I noticed the same issues with my plants. My Tepin and Mole sprouts are growing VERY slowly - 2 inches tall, just starting to grow their 2nd set of leaves. My sweet banana peppers are almost 4 inches tall with fully a developed 2nd set of leaves. After a few waterings, I have been giving all of my plants a full dose (10-15-10) of fertilizer. The Banana peppers love it. The leaves are long and thick. The hot peppers show no signs of fertilization.

Thanks, Michelle, I think I can understand maybe 10 cylces or so. But hey, whatever - like I said, it's the hardware affecting durability and servicability that I want to talk about, and most people at the store just give you a stammering reply there. My Maytag died after 6 years, which is atrocious IMHO. The bearings seized on the motor. No, you can't change them, it's a new motor and belt for $130, with me doing the work. I want to have some idea that if I dump a grand into a washing machine, I'm buying a good motor and drum and solenoid valves and hoses, not fancy firmware that ends up shorting out due to insuffcient control housings. But at least I know I don't need steam! Thanks, all! BTW I'm leaning towards a Bosch 500 (WFMC5301UC). Hoping the door mold issue is gone, and hoping someone knows something about them. Looks like either that or the LG TROMM, but I like the layout of the Bosch's controls and the way the door frame allows easier access to the drum. But I guess that's kind of wondering off-topic for this thread. I'm searching for info here and elsewhere, so thought I'd mention it.

The difference between the old vinyl you had and the new LVT is the LVT is thicker with a core. So, the wheels can make impressions or indentations. You may use a hard surface mat. Here are a couple of examples. You may not have any issues if you don't use a mat, but why take the chance? Protect that flooring investment! (note: the flooring in the photos is not LVT) LVT

Ragna, When I moved onto this property, there were no trees. I knew that I wanted to plant something along the driveway. It turned out to be the Monterrey Oak. Glad I chose that. Temple City Parks dept raises many different types of trees. They will tell you that it is the BEST tree and MOST REQUESTED of any that they grow here to plant anywhere around the greater area of Temple. They do go drought tolerant relatively quickly. I also used Mycorrhizael Fungi tablets to try to help get the roots going. That must have been about 4 1/2 yrs ago. My camera is hiding, surely it can't be my housekeeping. Otherwise, I'd take a picture of it for you. Was told that if you will continue to provide water that it will grow faster. Holds onto its leaves through Winter, but I swear, I can't find any leaves over the past 4 yrs that dropped after Winter. I'm really at a loss to figure out where they go cause you know that leaves don't stay on trees for that long. It would be an excellent tree for you. My guess is that with everything you have growing there, that you'll end up needing to transplant something. Hard to believe that you wouldn't. If you didn't have to transplant a full sun plant, then you've got a tree that doesn't provide the type of canopy that you want for shade. Of course, even our Full Sun plants do appreciate some shade, but this oak will make a denser shade than many of the others mentioned above. I've realized the same problem here. I've been pouring over perennials to buy when I should have been searching out trees instead. But, my beds weren't finished. Heck, they weren't even begun. I had to finish the Hummingbird Bed before I could ID where to plant some other trees. I've made my grocery list now, but they might not be what you are looking for: - Wafer Ash growing in nothing but Full Sun and I want another one to plant relatively close so their canopies will meet. You might consider planting two trees whose canopy will meet sooner. - Mexican Plum drops a lot of fruit so, that will be a bit of a mess. - Anacacho Orchid probably won't make a very dense shade. Check out the ones that are planted at the San Antonio Arboretum so as to qualify the shade. Getting two to plant near the deck - one on each side. Also 3 to go out into the Hellstrip. - I had to nix one because it doesn't grow here in our alkaline soil. I can't imagine a nursery near us that grows for alkaline soil. Go figure. My guess, would be that the Red Buckeye not in high demand here since it needs more acid soil. The requirements that I gave for my yard was that they needed to be pollinator friendly. But with my list, I'll have to wait till the next beds are completed before I start thinking "Trees" again. With Leslie Roy providing dappled shade, you might prefer that for your plants. I've spread my pesos as far as I can considering the number of small trees that I'll be planting. Earlier this year, I bought a Pakistani Mulberry that I'm hoping will produce next year. Another idea would be a Pecan tree. They go drought tolerant quickly as well with that long tap root of theirs. But, I'm guessing you already have one of those. Good luck with your decision. I realized that I was late to this party since it was a couple of weeks ago since you posted this question. Of course, you know that everyone is eager to hear the vote on which one you decided upon.