BTW, I had to go to Menards yesterday (June 30) for an electrical box cover plate: I’d replaced the switches in the bathroom for the overhead exhaust fan & light, the afternoon prior, putting in a lighted “flat rocker” switch for the light, and a timer control for the fan. But, somehow I didn’t have a cover plate with dual large rectangular openings. I just had singles and a couple triples. Huh.
Anyway, Menards has now marked down a lot of the 6-packs of veggie plants to $1.50. I resisted the urge to buy any more tomatoes, but, they had a few packs of peppers, so I got one pack of golden peppers. Interestingly, those plants were NOT overgrown and stressed looking, like a lot of the tomatoes looked. I’d have bought some hot peppers to use for critter deterrence, but, they had none at all - quite a turn-around from this Spring when our Menards had lots of hot peppers but no sweet peppers.
Some small pots were also on sale, and they had some named “Coleus canina Hybrid” (s). These are interesting, as apparently they emit a scent that will repel many animals. They are not hardy, but, some plants are already going to seed, so, I assume they may behave something not unlike mint plants. At $2.50 each per pot, and, evidently, 4 plants per pot, I bought two to try out as critter repellents. Has anyone ever planted these? Will they come back up from their seeds next year?
Also called the ‘Scaredy Cat’ plant - keeps cats from pooping in your garden - they don’t like the smell.
My mom used to grow Coleus, but never the anti-cat ones. When we were growing up, the neighborhood cats used our sandbox for their toilet & left mom’s flower beds alone.
There are some absolutely gorgeous varieties of Coleus. I always thought of them as shade plants, but some varieties are more sun tolerant. I think I have a good spot for Coleus, but it will be next year before I can plant them.