My geese are out grazing during the seasons that support it, but I also give them a bit of scratch, consisting of whole corn, wheat, and oats, before they are put away in the evening all year round, placed in a large rubber bowl. Over the years, I have noticed that their preference as to which of the grains in the scratch they eat changes according to the season. For example, during the warmer/hot months, they pick through it and eat all the wheat and oats. As fall approaches, they go more for the corn, eventually eating nothing but the corn over the winter, leaving the wheat and oats, starting the whole thing over again in the spring, gradually leaving more corn behind, eating more wheat and oats. To try to reduce waste, I gave what they left behind to the chickens, but they are on a similar schedule. But, since when I give this "refuse" to the chickens, it's just tossed either on the coop floor or on the ground in their pen, depending on the season, and if it doesn't compost/rot, it sprouts and they are happy to eat any sprouts year round. A lot does get wasted, though. So, in observing this, adjusting the wheat/corn/oat ratio in the scratch accordingly in step with the seasons seems to be a solution. The chickens DO get organic layer year round, and the geese get hay through the winter, but I get straw for bedding and nesting, this past year it was difficult to find plain straw, so I had to get "wheat straw" for bedding, and there was a substantial amount of grasses, etc., in it that they were more than happy to eat. I think the economy is affecting how/what farmers are bailing up for winter forage/bedding?

Hi SueinNYC Still doubting ? I remember the sarcasm of the first one but remember the warm welcome in 2001. I can't add more to what I probably said in the original thread ... bourbons Mme Odier and Prince Napoleon are the best here for survival of cane by covering ... latter a quiet one in the world but just as good as or superior to Louise for bounce back. Canker a roll of dice for me and some years can lose up to 80% of the canes but does not stop them as up come basals and a few blooms in bad years. Prince Napoleon has 7 or 8 canes and about 4 or 5 new basals this year. Shorter than Louise. MIP was doing well until last fall when I unfortunately I step on her bent canes putting up the Xmas lights. Snapped all of the large ones off at the soil line so back to the beginning for her and up are coming basals. Problem with MIP for me is her canes stiffen up by season 2 or 3 and she is difficult for me to bend down without snapping. Province de Panache and MIP a close third. These Pickering are still alive and bloom but not as good as the top three for consistency and density of bloom. Boule de Neige - a struggle and sure all clones suck Coquette des Blanches - short and reliable Eugene A. Merlitt - new 2 winters Gruss an Teplitz - (steadfast recovery but to the ground with protection so in my world it has china in it) Honorine de Brabant Mme Doré Mme Ernst Calvat Mme Lauriol de Barny - touchy with blooms if damaged Mme Pierre Oger - no problem but weak still - a low grade from 2004 Reine Victoria Rose Eduardo - (not pickering) Sir Joseph Paxton - (really winter touchy and do not recommend) Souvenir de la Malmaison Zéphirine Drouhin (inconsistent wintering but last year was awesome - cane survival good and finished year with 5 to 6 foot canes in zone 3 and a smattering of repeat - this year smoked to the ground, but 5 new basals. You can do it.

Wow, schoolhouse - I wish I knew there were different glass options for the Anderson doors. I wonder now what I have. I paid about $400 for the door through National Lumber. I think I've decided to put the storm door on the front. I really appreciate everyones opinion on this, and all the good ideas and things to consider. I agree oopsie, it's so inviting to walk by someone's house who has the front door open (with the storm closed). My dog will definitely be happy. Once it's installed, I'll post another picture. I'm still waiting for the Baldwin hardware to come in, I don't know what the holdup is. As far as the potted plants - seems there are very few mums left; I may have missed the window. Pumpkins will have to suffice for now. Thanks again!

dedtired, I checked out Dukestown and found that is part of the old iron working town of Tredegar in Monmouthshire, probably so called after the then local land owner the Dukes of Beaufort. Today the place does not have much going for it after all the closures of the mines and heavy industry. A run-down area of high unemployment with all the problems that brings. However the countryside to the North, known as the Brecon Beacons, is very beautiful in a rugged sort of way, with farms in the lowlands, lots of streams and small rivers, tiny villages and lonely farm houses. You can read about the general area in the fiction of Alexander Cordell; the best known is The Rape of the Fair Country set in the time of the Industrial Revolution. In this area of South Wales there are a series of 'valleys' running generally from N to S. The roads follow the same pattern as do the narrow rows of houses. The people seem to have little contact with their fellows in the next valleys to the E or W. It used to be a place of gaunt-looking chapels for a Sunday, Male Voice Choirs and brass bands. And the women rule the roost! The Tredegar/Dukestown valley is the 'Sirhowy' named after the river which runs through it. Here is a link that might be useful: info on Cordell and the area.