Hey, Pam! Here's what I'm thinking. Your VP/drystall is going to be very water-retentive unless you make the Drystall a large fraction of the soil, but let's assume you're not going to use a lot of Drystall, because I know you're leaning toward the VP. First, perlite would probably be a better choice than the drystall because it will be more effective at reducing water retention. Perlite has no internal porosity, so would hold less water than the Drystall - and it's less expensive. If you have more questions in that area, just ask & I'll help; otherwise, I'll leave you to figure out how to deal with the 'making' part of your soil. How to rig your containers to take the most advantage of gravity to help you drain your containers: Hang them by a corner, or from wherever you need to to ensure the container hangs at as close to a 45* angle as you can make it hang. Drill your drain hole in the lowest spot, and insert a wick. This makes the soil that the perched water occupies cone-shaped or pyramidal, and a 6" pyramid or cone standing on its apex holds only about half the soil as a 6" cube. Since the PWT will occupy only (about) half the volume of soil it normally would if the container is level, you'll reduce the perched water volume by half PLUS whatever extra the wick will remove. You'll lose some soil volume because the container is tipped, but that you'll have a much higher % of soil with air i it instead of being saturated, you'll actually GAIN volume in the 'healthy' soil dept. You aren't the only one here trying to escape the mud-in-a-bag you referred to. Many have passed this way and embarked on a path different than that which they arrived on. I'm glad you see the folly in remaining chained to what you already know wasn't working. I applaud your initiative. ;o) Al

I just wanted to say I'm almost exactly in your shoes, just in another state. :) Except that I have one boy and one girl around my ankles all the time instead of two boys. :) I'm trying winter sowing this year too because I have no money, awful soil, a little of my good compost, potting soil, and saved containers. I also need to learn, learn, learn about seeds I want to try, I know very little about gardening. I'm excited to try this with everyone here too. The only thing I request is MORE PICTURES from EVERYONE! I love seeing how everyone is doing! ;)

Three things I learned to do first...because I ended up doing the beds over and over until I got it thru my thick skull "first things first"!!! If you do not define your beds and plant the 'bones' you won't ever get quite that...that....'look' you want. And by 'the look' I mean those beds that make your mouth drool with ENVY color="green"> First, mow grass short and then take a long garden hose or extension cord and lay it where you want your beds to be. Create curves and sweeping edges. Look at this bed from all sides and from prime viewing spots such as your patio. You like? Good! Now, spray paint along the hose or cord with black paint (doesnt have to be neon--just need to be able to see it. Try not to paint said hose/cord--lol) Ok, now remove the hose/cord and get an edger or weed-whacker and hit that painted line hard and wide so that you can really see it. Check for smooth curves, nothing harsh or too sharp--remember that you will have to mow along this line. Now, everything between those beautiful lines and the fence is PRIME FLOWER COUNTRY! Second, prepare beds. I use cardboard and lots of mulch. Follow advice as above. Third, but no less important....get some backbone lady!! ;o) You really need evergreen things. Especially in zone 6 where winter is a time for dreaming and flat empty beds are depressing. The green of your evergreens creates a nice foil for spring flowers and bulbs, since most grass will still be dormant. It also adds height and density to the bed. Its the matte of your picture...the frame for your flowers and roses. I had so many beds that lacked something...A neighbor pointed out that my yard was totally bare in winter and had no density in summer. I added bones and immediately got what was missing. I wish she had spoken sooner since some evergreens may take a while to reach a good height/size. Now, all 'bones' don't need to be evergreen, but IMHO no bed should be without a few evergreens--tall, medium or short. There are so many varieties to choose from. I have found that what makes some beds look scrumptious and some look just 'pretty good' is the texture one creates in a bed. This is done with a mix of things but each bed needs the density of evergreens with the various foliages of other plants. I have a friend who had no flowres in her beds (horrors!) Yet, I couldnt take my eyes off of her beds--the texture was incredible!! The foil she created was captivating to me (and I am a thru-and-thru flower and rose ho!!) I hope these comments have helped you--lord knows they would have saved me a fortune if I had known this from the start! Below is a link to a garden of amazing texture--she helped me get started (with advice via the internet) when I was a newbie. Keep us posted. Ronda BTW--cute little peeper in the sliding glass door!

Hello Hummingbird Lovers, I too have had a bully hummer (Rufous? He’s got a bright ruby throat). This guy terrorizes my other birds not just by attacking them but also by loudly chirping as the birds get near any of my 2 feeders. My other birds have shared the feeders in the past especially just before sunset for their last feeding. While they obviously don’t like to feed near each other, they seem to unpleasantly coexist. Not the bully. He is not letting any of the other birds near the feeders to a point where I don’t see my regular hummers come around at all. I’m in an Apt so I don’t have too much of a choice than spreading my two feeders as far apart as possible on the balcony. Today I decided I was going to bully the bully (am I going nuts?!). I know my other birds will feed near me so I stood in between the 2 feeders right in front of the bully and every time the bully tried to zoom in to terrorize my other birds, I’d get in front of him. He finally gave up and left the hood, probably temporarily. Immediately some of my regulars came back, still a bit scared. I feel bad doing this but I miss seeing my sweet hummers who either feed together or at least wait for each other to finish feeding before taking a turn (no joke. They do it!). Even the alpha Anna’s aren’t as mean and aggressive as the ruby throated Rufous. Im going to try placing a number single feeders around the balcony and see if that helps. I do have other flowers around me but my hummers love my nectar recipe of water mixed with organic cane sugar from Trader Joe’s. I clean and refill the feeders very 3 days whether they’re empty or not so they’re nice and fresh. I happily spoil the heck out of my sweet beloved hummers!