It could be chlorosis, are they pale limey green with a darker vein color initially? If your azaleas are chlorotic, you need to determine the cause in order to treat. The common cause is alkaline soil and/or water...do you know the approximate PH of your soil? Azaleas planted too deeply will become chlorotic when surface roots are unable to function. Overwatering and overfertilization can kill enough roots that the remainder supply inadequate amounts of iron. Same with root weevils and nematodes. What kind of mulch have you used? 6" may be deep - possily deep enough to smother roots. If it's a material containing something like sawdust that may pack down, 2" would be recommended; pine needles, shredded oak leaves, looser materials can be layered somewhat deeper.

Tx. Rhizo. Here's a photo (not a great one)... What would I be looking for re potential spider mites...actual little spiders? .....ooops...wait a minute..! ;-) I just went out to really 'inspect' and...it was so easy to miss if you're not looking for it...I DO now see these TEENY WEENY little light green bugs.. are those the spider mites? And if so, what can I do to get rid of them? I currently have some Pyola and Soap Shield (natural bug killers)...I could try those, unless you have another suggestion? Also, I had covered my soil with mulch. Should I NOT have done that? Might the mulch be creating an environment that the spider mites like? Should I remove the mulch? Tku!!!

At this early stage the plant's appearance is the clue to need for fertilizing just as it is to the need for water and/or the treatment for pests. Your post compares several different vegetables all with very different water, pest tolerance, and nutrient needs. Comparisons of that type are very mis-leading so you need to focus on the specific needs of the specific variety. So no I'm not saying fertilize everything just as I wouldn't say water everything all the same. Your beans, radishes, peas, strawberries and peppers require much less N than your tomatoes or lettuce or spinach, The water needs are very different too. But if the tomato plant is fading in color and (1)assuming it hasn't been over-watered (fungus gnats indicate that it has) and that (2) you eliminate the fungus gnats problems ASAP and (3)treat for the aphids then they may recover fine. If they don't then yes, they may well need feeding. In other words, fertilizing isn't your only problem or even your main one right now, just the particular part of your post I addressed in response to your question about your potting mix and container needs in general. OK? Dave

earn44 - I am very impressed w Fireclay. Not only is the tile beautiful, but their customer service has been great so far, cheap samples, fast shipping, and personal emails to ask about my project. I am adjusting my pricing expectations and thinking that $35/sq ft isn't so bad! Thanks everyone for talking me out of the shapes, that saves $10/sq ft! Speaking of Fireclay, I'm back on board w Kelp potentially, I've been reading through many of the Craftsman kitchen threads on here and lunarlab's kitchen thread. The Kelp pic she posted on this thread is one of the many in her reveal thread, and shows the color quite differently. Hope you don't mind me posting this lunarlab, it is gorgeous! pippiep - I read through your threads on tile, I feel like you've saved me so much work and samples! I like the Leaf Peeper tile, but the Basil is just so much more vibrant and appealing to me. Checked out the Vermeere at Complete Tile, but paying for shipping is stopping me from ordering samples. Does anyone else balk at these silly expenses, that are so small in the scheme of things! More thoughts later ... thanks everyone for your ideas and feedback!