rlv4 - I feel no need to justify my "normalcy" to anyone, particularly when it comes to organic practices on on organic discussion page. The purpose of the tea is to introduce and encourage micro-organisms in soil. These organisms are essentially immune to freezing, they have evolved to accommodate seasonal temperature fluctuations. The OP hopes to preserve those benefits until the soil in their garden is most likely to gain from them, freezing would preserve the viability of the micro-organisms until they could be used, and reduce any potential losses due to anaerobic processes taking place. It's a practical solution, just because it doesn't fit into a conventional mind-set doesn't mean it isn't worth considering.

You should make a solution of milk of magnesia in a flat tray of distilled water.....just add some...like maybe 1/2 cup to a quart of water. Wet the news paper...unfloded...carefully remove it and spread on a towel to dry....carefully because wet newspaper is very fragile. It's the acid in the paper that causes it to get yellow and brittle....so the M of M neutralizes that. I would be tempted to spread the dry paper on a towel and fill a spray bottle with the solution and wet it that way...so you don't have to handle a big sheet of wet paper. I've used it only for small clippings. Linda C

Re. Murphy's Oil Soap: For polyeurethaned hardwood floors you should NOT use Murphy's Oil Soap. The company I use for screen-and-coat touch-ups specifically asked if I had used Murphy's because evidently if it has been used the screen-and-coat won't finish properly. They say to only use vinegar and warm water and a mop or cloth wrung until almost dry. I have no idea if this applies to engineered hardwoods. HTH.

We, too, live in an old house. Please do not rush in changing the structure and the charming quirks of your home. Visit other old houses in your area and see the original features. Take your time . We cherish the unlevel floors, the 72” high doorways in the oldest portion of the house, the old fireplaces. Do not let anyone who doesn’t love , love, love old house work on your house. Yes, we have indoor plumbing, air conditioning, and electricity, but always in a respectful way to honor the house. Spend your time researching the history of the house and the families who lived there. I am doing the genealogy of our house and it is fascinating. The man who built it owned the sawmill that sawed the framework. He loved to race horses, engage in politics, and raise a family of six children. I spent several days on Newspapers.com to discover the history of the second family, the family that bought the house in 1927. The newspaper had stories of bridge parties and dinner parties and college graduations. One day, a meeting of 48 women were meeting here and planning to have luncheon “on the pleasant lawn” when weather intervened and the luncheon had to be served indoors “ on small tables.” When a son serving in the Navy brought his bride home, his parents entertained with a reception at home, “vases of roses” decorating all the rooms. I have a huge notebook of these clippings. The 11 year old son of this family was so smitten by the history of this house, he became a renowned restoration architect in New England. We have original wavy glass (1803) in our original windows, (please do not replace your windows with vinyl), we have hand planed walnut doors on our cupboards, we have working fireplaces. Embrace your history and your unique opportunity to preserve something special. Slow down and make reasoned, thoughtful decisions to become guardians of history.