I think alot of us with balconies are do-it-yourselfers, but I expect that there would be a bigger market for rooftop and terrace-scaping. I've been an internet user and if you haven't already setup a website, you might consider it. Also - if garden shows come to your area, consider getting a booth or even participating by creating an example patio, deck, balcony, or even small rooftop that you might landscape for someone. We have the Philadelphia Flower Show sponsored by the PA Horticultural Society here where hundreds of landscapers create both grandiose and intimate setups featuring their landscaping and hardscaping ideas. I've seen some amazing patio gardens, no more than perhaps 10' x 10' or even smaller. We also have the "Philadelphia Green" project also part of the PHS, that supports urban gardening. My sisters and I go to the Flower Show here every year and I usually try to take pics of some of the more interesting landscapes. This year, I didn't get any very good pictures (the shutter speed ended up being a bit too slow even set to auto and with a flash)... But as an example, the below was an entry for what looks like a small rooftop container garden (with door access), and you can even see a skylight to the left and a roof exhaust fan in the center, both landscaped around. This past year's show was unique from previous years because I saw many many more entries by individuals and small clubs doing their own tiny patio and courtyard gardens. I'm thinking maybe they opened that up as a new class of gardens for judging (they have always had container and windowbox classes along with what are probably "garden rooms", but this seemed different due to all the entries). I'm hoping the same will hold true in the future as the big nurseries often get most of the exposure and "press" with their large and often whimsical displays. It's possible that once you break into your market, word-of-mouth will also help after awhile.

Hey Phil, I don't have much wisdom to add to what the others have said, as I'm rather inexperienced at this too - only my second year growing heirlooms. But, I know where you are coming from because, I too, tend to go big when I get into something like this. Not sure I went quite as over the top with preparing, researching, planning, thinking and pruning, but I was close. One thing I will share is, I've found sometimes doing less is more. For example, I pruned aggressively last year, really buying into the idea that any branch not flowering was wasting the plant's energy and needed to go. My plants suffered from this treatment and produced only a few fruits. This year, I hardly pruned at all and they are doing much better in terms of both fruit production, size and how robust they are. Not to open up the debate about pruning here - my point is that you seem to have some really healthy looking plants (nice chard too!). I'd suggest not sweating the nitrogen level. Don't make a big "to do" and dig up the soil to sample and potentially treat. Let nature take it's course and be happy with how well you have done - I agree with the others that you put a lot of thought and work into your garden and I believe it will pay off. Gardening is trying to teach me patience. For me, it's tempting to try and do something all the time to hasten/enhance the harvest but I think (within reason) sometimes letting alone is the best thing one can do. Good luck! P.S. I too flick flowering stems. Not sure it helps with pollination/fruit setting, but it's magical when you see the little golden dust emerge.

I've worked in this industry for over 20 years, having owned and built my own business and now I work at training people. I am one of a relatively small group who believe carpet cleaners should be qualified. We are cleaning thousands of dollars worth of carpet and home furnishings. Electricians and plumbers don't deal with property worth as much as what a textile floor cleaner does yet they must have a full certificate and serve an apprenticeship. The Carpet and Rug institute recommends technicians certified with the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). Most of the Standards boards world wide will only recommend Hot Water Extraction HWE as a full restoration style of cleaning. I think Chem-Dry were losing market share due to this and in more recent years added HWE (They had been using it on carpeted stairs for years). To continue their "Dry" branding they promote their patented Carbonated cleaning method. I have had many discussions with Chem-Dry technicians over the years and they all sprout the glories of their unique system but I've never seen results from them results to go with it. In the end it always comes down to the operator. You need someone who cares enough to pay attention to detail and who wants to be trained in all aspects of their craft = Fibre technology, suitable chemistry for those fibres, stain removal, water damage restoration etc. etc. This often comes from an owner operator of a small business who truly wants to impress you and so do the best possible job. For me it was seeing colleagues who didn't care and wanting to rise above that and restore rather than destroy carpets. May I suggest next time you need your carpet cleaned that you try the IICRC for a recommended cleaner and compare the difference? I'm not suggesting you will get a bad job from Chem-Dry, I am only suggesting you check their qualifications and look for the very best option. http://www.iicrc.org/ All the best

Quick question: Following advice of our fellow experts here, I stained our concrete slab for 1400 feet of the floor in our new house. It turned out absolutely amazing. HOWEVER, I used therecommended acrylic sealer provided by Kemiko - 2 coats, rolled on with fine roller. When first completed, it was amazing. THEN, the painters came in, finishing carpetners, etc etc. Even with paper down, sawdust migrated under onto the floor. Long story short, now 7 months later, the floor is flat and dull. It looks like the acrylic sealer is mostly rubbed off or lost its sheen. And, it scratches so easily it's infuriating. My 2 year old son drags a plastic car across teh floor and it leaves abrasions on the finish. The Roomba turns in a little cirle and it makes circular abrasions. I was considering getting an epoxy self-leveling finish to put over it, but our Sherwin Williams guy says not to, becuase it "cooks" the acid stain underneath and can ruin its appearance. He recommends waxing instead. (He also said not to bother doing anything to the existing acrylic - either remove or recoat - before waxing. He said the acrylic has soaked in, and the waxing over the top as-is would be fine.) Bottom line - I want to put a sealer on the stained floor that will hold up to 3 little kids and heavy home use, with a minimum of maintenance. I dont want to have it dull again in 6 months, or be clearing out the entire downstairs to reapply every year, either. What do you recommend?