In addition to mowing often to remove the heads of the weeds before they have a chance to go to seed, you can improve the soil health by adding organic amendments such as zeolite and compost. Improving the health of the soil will do more to eliminate weeds than any amount of poison you pour into the earth. If you have never used zeolite you will be very surprised in the long-term effects it will have on your soil. Zeolite is a naturally occuring mineral that has a variety of applications and is available at most garden centers that sell amendments. Zeolite reduces the amount of water needed for irrigation by up to 35% and holds moisture and nitrogen in the growth zone. The held nitrogen is plant accessible but not water-soluble, reducing the nitrogen fertilizer requirement. This not only improves plant nutrition, but protects the quality of ground water since 30 to 35% of most nitrogen fertilizers leach through the growth zone and go into the aquifer. By using zeolite and regular light applications of compost, your soil will improve and your grass and flower bed plantings will thrive. Weeds do not do as well in good soil, or what we would consider to be 'good' soil, but cultivated plantings require 'good' soil to survive. Earthworms are attracted to healthy soil and will further improve the tilth and nutrients through their own natural activity. If you dig up a cubic foot of your soil and find at least 12 earthworms in it, then you have reasonably healthy soil. Microbial activity in your soil ceases when you add poison to kill weeds, because it will also kill the microbes. And microbes are essential to plant, earthworm, and soil health. And just like those nitrogen fertilizers, much of the poison will leach through the soil and into the aquifer. Now you don't really want to do all that, do you? Cheryl

Joytwo1839, Try not to post two large pictures next to each other, so the page doesn't distort and pull out all the text horizontally. When you create a post, there is a preview page before final posting, so you can see how your creation will look like, and you can make changes to fix it, if you see mistakes like that. Great tomato display by the way... You must have a lot of friends. :o) Yellow Pears in the making Sun Gold ripening Sun Gold just before being devoured

yachter - what a beautiful table!! I'm not a blue person but I really like how you put that centerpiece together, those blue trees are great. Love how the snowflakes show up throughout. Mo - your candycane table is beautiful. I'll have to remember that candycane easel idea - how cute is that? I love how you mix and matched the napkins, I've never tried that. dreamgoddess - Oh that table is wonderful, so victorian. Those chagers are just wonderful. Your whole space flows so well. All of your decorations are put togehter beautifully. I'll be adding one of my december tables but I am starting a Part 2 to this thread to keep it easy to access for the dial up folks I hope everyone is ok with that - if not please don't hesitate to report me to Santa for being naughty...LOL Here is a link that might be useful: The Gypsy's Corner

I have not decorated this year yet( gasp!) but in years past I have made cranberry garlands out of fresh cranberries and red- cinnamon dental floss. I cut fresh holly and use pinecones and sweetgum pods sometimes painted gold. magnolia leaves when I can get them. I also like to use boxwood cuttings and princess pine to put in a fresh balsam wreath. This year though I am not buying anything decorative and will limit myself to cut holly and found items. I may make some applesauce and cinnamon ornaments too depends if I have time. I also like to make orange pomander balls out of cloves and cinnamon and ginger. No pics of anything though. In any case the bulk of my decorating is with natural elements. I would do williamsburg outdoor decor too if we didn't have squirrels that climb up the sidelights of our front door.( the one problem with muntins -aka a squirrel ladder) I can just see those oranges and pineapples being dragged away by Rocky the Squirrel.