Actually raspberries like acid soil. The cheapest mulch you can get is wood chips. In MI, 30 cubic yards of wood chips cost nothing (delivery also does not cost), if you call a tree company that would need to pay for landfill space otherwise. that would probably take care of 500 plants. Do not be shy and give them 8 inches or more initially. Wood chips will make the soil even more acid than leaves (which actually make a mildly acidic compost) initially, but the raspberries will not mind. They will appreciate the water savings, and long term (say, in two years), the mulch will provide all the nutrients they need. Right now, with new plants and a barren soil that needs time to absorb all that organic matter, you are better off fertilizing and watering a bit. You will appreciate a mulch that lasts two or more years, and that does not smother new canes (like matted maple leaves sometimes do). I have had raspberries in acidic sandy soil since 1997. They only got whatever yard waste I did not want to use on other plants, so mostly wood chips, but also peeling bark from firewood, whatever I swept from the patio or driveway, etc, probably 2 feet of the stuff over the years. They are incredibly strong plants.

You say you planted your seeds "mostly in spring" and I don't think anybody addressed that issue. Both California poppies and our native lupines (both annual and perennails) are adapted to our cool, moist winters and are best sown in fall to grow through our wet late fall and early winter for bloom in late winter and spring. Some California poppies, when sown in fall, can be extended into summer by an occasional watering. In fact, in many cases thay kind of become perennials (albiet short-lived). When sown in spring, they don't do all that well (orange or red or any color). They haven't a clue what day od the year it is and don't bloom as they should (some do, most don't). Annual lupines don't respond happily to pinching, deadheading, trimming, etc. When sown in fall, they get as bushy as they should. When sown in spring into summer, they end up spindly and minimally flowered. NOW is the time to prepare your ground for sowing these seeds. And sown SOON. Joe

Thinking long term development, until I read your list of candidates I was going to suggest 'Shishigashira'. You still might want to check that one out. 'Oridono nishiki' ("the rich-colored fabric of the master") and 'Versicolor' are not the same. 'Oridono nishiki' "is more reliable and has far less non-variegated foliage than some other cultivars such as 'Versicolor'"(Vertrees/Gregory, JAPANESE MAPLES).

First off, if at all possible, I'd suggest posting pictures so we can get a better idea of how the room looks. My thoughts... 1. I think that the 3 piece widespread faucet is the way to go for an updated higher-end look. Likewise, I prefer the separate hot & cold controls for the tub. 2. I've been hearing that granite is becoming passe (this is pretty interesting to me because I just put nearly 3 slabs in my masterbath). I loved Corian more than granite for a long time but now I feel that IT looks dated. (I think I'm usually one trend behind!) In your situation, I'd look for quartz, particularly if you can find a remnant to make it more affordable. We're putting quartz in our son's/guest bathroom and was able to find exactly the material that we wanted for just $900 (85" vanity with 2 sink cut-outs). It would have been cost-prohibitive if we had to buy the whole slab. 3. If you go with Corian, your sink would probably be integrated. If you decide on granite or quartz, I'd definitely suggest undermount sinks. (We found a really reasonably priced Toto undermount sink with their Sanagloss finish and I'm surprised at how much I love them!) 4. Subway tile is such a classic that it would be hard to go wrong with it. Not sure what labor would run but definitely get several estimates. 5. If it's a good quality tub in good shape, I'd try to keep it. I have no experience with having tubs reglazed but perhaps that's an option to restore the finish(?) I'd probably not try to match the tile exactly to the tub to help keep it from looking crummy by comparison... look for something that would compliment it instead. 6. If the interior and drawers are in really good shape, it may be worth saving. A picture would help here. 7. To me, lighting is such an important element in a bathroom... and it is also relatively inexpensive for such a large design impact. If you consider it a bizarre look, chances are a potential buyer would too so I'd probably bite the bullet and redo it. If you could post a picture, that would really help. Hopefully others will have more suggestions!