I haven't tested the ph in my orchard, but talking with farmers in the area have found that the entire area is acidic, plus there was sedge grass growing when I cleaned off the orchard area. Sedge grass prefers acidic soil. My trees are only moderately vigorous so I don't think Nitrogen is the problem. I just hate to start another spray schedule. I just thought of something . I need to check if I can tank mix calcium and the effect it would have on stonefruit as I try to use a spray mix that will work on all my trees

This is a unique, beautiful layout, but - Holy Cow - there's way too much going on. Simplify. As others suggest, raise the living room floor and get rid of the step down and railing. It would combine the entry and living room and really open up the space. It would be safer, too, because it's easy to forget situations where there's one or two steps, especially for guests. Paint the brick. Easier and cheaper than drywall and would retain the interesting texture. Lighter color railings would help. The hillbilly front door has got to go.

Oedema is just a reflection of inconsistent watering habits. Here is a very helpful little synopsis on oedema written by our resident container gardening guru: "Oedema Oedema is a physiological disorder that can affect all plants. It occurs when the plant takes up more water than it can rid itself of via the process of transpiration. The word itself means 'swelling', which is usually the first symptom, and comes in the form of pale blisters or water-filled bumps on foliage. Under a variety of circumstances/cultural conditions, a plant's internal water pressure (turgidity) can become so high that some leaf cells rupture and leak their contents into inter-cellular spaces in leaf tissue, creating wet or weepy areas. Symptoms vary by plant, but as the malady progresses, areas of the leaf turn yellow, brown, brown with reddish overtones or even black, with older damage appearing as corky/ scaly/ ridged patches, pitting, or wart/gall-like bumpy growth. Symptoms are seen more frequently in plants that are fleshy, are usually more pronounced on the underside of leaves, and older/lower leaves are more likely to be affected than younger/upper leaves. Oedema is most common in houseplants during the winter/early spring months, is driven primarily by excessive water retention in the soil, and can be intensified via several additional cultural influences. Cool temperatures, high humidity levels, low light conditions, or partial defoliation can individually or collectively act to intensify the problem, as can anything else that slows transpiration. Nutritional deficiencies of Ca and Mg are also known contributors to the malady. Some things that can help you prevent oedema: * Increase light levels and temperature * Monitor water needs carefully – avoid over-watering. I'd heartily recommend a soil with drainage so sharp (fast) that when you to water to beyond the saturation point you needn't worry about prolonged periods of soil saturation wrecking root health/function. Your soil choice should be a key that unlocks the solutions to many potential problems. * Avoid misting or getting water on foliage. It slows transpiration and increases turgidity. * Water as soon as you get up in the AM. When stomata close in preparation for the dark cycle, turgidity builds. If you water early in the day, it gives the plant an opportunity to remove (for its own needs) some of the excess water in the soil. * Put a fan in the room or otherwise increase air flow/circulation. Avoid over-crowding your plants.

Oh, the crocosmia and honeysuckle will be beautiful! If you like purple, years ago I had buddleia and salvia and the butterflies are crazy for them. The salvia is ornamental, I didn't use the leaves in cooking, although there is the sage you can cook with. I do love sage ravioli, but I am not that ambitious any more, and the pine nuts tend to go from the package straight into my mouth! Buddleia smells sort of honey-ish and is lovely to lay right next to, and makes a great cut flower as well. I think if one is going to have flowers, they might as well be something you can enjoy inside as well! I love bird baths, but I worry about stagnant water in the summer because of West Nile Virus. The home center stores sell inexpensive little bubblers you can set up in the bird bath so the water is moving, and the water does attract birds and butterflies, yet no mosquitoes because it is moving. I purchased a little bubbler ages ago when I made a little fountain back when everyone was making one of those because they were supposed to make you feel calm. Well, they did make me feel calm. Until I got to a certain age. And then the sound made me feel like I needed the facilities! Have you thought about wildflowers you can sow from seed (just sprinkle and water and forget about it and watch them bloom) that will just keep re-seeding themselves in your climate? https://www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org/ohio-pollinator-oasis-seed-packet/ https://www.opnseed.com/shop/wildflowers-forbs-(seed)-9543 https://www.ufseeds.com/product/ohio-blend-wildflower-seed/WFOH.html https://www.createdbynature.com/products/ohio-seed-garden