh it doesn't sound good, I think it's unusual for a goose to be by itself. The geese here are just beginning to flock for migration. According to BNA ... "Breeders are monogamous, with life-long pair bonds formed usually during the second year. Offspring remain with their parents throughout the first year of life, traveling together in large flocks of family groups" Their diet ... "Canada Geese depend primarily on grasses, sedges, or other green monocots during periods of increase in lean body mass, primarily the growth period in summer (Sed-inger and Raveling 1984) and spring premigration and migration periods (McLandress and Raveling 1981a, Coleman and Boag 1987a). Postfledging and during fall and winter, most populations rely pri-marily on foods higher in carbohydrate, such as berries (Sedinger and Raveling 1984) or seeds, including agricultural grains (Joyner et al. 1987). Almost all populations of Canada Geese have readily adapted to use of agricultural crops, which predominate in diets of most populations during portions of annual cycle in which they are available. Canada Geese, primarily B. c. maxima and B. c. moffitti, have also become ac-climated to urban environments, in which they graze on domesticated grasses throughout the year (e.g., Conover and Kania 1991)." Also, according to BNA, not all flocks migrate, some stay in the same area as they breed. The map shows all of California as their wintering grounds. Sandy, I'm not sure if the dogwoods here were affected or not. I don't remember hearing about it but it could be. I believe that dogwoods here are not as prolific as the redbuds, nothing like the dogwoods that I remember in Virginia as a kid. I do have elm trees here, although they are young trees - I'm hoping they are related to the elm trees that were found just 40 miles from here that are dutch-elm-disease resistant and have now been cultivated. The birds seem to like the elms, ecspecially the warblers. I am worried about the ash borer getting here, my woods are full of ash with two large ones that shade the house. I will be very unhappy if I lose them!

Thanks for the compliments everyone. gardenmama: My pond is oval 18 ft long by 9 ft wide by 4 ft deep. I estimate it close to 3,000 gallons (may be more). pondmaster: There is a story behind that bridge. I never bought anything from e-bay before and my son wasn't home to help me. Before all was said and done I had purchased 3 bridges at $125 a pop. I had to sign waivers for the seller that I only wanted to purchase one, and waivers for e-bay that I only actually did purchase one. I didn't know when you are purchasing something not to hit the backspace key. I was in tears by the time my son got home. It is a decorative bridge, not load bearing. I was going to try to copy it and build a weight bearing one, but I don't have the right tools. I seen the same bridge at Big Lots twice for around $59. Since my pond has an Asian theme I painted it red. I like the weathered look, but was thinking of repainting it. Jenny

If you had measured a JD at Home Depot, don't know if they sell the same model, you'd likely have seen the same poor interface you got a Sears. That's part of why buying from a dealer cost more, you get better/knowledgeable interfaces. In my case I don't want any help or home repair, albeit I'd not object to a warranty repair, never had one on 40+ years of yard maintenance,the last 20 with over 3 acres of mowing, plus all the other stuff... I am about 95% Sears/Craftsman, and that included my wood shop and auto tools too. While I was disappointed in Sears dropping its extensive catalog business (guess that's been more than 20 years, some of the young types on this forum didn't have any experience with that), and was again disappointed when K-Mart (of all the companies) bought Sears. My last tractor purchase was a DYT4000 in 2005, and while it has a much more flexible frame than my still in use 1993 GT6000, it is a great lawn mower. About to replace my 20 year old Sears self propelled lawn mower with a Walmart Yardman with a Honda GVC160 engine, so that'll be a break with Sears on may years of using their lawn mowers. Sears, like all other business, have to win customers every day, but I am a lost when I read complaints about Sears in the Past...I've been and continue to be happy with their products, and couldn't care less if the salesman knows anything beyond filling out the purchase order.