This is the first year with them for me. I started them inside using the coffee filter method and had tremendous luck. I thin k they do like the warm temperatures, mine were all germinated within a week and put into soil less mix.

Is this the plywood-type material or one of the composites?..difficult to tell from the photo. Regardless, you could coat either with a quality waterborne polyurethane, such as Bona Traffic or Basic Coating Street shoe...or another comparable professional use product and you would have a durable and cleanable, although unconventional, floor.

cawfeegirl, I'm going to say the same thing here that I said in the other post. You are supposed to love the granite you install. If you're still not sure, it's because it's not the right one for you. Wait until your cabinets are installed or take a door sample to the yards with you. Go in without any preconceived ideas about what you're wanting and when you see the right one, you'll know it. What I wouldn't worry about is if a granite that you like, truly like will look dated. IMHO that term is way over used. Now a days, people can't afford to update every couple of years and I think trends and styles are going to be hanging around for a lot longer than they used to. I wish people would put more emphasis on using designs, styles or elements that just make them happy as opposed to worrying about how dated they may be.

ocean, are you planning on striping them? If not I think I'd use spray paint. I have some bamboo romans that I've through of adding a satin finish to because I don't like the flat look they have. I'm planning on using a satin poly spray finish.