I have heard about the barrel potato planting but also heard that the yield wasn't that great. I have wanted to try it for myself but I don't really need to conserve garden space that much. I just want clean potatoes that I don't have to scrub. Let me know what kind you try this year and how it goes. I've read that you can use tires for that too, stacking them up as the plant grows. I might try it one year just for fun, especially if I decide to put in a lot more corn. islandmanmitch, I only have 3.5 acres and have lots of other things to plant too. Cardboard between corn rows is a good idea. I use it on the garden to keep the weeds down too but had planned on tilling between the corn this year. Time is the problem for me. It takes time to slice open and lay out all those boxes but it sure makes for less work! Misjay2u, you can Google growing potatoes in tires or barrels and get lots of good info.

Hello all....another quick question.... Im in zone 5 and its almost july, ive read this rose of sharon should be planted in the fall...so should i keep them in their pots until then and just keep them watered or what could happen if i put them in the ground now and kept them watered really good?? I bought a couple for the person that lives next door to me and was going to plant all of them this weekend. No where where ive read online says what would happen if i plant in july?? Thank

Beekeeperswife knows what I'm talking about -- it's a height/proportion thing. I like her fixture and think it looks great. I think the existing fixture over your breakfast table is too high and if you can't extend the one with the silver shade, it sounds like it would be similar or even worse. But before you give up on that one, if it is the right diameter and you really love it, see if it can be extended. It doesn't have a chain, so it looks like it would need to be a down rod, which is essentially a metal tube that would probably be treaded on one end to screw into the fixture or have some other attachment mechanism. The lighting shop should be able to tell you if it can be done. I agree with BKW about the first of the most recent 2 photos -- it looks like it was supposed to attach to the ceiling and someone put a chain on it as an afterthought. The second one is very different and dramatic, but I'm not sure it's right for what you are describing. I would take your time finding light fixtures. All you need right now, as pointed out above, is to know how many and where they go. It will be easier to see what you will really like as other tings go into the kitchen. They will be one of the last things to be installed, and they don't usually take long to get. Take your time.

Great post! I am looking to forward to seeing some ideas as well with regards to the screens, finish work etc as I am trying to finalize my plans as well. The link below has photos of my partially finished screened in deck. Ipe T&G floor, the posts and walls will be Ipe, soffit and ceiling is T&G fir, and the interior will be finished off with a ceiling fan and rope lighting around channel. http://wedman.smugmug.com/gallery/2116403/1/123007579 Ken