I posted this last year and it still holds true. It's hard to make a schedule for watering. You have to adjust depending on the local conditions and soil type. Your goal should be consistent moisture at the root zone. How you achieve that is the problem. One week might be sunny, windy and dry and the next week overcast and no wind. Check your soil and make the necessary adjustments to keep it moist. I'm in CA with caliche soil (heavily amended) Caliche will turn into a brick in a day or two. I'm constantly checking the soil and watering as needed. digdirt posted this a couple of years ago...it still holds true. The goal is consistent and stable soil moisture levels throughout the season and despite the weather. That doesn't come from any "schedule". What "schedule" may work for one person would kill another person's plants and vice versa. So you have to learn what YOUR soil and YOUR plants need. That means using your hands to determine what slightly moist soil feels like down near the roots and learning to keep it that way all the time whatever the weather. That may mean watering once a day or once a week. Unless you have a very shallow bed of less than 8" then every other day is likely way too often but 30 mins with a soaker hose is not much water at all. The average soaker hose delivers less than 1/4 gallon per hour so time yours. Learn how long it actually takes to deliver 1 gallon of water by burying a tuna can or similar 1 1/2" deep can in the soil so that the top rim sits at soil level and run the hose over it. Run the hose until the can is full and note how long it takes. A crude but effective method. Once you know the time needed then do that 1x a week, maybe 2x a week if really hot and dry and see how your plants respond. Do you heavily mulch your plants? If not, do so. What type of soil do you have? Sandy? Clay? High organic levels or not? How close are your plants planted? Are all parts of the bed getting equal amounts of water? What time of day do you water? This is only some of the variables involved. The main point is to learn to be flexible. Forget schedules and learn to water when the plants need it instead. And be sure to mulch. I use grass clippings myself, but there's other options out there.

Ok, I took some pictures for you. We've been fogged in, so the lighting isn't great, and keep in mind that we're not done yet (note paper on floor!). These pictures do the best job of capturing correct color tones, even though they're not the best...We'll post finished ones soon :) The vanity is about 10' so here's two shots of it to get your bearings, as well as a peek at the linen closet, shower entrance, and WC door. Then two closeups of the vanity which do the best job of capturing granite color (especially the first): We did three bathrooms all using the same slab. Here's a picture of it in our gray guest bathroom with a white vanity, and our white bathroom with a black vanity: The white granite route is a great way to go if you know you just can't be happy with the patina that marble will acquire over time.

Hi, I didn't realize you live so close to LA. A few days ago, I posted pics and general directions for finding fabrics downtown on this forum. See 'Fabric in the Los Angeles area". There are lots of stores right in that area that sell wonderful fabrics, or they may be able to order just what you want. Also, the Paramount Swap Meet has tons of fabrics every Tuesday, including some high end ones. If you need any more specific info, you can email me. Hope that helps. Linda

I live in Los Angeles and very pleased with the designer I am working with. She is very traditional, tries to save me money, does a lot with fabrics. Please e-mail me: francebelguim@yahoo.com for number. Donna Claire