For anyone interested... Here are the latest litmus results after using distilled water to wet the materials overnight before testing... Recall that the litmus was showing distilled water which we know is neutral as a pH of 6, so I've added one point to get the following... peat: 7 homemade kitchen compost: 7 red scoria: 7+ tap water: 8 black scoria: 8+ fresh horse manure: 8+ i know these results are not very accurate, but I still feel comfortable mixing the black scoria with compost or peat to make a potting mix, but I'm not as comfortable now using the black scoria as a garden amendment; instead I'll use the red, which seems to have a nicer, lighter, more porous texture anyway. The horse manure that I've been using extensively in the garden (never thinking about it's pH before), I am considering composting together with gypsum before adding to the soil. I'm not going to change everything I do based on this shaky litmus paper, but I think it's enough evidence that I should modify things slightly. Any comments on this? Thanks

My plants are bought from all over. The big box stores are fine because I usually know what I am looking for and what will do well in my garden. I have my favorite mail order places for unusual stuff and for old garden roses that I can't find around here. I tend to plant things fairly close together only because I am a plantaholic who has NO willpower. I figure I can always fit in one more plant. I just have to be creative about it sometimes. I try to leave a bit more room for my roses. I have an automatic sprinkler system that I would love to convert to drip. Right now I can't afford it. Maybe next year. My watering schedule seems to do fine. Sometimes I have to go out and hand water a few plants and that is just fine with me. My soil was pretty darn good to begin with. The areas where I dug up the lawn were pretty compacted but on the whole I can't complain. It is deep, dark, easy to slide a shovel into and teeming with worms. I add stuff to it continually. I do have my problem areas that I am amending via lasanga method. My MIL has horses so I get all the manure I want. I have a small compost bin and I amend the soil with coffee grounds as well. I also started adding alfalfa tea to my roses this year. WOW! That stuff is great! I have been pretty good at pruning and keeping things clean. A little here and a little there. Some prima donna plants get more care than others. I live in the same town as Nancy and the wind here pretty much sucks. It is not a gentle breeze but a strong wind that makes it miserable to be outside at times. Our summers are cool. Maybe too cool sometimes. However, on the whole I think that my climate is great for gardening. I can pick lemons off a tree at one end of the yard and raspberries and blueberries at the other. I can gather an arm load of roses and cosmos for the table centerpiece and stop to inspect the bougainvillea on my way inside. How great is that! As for the bugs. I have the good guys and the bad guys. Usually, as soon as I see the aphids I start seeing the ladybugs. There seems to be a pretty good balance. I also have birds GALORE in my garden due to six mature Toyon bushes that are planted in the common area right behind my backyard fence. It sounds like an aviary in my back yard. The birds nest in the bushes, eat the berries in the winter, and the bees work the flowers heavily in the summer. The birds come down from the bushes and feast on all the bugs in the my garden and I get to watch from the window. Of couse they also feast on my raspberries but that is another story. ~Melissa

I am considering purchasing two heat pumps from the Garrison GX line. My understanding is that they are a house brand made by Nordyne. Does anyone have any experience or comments on them? I am in a two-zone single family 2200 sq ft well insulated house in ZIP code 20194 (northern VA suburbs of Washington DC) with a 3-ton and a 2-ton York heat pump. Both were installed in 1991. The smaller unit is working fine, but the larger one has a leaking condensation pan. The larger unit is connected to a hottap desuperheater which, in winter, can provide most of our hot water: http://ecuheatrecovery.com/ The york units have been very trouble free over the years. Proposed new systems: Basic specs: condenser/outdoor unit: The JT4BF-KA/B series now offers the choice of a heat pump that uses a more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant designated R-410A. The JT4BF-KA/B Series of heat pumps offers exceptional performance as well as environmental protection. These models, when matched with our variable speed air handlers or variable speed equipped gas furnaces, offer a line of high quality heat pump systems rated up to 16 SEER and 9 HSPF. detailed f/b listing: � R-410A Refrigerant: Earth friendly non-ozone depleting refrigerant. � Copeland Scroll UltraTechTM Compressor: The Ultra Tech Compressor operates with 2 stages of heating and cooling capacities to provide superior comfort and efficiency. Copeland's proven and simple design equates to years of comfort and reliability for the homeowner with virtually silent operation. � Durable, Attractive Cabinet: Designed using galvanized steel with a polyester urethane finish. The 950 hour salt spray finish is 1.5 mil thick and resists corrosion 50% better than comparable units. � Composite Base Pan: Absorbs sound and is corrosion resistant. Composite is also stronger and lighter than steel. � Demand Defrost: Provides additional energy savings in heating by defrosting only when necessary. � Copper Tube / Aluminum Fin Coils: Both indoor and outdoor coils are designed to optimize heat transfer, minimize size and cost, and increase durability and reliability. � Complete Metal Wrapper: Durable metal guard protects the coil from yard hazards and extreme weather. � Removable Top Grille Assembly: Allows ease of service from the top without disconnecting fan motor leads. � Low Pressure Switch: Loss of charge protection ensures long compressor life. Auto-reset feature prevents nuisance service visits. � High Pressure Switch: Protects against abnormally high system pressures. Auto-reset feature prevents nuisance service visits. � Liquid Line Filter Drier: Included with unit, field installed. � One Piece Top/Orifice: Designed for maximum airflow and quiet operation. � Common Suction Service Port: This port allows the contractor to read the suction pressure in all modes of operation without removing any panels, saving time and increasing serviceability. � Three Minute Restart Time Delay: When the unit shuts down, a three minute delay keeps the unit from restarting, eliminating the highest cause for compressor failure. � Suction Accumulator: Protection from liquid flood back and future compressor failures. � Hot Gas Muffler: Reduces compressor noise and vibration. � Easy Compressor and Control Access: Designed to make servicing easier for the contractor, access panels are provided to all controls and the compressor from the side of the unit. basic specs air handler: B6VMAX Series Air Handler with TXV 13-19 SEER Residential System 18,000 - 60,000 Btuh (Heat Pump & Air Conditioner) R-410A Refrigerant The B6VMAX Series of air handlers, when combined with our heat pump or air conditioner, offers a full line of quality, split system heating and cooling equipment. detailed f/b listing: Energy Efficient Variable Speed ECM Motor: Advanced technology provides 16 field-selectable cooling airflows and automatically sets heating airflows based on the amount of installed heat. � Quiet Blower Operation: Extra quiet and smooth blower on and off cycles. � Constant airflow: Motor automatically adjusts to different static loads. � Reduced air stratification: This results in improved air quality by optimizing humidity removal and filtration capabilities. � Multi-poised: Can be used in horizontal, upflow, downflow and vertical applications. � Built in Filter Rack: makes the air handler easy to service. � Plug-in Heater Kit: Available in 5 kw through 30 kw (Not for use in 115 Volt units) � Circuit Board: Incorporating blower time delay relay, low voltage terminal strip, and heat-strip sequencing. � Breaker Accessibility: Breaker accessible from the front of the unit when heater is applied. � Plastic Drain Pan: Provides corrosion resistance. � Durable Cabinet: Galvanized steel with a polyurethane finish. The finish will endure 950 hours of salt spray and resist corrosion 50% better than comparable units. � Designed to meet the requirements 610.2.A.2: Meets Florida building code requirements for air leakage. � Thermal Expansion Valve: Factory installed externally equalized thermal expansion valve provides precise refrigerant control under varying load conditions. � Cabinet Insulation: 1" insulation with an R-value of 4.2 contributes to quiet operation and prevents cabinet sweating in difficult applications. � AnteaterTM Coil Technology: Copper alloy with zinc additives to stop formicary corrosion.

Everyone giving you quotes is a salesperson - does the Ford dealer near you opine about how great Buicks are? I disagree strongly about getting a 2 stage unit, unless your somewhere that the weather is amazingly consistent you'll save money with multiple stages. As far as brands go, you'll find tremendous "inbreeding" amongst brands - Amana=Goodman=Janitrol. You'll see lots of complaints about the Amana "family" because they are often sold as a "value" brand with much less high-dollar marketing than the other brands. The distribution chain is "loose", allowing almost anyone who can carry one out-the-door-to buy one - needless to say, many are hacked in by unqualified installers. They are ALSO one of the most popular units out there, if not #1, a fairly close #2 in units sold, and they work well for years if properly installed.