Joel - if the roots don't come out in a cohesive mass, the plant probably doesn't need repotting. Where the soil moisture level should be depends on your intent. If you intend to do a complete or partial repot (different than potting-up) where all or parts of the soil are removed, it's better to have the soil on the dry side so it separates from the roots easily. Work quickly & as soon as soil is removed, wet the roots. Fine rootage dies very quickly with exposure to the drying effects of air. If your intent is only to pot-up, the roots can be well dampened or moist when you move the plants to a new home in the next size container. Al

Heat is needed only for germination and not recommended for growing on. You'll find several discussions here about this vital point. Standard recommendation is once the seeds germinate they should be removed from the heat and provided with cooler growing temps to avoid cooking the young roots (among other things). Any covers should also be removed at the same time. Heated soil not only risks the roots but encourages leggy growth and soil fungus problems. 45-65 or 70 is considered the ideal growing range. Cooler requires added heat, warmer requires active cooling. Dave

Having weeds indicates you have soil of indeterminate quality that can support at least some plant life. Big surprise people look at you like your smoking something. Now if you used the term plants, you may not get such a total lack of enthusiasm for your cherished idea. Digitalis is used as an indicator of certain minerals in prospecting. Certainly an example of a plant being used as an indicator of soil conditions, but it's hard to imagine Digitalis being considered by most a weed. In the heavy clay soil of the Red River Valley, shrubs that are supposed to have fabulous fall color rarely do, and even when they do, it's not as brilliant as if it were planted in a less fertile, more porous soil. Indeed, get outside the ridgeline that defines the ancient riverbed, and fall color changes notable. If the concept of plants as indicative of soil conditions was fallacious, the term and concept of pioneer species would not exist. Yet I have to ask, to what value? Considering that knowledge of certain soil types precludes certain types of crops (sandy soil and sugar beet, clay and carrots or potatoes), and that in our micromanaged world nothing is done without the verification of a soil test, what value does it possess? It's kinda like knowing Morse code...cool, and good at parties, but other than stroking your own ego, who really cares? Perhaps when global warming progresses to such a degree that Siberia becomes the new farming center of the world, and new pioneers trek out to wrest an existence from the land, this will be of more value. It would be nice to know when space exploration comes of age...to find a new planet, hospitable to life, and to tell what the agricultural potential is by a glance at the flora...but that is a rather Earth-centric view of things, isnt it?

Quote #1 does not include increasing the size of the ductwork which needs to be done because you are replacing a 2 ton with a 3 or 4 ton (depending on the quote) and a 1.5 ton with a 3 or 3.5 ton. Quote #2 also includes zoning equipment/controls. There is a VERY large discrepancy in size of existing units vs. proposed units(both quotes) Did any of these contractors do a heat loss calculation? You should ask to see a manual J, which will determine the proper size system for the home. I understand the size needs to be increased due to the additions to the home, but what is the proper size? I would not sign any contract without a heat loss calculation first. That is the basics. Post back and we can continue this. Or email me @ woody22478@yahoo.com. I can forward you info and links to help explain better.