Trying to stay organic, I did try it one year, spring and fall. Zero effect. That's why I'm resorting to Preen. Too late for this spring unfortunately, but I did put some down a few weeks ago. I plan to clear an area, Preen, then mulch. If it ever stops raining and life allows me to think about gardening at all, that is.

Karen

I feel your pain, Karen. I've battled purple dead nettle, chickweed, and now Queen Anne's lace that my neighbor let go to seed. I've already spent at least 20 hours weeding. Today, the extended-control Round-Up came out. I just don't have another 40 hours to spend weeding by hand, and this stuff is just taking over everywhere. I hate using Round-Up, but this was a desparate measure.

Karen--doesn't the Preen go on top of the mulch? At least that's what I remember.

I'm not sure Linda, I gave it up when I went organic. I haven't used it in a long time. Anyone else know? (I guess I could read the directions!)

Karen

Doesn't Preen contain corn gluten?? I thought it might be considered organic.

There is a Preen for vegetable gardens, which is corn gluten. But I think the regular one is a chemical base.

Karen

Luckily my yard is small, around the size of a large one car garage so weeding isn't alot of work. We have rain forcasted for the next week. Agrh, hopefully those nice few days we had aren't the only nice days for the entire summer!

Yes, Steven, especially since I was working on those nice days, not outside at all.

It's raining again now. We have rain in the forecast for 9 of the next 10 days. It's like Groundhog Day- every day is the same.

Karen

I hate it when that happens, I was fortunate this time to have some of the nice days off to get some things done.

Linda, I looked at the Preen label. It does say best results when applied after mulching, so thanks for that.

Active ingredient is trifluralin.
http://www.preen.com/labels/24...

Karen

I took off work this week to work in my garden. We got at least 3" of rain lst night, and the forecast just doesn't change.

I've got flats of herbs outside for our MG plant sale--I have to keep emptying the trays so they're not standing in water. I'm seriously thinking of bringing them into the garage so they don't drown.

I'm in the same boat, Linda. I booked this coming week for vacation time to work in the yard. Rain is in the forecast every day except Friday.

And it's cold. Highs predicted in the 50s with lows in the low to mid 40s. Probably too cold for coleus, which have been living on my front and back porches for about a week. I moved all the coleus into the garage this afternoon, pouring water from the trays. I have so many that there's no room left for my car. It has to live in the driveway this week.

Karen

I think we need to start doing our anti-rain dance, Karen.

And an anti-cold one, too. It's 46°. It doesn't look like it's raining now, but everything's still wet. But only 30% chance of rain today, so maybe it won't rain as much as it has been.

Karen

we are currently mid30's ... saw a coupla Hummers this morning though... guess they are trying to stay warm. Thankfully no rain.

I saw my first hummer a few days ago, feeding from my heuchera. I made nectar for them, which is still sitting in my fridge. It has been so rainy I haven't gotten out to fill my feeder.

Karen

when i first got up here in early April. i bought some 'pre-made' syrup at the store... the raccoons drank most of it. Early May, i heard they were back, but had not seen any... went home for a few days... got back last Thursday... saw a hummer, and thankfully I had a feeder out. Made about a half gal of the nectar ... they have 2 feeders out to drink from.

I was pleasantly surprised to see sunshine this morning, although it is only 44 degrees. Thankfully, the chance of rain throughout the week has diminished.

Terese--isn't it exciting to see the hummers? I'm so amazed by those little birds. We had racoons that were targeting our feeder, too. Finally detered them with taller hanger and a baffle.

Sun? What's that? Not fair, so close yet dreary as can be here. We're up to 48°, but wind chill is 42. Who ever heard of a wind chill in late May? Too wet to work in the yard. And I'm not motivated to do anything. This is some vacation! Maybe I'll just read.

Karen

I ended up bringing in 7 flats of basil tonight--it's getting down to 42 tonight. A few plants had damage on their leaves from cold last night. I've got them back under lights, with a fan on to try to dry out the soil a bit. Will be lightly covering the tomatoes, as well.

Sighhhhh.......

I'm happy to say even with all this rain I got another mater sprout, it's OSU Blue and it even has a little purple stem! We're supposed to get a bit warmer on Wednesday but no sun till Friday but that is likely to change.