So to add to the mix of questions (no pun intended)...what do I do about watering when I go on a two week vacation? I must admit I was lazy this year...okay, not lazy, just precautious. I had back surgery in November and am not even supposed to be gardening, but God help me, I can't stop myself. My husband had been entirely overworked and I couldn't stand to ask him to help me round up everything needed to mix the soil I know I should be using in the quantities I needed and then actually have to do the work to mix it up since I couldn't have done it. (Of course, now my back is doing much better than it was two months ago even, and I could mix the soil with a little help from my husband, but I can't distrub the root systems of my fruits and veggies.) At any rate, we simply bought two big bags of Miracle Gro Moisture Control Container Soil. It is a mixture of coir/bark/peat/pumice/perlite/fertilizer. After planting in it, I have found with the little rain we've been getting, I don't have to water my big 20" pots at all and only have to water the small ones every third day or so. Our temps have been mild to say the least. We've only had three days in the nineties and today it is 65 degrees out. It's May 17! I can't believe this. Now, I will say that the soil stays moist a long time, but it is by no means soggy wet. I do not think that I could pick it up and squeeze out any water, so that is a good thing. However, I also don't think that it has the same beautiful porosity that Al's mix, which I normally use, has. Anyway, In July, I am going away for two weeks and know that 65 won't even happen in the mornings and my plants will need much more water. There are tomatoe plants, peppers (bells and jalepenos), herbs, one black berry, and a Mexican Lime tree. The pots are all different sizes so would need water at different times, and weather is unpredictable here in July. It can rain everyday or not rain at all for days. I want to get a timer to water, but what in the world do I do about setting it? If I set it to water every day and it rains every day, I am worried the soil will be too soggy. If I set it water every third day and it doesn't rain at all, things will wilt. Any suggestions on what to do would be greatly appreciated. I have two months to figure this out. I have a friend who gardens that might be able to come over and change the setting on the timer if necessary. I was going to ask him to come over and pick any ripened veggies and fruit for his family during my time away anyway.

Thanks, guys. vfish, nothing too exciting. DH and I were out on a picnic with my sis and brother-in-law, I decided to jump over a picnic bench, and instead fell backwards and hit my ribs on the corner of the next bench, which was a huge wood thing fastened to the ground, and the point of it whacked me good in the ribs. Now I know I have ribs, never thought about them much before!

There's a lot you CAN learn in the forum, but you don't need to knock yourself out trying to learn everything in order to get the satisfaction you're looking for in return for your efforts. All you need is a good soil, the right light & temperature, a sound nutritional supplementation program, and you have a very good shot at turning yourself into a pretty darn good grower. Some books or authors would have you believe that every plant is different and each needs its own specific care regimen in order to thrive. While some plants do indeed need some specialized care or treatment, a huge % of what you're likely to grow all respond favorably to the SAME treatment. I think a 1:1:1:1 mix of screened ingredients is workable, and I think the irregular surface of the ingredients will really help to keep the perlite from tending to migrate to the top of the mix. Even if it did move toward the top, it's presence in the soil isn't really necessary to maintaining the soil's structure or to holding on to nutrients, so if it is/isn't in the soil or whether it's at the top or thoroughly incorporated probably isn't cause for any loss of sleep. I suggested 2:3, Turface:grit, because Turface screened through insect screen has a lot of particles under .100 in size, which means that as they nestle between the grit particles they have the potential to create a PWT. Since a good part of what the gritty mix has to offer centers around the elimination of a PWT, the 2:3 ratio will help guard against any negatives associated with perched water. That's just how my mind works - I'm dot obsessive about it, but I don't like PWTs that can be avoided, and any that ARE in play ..... I like to minimize their impact. If you're going to use FP, don't use the gypsum or Epsom salts. If you're using a soluble fertilizer, like MG 24-8-16 or 12-4-8 that doesn't contain Ca/Mg, you'll need to cover those bases somehow. I like incorporating CRFs as opposed to broadcasting on the surface, but there's a lot of evidence that broadcasting is better - so you decide. I figure that since CRF release of nutrients is driven by temp, the release rate would be more even if the product is incorporated. Al

I think hearing about other members' other hobbies and other plants they grow is interesting and the reason this citrus forum is so popular and active. No one is posting too many off-topic items that are annoying. Most seem to have similar interests in non citrus hobbies and topics. The comraderie brings in more participants and knowledge and ideas and creates a friendly atmosphere. It is a fun place to share successes and failures with people who have like interests and can learn from each other. It is interesting to me that so many members also are beekeepers, cooks, gardeners, musicians, build their own greenhouses and lightrooms, grow multiple tropical fruits and veggies and ornamentals etc. and can discuss topics they all have similar experiences with can lead to further discussion off-line. Experts and neophytes can talk, teach, and learn from each other. This forum has attracted a nice group of friendly people. Cory