charleen you are sooo wonderful! Thats my grandson in the photo here. My son would shoot me if I posted his pix! LOL

As a 40-something gal who's old enough to be a grandma but who is the proud new mother of a 6 month old baby girl, let me just say that you can never tell relationships by appearance/age alone!

Sweet gum burrs might just be effective (my tree will be old enough to start producing them soon), but then again the kitty might just scoop them out of the planter and make himself comfy...

critterologist said:As a 40-something gal who's old enough to be a grandma but who is the proud new mother of a 6 month old baby girl, let me just say that you can never tell relationships by appearance/age alone!

Congrats to you!! and let me tell ya, I dont know how you do it! I get my grandson every friday and by 11 am I am sooo ready for a nap! LOL! he used to be my 'lil sunshine' now... he's 'my lightening bolt!!' he is so fast, and constantly talking I cant keep up! LOL!

I do have the 'poinker balls' from my liquid amber trees here. and the do kinda work in the big beds, they deter most of the neighbor kitties from using the beds as litter boxes. However...these mini boxes are for my grandson. He even has mini pigs, chickens etc in the boxes and loves to play with them. I dont want to deter David from using them LOL

ROFL

I was actually going go to suggest a spray bottle as a deterrent.. but you do have to catch 'em in the act.

I had a hard time finding a sweet gum tree for the back yard that wasn't sterile... I really like those gum balls! But I agree, not good to step on... so I planted it along the back edge. Will I regret it? Time will tell!

critterologist said:ROFL

I was actually going go to suggest a spray bottle as a deterrent.. but you do have to catch 'em in the act.

I had a hard time finding a sweet gum tree for the back yard that wasn't sterile... I really like those gum balls! But I agree, not good to step on... so I planted it along the back edge. Will I regret it? Time will tell!

That was the worst tree we had in Charlotte.
I would never plant one on purpose.
The reason you couldn't find one that wasn't sterile is they are more desireable.
Sweet Gum Trees are more prolific than Texas Jack Rabbits.
I would keep a close eye on it and maybe remove it before it gets too big.
They grow fast.

Yes, well I did plant one on purpose... and I wanted the gumballs! Feel free to say "told ya so!" in 5 years...

As for being prolific, they can't be worse than the wild cherry & mulberry trees we have in the fence row.

LOL, I have the poinker balls (okay seed pods from liquid amber) all over my yard and I know exactly what you mean about stepping on the barefoot!

Those little balls can mess up a lawnmower. I got one in my lawnmower and had to put it in the shop. The fella said it was a "freak accident" I should think!!! I know I didn't do it on purpose. I got jillions of those little prickle balls. Stepping on one would be crippling. OW!!

Ridesredmule said: The fella said it was a "freak accident" I should think!!! I know I didn't do it on purpose.

My neighbors use the prickly balls as 'practice balls' for their golf swing.... One neighbor will smack them all across the streeet into the other neighbor yard, other neghbor will come outside, see all the balls on his lawn and smack them back across the street I keep tryin to warn them that they are seed pods and they are smackin seeds all over the place!

I have read with much interest your cat problem.
May I suggest tape...cats hate things that stick to their fur.The tape has to be replaced a few times but they usually get the message.
I have 5 cats and they do try everything, but can be trained.
They are not allowed on the kitchen counter, but know when we turn the lights off and go into the other room it is easy to be sneaky. Some sticky tape on the counter is an effective deterrent, It is also somewhat of a chuckle to hear them hit the floor, on the run ,shaking paws, and jumping .

Too good!

They do have double tacky tape you could try. I would if I had a cat.

Cinda thats a great idea! oh and dusty does hate tape! specially when its stuck to his paw and he cant get it off! what a show! I think I'll try that. if anything it will catch the flies that like to hang out on my porch area

1AnjL said:I have a bonzai ivy (I'll have to find out the actual name) it has heart shaped leaves. DH is still looking for his 'roundtuit' but once he finds it he will be making me a miniature arbor for the ivy.

The boxes are shallow. DH (Dear Handyman/Honey) made them for me out of some scrap redwood. they were made to fit the black plastic seed trays. They are basicaly redwood sides, a slatted bottom, and then brackets to secure them to the railing. Then we (my grandson & I) planted them. The bonsai were kept in the small containers so they are easy to remove and care for, then plopped right back in place.

Now I've got to figure out how to keep my kitties from using the boxes for their afternoon naps! ugh!

I use Black Pepper on my indoor plants and around some plants outside. It doesn't harm the plants and just makes the Kitties sneaze. It generally only takes one time for them to learn and after a while you can quit using it.

thanks woodyarn, that is a good idea too! I haven't tried anything but the zest so far. Its pouring rain here and super windy. I do have some seeds sowing in my kitchen window and want to transplant them in the mini garden soon. so as soon as this rain lets up I am going to have to find a quick way to 're-train' that cat LOL

Is anyone working on any mini gardens?

Been a long time since we heard from you. How is everything going???
I have some Corican mint that would be great in mini gardens. Just got to do something with it.
Have it in a pot.

Charlene! I missed you! Hows Charlie doing? I thought of you often.... when I unpacked the doll house and came across the outhouse and sheldons 'dish wired' doggie house I burst out laughing all over again!

Today DH and I are making several trips to the dumps...getting rid of all the junk he stored in the basement here for the past 25 yrs so we can make room for all the stuff from our bay area home we are slowly but surely getting all moved in and situated

Charley and I been playin in da dirt.

Come and check out our link. Tell us what you think.

http://cubits.org/CharleyTheBi...
The idea came with Lynn and her Semp Geeks. (Isn't that a fun thing to say)
then just created a link for them to play with. You too if yo wish.
Been missing you too, how's the grandbaby doin??? Bet he is growing.

OMGosh that is adorable! are those tiny sedums that are planted? too cute!

grandson is getting big! and talking LOTS now lol! he's even starting to sass his mom a lil bit! ahhhh.....my revenge for her teenage years! LOL

I'll come check out your link!