I found these new pruners a couple of years ago made by Felco. They have a rotating handle which makes it much easier on my hand when pruning. I love Felcos because they come completely apart for cleaning and sharpening. I have had one pair since my first year of school, 2001, and love them. They stay sharp and clean easily! This particular pair is Model 7. If you are left-handed, then you will want Model 10.

http://www.felcostore.com/pruners.jsp

If you go to their website, they also have tips on maintenance for their pruners. I love them. They are the only ones I use.

My yard's about like that, a little bigger maybe. You could try weed block. I'm not a big fan. It's SO much work to put it down. Then, what if you want to move the plants around?

It's fine for the area around the decorative grass, because the grass is all that's in that bed and we are not moving porcupine grass.

And it's okay if you're doing a new bed. But try getting it around existing plants. What a nightmare. And some plants are biennial(sp?) and die off if they can't reseed.

I have not found ground covers that keep all the weeds out. but some do disguise it some - I have a low sedum, some dead nettle, and some thing that blooms in yellow. A few others, not like I remember, lol.

I also mulch heavy in the spring. That keeps some weeds down.

But if ya come here, you will see weeds. I do what I can, but it's part of the game.

And hey, I got the first of those flower/bulb/seed catalogues I requested!




Ooohhh, the lilacs! Green coneflowers!

What's scary is how many of these plants I already have.

Ima hafta start on my friend's yard.



I do want Canterbury bells though. One of these days.

Here's a question. I've been battling crown vetch for 11 years now. I can't get rid of the stuff. Apparently, someone thought it would make a good ground cover. That stuff is so invasive that it could take over the world. I pull and pull and can never get it all. So, what do I do?

I've also read that a layer of newspaper works as a good weed block. Anyone have success with that? How about Preen?

Hi Cheryl,

It's just shrubs and flowers. The rabbits ate my little lilac bush during the winter. They even chewed on my roses with the thorns!

I can't plant many things because they're so tasty. I have a serviceberry shrub in front that's still surrounded by chicken wire. I don't know if it's safe to take it off.

Oh, they also chewed up my burning bush this winter. I like pretty, ornamental plants, but so do they, too much!

Oh that is so CUTE! What good bunnies you have! Ours eat the tomato plants unless we surround them with chicken wire!

Thanks for that link Cheryl! I've had mine over ten years now so I need a new pair!

Ok how do you care for a succulent? Someone gave me one for my office and I dont think its doing to well. It looked like a little bush shape when I first got it but now its just like one stalk growing tall? Everyone else's looks better.

I will let Brain handle this one. I kill succulents...even if I ignore them...for some reason they don't like me! LOL!

My MIL gave me a Christmas cactus that has been in the family for 40 years...it only took me 3 years to kill it!

Lots of light, well drained soil, not too much fertilizer and water more than a cactus but let the soil dry well between waterings.

When/if you repot it, use soil for succulents and keep it in a small pot - they tend not to have more room than their roots really need. Just enough space and weight to hold them up.

They like a bit of neglect as long as they have light.

Are you sure they're rabbits? Them are some tough rabbits, woman!

They must really be having a hard time to resort to eating a lilac and roses. Keep the chicken wire, I'd say. And get a big dog - one who likes the taste of bunny.

I agree Brain. I think she's got something more than Wabbits eating her shrubs. Deer? We have Wabbits but they don't eat Woses...and Wiwacs...You got some serious Wabbit probwems Wiz...Chicken wire isn't going stop those wascally wabbits!

In all seriousness...I think with the bad weather you've had where you live (same problem here, we have had elk in our yard lately!) the deer population has migrated into the city and I bet that's what has been munching on your shrubs. Rabbits tend to stick to small stuff on the ground...a little lighter fare if you catch my drift here.

Check on the websites I posted earlier about Deer and Rabbit resistant plants and there are also some links there about Deer and Rabbit proofing your yard. If you need more help, let me know!