I use Miracle-Gro potting soil. Been using it for years. I used it to start several minis from NorEast and they are doing great!

I would pot them up as soon as possible. The size of pot I used would really depend on how large the bareroots are. I typically use the potting mix with fertilizer in it but I just make sure that it doesn't have a ton of nitrogen (first number in the list of three on the bag) so that the plant won't bonkers putting out green growth. If I use potting mix with continuous release fertilizer I typically don't add anything else, especially the first few months or so since it is already in the mix. Too much fertilizer is not good for clematis--they just need a constant supply. If later in the season, they seem to flatten out growthwise I sometimes will give them a monthly drink of fish emulsion in water. I typically don't add any other nutrients like bonemeal either. The plant is going to let you know if it needs something so until it does, my opinion is to leave it alone. As to what you use for support in the pot, that is up to you. The plant may outgrow the drumsticks by season's end but you can always put something else in the pot later on. I would encourage you to periodically pinch out the growing tips as the plant grows to encourage the development of axiallary buds so that you will get two stems where you once had one. This will give you a bushier plant with more vines versus one with one long spindly vine. Also plant the crown several inches (3 or so) under the soil level to bury dormant nodes that will eventually develop into new stems.

QUOTE "I learned that as communities grow, instead of upgrading the infrastructure ($$$), cities will often resort to the easy fix which is to crank up the pressure." I find that statement extremely hard to believe because cities do not use pumps to generate the pressure. Municipal water pressure results from static head pressure developed by water towers or locating storage tanks on high elevations within the community. The municipal supplier uses pumps merely to keep the storage tank full. In fact, quite the opposite is true. In many instances the municipal line pressure increases as a result of the city replacing old lines with new lines that are larger in diameter which then results in less friction head from the source to the point of demand, ergo the pressure at the demand is higher. The municipal supplier is not required to provide PRV's. When ever a new installation is set in place the municipal supplier is required to make a tap into the municipal line and run a short section of line from the tap to the "Curb Stop" valve. The property owner is then responsible to install a code approved "Supply Line" from the curb stop to the structure, and all "Distribution Piping" within the structure. In instances where the volume will be measured by means of a meter the municipal supplier will inform the builder where the meter will ultimately be located and they five you a "Fitting allowance" measurement. You are then required to cut out a section of the supply line equal to the fitting allowance length, and in some jurisdictions the homeowner is required to install 1/2 of a meter union on each open end of the line. After the line is inspected the municipal suppliers personnel will supply and install a meter in that opening. Under both the IRC & UPC in instances where the static head pressure exceeds 80psi the homeowner is required to install a PRV (pressure reducing valve). (IRC-2903.3.1 & UPC 608.2) Under both the IRC & UPC either the valve must have an integral bypass for thermal expansion or you must install an expansion tank. (IRC 2903.4 & UPC 608.3).

Pinch me, We don't have Menards here. What would you compare it to? That is a good price. Against my better judgement, we went to the one and only granite yard in our area. The sales person said the average kitchen was between $4OOO and $5000 to granite. So obviously that is out. DH is still dead set against laminate. So I started looking online and found a site that carries discontinued and overruns of solid surface countertops. I like the witch hazel, egyptian copper, black quartz, and beach sand. I'm a little all over the place. It seems pretty affordable at $350-$600 a sheet. I 'think' I would only need two, but then again my math is not that good. I have no idea how much it would cost to have it installed and cut. Anybody use this site or do something similar? Thanks again for all the wonderful advice. Hopefully we will get the go ahead to start our kitchen next week. Right now I'm still focusing on this neverending dining room project. I found a light fixture I really like and DH said it was hideous. *Sigh* why do men have to make things so difficult. Here is a link that might be useful: discount solid surface countertops