@RickCorey
Hello, thanks so much for your response!
I've researched your suggestions and have learned much.
I book marked a few sites and am going back to read more when time permits.
Slug soup, yummm, not, but I am sure in a few countries people make it, I know they eat them.
I am not sure how to tell if the mites over winter in my soil, I am thinking that they mite (get it...mite, LOL) as I've had this prblm for a number of years since planting Echinaceas.
I never thought anything of the odd looking cones until I joined this site and became more aware.
After pulling them all up I prbly won't plant anything there and if they start coming up which I know they will as they self seed, I will just pull them out and get rid of them.
The Winter Rye read was indeed of interest, I'll def go back to read that info again.
I usually harvest seeds from all of my plants so there's no prblm for future patches.
I'll take my chances as to whether they will produce or not, I've keep seeds for a few yrs and they've always produced.
I sowed when I 1st started w/ Echinaceas as I'd only purchased a couple of plants of each color.
I seldom sow now but will if need be after I get things cleaned up.
As far as soil treatment is concerned I'll prbly decide after I've finished reading the info that I've bookmarked.
Again, thanks so very much for your response and the info, all is very much appreciated!!!!
Shaw