That's a Big Bird Feeder

Clever DIY bird feeder for ducks.

My "Christmas Cactus" is Really a Thanksgiving Cactus

And not just because it's blooming now, just in time for Thanksgiving. There are many different types of this cactus. Thanksgiving cactus has flat leaves with serrated edges, and the flower looks like a bird in flight. Christmas cactus has smoother-edged leaves and they tend to spill over the edge of a planter, like a vine. The flowers are more like full, layered trumpets. Thanksgiving cactus above. Christmas cactus below. See the differences?

Gerber Daisy

November 2nd and these sweet Gerber daisies are still thriving...in a planter with a little shelter.

Saving Zinnia Seeds

If you live in the Boise area, our dry spell means zinnia seed-saving is easy. Clip off dried flowers. Pull each petal off and you'll see the seed at the end. Snap off petals to save space when storing. You can leave them on, too. I put the seeds in a small paper bag. Be sure to label your seed. The zinnias in the photo are from a State Fair Mix. They generally produce true seed, but it's possible they could have been cross-pollinated with other zinnias. Four seeds heads is plenty for the next season. I'll leave the rest of the seed heads so the birds have food during the winter.

Tiny Pink Rose in the Garden

Some roses are still hanging on.

Flowers Surviving the Frosts

The zinnias in sheltered areas are still going strong, even after a few frosty mornings.

Composting Surprise

I started composting about a year ago. I put together two bins. One was "hot" and one was a holding bin I planned to start cooking when the other bin was just about done. Above is a photo of the holding bin. The surprise is that the holding bin is just about done - without me trying to get it "cook," by adding nitrogen and stirring and keeping moist. That plastic cup says "compostable" - but as you can see, it hasn't. I'll bury it and try again.

 Here is finished compost from the pile I thought was the only one really "cooking."

Now, it starts all over again.