I understand cheap and stubborn (grins). Me, too! But I also like to work smarter (and cheaper) instead of harder. I went to your site to get more clues (very nice). Yeah, you really need to amend the soil. But you might be thinking too hard here. You said you have lots and lots of half-composted leaves, and other at-least-piled compostables. Those are your *sponges*.... And even only half-composted, and with a sort of high pH, they are the best thing you can dig into to your soil. Really depleted soil like this doesn't have any *buffering* capacity left. Sort of like a child's swing, after a good hard push. 'Too acid' on the forward push and 'too alkaline' on the swing back. It's moves easily, and sometimes swings a little wild. With lots and lots of leaves and other compost added, over just a little time, the soil is *buffered* against the changes. Sort of like tying three concrete blocks to the bottom of the swing.... It stays a lot more stable, and isn't easy to throw out of balance. Darn hard for just a little bit of change to move it at all, even a little. For this year, you might want to do the 'sulfuring' recommended by the local farmers, to help your yield. But dig in as much compost and manure as you can get. Also, try to get even shovelfuls of richer soils.... along creekbeds? Anywhere that might have a less depleted soil, and mix it in with your compost pile. Compost depends on worms, and fungi, and other critters that aren't abundant on depleted soil.

Hi! I would certainly appreciate some of your Loofa seeds! I should be able to grow them here fairly well in zone 7. I've seen the seeds for sale at various locations around our area. :)

Quote: Turns out people have been doing it already? Boy, bummer! Oh well...now I know how to get these darn violets leaves to sprout fast!! Because so many people have been dabbling in horticulture for the last several thousand years, it is a pretty safe bet that anything you or I is going to do with plants/materials we have laying around the house has already been done before by someone, somewhere. :) It kind of makes you wonder why no-name AV's cost $4-10 @ the grocery store when they are that easy to clone.

Sponges can get disgusting. We now have a system that DH finally agrees and follows. (after catching him quickly wiping up a spill on the floor with the sink sponge...then wiping the counter, ick) ...and plopping his work bag on the kitchen counter, etc. We have 3-4 sponges in rotation and are for the sink only. The one in use goes in the dishwasher every day or maybe 2. Has a nice spot in the silverware caddy. When unloading dishes it goes in the microwave for 2 min. Overkill? who cares, it is hot as fire and clean...it goes in wet from the dishwashing. For counters we use these big white cotton shop clothes from costco. Pack of 30. I buy them once every other year. Nice and nubby, not too thick so they dry quick. Always 2 or 3 fresh ones handy, one by the cutting board, one by the sink. They are for wiping up spills and countertops. Washed often with my light load. I always have 10-15 nice white ones handy and under the chopping area in its cabinet. When they get a little grimy/dingy looking they move to a spot at the other end and are used for floor mopping, dirtier messes, quick window washing dog nose art, etc. A recent dingy batch i put in a bucket of hot water and tined them a pale green. I never use paper towels anymore though i do have them for emergency super yuck like spiders, dog barf. Really ugly ones head out to the garage for cars and grimy stuff. I still have 10 new fresh ones over the washer that will hit the cycle soon. My husband has learned and really likes this system. Very clear what is for what and he agrees and we no longer fuss about it. Drum roll...but...our new favorite sponge is the ScrubDaddy, lol. I got it for him as a joke gift a month ago and it really rocks. haha, no really. He does the hand washing pots and pans. It rests through one of its eyes on our built-in soap dispenser. Super for scrubbing hands after gardening. Never gets spongy oozy and cleans in dishwasher. (don't think i would micro it, might melt) It is firm when cold and scrubby, but softens a bit when warm. Love this thing. And it lasts. Looks the same after a month. http://www.amazon.com/Scratch-Free-Scrub-Daddy-Pack/dp/B009UHTGT0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Just realized this was on a tv show and qvc when i looked for the link via amazon, haha I don't have 'cute' things around and rather simple and modern...but i like something that works. I would just toss out your smelly sponge and start over using tips posted by others and me. Sometimes they just need a new job, cleaned through the clothes washer and moved on for garage, etc. My husband bakes bread on the weekends and that slimy dough gets on everything...sponge, cloth, him.