There have been several ways suggested including crushing the dried peppers until they are like a dust and then sprinkling it on and around the plants (must reapply after rain) - OR- you would soak it (preferably the actual pulped or processed peppers but some use the flakes) in water, let it steep for a bit, strain, add a couple drops of liquid soap, shake, dilute, and then spray on the plants. You would want to test a small section of the plant first to make sure it isn't phytotoxic (causing a burn on the plant) and also do it when it is overcast. May still have to reapply not long after rain.

First of all - YOU should NOT have to be going through all of the CRAP!!! In a perfect world - this whole process should )actually) be FUN - However, since this is NOT a "perfect world" - there MAY be set backs, delays and/or cost over runs - but generally speaking (IMHO) this process should still have a reasonable amount of "fun" still in the contents.... Zeebee said what I was going to say too - red flags with your present KD.... Also - there's TONS of wisdom being put out here by the likes of Cheri 127, Zeebee, Live Wire Oak and Kitchenconfidential 2.... I'll add my own .02 cents on this as well - There are MANY people who will pretend to be KD's - maybe because they did a whole ONE remodel of THEIR OWN kitchen, or have watched some TV shows on remodeling, or are really good at researching stuff on the internet - THESE attributes DO NOT qualify folks to be real honest to goodness KD's. The folks that actually ARE the "real deal" (real Kitchen DESIGNERS - NOT "decorators") ACTUALLY have CREDENTIALS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE to back up the "talk they talk - with the walk they walk".... Sounds to me like you have "gotten in bed" with a "pretend" KD - a "decorator" (IMHO) that may know "pretty" - but does not have clue about how "looking pretty" gets executed into BEING pretty - the actual application of each trade and the materials that are used - along with how things go into place, and "the order of battle" - TO MAKE A FINISHED PRODUCT THAT IS YOUR KITCHEN PROJECT. Most "decorators" are really good with color, and can pick out drapes, but when ot comes to laying out a kitchen in CAD for cabinets AND countertops - they're "looking like a scared deer in the headlights" :-o They're clueless when it comes to "what gets done first, then what, and so on. I despise "decorators" they make guy's lives (like mine) in the trades - A LIVING HELL, and.... There's days where I'm sure that other guys like me fantasize about - "if MERCY KILLING were LEGAL" - "decorators" be the on the TOP OF THE LIST!!! But alas - as the saying goes: "Decorators - Can't Live WITH 'em - Can't KILL 'em" HA!!!! Anyways - all playful kidding aside........ It also sounds to me - like (from the amount of time that you are waiting on two or three other bids - that EITHER the other GC's don't want to work with you beacuse of your current KD imposter - OR - business is really good in your area.. I hope it's the latter - because here in AZ = GC's are breaking the sound barrier to get bids back to customers - so they can get more volume of work. Your in a tuff spot, but if you stay cool and READ everything that gets put in front of you to sign - and UNDERSTAND IT - you will be ahead of the curve..... I'd be looking for a REAL KD in the mean time - contact NKBA to find some other prospects in your area.... a link is below for you to check out... hth kevin

Len, funny you should say that. I don't know why but it reminded me of a couple of stories I have heard about the South West of WA... Apparently there are some large black cats loose in the forests down there. They think maybe they're Pumas. Of course it's mostly urban legend but my Brother in law who works on Vineyards in the area swears he heard them roaring a few nights in a row and farmers have reported they've found young cattle with their heads almost severed. Then there are the claw marks in the trees. Some of these stories go back 15 years I believe and I don't think anyone can explain where they came from. I have heard a theory that they escaped from the circus when their trailer came open in a car accident... but I think it's just a theory... Then there is the mystereous little tassie tiger like animal that has been seen almost a dozen times (including by me once) around Yalgorup National Park. Funny looking thing it is, the size and shape of a small/medium dog, wirey looking and with a cat like face. Kind of half way between a cat and a fox, with stripes of course! Weird little animal. i wonder if they'll be classed as native species and protected also?? Interesting! Ange

Freddy wants to be a really big boy! mine is not doing at all well in his pot, so I either need to find somewhere in the ground or throw him out... Love your yard btw; it looks nice and jungly enough to be cool in summer. Black Cockatoos are wonderful! we don't get them in the wild this far east tho; it's just Cockies, Galahs and Rosellas here. Mainly Cockies- they hang out in the local golf course, but there havent been any backyard visitations since the great sunflower raid a couple of years back, but seeing as I went overboard with a packet of seeds this year..who knows. I did see one obstinately hanging on to his perch on the overhead power lines outside the house while being divebombed by several Magpies earlier this Spring. He lasted a whole ten minutes before they succeeded in scaring him off