I for some reason put more emphasis on texture or in many spots in my garden with shallow soil raising the level. I have also used grass clippings on top of newspaper. And Rose Tone. Occasionally Composted Cow Manure and some Milorganite. Then I have several old coompost piles that have been lying there overgrown with vines, covered with fallen tree branches and otherwise somewhat inaccessible. In short I have been too lazy to get at them. I promise to do that whenever the soil thaws. I've had at least a couple of soil samples done by Cornell that I find not very useful. Both have come back with the conclusion that NPK is high. Organic level 4.6%, no comment as to whether this is high, low or adequate. The analysis posted on GW brought a response that the iron level, 7#/ acre, was low. Have been adding iron lately that seems to help. I notice in checking the last one that the pH is on the low side, 6.2. Might be a problem so will add lime again. Anyway I'll give a lot more attention to adding organic matter!

Kim, I accept/appreciate the sentiment conveyed in your above post. I continue to feel, though, that if one must use Holy Writ to justify a position OR to instruct others, then it's important (especially given the tenor of our times) to be very sure that whatever divine dictum invoked is quoted with accuracy. With all due respect, I think you've read into the verse you cited something that simply isn't there. That directive & its accompanying promise appear multiple times in both Testaments. In every instance (and in all of the several translations I'm aware of) the adjective modifying "long life" is either "thy" or "your", NEVER "their". So, everybody, we can lighten up and be of good cheer -- God is not going to off mom & dad before their time simply 'cause (like me) you were an insufferable young hellian. On the other hand, as a result of those juvenile trangressions, we maturing delinquents may rapidly (and deservedly?) be approaching our own personal, sadly premature end of days. :-) Since, unfortunately, we're in the mode, I might as well remind the peeved here of the sacred injunction regarding the casting of stones (that would be John 8:7). To any who maintain that they were never in the grips of an irrational snit with a parent (and vocal about it) allow me to say this: Get real. I don't believe a word of it.

WOW!!! I know that was a hard thing to do. I kept waiting for the Polydamas butterflies to find my calico vine but they didn't touch it this year. It took me a while to finally give in and cut back one of the vines that had latched onto a light pole on the other side of my fence. That one worked it's way up to the top of the pole and it was covering the transformer - figured I better cut it down before it caused a power outage!!! Have yet to cut back my yellow morning glory vine though...that one has covered two 16 foot long fence panels, covered a 10 foot tall pony palm and worked its way up into my neighbor's oak tree :o) That's what he gets for allowing the branches hang over into my yard :o) ~ Cat

Marie - Progress! Itn't it great? ********************* The newspapers need to go! Are there any drop-off bins for them? If you find a bin along a route you often take, you can mke it go along with shopping ... papers go out to make room for groceries in. If your area is just not easy to recycle in, and there are no organizations that have "paper drives" ... trash them. ADS: The ads are short-term promotions. There will be more with the next newspaper. Would this work? 1. Coupons for things you buy? Cut them out and put them in a coupon wallet. Discard the rest of the ads. 2. Ads for things you need REAL SOON! Clip the ad for that thing and put it in your wallet as a reminder to buy it. Discard the rest of the ads. Throw out the ad as soon as you buy the product. 3. Ads for things you will need eventually (if you are planning a remodel or refurnish), or ads for "I can make that!" items. Clip the ad for that thing and put it in a folder labeled "Future Furniture" or whatever as a reminder to buy it. Discard the rest of the ads. Notice that you are only keeping the few square inches of paper that is of interest, not 8 sheets of it. With this approach, I turn a stack of Sunday ads into 15-20 coupons, and maybe a clip in a file folder of gardening ideas. A whole home and garden magazine becomes a few additions to the recipe folder and a clipping in a "How to" folder. ******** "filled a large garbage bag with unneeded stuff. It's in the corner of the garage for now because there are things in there that my kids might need for their kitchens." How old are the kids? Unless they are within a year or so of moving out, the stuff might not be worth the space it's taking up. And storing in bags doesn't work well - they don't stack tidily and the stuff breaks. If it's worth keeping, store it securely in boxes that stack. ********* "5-drawer filing cabinet" Storing at the point of need tends ot keep clutter down more than a huge storage place that isn't convenient.