well, I've actually only been doing it for four years, but I do think it works well for me and it's also aesthetically pleasing. I've done a lot of reading but the most comprehensive list I've found online is at this site: http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html for me marigolds, borage and nasturtiums are must haves. this year I added petunias which so far, I think makes a nice addition. i like to use hyssop too because the bees like it and it's a pretty plant. you can also use the leaves for tea. it has an anise flavor to it.

Excellent message on the benefits of worms. I take this idea to the logical conclusion and, instead of creating a worm bin, buying worms, feeding them regularly, harvesting castings, and distributing castings, I create worm environments outside on the ground, which I plant directly into. I use the "lasagna bed" building method, whereby I first layer with newspaper to keep weeds out, then add several layers of worm food and plant into soil pockets. Potatoes can be "planted" by laying them directly on the newpaper and covering with the layers of worm food. For worm food I layer leaves (they do not need to be shredded), compost, coffee grounds (I get a ton for free from Starbucks), twigs, and anything that could be composted until I have a good pile or run out of ingredients. This year I planted potatoes under one of my lasagna beds and by harvest time all of the ingredients were gone; entirely eaten by the worms in the soil. I ended up with 6 inches of worm castings, this bed is looking pretty awesome for next year. Cheers!

Kinda stupid of them to park those cars in the entrance, wasn't it? They should have left room for the trash collecting truck, the lumber delivery truck, and the truck with the dirt delivery.

Punxsutawney Phil is my very favorite, but Aragon & Sabine Baur are close behind. Lovely pictures! I seem to have several bunnies this year, I'm thinking my cat I lost early this spring must have been doing much more hunting than I gave her credit for. I used to have "gifts" of moles/voles/something on the porch for me, but nothing now that she is gone. Who would have thought it of the cat who was very overweight & blind in one eye?