I'm so sorry for your loss filaluvr :( I hope things start looking better for you. Michelle

Before doing anything, especially spreading lime, talk with the people at your counties Pennsylvania state University Cooperative Extension Service office about having a good, reliable soil test done so you know what your soils pH is and how much, as well as what kind, of lime might be needed, if any. What you have sprayed is not very environmentally friendly so if more is to be sprayed be sure to follow the labels directions carefully. To have a lawn this summer you will need to lay sod, but good soil preparation is still necessary. Beside knowing your soils pH you need to know whether the major nutrients are in balance, and the soil test from PSU will tell you that. You also want to know the level of organic matter in that soil and these simple soil tests can help with that. 1) Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains� too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. Here is a link that might be useful: PSU CES

Your trees are so beautiful, but alas I am on the other coast. On my first trip to the east, I was at a conference in Philadelphia. I took the train from there to see a friend in Boston. A person I met on the train, when I said I thought I'd go to Boston since I was so close said, "only someone from the west would think Philadelphia and Boston are anywhere near each other."

Hello Mikey. Wow Mikey it's darn cold outside tonight 5F already and it's 46F inside the greenhouse definitely not much of a tropical feel in there this evening. I was in there watering some Geraniums a few minutes ago and I couldn't have exited out of there soon enough . Mikey I love your idea of playing bird calls and songs in your greenhouse that would be soooooo relaxing , my favorite bird call is from the Whip-Poor- Will such a tropical sound . Mikey my tree's seem to be loving the warmth this winter they have all started flushing ton's of blossom's and growth. My Valencia has never produced edible super sweet fruit , this year they ripened up very nicely in the greenhouse they were really good . Mikey i have 2 tree's in the Greenhouse that never flowered they are both Blood oranges well this year blooms on both . The only downside of having a warm greenhouse is the watering it seems that I cannot go 6 days without having to water their just drying out so quickly. Mike I have not lost any leaves because of it being to warm in the GH , I did loose maybe 10% of the leaves first month after bringing them in do to the adjustment from outside to inside some of the tree's never dropped 1 leave my Meyer lost about half of its leaves . Very Jealous of the winter your having here we've had snow on the ground since December 1st and cloudy all the time February looks very sunny. Mikey I have lost tree's in the past very quickly without notice from overcrowding. Those tree's with the tags in the pics are 6yrs old my Meyer Valencia and Page are my oldest the Meyer is about 14 and is grafted on what I don't know, the Valencia even older 17 yrs , Page and Valencia also doesn't mention the rootstock. Sugar loves it in greenhouse for about 20 minutes then he becomes very restless he's not much for sitting and relaxing like his daddy . Mikey how many space heater's are in your GH , I have 3 in mine and all 3 are going tonight $$$$$most of the time 2 are on and when it's sunny laugh laugh 1 heater. I hope all is well with your family . How does Bo like the winter is he an outdoor cat ? Mikey buddy love talking to you your a super good friend . Brian