I use gravel a lot as a landscaper - there are basically three types: the small polished pea shingle, and two sizes of chipped gravel. The pea shingle will dissapear into soil very quickly unless you use a membrane. The smaller chipped gravel (10mm) is also inclined to do this but is nicer to walk on than the larger grade (20mm) - however, the larger grade will stay put, even using leaf blowers or even a wooden gravel rake (my tool of preference) There are also many variations in colour depending on which quarry it was mined from - I prefer the grey and blues rather than the honey coloured but this is just a matter of personal taste. Gravel is a good material in that it can usually be bought fairly locally (unless you specify certain types of stone), is cheap, flexible and generally looks and sounds nice. On the downside, you will have to top it up every few years and also edge it to stop it from spreading off the designated areas - tanalised timber and stakes are good for this. It is a nightmare to handweed but if you are not averse to spraying, it is easily treated against weed growth. Under trees with dense foliage, it also has a tendency to remain damp and grow algae but again, this is more a question of aesthetics rather than utility. However, I do find that in a woodland situation, bark generally seems more appropriate (same deal with edging applies) but, being lighter, will stray rather more but a quick rake usually sorts that out. The choice is yours but do buy in bulk and not in little bags - you always need more than you think. As a rule of thumb, I like my gravel to be at least 3 inches deep so a tonne will cover 10 square metres.

My Duchesse has had a rough year. The warm winter and late freezes set her way back. I never pruned her/cleaned her up after the winter, and she's been neglected all year. Hopefully, I can give her some care quick and she'll have a nice fall flush. Maybe. She is usually more egg yolk colored, but in the heat of summer she's lighter and the flowers are much small and raggeddy. I'm hoping her youth has something to do with it, too. She should also be getting more sun from tree trimming. Sherry Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

I couldn't let my sister have her special day without a celebration! And Karen helped make it even better with a great last minute lunch,(sorry about that, you do great under pressure) a boat cruise and the neighbor with his entertainment. Complete with a toga! What a hoot! Linda, you brat, you promised not to tell her age but she does look dang hot for 80! Oh, wait the temp was 80, not Sherry...... Peppi

Pat, that was thoughtful of you anyway... and the recipe here looks good. I don't like mushrooms so there are some other recipes on that other thread that I can't use... maybe we should post this recipe on that thread so they are all in one place....