Hi, aliska. Are your coreopsis seedlings or actual plants at this stage? Do you think it would hurt to spray Liquid Fence or a soap/cayenne spray on seedlings? I just don't know how tender they are. Tomorrow will be their third day hardening off (early a.m. sun, porch shade the rest of the day,) and I know I'm going to have to put them in the ground any minute now, they're so tall (almost 10") to be growing in 1 1/2" - 2" peat pellets. Don't cut worms cut plants off at ground level? (I need to look those up.) They'd have had to climb up the stalks and bite the heads off, then climb back down again, if they were worms/caterpillars. Plus, as I think about it now, I'd really love to walk out there one morning and see a worm digging up peat pellets buried to a depth of 2 - 3 inches. The idea of that just cracked me up. I think a sight like that would actually make all this hassle half worth it! LOL Again, Moonflower is a type of Morning Glory, or at least in the same family. Most poisons are hallucinogenic, from what I remember. I think that's why whatever's eating them is spitting them out after they've chomped down once or twice. They're smarter than a lot of Homo sapiens. Good idea about the marigolds. I picked up a number of dried seedpods at WalMart last week. Once I get my shelter set up, I'll have to sow those in among my Moonflowers. I agree with you re. the chipmunks burrowing under the netting. To me, these are just a series of deterrents and I guess I'm hoping the more they have to contend with, the sooner they'll give up. They could all bite through it easily enough, anyway, because it's only plastic mesh. Oh. One last thing. After brainstorming this afternoon on the phone with my SIL, I finally came up with a workable solution for my problem. I've got tons of overgrown privet in the little woods part of my back yard. I can cut green (therefore pliable) switches and use them, criss-cross fashion to support the netting. I could sharpen one end and stick that into the ground, then notch the other end so that it fits over the chain-link fence wire, bowing it between the two points. I think the curve and tension will hold it in place and give it some strength. It won't have to stay there for long because my plants seem to be extremely strong and healthy. Now I just have to find out how flexible those switches can be without snapping. I really appreciate you guys reading this and giving me things to think about. I love this site! Thanks again, Lauren

Nice combinations! I like the idea of using butterfly weed in a container. Great height and as the cats strip the leaves other plants in the basket should fill in and cover up the bare parts. Linda, thanks for the link to the seeds! I'll definitely be using that. Ants: Theresa, I almost always end up with ants in my containers. If it gets really nasty I sprinkle on a little bit of fire ant killer but with so many pets around I hate to use it. Sometimes just a good soaking with the hose will get them out but really that just sends them somewhere else. I don't use many chemicals in the garden but I do keep ant killer on hand. I tried the pot tree last year with a piece of rebar and the pots all tilted in different directions. (Thanks for posting that photo, Beth!) It looked great for 30 minutes then started to tilt! I think you have to secure it to something very strong like a porch column to keep it stable. I love the look and may try it again - this time I'll tie it off to one of the supports on my big vine trellis. It's a perfect way to show off lots of coleus varieties. I keep thinking about how cute the shoes and boots are too. I would like to do a grouping with them in tiers kind of like the tilted pot tree. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Goodwill to pick up a variety of short and tall boots!

Update! Just wanted to post a quick update. I took most of your advice and didn't sweat it, bought baskets and wine rack to stage the kitchen. My moms house sold in less than a week on the market! It settled last week...Bittersweet. But wanted to just show what I did, thanks everyone :)

Like the idea of opening up the floor plan as much as possible but it should be noted that there is a lot more solid wall for overhead cabinets on the right side of the family room which is adjacent to the mud room -- and, therefore, the back door for carrying out trash -- than there is in the dining room. The sink could be in an island facing the patio door and the kitchen would then get every bit as much light in the front/entry end of the family room as it would if moved to the dining room. Also, if you're rebuilding the kitchen, a lot of lights could be added. Not a pro. Just some thoughts: A home is a huge investment ... so, instead of giving positive or negative reviews of a specific plan, you might consider suggesting to the prospective buyers that they talk to each other about what spaces they "need" and what spaces they "want" -- and why before they go house hunting ... certainly before they commit to buying a home. Infrequently used rooms/spaces can often just collect clutter and, effectively, become storage rooms -- when having a home with more closet storage or attic storage or basement storage or garage storage might actually be a lot more practical. Most people I know rarely use their "formal" living room if they also have a family room. Most people I know rarely use their "formal" dining room if they also have a breakfast room. Prospective home buyers should also ask how long they intend to live in the home, which matters as well. ... If there are or will be children attending school, where the good schools in the area are also matters as does convenience to employment and grocery shopping. ... Unless on the main living area there is a "bonus" room (with a full bath large enough for a walker or wheel chair as well as closet space for two) that could initially be used as an office/study or a family room or child's play room or game room or a craft room or a guest room, for now, but later could also be used as a master bedroom (such as when the owners' arthritic knees say they should no longer climb the stairs each day), then the home isn't practical as a "forever" home. ... IF a home has HOA fees that can increase annually, that needs to be considered along with other budget considerations -- along with the "rules" that can control pretty much anything the homeowners can and cannot do with their own home with regard to porches or decks or landscaping ... just about everything.