Texjen, composting is nothing but causing material to break down. Different materials break down in different ways and in different time. Rust, the breaking down of metal caused by moisture and oxygen is nevertheless a type of composting. Grass clippings, because they contain all the fertilizer you put into your lawn is a valuable addition to any compost pile. To better understand why nitrogen is so valuable in the composting process, do a Google search on "about nitrogen". Grass clippings, to be sure, because of their size, breaks down well. But, too much of anything is too much. When you overload the pile with one material, it can stop or slow down the breaking down of other material. Without measuring each additions, just use common sense in adding what is called "greens"....things like grass, straw, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds (and tea leaves) and eggshells are examples. Think organic material--they're greens. Anything that is natural or comes from natural materials are such green examples. Browns come from inorganic materials. Your lawn fertilizer is inorganic but is a valuable way to speed up break down of the pile because as things break down, nitrogen is used up. Throw a cup or two of lawn fertilizer --one with a high nitrogen content occasionally to supplant what the pile has used to effect breakdown already done. Hence the value of grass clippings. Compost piles must be kept damp....never wet to the point of being soggy. That slows down the breakdown. Grass clippings, as a layer on top, for a day or so, will help heat up the layers below. But then it should be turned over. Compost piles should be turned on a regular basis to ingest oxygen into the pile. But then, too much nitrogen is just as bad as too little. Leaves, well chewed up, because they are high in carbon content, will use the nitogen to effect their breakdown rather quickly. If your pile stinks, its usually because of poor aeration. Turn it over and make sure its not too wet. Don't trust your compost will take the place of fertilizers. While compost is a valuable soil amendment, it is not trustworthy to contain the valuable elements nitrogen, phosphurus and potassium (potash) that is needed for proper plant health. Compost wont have the added trace elements that is so necessary for good plant health. Fertilizers, the ones we buy in bags, and spread on the lawns and gardens in the spring, do contain such trace elements. Compost can often fill in the blanks and help the soil bacteria boost root development. But, since it takes a lot more than just good roots to make good plants, and becaue each compost pile is different from yours, to mine, to the guy around the corner and the guy across the nation. What goes in, counts for what comes out.

I grow a large Flame Calla and find that they don't like to be kept wet. They like a well drained fertile soil and like to be kept moist- never dry. You live in a warm zone so they will be hardy in the ground. I have to dig mine up every fall to over-winter so plant them in pots to make that job easier. They also like sun, but since you're in quite a warm zone keep them out of really hot mid-day sun or they might not perform as well as you'd like.

This is why I enjoy plant forums...you get to hear other's real life evaluations and it can be very helpful....especially with lesser known plants Edward, good to know about 'Heavenly Angel Ice' not liking to be divided. Bit of a brain freeze about it winning the Stout for me...sure think it deserves it though!.....I will have to check out 'Yellow Monkey'...that branching is awesome! Now, 'Rose F. Kennedy' has been one of my best consistent performers year in and year out.; dip OR tet! But, I spoke with someone else this year who said it actually didn't thrive for them in their northern garden. Surprised me, because most folks I've spoken with have really liked its garden performance....another Stout contender in my book!

Hi squirrel, I have their clearance page saved as a favorite on my computer so I remember to look for deals! creekylis, I have thought of doing a faux window! I keep going back to real windows, too. If they are the same windows that I have on the house they can't be anymore of an intruder risk, right? As far as seeing in to see if my car is there....My big garage door has windows. (No reason for them to risk going to the back of the house.) I do need to get beware of dog signs for my gates. Maybe ideamom can whip up some pretty ones.