Sorry, I didn't mean to be so sensitive. I guess I was just having a bad day. In any case, the picture WAS taken in sunlight, and with a low end digital camera at that. I also don't want to " beat a dead horse" but if you want a comparision picture of the same flower (but as I remember, NOT the same exact bloom) you can see one that was taken inside the house, on the kitchen counter under flourescent light, on a ebay listing where I am selling seeds. (I hope that reference doesn't violate the no sell rules; I delibertly did not give the exact reference. If you want it you can privately email me and I will give it to you.) I would guess however, altho I really don't remember, that an automatic flash was used for the inside picture. In the interests of any future situation (and because I can still learn!) can you recommend how one can take a picture and avoid the problem? (Assuming I am using a relatively cheap camera and that camera's are not my thing.) It is in all of our interests that our pictures be as accurate representations as possible! Amaryllislvr

The folks at the University of Cal did some work on planting in compacted soil. they had dramatically better results by doing the following. Dig a very large hold, down 3 feet deep but leave a "pedestal" in the middle that is only lower than ground level by as much as the root ball. Another way to say this is imagine planting the tree in a planting hole the size of the pot, but then dig all around it for another 3 feet out and another 2 feet down. Set the tree on the pedestal then back fill with the same soil. You will have broken up all the compaction. NOT the easy way since that is a lot of digging, but trees planted in compacted soil often take years to get through it or may never. They will be slow growing and struggle. Great job for a back hoe or some young lad who needs a little weekend job, for $20 and some pizza and a soda.

Nice to have you on the forum and look forward to seeing more from you! Happy holidays :) witchygirl- you are spot on!! The “articles” I find are total garbage and are so incredibly vague, or just flat or incorrect, that it physically pains me (and I’m still a newbie!). I have learned so much incredible stuff about gardening from this forum it puts all other internet articles and many website to shame. Best thing I ever did for my gardens was to join this site :)

I am on the opposite side of the country where we get a frost every 5-7 years, but i do know urban gardening! Here on the west coast we always worry about water. So I would advise along with the excellent idea of compost, see about watering conditions as an aspect of soil conditioning. Also be sure to dig the compost in deeply, if you really want things to take off like a rocket double digging like for vegetable gardens is a good idea in a compacted urban soil. Also, try the regional garden forum for New York specifics- I get a good amount of specific advice from the California gardening forum. Congrats on your new garden, Pea