West_Gardner, I agree about some forecasters being better than others. All three of our local weathermen were raised around this part of the country, 2 of them actually in the town where the TV stations are. Prior to this year, it seems that their forecasts were more accurate. Makes me wonder if the really strange weather so many are experiencing is causing weather in other parts of the country to be harder to predict by influencing the speed of Highs and Lows, etc. Rain in our part of the country, especially after the last 3 years of extreme drought, will be welcomed whether forecasted or not! That is a surprise I will always accept. Oh, the other oddity I forgot to mention in my first post was after watching the deer jump the fences, I got to looking to see where the cows were. Didn't see them, so I figured they were in the back pasture. Then I saw movement over by the barn and there they were. All of them had gotten in the lot and somehow shut the gate. They were looking at me as if to say "Well, what are you looking at? Aren't you going to do something?" They could have opened the gate as they have done so before, so I don't know why they didn't this morning. All but a couple of them had to check out my housecoat on their way out the gate, and of course Adam, our Beefalo bull, had to get his head and neck scratched. Can't tell our animals are spoiled can you!

Hmmmm.....I hadn't considered what to do by the time they are too big to tie, mad gallica. The problem is, not a whole lot of shrubs will fit those particular screening needs in small spaces. Have they stopped being recommended, I wonder? Brandon...we get lots of heavy snow most winters. This is my first winter with the Sky Pencil. I think I will be happier in the spring having it tied so it won't splay out. It was so easy too. Not having to tie it is one of the advantages of your zone and less snow, enjoy it. :-)

thanks mulio and dickiefickle I will look for the spreader sticker. we got lots of rain again last night :( Looks like I have a few days to wait. I want to keep the blight away. So far so good. I get nervous when it rains and washes away my protection. I know some of the spray stayed on because I can see some at the tips of the leaves. I guess I can wait to see what the weather will bring. I don't want to use more chemicals than I have to. Karen

I would just be guessing, but I would think they are trying to get oxygen. In the spring/summer I run an aerator to give mine extra oxygen, because they need that in the heat. I have a 4000 gallon pond and I just buy a cheap aerator, under $50. Karin