I don't know the answer to your questions. I would use the sump pump for a waterfall when outside. The fall would flow to the gravel filter, and when full, would flow back to the pond. Since the gravel filter is a contained body of gravel and water (plus plants) my concern there would be for water stagnating, which could I think be handled by a small submersible pump to keep the water moving, either simply by moving it from one end to the other or a falls, or a fountain of some sort. Use the sump in the pond itself so that I wouldn't have constant cleanout of debris, whether plant material or algaes. But again, I'm still learning, so all thoughts welcome. Ella

Just thought I would update this post. I ended up doing around 95 containers out of which 70 sprouted. (The rest were not watered enough). My MIL ended up moving out in April, and bought a bunch of plants to put on her patio. Within a couple of weeks, half were dead from the sun and her dog laying on them. I gave her several containers of flowers such as allysum and dianthus to replace her dead ones. Just yesterday I was over and when we went out on her patio, she couldn't believe that the ones I had given her were still alive and doubled in size, and all of the ones she had bought were dead. HA HA HA HA HA It gets even better...she then asked me if she bought some seeds, if I would grow them for her next year! HA HA HA HA HA. I told her no need.....I have more than enough to share, but she could start saving containers for me! I don't think I will ever see her give me "THE LOOK" when it comes to wintersowing again!

I was approached by a manager at a garden center today as I was perusing the options for annuals- "I've got a customer who wants someone to plant her annuals, can you do it?" My response was that I had plenty of work for my regular maintenace clients, plus a real schedule of design work to accomplish. No, I don't have time. He asked it I knew anyone who might. I said that most folks were busy with regular clients and a one shot planting would be hard to fit in (especially since the customer was buying the annuals herself- no mark-up there). I did do a short term fall clean-up and pansy planting last fall, but this year- I've got work! Yes I'm a bit stressed, but it's a different stress than 'Am I goung to ever make any money at this? Now if I could just learn to crank out a design in 3 hours :) As my graphic designer friend says- you don't just poop out these things!

We finally found a place to rent that has 3 bedrooms and isn't insanely expensive, Yay! I've been playing with the ideas off and on while buying new cars, visiting potential rentals, and working on the house. I talked with the family about converting our 4th bedroom to expand bath and move laundry. My kids were aghast! Where were guests going to sleep? Where were we going to put the desk top (they watch movies on it occasionally, too)? Middle kid thought that it was going to be his room when ready. So, we've decided to keep laundry in the original place. I'm still stealing some of the 4th BR for our MBA, though. The island plan looks fantastic but I kept wanting more storage options once the laundry room had to stay. Also, there is significant cost savings by not digging out concrete for plumbing and installing a beam for the load-bearing wall. Some ideas I had: 1) Widen the existing 32" doorways from garage and into kitchen to 36". Those doors are a huge pain when moving large items through, like the washer/dryer/fridge etc. I can use a barn door or pocket for the kitchen entrance. This will shorten the pantry a bit (measurements are existing on drawing are existing). 2) 1-2 d/w in clean up zone. Bring the existing pass through to counter level so kids can help put dishes away on DR/FR side. Maybe have space for cookbooks under that counter, as well. 3) 30" deep counters 4) Love to keep Mamagoose's 3 panel doors to the patio. With the wall shortened over there, it will bring a lot of light into the house and northern light isn't so bad in the South. I'm not sure what to do with the cabinets between the fridge and sink. I'd like to plan for the future and have some kind of narrow pullout to the left of my 32" all fridge that can be removed if going bigger. The wall on that side can be shortened for french door swing and the pantry remain as sized. Maybe a narrow pantry using cabinetry and store packages of paper towels, grocery bags, etc, above the appliances in the laundry...or in the garage.