The folded paper design I posted earlier, I use only for temporary storage or for mailing seeds. If you are having trouble folding it, it is usually because you do not turn it over as directed in picture #3. For long time storage I use the plastic air tight containers used for diabetic test strip storage. They are a little smaller than the old 35MM film shipping cases. Dr. Norman Deno in his many years of seed experimenting found very little difference in life expectancy between seed at a constant room temperature and that at refrigerator temperature for most seed. Al

Mike, One of my hobbies is breeding zinnias, and I use "hairnets" that I make from mesh fabric that I bought in the fabric department of Wal-Mart. The material is inexpensive and has an open mesh that allows easy air circulation and sun exposure, while keeping bees from getting at the flower. The nets don't harm the flowers or plants at all. Interestingly, I have seen butterflies sipping nectar from the zinnias through the mesh, but they don't go after the zinnia pollen, so I am glad that the butterflies can feed through the mesh. The nets are basically approximately square "sacks". I fold over a rectangular piece of the mesh and secure the top seam and side seem by weaving a piece of black yarn through the mesh. I alternate sides with the yarn about every ½" to ¾". The seam doesn't need to be really closely stitched. Obviously I leave the bottom open to allow the "hairnet" to fit down over the flower. I use black mesh and yarn because the black nets are less conspicuous in the garden. I just started using these nets last year and they have revolutionized my zinnia breeding. I used to have to race the bees to get at the pollen on my selected breeder zinnias, but now I can relax and get the pollen over a period of half a day, and have an abundant supply of good pollen. The bees are amazingly aggressive at grabbing any available zinnia pollen. The nets also keep the bees from randomly pollinating my selected breeder flowers. Here is a picture of one of the nets on a zinnia. This zinnia was in rather poor shape because it is one that I grew from a cutting this fall and I just used it as a "model" to wear a net for this picture which I just now made. My breeder zinnias typically look much better than this one, as you can see for yourself by looking at their pictures in the It can be fun to breed your own zinnias message thread in the Annuals forum. I make the nets in several sizes to accommodate different sized flowers. You shouldn't have any trouble making these nets to your own specifications from needles, yarn, and mesh fabric from a local fabric store. MM

There is another problem. Most female skunks have their babies in May and June, so she may have a litter under there. If so, she may dig another entry to get back to them. If you watched/waited until she left at night (they're mostly nocturnal), could you look under there with a strong flashlight and see if she does have youngsters there? You could also call your local Fish and Wildlife (or Fish and Game) Dept (look under State Dept of.... in the front part of your phone book) and ask for advice. They may even take care of it for you. But if you go the trapping route, be sure to get a SHORT (height) trap. I've heard that skunks really hate to get their own spray on themselves, and they can't spray very well unless they can raise their tail. Approach the trap holding a piece of decently heavy clear plastic in front of you (4 or 6 mil is good), and then lower the plastic over the trap. Be sure to have a complete plan in place, and have an open pickup truck to put the trap/skunk in (still covered with plastic). I've heard that most people who have dogs don't have skunks. True or false, I don't know. Solve all your skunk-entry problems immediately after you solve your current skunk problem. As you can see, trying to fix it with a skunk in the middle of it isn't easy. Sue

I have to go to Joann’s this week. I’ll check. I know a better fabric store carries it (Vogue: a search turned that up) but I’m not sure if it is just online sales. I had heard about the chalk thing, but that it has to be “old style” chalk and not the “newer” modern chalk that has hardening agents added. But how would I tell?! I kind of gave up on that idea after I read that. klseiverd , I know what you mean about the rubber bands! I found out when cleaning some pieces that my Mom had rubber banded together. It was so hard to get those parts clean. You read now to avoid rubber bands on silver care sites. Rubber is made with sulfur.