"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 wertach, Well, usually a little heat is helpful for seed germination but not necessary after germination. After the seeds have germinated, they usually grow better at lower temperatures (about 65 to 70 degrees F.) Heat will cause a plant to grow faster, requiring more light to balance that rapid growth. Unless you feel that you can supply lots of light, youâÂÂll be better off keeping things on the cool side. Keeping the temperature cooler will help to prevent weak and leggy plants. Hope this is helpful, Art

Make sure you have an appropriate cleanout(s) installed As long as your making a mess, how is your water line?

I also agree.I majored in dressmaking and design in high school and have been sewing ever since,and that adds up to about 50 years.Wow didn't realize it was that long til i stopped to think about it!! DH bought me my first machine after the birth of our first son(1959) because i kept borrowing my sisters.We went on to have 2 more sons and a dd.I sewed for all of them.I sewed a lot of the boys clothing right up to high school days and of course all of dd's as well.Also sewed all my own clothes,things for the home,and when dh retired from the military i made him a few suits as well. I have taken a lot of classes over the years,free motion embroidery,smocking,quilting,etc to name a few.I still take classes from time to time.My motto is,"you're never too old to learn something new." Now i have a new Great GD that just 5 weeks old,so i have someone new to sew for and have already made her 2 quilts,burp pads,crib bumpers.Can't wait to start sewing her clothes,and believe it or not,i still have some of the patterns i used for my own kids all those years ago.Kids patterns never go out of fashion,and i like the older ones better than the newer one.JMO I learned on here recently how to make a foot stool from a plant stand/holder thingy and made one last week or so.I never would have thought of that idea. So thank gals,keep inspiring us. Kathi