Why is using compost/manure in containers controversial? Because of it's small particle size. Particles under 1/16th of an inch or so won't drain completely. There will be a soggy wet layer of potting mix that plants generally don't grow well in. The more shallow the container the greater the problem. The concept is explained in Al's Water/Air movement thread. It is also explained in this Ohio State University fact sheet. It isn't something you need to worry too much about this season. Use a wick in the drainage hole if your potting mix is staying wet/soggy. Would it then be unwise to use compost tea on containerized plants or for the salad table? No, not at all. Compost isn't bad in and of itself, it is just the small particle size and the fact that it breaks down into even smaller particles as the season progresses that is the problem in containers. So, saturated soil, even in full sun (when it's not too hot) and dry weather ins't a good thing since the table is shallow A saturated soil is fine. What is problematic is when the soil isn't just saturated (holding all the water it can), but it is also holding water in the spaces between particles that would otherwise be filled with air. I am confident that once you read Al's water/air movement thread or the link I put above you will understand what we are talking about better. But again, don't fret too much for now. A wick, if needed, can alleviate much of the potential problem. Once the plants are of any size and the weather is warm/dry I don't think you will have any problems. Still, understanding the concepts will put you in a very good position to respond to whatever occurs.

Cat Deterrents for your Garden: Keep in mind that each cat is different (like people), what works for one may not necessarily work for another. On the plus side, most cats will keep pesty squirrels, moles and other critters out of your garden. They're great for keeping out moles, rabbits, squirrels, and other critters which can do more damage in your garden than a cat ever will. Birds aren't stupid, they watch for cats and stay away. Sometimes natural law comes into play and the quicker animal wins, it's natural law. If the cats have owners, talk to them without being confrontational. The cat owner who allows his cat to damage other peoples' property is as guilty as the cat hater who kills the cat for trespassing. Remember, cats will be cats, and it is unfair of us to blame them for being what they are and how nature intended them to participate in this world. After-all, we praise them when they catch mice or rats or other creatures we deem to be 'pests'. * amonia soaked (corncobs, etc) * aluminum foil * bamboo skewers * black pepper * blood meal fertilizer * bramble cuttings * Carefresh - "recycled" wood pulp * catnip - donated into your neighbor's yards (so they'll stay in their own yards) * cedar compost * chicken wire (metal or plastic) * cinnamon * citrus peels * citrus spray * cocoa bean shells * coffee grounds -fresh & unbrewed, not just a light sprinkling (highly recommended by MANY Gardenwebbers!) * dogs * electric fence for animals * essence of orange. essence of lemon, lime (citrus essential oils) * fresh manure(ditto) * garlic cloves * gumballs from the Sweet Gum Tree * gutter covers * hardware cloth * heavy bark mulch * holly leaves * keep the area damp, they like dry soil * lavender * liquid manure (good for your garden too) * motion sensor sprinkler * pennyroyal * pinecones * pipe tobacco * plastic forks * predator urine * red wine vinegar * river rocks over the exposed soil * rocks, crushed * rose bush clippings * rue, an herb (Ruta graveolens) (highly recommended in plant form only) * short twigs throughout the planted area about 6" apart * six-inch bamboo skewers (pointy side up) * Spray on your leaves (not the cat): fill a spray bottle with 1/2 t chili powder, 1/2 t cayenne pepper, 1 t dish soap and water * squirt gun with water * talk to your neighbors * tansy * thorny berry, lilac, hawthorn, rose clippings * toothpicks * upside down vinyl carpet * vinegar sprayed on areas where they roam * water bottle on "stream" NOT RECOMMENDED: *** chili powder, red crushed pepper, cayenne pepper (NOT recommended), it gets on the cat's paws then they wash themselves and they get it in their eyes, beware cats have literally scratched their eyes out because of this. Even if it's one cat out of 500 infected in this way, that's one too many for me. *** Don't ever use mothballs or flakes. Those little toxic waste pellets destroy cats' kidney function, could seriously harm people who handle them, and yes, contaminate your own garden soil. Their packaging even warns against using them this way. Give them their own areas: (To keep them out of where you don't want them) (If you don't mind them protecting your garden from other critters) + pick the cat up and bring it to eye level with the plant to see and smell it up close. She noted that once her cat has seen and sniffed at the plant, she usually doesn't bother with it later. + give them their own plants - i.e., pots of grass for her to chew on and a place in a large planted container on her balcony with some miscanthus grass in it (the cat likes to curl up in that for some reason) + if the cats are strictly indoors and attracted to your houseplants, grow catgrass for them. If someone forced you to remain inside one enclosed structure all your life, you might be attracted to the plants too. + Barley Grass + Any type of "catgrass" from the pet store + Carex elata 'Bolwes Golden' but put it in some shade + Catmint Nepeta mussinicultivars (Simply put, Catmints are Catnips without any culinary or feline use. In any case, they are, however, phenomenal, long flowering, hardy perennials that belong in every fairie or flower garden.) + Catnip Nepeta cataria (in your own yard) The oils of which also work as a mosquito repellent that works 10 times better than Deet! Catmint is the common name for all varieties of Nepeta. Catnip is the common name for the specific variety of Nepeta called nepeta cataria, which is the variety that cats are most attracted to. + Cat Thyme (Teucrium marum) + Flax + Oat Grass + Jacob's Ladder + Lemon Grass + Loose soil and mulch like small bark mulch + Mints + Purple Fountain Grass so the cat lays in the long leaves all day. Maybe put something in that the cats really like and - you know cats won't winky were they like to hang out. + Sandy area + Silver vine (Actinidia polygama) + Striped Ribbon Grass (can be invasive) + Sweet grass + Trificum aestivum (type of cat grass) + Various Varieties of Cat Mints (Catnips) + Wheat Grass + Wheat Berries + Valerian This list compiled by Violet_Z6, email at violetgw@care2.com for comments and suggestions regarding this list.

Thanks to everyone for the recipes. I look forward to trying many more of them. Doucanoe, I made your alfredo chicken pizza and it was wonderful. Rusty, I made your hot chicken salad and it was great! I didn't take pictures but I wanted to let everyone know that both recipes that I tried are keepers!! I look forward to having more left over chicken soon. LOL Karen

You can use either extra virgin olive oil or the light olive oils (like Bertolli's) in salad dressings. Here are a few vinaigrette recipes and a couple of different dressings. Ann Greek Salad dressing 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1 tsp marjoram leaves or oregano 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil fine sea salt or Kosher salt freshly ground black pepper (several grinds) Whisk together the vinegar and sugar; add marjoram (or oregano) and blend. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This is great over a bowl of tomato chunks, red onion slices, cucumber chunks (seeded & peeled), green bell and red bell pepper chunks, some pitted Kalamata olives, some feta cheese and (optional) a sprinkling of chopped flat leaf parsley. Before adding the dressing, sprinkle some fresh lemon juice over the salad. Vinaigrette 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 cup olive oil salt and pepper Whisk the mustard into the vinegar and blend. Pour oil into mixture while whisking. Season with salt and pepper. a Light Citrus Vinaigrette 1/4 cup orange juice (I like to use fresh o.j.) 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup olive oil Blend both vinegars with orange juice. Add olive oil while whisking. Low Fat Thousand Island Dressing 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper 1 tablespoon minced onion 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish a pinch of cayenne 1/4 cup water In a blender or food processor blend all ingredients and salt to taste until smooth, adding up to 2 tablespoons additional water if necessary to thin to desired consistency. Dressing keeps, covered and chilled, 1 week. Serve dressing with crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes, or seafood salad. Makes about 1 cup. Each tablespoon about 12 calories and 0.3 grams fat (22% of calories from fat) Gourmet May 1996 My note: I also use regular mayo & have made it w/o the red bell pepper. I cut back on the relish a little as I don't want it too sweet. It's my favorite. Creamy Orange Dressing 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt ¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed In a small bowl combine yogurt and juice concentrate. Mix well. Chill Several hours. each serving: 30 calories; trace fat (2% of calories); 6 g carb; 22 mg sodium; 1 mg cholesterol from Lean & Luscious Favorites my note: good on thinly sliced Chinese cabbage with some fruit and salted cashews