Why can't you 'work' wet soil?
drayven
15 years ago
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takadi
15 years agojonas302
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Why can't I add soil to containers?
Comments (7)The link Al provided has lots of great science, Avajay. I highly recommend it and the link I'm providing below. I'll also take a stab at distilling the most important parts of this. First, as Al said, soil in containers doesn't work the same as soil in the ground. That's really what this is all about. Soil in a container needs to do several things to provide a good growing experience. 1)Root anchorage - hold the plant upright, 2)Wick water upwards against gravity, 3)Drain water downward to prevent the plant standing in water, 4)To hold onto the "right" amount of water and nutrients, 5) to provide air space for the exchange of gasses. The particle size in the mix is a big part of how these things above happenÂor do not happen. If they are too large, you sacrifice the ability to hold onto water, for example. ThatÂs sort of the basics of the why. To get everything you need to happen, the mix has to have certain characteristics. Soil will not have these and youÂll sacrifice at least some of the above necessities. Here is a link that might be useful: Another link to read; may help with understanding Al's post...See MoreDo you fertilize your seedlings/Why can't i grow seedlings?
Comments (23)Dave, "Zinnia grow so quickly and turn leggy almost overnight so most feel they are best direct seeded outside." I agree that it is generally better to plant zinnias directly outside when that works with your schedule. However, I think Dale was trying to get an early start with his zinnias, hence the attempt at starting them early inside under lights. I agree with everybody who identified Dale's problem as not enough light. I just want those who are considering starting zinnias indoors to know that they will not "turn leggy almost overnight" if you provide adequate light. With enough light they are quite docile and well behaved, and you can get an early start of a month or more if you have an adequate light setup. The shelf in this picture has four two-bulb T8 shoplights over it. The shelf measures 2 feet by 4 feet, and with a total of eight T8 fluorescent bulbs over it, the light on the seedlings is good. That picture was taken a couple of days ago and I will be setting most of those zinnias into the garden in the near future. There are a few "late arrivals" in the picture that will spend some more time inside. They would be just cutworm fodder if I set them outside now. All of those zinnias are hand-hybridized hybrids, so I give them better care than I would for seed-packet zinnias. ZM...See MoreHELP! I can't work my soil
Comments (3)I would pile up leaves this fall where you want your garden beds, as much as realistically possible, maybe next when they get wet with rain sprinkle some topsoil on them and sow winter rye or winter wheat. Turn it under in spring. This way you are actually making your own soil. If there is rock down there, it may be the only way. If it is hard-pan clay, can't hurt either, it will be easier to dig in spring. I had to do this in my yard and after a few years people admire the soil where I did it - where I didn't it is still red clay. My additional important reason was that my place is very steep - can't really dig for geometric and erosion reasons....See MoreWhy, why, why can't I......
Comments (30)Let me just echo what melsouth said above. I was quoted an upcharge by one cabinet maker for painted white, but in our current new house the price was the same for stained or painted white from a different cabinetmaker. Perhaps you can get an estimate from another shop. It also bothers me that your cabinet maker is trying to discourage you from using white since he prefers stained. He should NOT be doing that. In a previous home, I let myself be pressured to do some things by the cabinet maker and always regretted those choices since I really preferred other things, but felt I had to go with his recommendations. As others have said, you're stronger than you even realize after sustaining the loss of your husband. It's natural to struggle with decisions following that...and sometimes I've found just getting a bit older can make decision making (particularly so many at the same time) more likely to be overwhelming. Just take them one at a time, and it will get done. My sincere sympathy over your loss, and I hope you'll still find the joy in each new day you have. Regarding appliances--if YOU like white cabinets and choose that, you can go with either white or stainless. With cherry, IMHO stainless would look best. We went with stainless in this house with white cabinets because I didn't care for the appearance of big white refrigerators. But we chose the stainless look frig that doesn't show fingerprints. I've found that the stainless undermount sink I thought I'd hate, is actually less work than my previous white one. As with so many things, in the long run, it will work out. Just take it one step at a time. Keep us posted. You have so many friends here ready to help you....See Moredrayven
15 years agoKimmsr
15 years agopiedmontnc
15 years agoLloyd
15 years agodchall_san_antonio
15 years ago
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