Thanks for the link, Gary. I started down that road a while back, trying to find someone who would do a test for me. Some of the places I found online wouldn't do it because I was not in their zip code. I was like, "Huh???" It didn't make sense to me. I don't know if it was a regional funding thing or what, but geeze, no one would take my dirt. :( I found one place on that list you sent that's at least in my area code, so that's the first place I'll call. Thanks.

Yes it would be perfect for that. It is a pre-emergent natural herbicide. Any seeds that blow into the gravel would be prevented from germinating by the corn gluten. I use it in gravel and even the yard to prevent Bermuda grass from spreading too far. My favorite natural herbicide. It breaks down over time, and it must be in place when germination is starting. It stops root formation during germination which kiils the plant. Awesome stuff, and safe. You can actually eat it... it's that safe. No danger to doggies or kids. Here is a link that might be useful: Corn Gluten Info

Hi Homey Bird, If you want a natural non-chemical feeding programme for your plants, it is still possible to a degree; you don't have to use chemical fertilizers, it's just that I've found the ones I mentioned in my previous answer have worked for me, give good results and they're convenient, chemically balanced and consistant in quality whereas animal and other natural manures are not. True, Guzmanias and other bromeliads grown in the wild, rely on natural fertilizers such as bird and small animal droppings falling into the plant as well as the broken down leaf litter which eventually forms into a soup (liquid manure) in the plants vases. These are all natural products without any chemical content introduced by man. I would imagine to copy this natural process in the home garden, you could apply a small amount of some type of old animal manure, cow, chicken, turkey, rabbit or sheep are the most popular ones. This would take the place of the bird and animal droppings in the wild. Sheep manure is said to be very good as it doesn't tend to be as hot as poultry manure and some of the others and besides, it comes ready made in a handy size pellet. I have applied this as a topping for orchids and other plants with good results. If desired, these can be supplemented with a liquid manure also, which can be made from any of the above manures by just mixing with water and allowing to stand for a week or two and then diluting with more water before applying. This would then take the place of the natural "soup" made from decaying litter in the wild. Likewise one of the many good liquid seaweed fertilizers now available on the market could also be used. This is also a natural product which is usually made from kelp, a type of seaweed which is also a renewable resource. In Australia we have a wonderful product called Seasol which is not so much a fertilizer but more like a "tonic". If you just Google "Seasol" you can read all about it. It is exported to other major countries so I imagine you should be able to get it. In summary, to take the natural route, you can mix any one or a combination of the various animal manures in your mix initially and when growth appears to have slowed down, add a topping of one of the manures decribed. This can be supplemented with feeds of liquid fertilizer made from animal manure throughout the growing period along with a seaweed preparation which can be applied right throughout the whole year if desired. You just have to work out what works best for you. The rule is to start off with little and increase gradually until you find the right balance. As a final question, is natural really chemical free? Remember even some animal manures contain chemicals as the animals are often fed on chemical supplements, growth hormones and/or antibiotics. It then stand to follow that the manure and animal parts used to make products such as Bone Meal, Blood and Bone or Hoof and Horn Meal may still contain traces of chemicals, so how do you guarantee something is absolutely chemically free? I don't know the answer. All the best, Nev.

IRISH CREAM CHEESECAKE 6 whole graham crackers 1/4 cup melted butter 24 oz cream cheese, softened 7 TBL sugar 1 TBL flour 2 eggs 6 TBL sour cream 1/3 cup Baileys Irish Cream 2 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup whipping cream 9 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped Chocolate curls, optional Process graham crackers in food processor until finely ground. Ad butter; process until mixed. Press over bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Beat cream cheese & sugar in mixing bowl until smooth. Beat in flour & eggs 1 at a time. Blend in sour cream, Irish Cream & vanilla. Pour over crust. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250°. Bake 40 minutes longer. Turn off oven. Let cheesecake stand in closed oven for 1 hour. Loosen cheesecake from side of pan; do not remove pan. Chill overnight. Bring cream to a simmer in heavy saucepan. Add semisweet chocolate. Heat over low heat until melted & smooth, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm. Place cake on rack placed on baking sheet. Remove side of pan. Pour chocolate glaze over top; spread over top & side with spatula. Chill until set. Remove to serving plat. Top w/chocolate curls, if using.