I doubt if wood boards will significantly slow a rat if it wants to get in. Rats can gnaw through metal, so wood isn't much of a deterrent. I had some kind of animal get in my compost late fall/early winter last year, so I just emptied the bin onto the garden and decided I was going to call it a lasagna bed.

Sandy, Yes, I know what you mean about being spoiled by the nice weather. This has been our warmest October on record, I think. Most days it's been about 15-20 degrees above normal for this time of the year. Hey, I wouldn't care if it would stay like this all winter, but I know it won't. Some colder weather is headed our way soon. We're supposed to get rain today. I'm not ready for the cold either. I don't like the winter. Sandywhy, I bet you were really thrilled to see the buckeye. I think they are one of the prettiest butterflies. Yes, snapdragons are a host plant of theirs. I've read on here that the small ones are the ones they like to lay their eggs on. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I had snapdragons planted last year and this year. No butterflies go to them for nectar, but they sure have pretty flowers. I'd plant them even if I weren't trying to attract buckeyes. If you neighbor has snapdragons, then that's probably why there were so many buckeyes over there. Yes, blue vervain (Verbena hastata is a host plants for hem. Here's what I have listed as being host plants for the Common Buckeye: - Snapdragon family, Scrophulariaceae - Plaintain family, Plantaginaceae - Vervain family, Verbenaceae Wild Foxglove (Agalinis fasciculata) Twinflower (Dyschoriste spp.) Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniana) Thickleaf Wild Petunia (Ruellia succulenta) Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus spp.) Narrowleaf Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Narrowleaf Plantain (Plantago major) Monkey Flower (Mimulus) Snapdragon, Toadflax (Linaria), Buddleia Paintbrush Gerardia (Agalinus tenuifolia) Angelonia angustifolia (summer snapdragon) Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about any of these. Cathy

My friends who own the garden center where I spend all my money have stunning landscaping at their home. Lots of specimen trees and well planned beds but no hostas, "because of the deer". As you might expect, I've been advocating for them to adopt deer control and get some hostas. Last week we did a garden walk to see the Japanese maples blooming, and they showed me a small out of the way bed that they were going to try and asked my opinion about which hosta to plant there. First Frost was my recommendation. It's beautiful, reliable and looks good all year. Nice specimen, Brandy, it's going to be big this year! Kathy

Than you everyone! Who knew choosing a hosta could be so hard. There are so many to choose from!!! dhaven: I am loving Prarie Sky. Ken: dappled sunlight almost all day. A little bit of shade and a little direct sun here and there during the day. I would post a picture...but I am taking this stay at home to do massive cleaning and the area looks crazy right now, I am a little bit embarrassed. bkay: you know I heard what you are saying but ignored it. I may have to rethink this as I want to be low maintenance. Thank you! Thank you Esther. PP is very pretty...I will have it somewhere. n2: I shall, I shall have before and after picts! Yes KR is so impressive. Got to say it again, so hard to make up my mind