MM, You can do that for increased drainage, sure, but the plant looks better, IMO, with top dressing. There are some, including one of the world's top succulent plant growers (who also happens to contribute here) who is known to confidently avoid the almost-total use of top dressing (TD), even in cactus shows, where he enters in the non-competitive category because he got tired of winning, but then there are those on the other end, who can sometimes have twenty or more different top dressings. So what's my point? Yes, you can use that in your mix to improve drainage, but I'd suggest you smash it up a little bit, and use the crushed rock, along with some of the original TD

You would think that having massive amounts of information at your fingertips would always be a good thing. Yet, the need to sift through it and come to a conclusion can be exhausting. I found the thread you are referring to and have linked to it below. Someone on that thread suggested a way to muffle the sound OP found disturbing. Regarding the flushing issues, it is possible that the OP got a defective toilet or that the problem stems from something in the house rather than the toilet. They had frequent clogs before the Toto was installed and they are having them now. Maybe they need to have their plumbing line snaked out. If you are looking for another toilet, I have had the Toto Promenade for 2 years now and I am happy with it - my plumber recommended it. Here is a link that might be useful: Link to the previous thread

The leach field allows the liquids from the already bologically treated and digested waste to dissipate into the soil. It does not contain waste matter, merely the "clean" products of waste matter treatment. In most areas, it is not considered a health hazard, but local regulations vary. In some areas of the country, biologically broken down sewage is sold for fertilizer. So, I doubt if you have an actual health issue there, just a smell issue. The health department should have instructed an alternate disposal method of the leach field soil if the soil was considered contaminated as a condition of the permit for the new system. If that wasn't part of their permitting process, then I doubt that it's an issue. But, check with your local code office to be certain if there isn't a local reg that deals with this matter, especially since your septic failed and may not have been working properly to treat your sewage. As far as the landscape remediation for the septic install, I'd have to ask what was in the contract that you signed? Typically, septic companies do septic installs, and that's it. THey're plumbers, not landscapers. If you want topsoil trucked in and spread over the subsoil revealed by the leach line excavation, then that would be an entirely different expense of yours with an entirely different contractor. However, grass will pretty much grow on any kind of soil, so if you can make it through the cold weather here, then using a broadcast spreader and sprinkler to reseed the area yourself will be the least expensive way of making this cosmetically more to your liking.

Hey Laura,thank you! I hated SO MUCH to break down the plastic sheeting over the rods I made as a temporary greenhouse almost like a hoop one made of P.C pipes...The sun would create heat in that green house and send all the fragrance of the flowers into the open door to that tent right into my home every day...Like hot air filling my house with sweet smells. I will, miss that. The worst part as Sammers said was bringing them in. I don't worry about them outside even when it's cold, but I worry about the inside with no bright open skies....Ugh Calamondindave, I thank you so much. It is just like that! I will miss it for sure. I HATE winter! I was thinking, why don't you make like a hoop greenhouse from P.V pipes like I did right up against the warm side of your home? You made never have to bring them inside even in cold nights..Just use a little space heater!