Go heavy with cow manure and sand if go real heavy you have rise in sand ph. I stay away from moss not needed. A liquid iron in small amount be needed. A lot cow it hold water better its mostly organ matter fertilizer with 10-10-10 complete fertilizer has all metals needed for plants. Blackberry plants heavy feeder. Cow manure low in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash 1-1-1 so use a lot your sand color should be soil black that way look as good soil for blackberries black sand. Chicken manure 3-3-3 make even better mix with sand fresh is best chick are cow if smell nasty its good if no smell its organic matter no value feed berry plants.

Thanks for resurrecting this thread. It is very informative. The presence of moss growing on the surface of a potted plant may or may not be something to be concerned about. I think it depends on the kind of plant you are growing and the kind of culture you are providing the plant. Generally the moss must be well irrigated as well as having the necessary humidity and temperatures needed for it to survive. Most plants that do not require copious amount of aeration to the roots, such as orchids, may be at risk of root loss since the moss would tend to serve as an indicator of soil decomposition. A careful look at your plant roots should be the rule when growing with a dense moss growth. Even with orchids there are some that do quite well with the dense moss, Dendrobium cuthbertsonii for example. The best rule is to know the cultural needs of the plants you are growing and be able to make a determination that the presence of a dense moss growth is a plus or a minus in your cultivation.

Hi, after lurking on the site for so long it is my turn to post the spec of my potential pool. we are to sign by next Monday. Please review and suggest any changes. My one big concern is the Salt system. the builder is using Jandy equipment and using Fusion salt system. I can upgrade to AquaPure, but I am not sure if it is worth it, or Fusion system will work -the mineral cartridge. I have seen where someone suggested to rig it so as to avoid using mineral buts still use salt for chlorination. any suggestion would be helpful. Pool size and shape model: 700 sq. Ft. width/ lenght 21-10" w x 43-0" l depth 3� - 0" to 8�- 0" Includes: Construction drawings Building permit Excavation including 1 hour of site preparation Hydrostatic control entire sub-base covered with crushed stone bed relief plugs placed in pool floor Steel reinforcing 3/8" pool walls & 1/2" steel in bond beam astm no. A615 Gunite application-quality controlled-minimum 4,000 p.s.i (a.c.i.315) 4 classic steps 4" wide / 12" long bullnose coping ( choice of 3 colors) Up size plumbing to 2 inch 6" band of frost proof tile, customer choice of design Tile trim on steps and love seat Deluze energy saver diatomaceous earth filtration system with 60 sq. Ft. Filter area Ul approved energy saver non-corrosive pump 1 -1-1/2 h.p. pump installed on filter pad with 25� of Pool Push/pull valve 2 skimmer with extra large catch basket Solar recirculation system Deluxe double bottom drains 2 returns Jandy salt fusion system Time clock Interior finish ( ansylbrite finish / choice of 5 colors) safety lines and floats Electrical bonding Indoctrination and start up instructions Insurance No additional cost for rain damage 1 cleaning kit-16� telescope handle, heavy duty nylon wall and floor brush and mesh leaf skimmer, Testing kit Silt fence Construction fence 1- 6� outside love seat with step in deep end 1- 380 polaris auto cleaner-w- � h.p. pump 1 days of rock removal at no charge (1) 399,000 b.t.u. heater ( natural gas ) (1) 8� inside bench Thanks

quote" Kelly, did you see the pictures she linked? "quote Yes, my heart breaks for this quality of workmanship. It still, unfortunately, doesn't change a thing. The concrete coping is poured and the builder made a sincere attempt to remedy the situation. Note to all readers, Although it may appear I'm taking sides, I'm not. I'm fullfilling a promise I've made to every member of every pool forum I've ever participated in, which in my introduction to the board's membership is always as follows: """ I promise you guys I'm not here to spam for work, if you feel my replies are spamming bring it up immediately to the moderators and if work comes from my interaction on the board that's a great reward for my membership. And equally I'll never sugarcoat the truth, I promise to call the situation exactly as I, and I alone, see it based on a lifetime in the pool construction industry. It may or may not be the answer you wanted to hear but it's my take based on similar situations over the course of my career. """ I've ran plenty of leads just like this member's and had to break the news to them in the same manner, i.e. presenting facts. Some listen and some don't, they simply look for another pool builder to side with them. I've seen plenty of other pool builders sued and have yet to see one in a position as her pool builder lose. The Contract did not state that "job completion" was dictated at the time she said the work is satisfactory to her liking. The man did come back and attempt to resolve the situation by slightly reworking the new coping's blemishes. I'm sorry but the job is complete, and if it goes down a legal highway I doubt if the answer will be any different when the gavel swings to hit the bench with a ruling. quote" My suggestion, work with the man in any manner possible while staying polite yet firm. You might even consider offering him a reduced price to redo the work. "quote I'll stand behind this quote and offer it once again. See ya, Kelly