Thanks for bumping. I am building the 18 gallon tote SWC. What is the middle smaller pipe for in the very first picture, filling ? I am thinking about putting the filler tube inside one of the corner 4" pvc support. Originally, I was going to put the 14 gallon tote inside the 18 gallon tote. This allows about 6 inches of space for aeration and water, which is plenty, even too much if you ask me. It seems 14 gallon is plenty of space for the mix. But I am thinking 4" is plenty for the aeration and water rather than 6". I don't mind filling every other day. It's only 5 containers and eventually probably set up automatic watering. Anyways, so there I was at lowes getting ready to buy the rubbermaid 14 gallon tote. Then I see the sale price for 18 gallon at $6 and 14 gallon at $7.47. Sheesh, paying more for less material. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=4294961544&Ne=4294967294&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=rubbermaid+gallon So I decide I am just going to put one 18 gallon into another. I will use 5 piece of 4" X 4" support to allow more space for water but at the same time give almost 18 gallon of potting mix. There will be small gap the 18 now won't sit snug on top of the other one. Comments welcome.

Removing burned-in aluminum foil is going to be tricky. You can try to scrape it off, but that might not work. And it could cause even more damage. If it doesn't work, harsher chemical methods might be needed. In most likelihood, your oven is coated in enamel. That's good. Enamel is immune to acids (but not necessarily bases). And aluminum can be dissolved in acids. I wouldn't do this in the oven, but if you can remove the oven floor, see if you can soak the aluminum in a medium-strength acid. Distilled vinegar (and lots of time) should do it. Or if you are impatient, diluted muriatic acid. Wear gloves and goggles and do this outside. The fumes aren't good for you (for neither chemical). But other than that, the chemicals are comparatively harmless. Rinse with plenty of water when done. Similarly, rinse with plenty of water, if you do get any on your skin. And absolutely don't get either acid into your eyes, of course. The only tricky part is that the floor panel might not necessarily have a good enamel coating everywhere. So, you probably don't want to dip all of it into acid. If there is exposed metal, it is OK to get some acid on it; but you don't want to expose it for hours on end. Maybe, use some type of putty (plumber's putty, playdough, hot glue?) to build a temporary ridge around the affected area and only fill that area with acid. If you live in a sunny part of the country, set the oven floor outside into direct sunlight. The warmer the acid gets, the more quickly it'll work. Of course, while this is a good way to remove the burned-in aluminum, it won't do anything about the warping. And if the enamel is already cracked, I wouldn't recommend this approach. You don't want the acid to seep through the cracks. And in the future, do what others have said and instead of aluminum foil, use a cookie sheet.

Okay they said it was fine to light my candle and We have just been in for less then 15 min. and I went and got a bottle of water from the vending machine came back and the room smells soooooooooooooo great....the crackle is not loud but it is on the night stand by me so even with the tv on I can enjoy it....I have never heard of the JandJ candles but will check the website out...I love this currant smell I am in heaven....STacy

Sorry...I've been MIA and just got back here and saw the postings. The point of the cover with wintersowing is to kind of create a "greenhouse" where the temps will be warmer and if you use a top (vs. milk jugs), you need holes to let a little snow/rain in, but not TOO many. Drainage holes in the bottom of the container (and/or if you use peat pots, as mentioned, and put them in another container to hold them, that needs drainage holes as well.) You would want something to hold your peat pots anyway (and not be out in the elements without cover so your peat pots dont fall part in the snow/spring rains, no? Putting the smaller containers in another larger container keeps them from getting knocked over, animals getting into them and more. As Dee mentioned, I saw that some people direct sow in their larger planters/pots and one woman put ping pong balls on the top of wooden sticks about 12" high or chopsticks to hold the plastic sheeting (I got some at Home depot, a paint tarp clear sheeting) so you can wintersow right in the container that it will grow in. I bought some styrafoam balls to put on the top of my wood sticks..have not set this up yet, but plan to use this for some herbs/annuals in Mar/April. I thought that was a great idea. I lost a couple nice ceramic pots when I didnt take them in in the winter. My fault! Lily, I would love to hear how your method works out for you. This is my first year WSing also, and I am using a variety of containers. I also had some plastic shoe boxes I didnt need any more, so put drainage holes in them and covered them with plastic sheeting held with elastics. Hope this year is a bumper crop year for everyone wintersowing! :)