I know this post is old but I am new to the forum and rooting around for tips and tricks myself for various things so I thought I'd chime in. We just spent the ENTIRE morning raking and hand picking mesquite seed pods up off the ground in our front yard. Now my husband is attempting to get the rest with our leaf blower. I am with the fellow who first responded - I should have just spent five minutes every day picking up what dropped. I would love to have spent my Saturday morning doing something else! Love the shade the tree provides my yard and home here in Phoenix though. Oh, and we also have a mesquite AND palo verde that some previous owner thought would be awesome to plant by our pool. Ugh...

hiding it in her food, or if its a liquid, poor it into her water bowl, add some water, and let her drink it up(dont worry, if a dog is thirsty, she'll drink anything! how do u explain toilet drinking?)take a peice of bread, hid a pil inside it, and give it to her, or stuff it in her mouth,tilt her head so her muzzle points upwards, and gently rub her throat, urging her to swallow it. if u think she did, check her mouth by firmly, but not roughly, squeezing the top of her mouth, and gently forcing it open.

Hi Dave, I usually buy some of English (or other long variety)and some pickling transplants. We use good soil and , some years , I have tried to plant into soil with compost. This year I have last year triple mix, peat moss and some new triple mix. No compost was added this year, I'll add some next year. We had colder weather but all of a sudden there is 40 degrees C with humid-ex outside. we have now raised beds with square foot lines. Last year I have planted some marigolds around plants, but they did not help much. Last year I had other plants in other squares (should be compatible), but this year just small bed with 4*4 squares, no other plants intended. we usually use some kind of support for them to climb . Because of space restrictions we still experimenting with finding ideal trolley . I would let them just grow, but I think there is not enough space. I was able to plant only 8*2 plants and planning to plant another 8*2 (2 plants in a hole as transplants are coming by 2). I do think plants are getting some sort of deceases and would post photos if/once I get symptoms. Meanwhile I was thinking if there is some advice to get them stronger/healthier by watering..(may be composted tea, while I still have to figure out what that is, may be some other kind of solution?). May be some kind of fertilizer would help. we do water them often and tried to warm water in the buckets , but then gave up and just hose it. Should warm water make a difference?My husband wants to do something like hot house. But plastic we have is from boats. Good thing it is not going to disintegrate, bad thing it is white and I am concern about luck of light. Also, while his theory is that it would protect plants from direct sun and create humid environment, I am not sure, that with humid ex 40 outside it would be a good idea. thanks a lot, Jul

Aw, you took all the good ones I was about to say: Have fire extinguishers handy. Yes, this is one of the easiest, cheapest things you can do to keep yourself safe. I don't love the spot I keep mine now ... but in my new house, I have a great spot planned "behind" the trash can. Not visible every day, but easy to reach. Good point to keep one in the garage and bedroom area as well. On the subject of fire, be sure your exterior doors are easily accessible. For example, some bedrooms are "buried deeply" in the house and aren't at all close to an outside door -- this isn't safe, especially if you intend to be elderly in your house. Smoke alarms installed and up to date? Don't neglect Carbon Monoxide alarms too. About two years ago a friend's husband died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. He had just retired, had a newborn grandchild -- tragic. Clean your dryer vent hose or piping! Yes! Refuse to place your dryer on an interior wall. A short, straight-to-the-outside vent will be easy to clean, so you'll actually do it! Stacked machines and machines with a countertop over the W/D are attractive, but they do complicate cleaning your vent. A few you left for me to discuss: - Trim back big trees so that their limbs don't hang over your house. - Plan a simple roofline (though such things seem to be out of style today), and you'll reduce the possibility of leaks. - Remember that some disasters come in human form: Install a solid deadbolt lock, and think twice about pier glass windows next to your front door -- they both give a thief a way to reach in and they reduce the amount of strong wood in which the deadbolt can be set. Be sure your front door /windows are completely visible; don't hide the front door in a deep tunnel or allow shrubs to grow up too high. Consider a place to hide a safe in your home.