I use the gritty for slow growing woody plants (japanese maples, japanese red pine, etc) and the 5-1-1 for fast growing annuals (Lantana, Cuphea, etc) and a modified 5-1-1 (for Salvia) which is 3-1-1 with the "1" pearlite replaced by Diatomaceous earth (OptiSorb from FastenAll) for increased water holding capacity. Although this year I'm going to do a pot with 3-1-1 and one with straight Miracle Grow for the Salvia. They are on my deck in full sun, I mean dawn to dusk FULL sun! and there is a bit of a wind tunnel effect. I have to water 2x a day in 90+ weather or they will start to wilt. They are dark green and lose a lot of water perspiring, and I like to put 2 plants in a 4 gallon (ish) pot so there are a ton of blooms for the hummingbirds!

Yes, it's the place in Compton, Rainbow and yes, it's a little hard to find but if you call they will tell you how to weave your way through the neighborhood. I first read about them in some article for teachers (I'm not) and got 20 or so bags a couple of times once a year (each bag weighs about 25 lbs) and I've used it to mix as a soil amendment both for flowers and vegetables and it has definitely helped. I live on the west side of LA and have clay clay clay soil, and it has definitely helped that a huge amount. I've written to many of the local state smart gardening links and the master gardeners around and best and most specific answers I got were that the composition was 3-3-3, and other scientist type told me "they are what they eat" which would include bran. The castings are sort of like sand but there is definitely a manure type scent, especially when wet. My little worm factory worms love the castings and worms definitely are attracted to the castings. So, I know they help my yard and recommend you give them a try. For the company, it's not their cash product and I know they are used to people picking them up and that has been going on for years. Let us all know what you learn.

You're welcome Stitches. There is a 9 state Governors Pact now. This Agreement could strengthen the weak aspects of the Pact (it could likely be found unconstitutional), but I think the agreements shortcoming is the willingness to sell off more of the commons. The coalition of environmental groups document from the link outlines the strengths & weaknesses of the Agreement. "The "compact" agreement between the U.S. states On the plus side, the binding "compact" agreement between the eight Great Lakes states: For the first time provides environmental standards for judging new water withdrawal proposals Protects all the waters of the Great Lakes basin, including streams and groundwater If approved by Congress as well as the states, would be legally binding on the states Requires most water withdrawals to be registered and some larger withdrawals to be managed, assuring both a means for preventing the worst environmental damage caused by withdrawals and better knowledge of how the region is using its waters Properly establishes the new environmental standards as a minimum, not a maximum system of protection Provides good avenues for public participation in permitting decisions Provides good means for enforcing the provisions of the compact. On the minus side, the compact: Would require conservation "plans" and "measures" for various water withdrawers, but provides no definition of those terms, making the effectiveness if this essential component questionable Allows a ten-year phase in of the new rules, an unnecessarily long waiting period Defines different standards for judging water withdrawals depending on their size, but defines that size according to 120-day averages that virtually exempt some withdrawers from the rules Fails to properly evaluate "cumulative" impacts on the local river and local groundwater levels, where the cumulative effect of numerous small projects will do the most environmental damage Fails to explicitly state that nothing in the agreement will disturb the current authority of the Great Lakes states to veto any proposal to divert water out of the Great Lakes basin." I think the minues outweigh the plusses. There is too much room for manipulation as the Agreement currently reads. The Nature Consevancy understands how the agreement can be exploited: "The Nature Conservancy has sought opportunities worldwide to bring sound science to water management because natural patterns of water levels and flows  often disrupted through water management  are critical to freshwater biodiversity. " Where have we heard the phrase "sound science" before? Last week, the Governor of CA agreed to studies regarding restoration of Hetch Hetchy. Here is a link that might be useful: the Bee

Buyorsell, I just looked at your location. I think some different ideas would be helpful. We sponsored 9 horse shows a year for about 20 years. Some were local 4-H shows, some were larger shows for our saddle club, and one for a regional (Northeast Kansas) circuit. Over time our shows became to be regarded by trainers and other folks as a stepping stone process by which advancement in riding ability could be guaged. If the person placed well in the 4-H sponsored shows(the show classes were basically the same in all three types of shows---but the level of expertise increased) they would then attend our club sponsored shows. Doing well th=ere indicated an advance ment to the circuit shows was the next step. From the circuit shows, people often advanced to AQHA show---the big time. We had a rather loyal following who attended all the shows---for fun, companionship and practice. Trainers loved our shows for training young horses---our arena was 300 feet long and 120 feet wide. Now, as to clothing. It depends on the class and how the rider wants to dress. A simple long sleeved western shirt, tie, western hat, jeans, and boots will be just fine for Horsemanship classes when you want to find out how well you ride. Reason for that is simple---a judge has seen hundreds or thousands of riders dressed in fancy clothes and plain clothes---and should be looking at the judging points and not the garb of the rider. A good rider in plain clothes will be much more noticeable than an average rider in fancy clothes. Example---one of our sons was required to enter a Horsemanship class he did not like. He did not do his best riding and the judge chewed him out(This was a schooling show and we asked our judges to comment on how the riders did so they had some good feedback). That judge had a particular riding style he wanted to see---so when our son went into the next class, he rode with that riding style on the side of his body facing the judge---meaning he changed sides with the ring direction. He placed in that class and got a kudo from the judge.(Our sons were quite experienced showmen by then, however) As you get experience, you will see what the local trends are and it will be easier to 'fit in'. Oh, one more story. We put on a circuit show----our shows often started at 8AM and did not end until 8PM---and had a fellow show up to show in a Pleasure Class.(80% point on the horse) Circuit members often has $20,000 horses, $5,000 saddles, and dressed in chaps and vests along with the shirts and such. This fellow had well used chaps, a well maintained by used saddle, scuffed boots, a plain Western shirt and hat. He won the class( about 30 horses in that class, as I recall)---and almost every circuit member was impressed with him and the horse. So, learn what you need to know to ride well and don't worry about clothes yet.