Great, Jo Ann, and much less expensive than the one I have. They all pay for themselves in the long run though, I think.

Thanks, Janice, I love Opuntia too. That is Opuntia humifusa ... native to VA and other states in the east. Not all of them are native to the western states and deserts. Someone on DG sent it to me. Here it is one month later with four big new pads! I'm so excited to have it.

Absolutly unless there is an entire month with no rain.

Those rain barrels are a great idea what with the increase in water rates recently. Has anyone heard of taking an old Kentuck sippin whiskey barrel and Fiberglassing it?
Here's a pic of pine cone mulch.
Only problem is when the squirrels get at it.

Anyone know when to collect Castor beans? The spiked pods have formed on a few.

Collect them when brown and dry. Or you can let it pop open. They can be hard to open. I used pliers I think.

Karen

Thanks Karen. This was my first year growing them. Quite impressive, but they do need to be under-planted.

Evan, that is a gorgeous photo of your garden!!

That is a lovely setting, Evan. I have about 3 bushels of pine cones sitting out there right now. I get a huge drop of them every year from my big old pine tree. I don't know why I haven't thought to use them as mulch. Duh! Probably because the gal who mows my backyard would fuss at me. What to do ...