Daisy - yep, it's a real one - about 14 lbs before glass, grout, etc. It's on my sister's front porch (southern exposure), under the overhang part of the porch. That should give it some protection. This will be it's first winter outdoors and I have cautioned her to cover it or, preferably, bring it in if there's prolonged freezing temps or ice/snow expected. Fortunately, she's in West TX, so that doesn't happen too often. With regard to the weight, I made it in 2 sections so it would be easy to transport 300+ miles and did the final assembly on site...v-e-r-r-y carefully placed it in position to be sure the silicone didn't slip.

Nell, I do not like weeds. This result is precisely the reason that I have planted the vegetables in every new bed I've started, mulched with straw and then turned again in the late fall. First thing in the spring I would plant it (with plants) mulch it heavily and forget it. I only did seeds in tiny areas at a time. You are a much braver soul than I! My hat is off to you!! I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out later in the season. MeMo

pnbrown, Texas Dolomite is from ancient seabed limestone which I believe they said it has the traces of the ancient ocean greenery deposited in it as it was formed. Another good source of minerals is Greensand because it supplies marine potash, silica, iron oxide, magnesia, lime, phosphoric acid and 22 trace minerals. It's a boon for tomato lovers, because it has the 'vitamins and minerals' that tomato plants need to produce abundant, intensely flavored fruit With my having been a prospector, I'm fortunate to still have(in many buckets in my barn)the pebbly sand left over after processing for gold and silver which I also use in my potting soil mixtures. This pebbly sand comes from stream bottoms and diggings that I've prospected all over this country adding many minerals not found in Florida soils. Aw heck... now the secret of my potting soil is disclosed. Lou

red lover, I bought the blancowave sink in the link for my pending remodel. Got a deal on ebay, so went ahead and bought it. After just looking at it lying there in the box for a few weeks whispering to me how much I would like to be using it, I finally caved and jerry-rigged an installation in the non-remodeled kitchen over the weekend. (It is an undermount sink, I have laminate counters, it is supposed to need a 42" sink base, I have 36 inches, the hole in the counter for the existing sink was totally the wrong size and shape, blah blah whatever. watch me make it work anyway). So far, I love it. The large side is big enough to hold my largest baking sheet, roasting pan, or largest skillet with handle; the small side is still big enough for a colander or stockpot. This is what I was doing with it Sunday. From January 26, 2012 Here is a link that might be useful: blancowave 42 double