I never soak the bark for the gritty mix, but I make sure the bark is moist when I make the 5:1:1 mix. The 5:1:1 mix can become hydrophobic (water repellant) and hard to rewet when it dries down to less than 30% water content. (Soils feel dry to the touch as the ingredients start to fall below about 40% water content). To combat this, I moisten the bark and the perlite before I mix all the ingredients. The peat will lose its water repellency overnight as the moisture from the bark and perlite diffuses in the mix and 'breaks' the peat's tendency to repel water. Even if the gritty mix is completely dry and the bark very hydrophobic, you can still wet the soil because the Turface sucks up water quickly, and it also clings to the surface of the grit. The water in the Turface and on the grit then diffuses into the bark, breaking its water repellency. The next time you water, whether it be in an hour or after a couple of days, the bark will readily absorb water. Like Josh mentioned, the only advantage in pre-wetting the bark is if you intend to soak the planting in a tub in order to wet it. When you do this while the bark is dry, the dry bark will want to float like a cork and often floats to the top of the soil, but not nearly as much when the mix is partially moistened. Al

Well, considering that I have a few things going on in vodka bottles, I'd have to say use them. I cleaned them a banshee, and I hope they do well. Of course, I do stop to take a "whiff" every now and then when I check the babies. No buzz there, but this rosemary better be 80 proof!

Ree, Well, I ran an empty load with hot water and a little bleach last night, then I left the door open all night. I also took the FS dispenser out and washed it really good and let it soak in water in the sink all night. (My washer is a top loader with a FS dispenser that sits on top of the agitator). The washer seemed to smell clean. The FS dispenser smelled better but still had the vinegar smell. So I think that is my culprit. My dispenser holds about 3/4 cup of liquid. I usually put in the suggested amount of FS, then fill the rest with water. When I put in the vinegar, I used 1/2 cup and the rest with water. Next time I think I will use less vinegar, more water and see how that goes. I don't want to give up on this vinegar thing. Maybe after I order the Charlie's Soap, that also might make a difference. My washer and dryer are almost 8 1/2 years old now and still in good condition, so until they go kaput, they will do till then. By the way, how do you like the frontloader? And what kind do you have?

I have a 2014 LG front loader and my wife has been using white vinegar with every load, not a lot, just poured into the fabric softener and bleach dispensers (we didn't know about not using vinegar in the wash cycle which is when the bleach dispenser is released).. Two years in, the dispenser drawer started to leak out of the front. Then rust streaks started to appear under the dispenser. .. A few more years went by and I decided it was time to take the washer apart to clean the door gasket and try to find out why the dispenser was leaking.. What I found was the hose that goes from the back of the dispenser to the tub was badly deformed, looking like it was partially melted. The crumpled and restricted hose obviously caused the dispenser fluids to back-up and leak out of the front. .. Once I got the front door panel off, I could see that the lower main tub drain hose was also deformed and restricted. I was surprised the washer still functioned. Upper hose Lower hose The only products that have gone into the machine are liquid detergent and vinegar (vinegar was also used for the tub clean cycle). This is regular white vinegar you buy at the grocery store. I found this on LG's website: Can vinegar damage your Washing Machine? Yes, vinegar can harm rubber parts inside a Washing Machine, which will eventually lead to leaks if used too often. Whilst washing your clothes with vinegar is a cost-effective, natural way to soften and deodorize fabrics, avoid using it in your washer too frequently. Only use it sporadically when deep cleaning the machine. Can't be 100% sure, but the vinegar we used is the prime suspect. I replaced the hoses and stopped using vinegar. So far, the issue has not returned. Perhaps LG (and others) should make higher quality rubber for their products?