"BTW - history completely contradicts your belief in soil testing. Almost nobody gets soil tests now and they weren't even available to homeowners until recently. Like a lot of modern technology, it can be a useful tool. However, people got along just fine without them in the not to distant past." What does that even mean? History contradicts your belief in soil testing? How does history contradict a belief in soil testing? That sentence is an example of making up something that sounds intelligent but has no basis in fact. Soil testing is an extremely important part of all the crops growing in this country. If we had a better understanding of soil science earlier in the 20th century then the dust bowl probably wouldn't have happened, or at least it wouldn't have been so bad. Turfgrass, like any crop, has its ideal soil conditions. The closer you can get to the ideal, the healthier the grass. How would you know if you need lime? Let's say you need lime, which one would you use? What about a phosphorus deficiency. Most fertilizers have little P, so are you supposed to guess if you have deficiencies? Andy's plan is the right way to do it. Sure you can do a renovation by omitting steps, but if you want the best results you will do it the right way. Rushing it will usually result in doing it again next fall.

Hi Jim, I don't think that the pot would harbor white fly eggs. It's not necessary to spray the balcony. Completely clean off the deck of any dead foliage and old soil. Use a 5 percent bleach solution to scrub and rinse the pot. Use new organic potting soil. Black Gold with coir is the best I've trialed the past several years. If your plants get the purple,yellow color again, Try Seaweed or Kelp extract. Spray at 6oz per gallon of water over the foliage to runoff every 10 to 14 days. This is in addition to what ever fertilizer you are using. For the white flies, Go to the Green Thumb in Ventura and look for "Leaf Wash" Does wonders for White Flies, Aphids and most sucking insects. and on mosy shrubs and vegetables. Remember when treating white flies.....It's spray every 3 to 5 days. 3 or 4 applications. We want to kill adult flies with the first application. Then next application are to kill the young flies and their eggs. Good growing, Steve Goto

Nosoccermom, I try to shop family-owned and local whenever possible. The table was purchased at a local New England furniture store called Circle Furniture. The table is 100 yr reclaimed chestnut from Vermont. I believe the manufacturer produces furniture and taps maple trees for syrup. Fun, huh? Here is the link. We went with painted black apron and legs: http://www.circlefurniture.com/products/dining/dining-tables/recalimed-dining

In hopes of a perfect reception plus less stress leading up,I'm going to rain on your parade now and get it behind you. Hire a landscaper to make sure the yard is beautiful come Oct 5th. You only get one chance and there's not ample time for you to learn "from scratch" in the short time allowed. As evidenced by your mis-use of Round-up,you simply have too much to learn about developing then maintaining a yard. Do what you do best to earn money for the landscaper. If you insist on being on the front line,inlist the services of a local Master Gardener who will hold your hand and teach at the same time. Best of luck and congrats to the newly weds to be.