When you applied the lime, and which lime, could have an affect on how things grew. If done shortly before planting the lime would not have had time to make any change in the soils pH and many nutrients would not be available to the plants. Lime, to have much affect on the soils pH, needs to be applied several months before that change is desired. Contact your local office of your state universities USDA Cooperative Extension Service about having a good, reliable soil test done and also dig in with these simple soil tests, Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. to see what your soil looks like and what you need to do to make that soil into a good, healthy soil.

"Lumens" refers to the total energy emitted by the bulb in a narrow range centered at green. There is no practical way to measure this at the leaf surface. Just because a bulb generates light, does not mean it efficiently delivers that light to the leaf surface. To measure intensity at leaf surfaces, you would need a light meter; these measure light intensity in Lux (European) or Footcandles (British/American). Usually light meters will measure both. The light you have is barely sufficient for the area where you want to grow. You would be better off with a 100w Ceramic Metal Halide with electronic ballast. This package retails for about $150. With this light, you would get about 2-3 times the growth compared to your fluorescents.

Is there any chance that you could change out the window and door to the sunroom into a pair of french doors? I think it would be a lovely look there, and make much more sense perhaps. You could re-use the drapery if you desired, just hanging the panels on either end. You might consider changing out the spindles to iron spindles or iron decorative panels of some kind. I think the piano is wonderful, and if that is the only place for it, so be it. I would try to tuck it down into the corner a bit more, and take down the sconces. The tall mirror would be wonderful leaning on the wall there, at the keyboard end of the piano, where the bench is. I agree with opening the piano to give it presence, and then adding a wonderful floor lamp near the mirror. I would think about taking the foyer piece and putting that in the DR once the bookcases leave. Then you could put two of the side chairs, one on each side of that, and use the sconces from the piano wall there. By moving two of the side chairs and taking out a leaf or two, you could get your table centered under the chandelier. Rather than putting the flat screen to the left of the fireplace, I would think about putting it on the wall where the tall mirror is now, and orienting the furniture to that. It will fit better with the fireplace and the bookcase if you want a sectional from which everyone can see the TV, and still enjoy the fireplace. The sectional would start from the side where the secretary is, and the other leg would face the fireplace. Replacing the carpeting will make a big difference in the feel of the room. Wood is nice if you can do it, but a neutral berber will create a lighter feeling in the room. A soft grey-green on the walls would seem to work with the fireplace stone and also the wood tones in the room.

Jillian, You have a lovely home. Apple-pie gave great advice. I think with those beautiful warm wood floors you might need a more neutral gray or greige paint. If you want me to choose one of your grays. I will have to say Repose Gray because it has a hint of warm beige in it that might work better with your floors. BUT.....that gray can look purple. I like the idea that Sara S had about priming a wall and choosing the right color rather than go over the colors you have. It is hard to see a colors undertones with teal or purple or yellow or really any color that might take away from the gray shade you are searching for. I know you will find the right gray. Those beautiful wood floors deserve a gray that will bring out the beauty. Visit a few blogs that talk about gray paints and how to choose them. Repose Gray Blog Warm orange floors and gray paint (blog) Fabulous warm gray paint colors And then find out how much light you have (natural or not) and think about the directions your rooms face. I am sure you will find the perfect color. I am looking at Balboa Mist and Shale for my own space. Shale is a little darker but I think it will work with my dark chocolate floors where Balboa works even better with warm golden floors. ~boxer