A good many commercial potting soils are soilless mixes that contain minimal plant nutrients, so supplemental fertilizing is a must, specially for annuals and vegetables. Also the frequent watering most container plantings require will continue to leach out any nutrients that must be replaced if the plants are to thrive under what are essentially cramped, nutrient-poor conditions. The addition of a slow release fertilizer at planting time (like Osmocote) will help but even with this type of product, a water soluble fertilizer applied periodically during the growing season will be of benefit. What you use is up to you - Miracle Gro in any of its permutations, Schultz, Peters, fish emulsion or some other organic liquid fert - it will all achieve the same purpose.

A couple of thoughts: - the bank probably is not counting that third rental income because you don't have it. Renting is speculative. I don't know what the rental market is like on LI anymore, but around here it is not uncommon to see "For rent" signs on apartment buildings for months on end. There also are the expenses incurred as a landlord -- it's not all an income stream and that's why the bank discounts the income. - another bank (a smaller, hungrier one) or even a credit union (if you can belong to one) might be a better bet for your business. - a bridge loan might work for you; it would go on the equity you now have in your properties and carry you until the rental income is a reality.

If you offered a jewelry making class could you come up with several projects that could be made, and figure out just how much time it would take to make each thing. You would have to expand the time a bit for those who were slower. Then you could offer a 9 or 10 week course. Definately don't offer classes on a come and pay basis. It just doesn't work. People sign up and decide for some trivial reason they don't want to come and you end up with one or two people that it just doesn't pay you to be there for. If they are signed up for a 10 week course they will come unless there is a good reason because they have already paid. This is not to say that if you have an unfinished project at the end of the course you couldn't add an extra week, but have the paid course first. Do you want to supply all the supplies? That would be an extra chore for you ordering them all. You could sell some as a kit for some projects or things that are not readily available or things that you can get cheaper somewhere, but I wouldn't have it as part of the cost. I would think if it was jewelry that people would like to pick out their own colors and things. As for price--there must be others in your area offering classes. Check out what they charge, and what they offer. Have you thought of just selling your jewelry. I have a cousin who makes and sells jewelry. She does it at craft shows and whereever she can set up a table. She also has a small room in her home where she sells and crafts 3 nights a week.(check out the municipality for business code--you don't want to run into law issues) She has some kind of stiff plastic that she has holes in for earrings. She lined the front with a velvet like material in dark blue, burgandy and green, and tied 2 together with ribbon so they stand. She has some of the same without holes for broaches and a stand or 2 for necklaces. These are easily portable when she goes to a show. When you've decided what you are going to do advertize well. Print up fliers with all the details and make it interesting. Then look around and see how else you can advertise.

Iron. Here's something I've had experience with recently. There's so many things so many people do NOT know about iron. For instance: - Yes, cast iron pans give the food iron. But some things detract from the body absorbing the iron so it's equally important to not prevent the body from using what you're giving it, whether it's a supplement or from food or food preparation. - Eggs contain phosvitin and that inhibits the absorption of iron. So do other vitamins. So if you take iron supplements do not take them at the same time as other, such as a multi-vitamin. - Other items inhibit iron absorption: Calcium (so watch your milk, cheese and similar intake), tea, coffee, whole grains, excess fiber... and more. Your diet is important to the effectiveness of medications and supplements. - Vitamin C, however, HELPS the body absorb iron. So that's something that's good to take with the iron supplement. - Many iron supplements will cause your stool to turn black. Blood in the intestines can also, among other things. So know the difference. It can be quite a surprise if you're not aware of it. And when I first saw this after the blood-in-stool issues from before, it's a slap in the face waker-upper. (My GF and sister were about to call 911! LOL) - Medications can work with each other or against each other. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Doctors don't know everything, nor do they tell you everything.