An Honest Question
amylou321
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (74)
Related Discussions
Fertilizing: Organic? Synthietic?
Comments (22)Synthetic fertilizers like 10-10-10 will not harm you. As noted above, they are not to be confused with pesticides (not that these necessarily will harm you either -- but that is a much more complicated issue). There are reasons not to use them, some which are mentioned above: problems about sustainability (they are made from oil or gas ultimately); they are like a quick fix for plants; it has been argued that plants grown with them do not have the nutrient levels of those grown with organic fertilizers (by which I mean non-synthetic ones); it is said they ruin the soil. But all these claims must be looked at in context. If you use cottonseed meal, for example, it will have been grown, probably using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; it is heavy and must be trucked from where cotton is grown -- so who knows which comes out on top in regards to sustainability. They are a quick fix for plants, and organic fertilizers that release nutrients more slowly are preferable, but some plants like to get a lot of nutrients quickly and some need a lot. As for nutrient levels in food, if you under fertilize with organic fertilizers or the nutrients are unbalanced you could easily have the same result -- there is some sad looking organic produce sold at farmers markets. They will only ruin the soil if this is the only input to the soil you make, but you are adding compost and if you do this and use a synthetic fertilizer in reasonable amounts you should have no problems. The bottom line: don't beat yourself up on this. Sounds like what you are doing will work just fine. If you like, try different methods on the same kinds of plants and see what, if any difference, it makes....See MoreQuestions about time...Sept happenings?
Comments (18)I am not retired, though I am TIRED! I work full-time and for the past five years have gone to school at nights trying to get into nursing school. I haved raised two boys, though the youngest is in college baseball, and I have spent many springs at the ballfield doing my homework and not my gardening. I plan to only take classes during fall and winter untill I get into nursing school, so my garden will be looking a lot better next year. I am one of those on- and off-again posters (mostly off). I have been posting on the Garden Web for many, many years--back to the days when Spike ran the joint and there were only a handful of forums. I stopped for a while when they began charging a fee to belong to the Garden Web (it was a long time ago, if my memory serves me right). I check back in every so often, but have been avidly lurking and then posting since school got out last spring. I love the people on the Cottage Garden forum the most, though you will see them popping up on other forums from time to time. These are the nicest people and SO much knowledge all in one place! I have been gardening for about 12 years and devouring gardening books for about as long, and I don't know half of what these people know. It's really great to be able to share a passion for growing things with these lovely people and learn something to boot. The thing that facilitated my lengthier return this time is the laptop my husband bought me for a celebration gift when he (erroneously) thought I got accepted to nursing school. I take the darn thing to bed with me and get caught up on email, these forums, and other things. Even though I haven't been posting much or for long, I really cherish reading what you all have to say. It really makes my day (or rather--night!). Pat...See More'Previous Life'
Comments (10)I am in my first marriage and have several 'previous lives' since I became an adult (legal age). I was a teenage mom that had dropped out of high school and worked in fast food. (I went back & finished through the adult school) I later moved in with a BF for several years. In that life, I was a student and mom to six kids. I worked at a department store when the kids were small. Then my life transitioned when I started working in social services. Once I had a regular work schedule and the kids were school aged, I volunteered in the community more, lead the scouts for my boys, and spent most of my time driving my kids to sports, dance, & scouts. Then I became single again and was a struggling single parent with teenagers. I had health problems and then I resigned my 'desk' job to be my own boss. In this life, I am a wife, a mom to grown kids, a step mom & run my own business. It's very different than all of my previous lives. Some of the people in my past lives don't even recognize me anymore. My husband has his previous lives too. He isn't the same person he was when he was married before. Or when he was with his daughter's mom. Or when he was a single dad. In my opinion, the phrase 'previous life' is only talking about a life that doesn't exist anymore. It is not disrespectful for the people in that life. The ex wife and the children had that same previous life and now their life is different too. It's only negative if you intend to use it as a negative. My children have been a part of all my previous lives and they have their own perceptions of it. I think it would be far worse to refer or to say 'previous family' as they are still a part of your family. One of the things that upset kids when a parent remarries, is the fear that they may somehow be replaced by the new or second family. Instead, they should be be made to feel a part of the new family, because they are....See MoreSincere Question - Why Participate?
Comments (88)I've made a few comments elsewhere, but I think it is appropriate to put my 2 c's in here. Soilent_green, I've had to wrestle with the same question you've asked as I watched SSE morph into something far different than the organization I joined. Many have chosen to leave there also, rather than accept the changes. I respect their right to decide based upon their own principles, but I've decided to stay in SSE for the same reason I've decided to stay here: Not because I support the ownership, or the policies, or the website, or any of the other trivial annoyances that came with the transition... but because I value the community. I decided that withdrawing my seeds from SSE out of protest would hurt the wrong people... which is the many sincere young gardeners who joined with the expectation of learning to be better gardeners & seed savers. The situation here is no different. I doubt that Houzz will be damaged by those who choose to leave, but there are a lot of great people who would be just a little less informed in their absence. Any harm caused by leaving falls disproportionately on those who least deserve it. And just for the record, Houzz seems to be making a sincere effort to address many of the problems that have been brought up, and to make us all more comfortable with the transition. There have already been several positive changes, and there has been direct communication with many members over their concerns - self included. It would behoove us to consider that this site could have been turned over to far less responsive management. I participate in garden forums because I have a passion for gardening, and hope to inspire some of that passion in others (and to find greater inspiration myself). Sometimes change makes the conversation more difficult... but it is still a conversation worth having, even if it means tolerating situations not necessarily to our liking. A lot of sharing and preservation has happened here, and many wonderful friendships have been formed over the years. Isn't that worth something? Do we cut & run so easily, or do we put up with the inconvenience (changing what we can) and do our best to preserve what has been special about this community? I agree with those who have made the comparison to gardening in spite of weeds, insects, disease, or inclement weather. We overcome those obstacles and frustrations because in the end, what we gain from success makes it all worthwhile. So Soilent_green (and other long-time contributers) why should you stay? Because you have knowledge to contribute, and many friends here who appreciate that. Because I & others have enjoyed your sage counsel, and because if many of those who have contributed to the vibrant community that was Gardenweb choose to leave, then the site might as well have gone dark. It would be a shame to have dodged one potential tragedy - that of a total site shutdown - only to replace it with another tragedy of our own making. I don't care what color the "houzz" is outside, I care about the company inside. I hope you will choose to stay....See Moreamylou321
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoamylou321
4 years agoamylou321
4 years agolittlebug zone 5 Missouri
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoamylou321 thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouriamylou321
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Related Stories
UNIVERSAL DESIGN10 Questions to Ask Before Sharing Your Home With Aging Parents
Honest conversation is key to deciding whether it makes sense to have your parents move in with you
Full StoryMOST POPULAR8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer
Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSE15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent
Here’s what you should find out before selecting an agent to sell your home
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN7 Tricky Questions to Ask When Planning Your New Kitchen
Addressing these details will ensure a smoother project with personalized style
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROS12 Questions Your Interior Designer Should Ask You
The best decorators aren’t dictators — and they’re not mind readers either. To understand your tastes, they need this essential info
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESSurvive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions
Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGCan’t Figure Out What ‘Sparks Joy’? Try This Question Instead
If you can’t decide whether to keep something or let it go, shift your perspective to find the answer
Full StoryDECLUTTERING5 Questions to Overcome a Decluttering Roadblock
A professional organizer shares questions that can help you decide what to do with those items in your ‘maybe keep’ pile
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDES13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation
No one knows you better than yourself, so to get the remodel you truly want, consider these questions first
Full StoryORGANIZING4 Questions to Help You Organize Your Favorite Photos
Organize your keeper photos with a system that's just right for you, whether it's in the cloud or you can hold it in your hand
Full StoryLeading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida
joyfulguy