Hello! I hope this isn't rude to piggyback, but I just had a couple questions about the screen size. I thought in the original direx for gritty mix, it said this (I'm not putting in the bits about fertilizer, just the particle stuff): "1 part uncomposted screened pine or fir bark (1/8-1/4") 1 part screened Turface 1 part crushed Gran-I-Grit (grower size) or #2 cherrystone" Now, did that mean that we want all 3 ingredients to be between 1/8 and 1/4 inch? Or are there different sizes for the other 2 ingredients? Because somewhere on one of these threads, someone asked if it should be screened so that you have "1/8" screen for grit and Turface and 1/4 for the pine bark?" Which confused the heck out of me. We want them around the same size, I thought. Again, apologies if this is rude. It's just that every time I think I'm getting close, I realize there's some other really important and complicated aspect I don't understand. Once I get this particle size business down, I'm going to go with some sort of bark/DE thing, and just hope for the best. (At least, I think that's what I'll do. Can't have a heavy mix. Need lots of water retention.) Well, I hope this wasn't obnoxious. These screen how-tos are fantastic!!! I had thought it would be too hard but this makes it seem doable. So, thank you!!!

Good job with your toms. A couple of my early plants have very small fruit, while others are still putting out their first blossoms. Like your White Swan Ech. After two years of trying, I finally got one WS seedling this year so I hope to have more in the coming years. They would go nicely with Jade. I know what you mean about Wsing and room. Last year, I ripped out a whole lot of things and made room for 'new arrivals' this year. I am also WSing perennials for my neighbour, who just bought the house two doors down and is trying to create a garden for his two kids. He is a single father and works, so I'm giving him a hand. I just love to grow plants - it's the miracle of seeing that little seed grow that gives me so much joy. Aren't we lucky!!

Hi Westcoastj - My pepper crop here in the Seattle area is looking great so far. Much will depend on whether we have a rain-free August or not. A little rain would be nice, but too much will cause disease. I forget what the disease I get in the fall is - I think its Phytophothora. It causes upper leaves and branches to turn black and die back, and then some fruit die also. I've got my fingers crossed that doesn't happen too soon. I have 64 plants of about 38 varieties this year. I'm big on Italian sweet peppers and have 'Corno Di Toro', Giant Marconi', 'Atris', 'Palladio' and Jimmy Nardello'. These are all loaded with fruit this year. Nothing red (or yellow in Palladio's case) yet. I also have about 5-6 Thai or Chinese hot peppers which are all setting fruit. They're fairly long season so I will need at least a month, and better two, for good ripe fruit. I have Kung Pao, Orange Thai, Orange Fogo, Red Demon and Thai Dragon growing. Other than that I have a variety of Jalapenos (3 kinds), Poblano/Anchos (4 kinds), Pasilla, Pimiento (2 types), Paprika Supreme, Spanish Spice, Key West Cubanelle, etc. I'm impressed your habaneros are doing so well. Mine have just barely set fruit. Its barely even visible through the faded flower petals. This is despite starting them in a greenhouse and having a warm summer so far. Good luck with your pepper efforts!

Looks like it's going to be very homey! I feel a little bad when I think of the condition our house has been in while our kids were growing up. Now that our daughter is a senior in HS, we're finally getting to the kitchen. When she comes home from college it'll be to a nicer house than she ever lived in. But spending time with them was always the priority, so a lot of good family memories were in the spare, unfinished house! A little OT, but something about your pictures brought up that bittersweet thought.