Not all is as you might imagine it to be. I save a lot of the stuff I write as a document when the question comes up over & over. Coffee & tea as plant 'tonics' is a frequent topic. Here's what I discovered: Forum discussions frequently center on the question of adding dilute coffee/tea or grounds to plants as a 'tonic', but Arabica (coffee) and Camellia (tea) are known for their toxic alkaloid (caffeine) content and their allelopathic affect on plants as well as autotoxic (poison to their own seedlings) effects on future generations. Caffeine interferes with root development by impairing protein metabolism. This affects activity of an important bio-compound (PPO) and lignification (the process of becoming woody), crucial steps for root formation. We also know that the tannins in both coffee and tea are known allelopaths (growth inhibitors). There are ongoing experiments to develop herbicides using extracts from both coffee and tea that cause me to want to say they might serve better as a nonselective herbicide than as a tonic. I would not use either (stale coffee or tea) by applying directly to my plants - especially containerized plants; nor would I add tea bags/coffee grounds to my container soils. Rob - you can use white vinegar or citric acid (and other acids, but stick with the safer stuff) to lower the pH of your irrigation water (for the acid lovers) to about 5.5. Note how much acid is required per unit (like a gallon or 5 gallon unit) and repeat as needed. Note that pH of freshly drawn water rises as the dissolved CO2 gases off over a 24 hr period, so let the water you'll use rest for a day before adding the acid (first time only) for an accurate read. You'll need some pH paper - like what is used for ponds or aquariums. Al

You need to think of a few different things in making that decision. 1.) There is a huge difference between a 140 watt light bulb and a tube fluoresent. thinking in actual Lumens, what are both offering? If the 140 watt light bulb kicks off a lot more lumens, it can be placed further away from the seedlings. 2.) A standard 4 foot fluoresent shop light is very economical (both purchase price and power wise), safe for the plants to usually even grow up into (if they touch the bulb by an overnight growth spurt they will be ok) and can grow up to two trays of seedlings. How many trays do you expect to luminate under this grow light?

You should really consider how well your plants are going to do in their north facing interior after they've been brought in from any greenhouse you might purchase. Some plants "learn" their environment, and so thrive on what's available, many/most don't. Surely you don't want sickly looking plants insider during the majority of the year? Bottom line, a greenhouse might help you keep some species alive year round, but unless you plan on sitting in your greenhouse looking at them, it may not be to your advantage. Cheers, Russ

Wow! For temporary- you're really going gung ho! (I didn't want to say anything about your green counters)..., but is it possible to get reasonably priced temporary counters? That's why I was suggesting tieing in the green with the blue in the fabric. Cuz you've got a lot of counter! However, don't know where you live, but here in the Vancouver, BC area, there are tons of counters on Craigslist- don't know how realistic it is that they would fit your kitchen, but it doesn't hurt to spend some time browsing. Also, I've never used vinyl tiles, but those I know that have, have cursed them every day! They come up and feet trip on them all the time. Would it be possible to get a vinyl roll remnant? We put Tarkett fibrefloor down in our basement laundry room- beauty of that is, it doesn't get glued down, just lays on the floor. Don't make it so nice that you'll never want to renovate! :>) The really neat thing about painting as a temporary solution is that all rules and restrictions go out the window, and you can really think 'outside the box'. I'm getting excited for you. Guess you have to start with whatever you decide to put on the counters, then floor, but I'm thinking a beautiful butter yellow would be nice... Can hardly wait to see what you end up doing- sounds like fun!