I explained this in detail again, as I have many times before. I have always been clear on the fact that those growing in heavy, water-retentive soils who CANNOT flush their soils regularly when watering are not candidates for continuing to fertilize during the winter. My words are being twisted into something I never said, and would never say, and then an argument made against the words put in my mouth. This is a very common tactic lately. Those of us discussing fast draining soils know and understand through common sense and practical application that frequent fertilizing of these open soils at low doses while simultaneously flushing the soil allows growers taking advantage of these soils to keep fertility levels in the low adequacy range at all times while keeping nutrient ratios to each other at favorable levels, also at all times. This allows the lowest possible EC/TDS levels without nutrient deficiencies and ensures that soluble salt levels do not climb to levels that make the uptake of water and nutrients dissolved in water difficult for the plant. Does it get any better than that? Are nutritional deficiencies and toxicities, no control over EC/TDS, along with virtually ensured rising pH preferable? This issue was/is being played as though I was suggesting everyone should fertilize all winter long, regardless of what type of soil was being used, which couldn't be farther from the reality of what I said. I have a thorough understanding of the importance of EC/TDS levels in soil and have been managing and helping people manage them in free-draining and well aerated soils, as well as in heavy, water-retentive soils for years. If anyone has been lead to believe anything other than what I just described, they have been duped. There are dozens on dozens of threads in which I clearly explain why you CAN fertilize at every watering using soils like the 5:1:1 and gritty mixes (and I usually add "if you wish") and why you cannot follow this practice when using heavy soils. I have too many containerized plants to fertilize at every watering in the summer, but in the winter I fertilize at EVERY watering (gritty mix) and have been doing so for going on 20 years, so to suggest you can't or shouldn't is to argue with reality. I offer the hundreds of pictures I've posted of plants with perfect foliage and color as exhibit 'A'. The point has always and forever been clearly granted that this approach is INAPPROPIRIATE with heavy, bagged soils. I've ALWAYS flat out said that you cannot use this approach with water-retentive soils. It is very difficult to manage EC/TDS effectively, and pH induced nutrient issues are also extremely common when your only option is to sit and watch dissolved solids accumulate unless you regularly flush the soil. If this practice of frequent fertilizing at low doses along with regularly flushing the soil did not/could not work, and wasn't extremely effective, hydroponics would be impossible. The fact is, it works much better and is far superior to simply sitting on our hands all winter and hoping nothing too bad happens to our plants as a result of elevated EC/TDS. This is simply another straw man tactic, of which there have been many, and has no basis in anything I ever said. Jodi asks "And why is it recommended? What are the factors involved? In what specific circumstances is this a valid recommendation?" The answer to those questions is 'to protect people that don't have a clue about how to manage EC/TDS from themselves'. When there is a valid discussion by people who have moved beyond the need to have their hands held when it comes to managing their growing, it's very disruptive to have someone enter the discussion and intentionally turn every one's words around. I think, Farkee, in all fairness to you, you're coming in on the tail end of a discussion that has been made to appear as something it isn't. I think you know me well enough and understand that I would not make the suggestions that have been implied. Jodi's questions were simply another attempt to reveal that the person responsible for yet another grousing match is following a pattern of intentionally instigating strife, or simply does not have enough understanding of the topic to be arguing with those that do. Unless she wants to openly discuss the logic or science, it cannot be any other way, but she won't/can't. Al

ha ha yes Scott, I think a bit of poetic license went on like catching a fish... it was this big... hand slowly move apart bigger than the actual real fish, unfortunately the older American types are very rare here, the newer American and candian types are slowly coming available I,ve never tried the Suwannee, I believe the flavour was 10/10 must have an amazing flavour, ive been told and have read about Pochahontas, Sparkle, Fairfax, Albritton and midland for flavour but again impossible to find this side of the pond, I have the Blakemore which was rated 7/10 for flavour Stew

Dawn, I appreciate the concern. Like you said it really was a dangerous system but died almost as quick as it built up. If you looked at it on animation on radar less than 30 minutes after it showed up as a green speck there was lots of red and tornadoes. And 45 minutes after that it was dead. It was one if you had looked out and didn't see anything and waited 15 minutes it was close. By the time the weather services got the warning out it was staring to lose strength. I don't blame them as it built so fast no way to anticipate it. As far as I know the one that touched down was over open ground and didn't hurt anything. Will hear more tomorrow I'm sure. We never got more than a few sprinkles out of all of it. Looks like some decent rain east and north of us. One thing for certain is we are a day closer to when it will come. But missing so many good chances starts getting a little depressing. Thanks again for the concern and advice. At times during dry spells we don't respect weather enough. Jay

Frieda, re your question about school assemblies and Jerusalem in particular. It used to be the law that every school began each day with a form of religious 'observance'. As far as I know this is still the case, although the large 'secondary' schools get round it by claiming lack of space/time etc. But junior schools, even the non-denominational ones, will have a couple of prayers and a hymn plus 'announcements'. And C of E and RC kids will probably attend weekly/occasional services in their local church. Of course these days, as your friend says we have become a far more 'secular' country plus we have had a huge influx of people bringing in a wide range of faiths, all of which are meant to be catered for within the 'Religious Education' systems of each school area. RE is still taught as a 'lesson' up to exam standard. That is certainly how I learnt the words and tunes of so many hymns. As far as Jerusalem goes. I feel the words don't mean much on their own but with that wonderfully confidant Victorian music, it would be difficult not to be moved by hearing it sung en masse . . . have you ever been/or heard the 'Last Night of the Proms' from the Royal Albert Hall and large parks around the UK when Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory etc are sung by the thousands in the audience? It may be considered very 'jingoistic' by the nay-sayers but it is a truly rousing sound. Below is an extract from the Last Night of the Proms. I hope it doesn't make your fillings tingle . . .luckily I, unlike millions of my countrymen have never needed any 'work' on my teeth so my head is quite amalgam-free. ;-) Here is a link that might be useful: Last Night of the Proms