I would guess goldfinches are 'helping'with this. It's really amusing watching them clinging to a stem while feasting on the seedheads, with the plant gyrating from their efforts. Have had no takers. I'm pulling out all the plants that have grown near my chaste tree. Want it to have all the room it needs - love my chaste tree. Started with one verbena bonariensis about 3 years ago - reseeding has me now with more than a hundred. Rosie, Sugar Hill

Great idea! Maybe I will leave the kids behind too! lol! Thanks for the complement!!! It is hard work but it makes me so happy. I just started gardening last year and your are right there was nothing!!! between freecycle, helping little old ladies remove hosts draping over their sidewalk, wintersowing, the swap, and a pretty hefty bulb purchase from www.vanengelen.com I think the garden has come a long way. Oh yes and an amazing end of the year sale at Home Cheepo on azaleas for 2.50 each. I know its evil but what are you going to do?.. Btw thanks for the plants the other day!!! What were they again? ;-/ the ones with the yellow flowers and the other variegated vine thing?

In my current home and my first home when I moved to Texas were both overgrown, disheveled, weedy jungles. Needless to say I didn't feel to bad about going with the nuclear option on those yards and starting over. I think what's even more sad though is when your garden becomes neglected. That's what's happened with my first house here. I put my heart and soul into re-doing that yard for the better part of the three years I was there. I was by there a few months ago and it was hard to look at. Everything's overgrown and weeds popping up everywhere. I talked to some of my old neighbors and they said the front is nothing compared to the back. I guess some people just don't care. When it turns over again, those people will probably have to start from scratch just like I did. A real shame. :^(

Annie, please don't try to delete this thread! It is pretty obvious there is only one nay-sayer, why let her ruin things for everyone else? I've been reading this forum for several years. Though I rarely contribute, I still feel like I "know" most of y'all. You have every right to be proud of Maddie! Donating hair is a wonderful and generous thing for anyone to do, and even more admirable from one so young! Personally, I fail to understand why one would even open a thread if they found the title upsetting. And what part of that title doesn't make it pretty clear that the post isn't primarily about cooking? So why would "OT" in the title make any difference? You have a wonderful writing style, and your posts are always fun and interesting to read. I, too, love reading about the efforts and accomplishments of your grandkids! So please don't stop sharing them with us! Now we're all (well, except one obviously) looking forward to seeing pictures of and reading about what kind of cupcakes Maddie chooses, and how many sprinkles she can get on them! Have a great, negative free, weekend! ! Rusty PS. . . . . That new hair cut is absolutely perfect for that adorable little face! ! !