Regarding the plastic: I had done some research on various plastic mulches, and found that some great studies had been done on white, clear, and black plastic mulches (interesting that I found that when I was trying to research the red mulch which supposedly makes tomatoes increase in yields and sweetness... sounds like the jury's still hung on that one; I guess the sunlight has to reflect OFF the red to be effective, and in some growing situations, not much sunlight hits the mulch, thereby negating any positive effect. But I digress...) The research found that black plastic mulches will warm the soil a couple degrees at 2" down, and not quite as much 4-6" down (black captures heat), and white didn't heat the soil much (white reflects most light), but what surprised me was the clear plastic. What they found was that certain wavelengths of light were allowed to enter via infrared, but wouldn't reflect back out. The soil with the clear plastic mulch was crazy--it was something like 10-14 degrees WARMER than non-mulched soil at 2" and 4-6 degrees warmer at 6 inches. I wish I had bookmarked that site, but you could probably find it if you googled "plasticulture." Anyway, I think this is going to be my technique for killing weeds and weed seeds/seedlings in the spring. I have a terrible bindweed problem, and those suckers just will not die (invasive roots can go to 60 FEET), which of course means WAR! I can put down the clear plastic over the rock beds (wet them first so the steam can build) and cover them with clear plastic. Sorry to get off-topic on your original question, but it kinda turned into a plastic mulch thread... Anyway, put the plastic down now; the sun can do much of the work even if the nights are cold, and the plastic will help keep the heat in at night. If you're going to continue to use plastic mulch after the plants are in-ground, you can use the research to apply the proper mulch for the various plants: peas like cooler soil (white), but tomatoes like it kinda warm (black), while okra likes it HOT (clear). Also good to know if a gardener is in the south--you just might inadvertently cook the roots of some of your plants if clear plastic is used! Regarding your original question, I found a package of small-diameter bamboo sticks--painted green, no less--at Walmart for like 3 bucks for about 20 of them. They're great for stabilizing tomatoes until you're able to cage them; just be careful what you use to tie the vines because if it doesn't have some give and take, it might just become a noose. Favorite cheapies are strips of old nylons--they give but are also sturdy enough to do the trick (I have alson been known to use a recently pulled strand of bindweed as a tie!). I expect we may yet have some more frosty nights here in CO, so I bamboo-"staked" my tomatoes in their gallon pots just today because they're getting whipped around in the wind. They're out all day, just like yours, and then into the garage each night unless it's going to be over 45--the garage stays warm enough, especially since there's no wind in there! Too much cold can stunt the growth--especially if you already have flowers, the fruit might not set, so don't rush it. Regarding the pollinating of the flowers--the plants are outside all day, so it's a fair shot that some of the bumbles are buzzing! Maybe pinch off half or 2/3 of the blooms--that way you'll still get some early fruit, but the plants won't be wearing themselves out trying to grow more roots and lots of fruit at the same time. Do a GW search for "hardening off" to get a better idea of how to prepare them for being in the ground. There's some great stuff out there. I'm kinda jealous, though; I waited so long that my indoor starts are puny (the ones I staked are from a swap!). Way to make sure that you've got some good plants ready to go! (and can I get on Santa's list for a greenhouse, too?)

Thank you for your reply. I don't have a disposer and hadn't thought about adding one with everything that's going on in the remodeling. There will have to be a spout to attach the dishwasher drain hose, though. The sink will be undermounted and is 9" deep. The cabinet is 30" tall, so I guess that puts the bottom of the drain at about 19-20" above the board that you see. There are about 5 inches below what you see in the picture, under the board that's cut out around the pipes. The board is removable, so maybe the plumber can work with that extra room. Would a disposer fit if there are 5 more inches? The other thing is, I don't really know anything about requirements. Do you see a vent on this? It's in sort of an island and there aren't any other holes or pipes besides what you see in the photo. I saw on other posts that it can be a challenge to vent an island sink, but it's required. Is that right?

Update: I called the guy at the stoneyard (the nice, helpful one), and asked him if he could track down a remnant of a dif. slab from my lot. He did, but it won't be cut until mid next week, so I won't know if it's white/dark/etc. until then. I made sure to get the info of that fabricator, and the salesman also was calling my fabricator with the info. I just don't trust my fabricator to be honest. While I was waiting for the confirmation on remnants from that guy, I called the owner and expressed my utter dissatisfaction. Overall, I'd say that didn't go well in terms of his responsiveness. I told him I was appalled that I was asked to pay the balance. He didn't think that it was that off-base to ask me to pay since they are out money too. (Mind you I did pay 1/2 my total so far.) I made it clear that I will not be paying the balance until the job is complete and right. He's trying to say something to the effect of "Well, how much isn't done?" As if that matters. The fact is it is not done since they made errors. I don't think he was too happy that I was attempting to track down a remnant either. I again noted that my 1st slab was sold, and that I had to settle on this slab, to which he says if I don't like this slab I should have never got it. (My point apparently went right past his head.) Obviously I like this slab, but I liked my 1st slab better. I tried to explain that my deposit was put down knowing I was getting that specific slab. I noted that I also had to settle on their sink installation or risk it looking worse. I was sure to tell him about my interactions with the saleswoman. I explained that she was treating me poorly, and I'm not sure if she just treats everyone this way, or just me because I look young, have a small kitchen, etc. He said they've never had a complaint about her (who knows if that's true or not). I told him I will no longer deal with her because I will lose my cool. So anyway, I tried to install my bathroom faucet yesterday, and guess what now? The holes are drilled a bit uneven, so when I put in the faucet and handles (widespread) there's a larger gap between the faucet and cold water handle than the hot water handle. Part of the problem is the mounting piece for the faucet that doesn't give much room to center better. I think drilling the center hole a little larger will be an easy fix... But, while attempting the install of the faucet, I got to look real closely at that counter area. Apparently when they drilled the holes, they lost control of the drill and the bit dinged/gouged the sink counter 5 times between the hot water and center holes! (They are rounded divots.) They are pretty hard to see in the photo, but in real life they are pretty deep. I just can't win with this company! I can't believe I can't find any reviews online for them (positive or negative). I am tempted to join Angie's list just to see if there's any. I'm still waiting to call the owner to explain my new bathroom counter issues. I just don't think this is going to go well. I am thinking about giving him the option to work with me or letting him know I will go ahead and get a 3rd party (BBB). I was ready to let them know I wouldn't even worry about the remnant, and I'd just use that left piece pictured above. Now I think I will wait to at least see the remnant; it's only a few more days. Any new advice?

Twn85, do you have pictures of your final design? Would love to see it. Laughable, that may be an alternative. I definitely don't want to go shorter, as I am 5'9 and DH is 6'3. My only thing is that I'd have to add some granite to the left of the stove (where the current fridge is now, before the corner begins to make a peninsula) but maybe I could take what I'd be cutting out on the other side where the fridge would be moved? I don't know enough about granite to know if that's an option. Honestly I'd love new counters but even getting DH to consider any of this is enough of a challenge - he sees the square footage and thinks I'm crazy and high maintenance (okay, I AM but still) to even talk about putting money into an already "big" kitchen with upgrades. As for what I like to do in the kitchen - I'm a pretty much make-from-scratch cook. I am a SAHM and spend A LOT of time in the kitchen, either cooking, prepping or cleaning. I like having stations - baking, cooking, coffee, etc. I don't like a lot of appliances on the counter but I DO have a lot of heavy gadgets I'd want a spot in a cabinet or drawer for. There is a small TV in the corner of a countertop to give me company while I'm in there because I'm usually alone, although I'd LOVE to have (adult) company - other times, I have my small (ages 5 and 3) children to "help" out, and having a place for them to put their stools to spread out and pour ingredients is very good. The breakfast nook bugs me right now - the window seat is not currently there and the outside chairs are right in the walkway from the garage door into the FR. However, I'm not a big fan of stool seating b/c family dinners are really important at this stage in our lives. I know eventually the kids will need a place to do homework but if a sink goes at the peninsula, that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. One thing you may be able to see is the architect suggested cutting out that pantry cabinet and extending the archway that leads into the dining room. The purpose there would be to make that more of a breakfast room than formal DR and maybe put some comfortable chairs where the current breakfast nook is for conversation. A peninsula would block that idea, though, I think. After reading these responses, I've gotten to thinking. We currently have a temporary island where the suggested one would go. It's smaller and not as functional and I just assumed that functionality was what was missing. However, DH doesn't help me as often as he used to and now I'm starting to think it may be how tight the kitchen seems now, rather than him just trying to avoid any work (or miss my engaging and witty banter.)