Al, The picture doesn't look great but two things to keep in mind: it has been over eight weeks since the plants were watered and they have been dead for a month. Plus temps have been as high as 130 and usually over 120 almost every day in the past month. The dirt pictured came from containers in which only the back of them and a small part of the front was buried. It was not hard and broke apart easily. The last time I tried a container upstairs, I had to use a hammer to break it up! Containers that were completely buried had soil that was more loose and fell apart when I tipped them on their side. As I mentioned in my previous post, I just showed the dirt because someone had asked that I post a picture after finished. My main concern was raising healthy plants, which I did. I would have had baskets of toms had we not went dark for about six weeks. I counted fourteen days at one stretch and the most sunlight I received was two hours - and that was rare! Then, once the sun returned they were doing great - the plants were full of blossoms. Even started getting ripe toms and dozens of baby fruits formed. Then it warmed up and even though I kept the GH open and a fan blowing air out, it still got above 100 almost every day, and then got hotter! The toms never completely ripened. :-( It was a learning experience - you need sun and moderate temps both. That's why I am starting plants now - they should be close to flowering in late September when the temps cool off and I can move them into the GH. Come the end of December, I'll move my operation upstairs and grow hydroponically The original post was: "So I've looked at a lot of threads concerning the proper potting mix for containers (really want to try out Al's mix) but have a problem. I plant a lot in a university greenhouse that's a long way from home (14 miles), and can't go to water the pots every day during summer. What potting mix would you recommend that is soil-less but retains enough water for a plant for at least two days? I grow mostly vegetables." That's why I suggested burying the containers. I never had to water more than once every two weeks and grew great plants - just at the wrong time! Mike

I put a new 18hp Honda engine on my CC1862 in March of 05. This was a complete KIT to fit a CC682. It included adaptors to make the engine fit the existing holes in the chassis and make your existing electric belt clutch also fit the engine. It also included a new muffler and an adaptor to hook up the drive shaft. Every thing worked out nicely, except the muffler output is in the wrong place for the 1862, since it was ordered for a 682. The 1862 kit did not exist at that time. I just left off the plastic front piece and the plastic hood. There was also a little issue to hooking up the electrical wiring, but they helped me with this. Since you will be ordering the correct kit all these problems should not be an issue. I am pleased with this installation and would do it again. It is my favorite lawn tractor, and I have several. I also don't care if it has a hood or not. I could put the hood back on it if I moved the exhaust output from the supplied muffler to the place necessary for this little tractor. This kit cost $1,340 in March 06, including freight of $90 delivered to my home. I would do it again. They now have a complete kit to fit your cc1862 for $1,650, which includes a 24hp Honda engine. You can contact them at http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/RepowerItems.asp?Brand=Cub%20Cadet&Model=1862. Phone (800) 321-6725

E.T. phone home

Oh no!! You said the "T" word......topping. In the wrong hands this word can lead to permanently damaged landscape plants, especially trees. You could agressively trim, but why go to all that trouble? Just choose plants whose mature size will fit into your space and save your free time to enjoy your pool and landscape. As for vines, there are several to choose from. Forget wisteria here, but perhaps Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia violacea) would work. Lady Banks rose (thornless in white or yellow) grows fast as does Pink Trumpet Vine (Podranea ricasoliana). You don't want Bougainvillea with your pool or you'll be constantly fishing out the colorful leaves/flowers. Heres a link to Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert which has over 200 low water use plants with photos and descriptions. You'll need to water your new plants correctly for the first few weeks so refer to page 14 of Landscape Watering by the Numbers. Page 9 shows how much water to apply based on the size of the plant. Most of the valley cities have free landscape classes offered by their water conservation offices. Of course folks on this forum always have great advice. Good luck!