Compost is great, but there's never enough to go around, and sometimes you need soil amendments with a little more punch. The famous organic horticulturist, Alan Chadwick, taught that the best of the animal manures is cow, and I have found that it is a very good material for the soil. It needs to be composted for four or five months before use, but then it provides just the right balance of nitrogen and humus. If adding sand, it is far better to use sharp sand than the stuff that comes out of rivers. Wood chips rob nitrogen out of the soil while they are breaking down, and this process can take years. Peat moss is very acidic, so I would be very carful of adding much of that. Check out the link below to learn about Chadwick's Biodynamic French Intensive system Click on "Techniques" and then on the subject of interest. Here is a link that might be useful: Alan Chadwick

Diane_nl, that is one that I have on my possible list. Anyone have another suggested rose I could add to the list? Strike it Rich Bronze Star

pre-finished is a final coat applied in a factory. Site finished is the final coats applied in your home. Solid hardwood, as opposed to engineered or laminate, can be either factory or site finished. Another element in the mix is whether there is a bevel or not. A bevel is an angle, usually just a microbevel or a small bevel between the boards. A sanding removes the bevel in most cases so a site finished floor usually has no bevels. I personally prefer a no bevel floor as I would be concerned that little specks of hard matter would get in the cracks (accumulate in the bevels). But my concern may not be real and may only be a worry. My dil has a prefinished, bevelled floor and has no dirt in the cracks. So i cannot say for sure, only what is my perception. I think all engineered is pre finished. I think.

lizziesma My current paint colors (2 out of 3) have LRV of 25 or lower, and the plan is to find light neutral grays with LRV above 50 (ideally, around 60). I think that should brighten up the room :) Karen Rose You have a beautiful house!!! Love your paint color. I need to run and grab (another) sample pot!! Rory, SW, PA Love your colors as well! so you have used 2 paints, like I am hoping to. :) They seem to go really well together. cat_ky I have been buying sample pots and paint few boards in each shade, and spread around the house. It is amazing to see how the colors look different, depending on the light, angle AND (surprisingly) size of my paint board!! I have well over a dozen sample pots, and now I find myself not letting my DH know that I have purchased yet another one. lol I wish I could find a good use for the sample paints. What a waste.