I think you'll get more input on the discussion side of the forum - the gallery doesn't see much action. You could just restart the thread there, or post there with a link to the thread here. KarinL

Burlap! I hadn't thought of that. I've been looking thru GW and see some people have used shopping bags to line their baskets. I think burlap might give me the natural look I prefer. Maybe I'll try both. Thanks for the compliments on the yard. Can't even see any of my gardens in that pic. lol. It is very green right now tho. Yesterday I spent 10 minutes doing a video tour of my gardens, then found out I had the digital camera set to photo. I had been talking to the non-working camera the whole time. Silly me. :P The little yellow and pink house with the pieces of picket fence leaning against it was my daughters playhouse when she was little. It's too small for an adult, but I keep my garden junk in it over winter. The bigger shed behind it is housing a swimming pool and garden tools. I fantasize about a cute little potting shed...should have gotten the bigger playhouse. ;)

Janie - We just had frosts Saturday and Sunday nights, so it's still a little too early for warm weather things like corn, beans, sunflowers, pumpkins, squash, etc. June 1 is my usual target date for those - earlier if there is a good weather forecast. I already have peas, onions, and potatoes planted, so I'm kind of between plantings right now. Schoolhouse - Do you know any good patent attorneys that would work for flowers and veggies? TM

"the brug will appreciate the extra nitrogen, I think." It's not extra nitrogen you have to worry about, it's the lack of nitrogen. As wood decomposes, it ties up nitrogen from the soil. The nitrogen that your plants need may not be available. Maybe not a big concern. Everything may do splendidly, and even if the annuals don't do well it's not going to be a huge loss. If you do notice a lack of vigor, especially later on, a little slow-release fertilizer might help. You could even try sealing the inside with some wood sealer. That would also help to increase the life of the planter. I still really like your idea, and might try it myself if I come up with a hollow log.