These semps were transfered here last fall. Never really took. After several freeze thaws they are quite heaved. Should I dig them up and take them in for a better start or just leave them here and fix up in mud April when weather is better?

They are acclimated to your outdoor weather. I would just replant them, the ones that are not in the ground. And put some chicken grit tucked up under the leaves. Try not to disturb the rosettes though.
In your first photo the main rosette has some exposed roots. Just put a little bit of dirt over the roots with gravel over the top of the dirt.
I don't like to disturb them at this time of year, they do look healthy and strong, just in winter mode.

Here are the deer ravaged semps with their new grit blanket.



I will work on this other patch tomorrow

Good job Jennifer. And the deer probably won't like the grit.

Lynn - That might be a good tip for anyone with critter problems!

Snails are very fond of the grit either.

I'm saving my egg shells and crushing them up to sprinkle around everything. I'm wondering if they would be ok to add to the Sempervivum potting mix. They would add additional grit to it I think. It wouldn't hurt to experiment with it.

I have never tried egg shells Clint. I would think you would want to wash them and bake them, so you don't draw unwanted critters.

OK. I have used them around Hostas to keep the slugs away. They can't stand crawling through them. I put them in zip/lock bags and smash them down small.

We have skunks, possum and raccoons here. I would be afraid it would draw them to the beds. But it sure sound like it would be effective.

I can't use fish fertilizer much here. It attracts raccoons. However, I haven't had a problem with the egg shells. I think it's because they are so diluted when you smash them to bits. All I do is rinse them off after I crack them and get the egg out.

I will give that a try then.

I was reading an article that eggshells balance out acidic soil (they're alkaline) so if you have acid loving plants they may not like too many eggshells (azaleas, rhododendrons even some roses tend to be acid loving) I don't know if Semps care that much either way

A small dish of beer really attracts and kills the slugs. Can't use it where my pups can get to it though

I hate slugs. I never will forget when I stepped on one with my bare foot. I was in Chattanooga visiting friends. Apparently they have tons of them there. We don't have that many here..knock on wood.

Clint, that sounds nasty!

It was so bad. It'll make you shiver just thinking about it.

I'm trying NOT to think about it!