DEAR GRUMPY

Years ago, I asked you about con- trolling armadillos in my Florida yard. Now I'm up to 103 that have been trapped and either killed or relocated! I average 12 a year. I am dressing up as an armadillo this Halloween, and my husband is wearing an “I'd rather be shooting armadillos” T-shirt. What do you think? -SHARON

- BY STEVE BENDER

I think you shouldn't give him any more reasons than he already has. (Just kidding.) But what's the problem? Can't deal with a few possums on the half shell laying waste to your precious begonias, impatiens, and lawn, so you resort to violence? Shame! You should “rewild” your yard instead, like lots of those garden bloggers suggest. Stop mowing and trimming. Let whatever wants to grow do so. Soon you'll be enjoy- ing a miraculous, carefree mélange of prickly pear, honeysuckle, poison ivy, popcorn tree, privet, bull thistle, rattlesnake weed, ragweed, sandspur, and Bradford pear. This will result in more diversified wildlife, including squirrels, raccoons, yellow jackets, banana spiders, scorpions, mice, skunks, and Burmese pythons. It'll be heaven.

Rotten Tomatoes

Help, Grumpy! I was so looking forward to juicy, homegrown tomatoes this year, but now they have black spots on the ends. Where did I go wrong? -NANCY

Don't beat yourself up. (That would disturb the children.) What you see is a common condition called blossom-end rot. It occurs when the roots don't channel enough calcium from the soil to the cell walls. To correct this, sprinkle a cup of lime around the base of each plant. Also, maintain evenly moist soil (not too wet or dry) to help the roots keep the calcium moving.

Swarming Surprise