For future reference you can just tack these additional questions on to your previous posts and it bumps them right back up to the top. No need to start a new one each time. That way all of your questions and the answers given are tied together and we don't have to search out the previous questions or rehash previously given info. As to the mix, only soil-less potting mixes are recommended for containers no matter what you are growing in them. No regular garden soil, no Miracle Grow brand Garden Soil only MG Potting Mix, no potting soil and no regular top soil. All of those compact far too much, do not drain effectively in containers, and cause root root. You'll also find any number of recommendations for potting mixes over on the Container gardening forum here. As to eventually planting them in straight clay soil? I can't help you with that as I don't have clay. Can only say that from all I have read, those that have to deal with heavy clay soil don't seem to find it good for growing much of anything. The Soil Forum here has many discussions on how to amend clay soils so that they can be used for planting so you might want to do some reading over on that forum too. Dave PS: I am curious as to why you want to shade these since chokes are full sun lovers?

Oop's I think I put this one on twice sorry

I was once upon a time a botany hopeful like you when I was 18. My father said be smart and get something sensible like an accounting degree but I had this romantic image in my head that I would be traveling the world like 'MacGyver.' The reality of it was the building where the botany department was housed was a dirty, 100 plus year building that was shared with the chemistry department which was badly in need of a new roof, it leaked every time it rained. Now, that kind of tells you the some funding (or lack of) it had. Now the business department on the other hand was housed in a brand new building all tricked out with the best of everything from grateful alumni with deep pockets. And this was at one of the big ten schools. It was not a romantic major, I was told that with a botany degree in hand I would probably spend my days bent over a microscope in a lab somewhere if I was lucky enough to get a job in the first place. So I ended up changing majors junior year and finishing with a different degree. Later on I took a 2 year horticulture degree from a junior college. Fortunately I had so many credits already that I was able to finish in only 2 semesters. It was a lot cheaper and more practical. And they were by no means in a category that I would term as well to do. But as Laag mentions, there still weren't alot of good paying job opportunities. The only folks making pretty good money seemed to be those who owned (not worked for) design/build firms. But they were by no means exactly well to do either but just making a respectable living instead of eeking by on minimum wage.

Hahahahahaha! Thanks Buehl and Rhome (and you Bmore for the observation). Like Buehl, it is the set up I have now and it's one of the things I was determined to change because I felt squished in the corner when putting dishes away. But, it's the fact that I could put everything away, including in the lazy susan, without moving that made me think I wouldn't like taking three steps to get to the hutch (which is 5 ft directly across from the DW). I can't think of a time when I have the DW open now when I'm at the range or while I'm prepping. Having said that, I do like the original layout better but think this one might have better storage options. So, here's the conundrum: new layout puts the DW in a less convenient spot but may give better storage and certainly puts the trash cabinet in an optimum place. It also requires less steps to put dishes away although glasses and cups will still go in hutch so maybe that's not as helpful as I think. old layout has better DW placement, lousy trash cabinet placement (but I can put a small bin unders the sink for food waste) and may look better. Which would you choose? (I'm going to be a new woman when I place this cabinet order on Monday!!!!) Thanks again for your thoughts.