Trillium, Compost is very much a product of time, and of course input. It is very hard to get the numbers mentioned "7.2N6.2P6K kg ha-1" referred to as "Starter Solution Technology" in compost. These numbers are for seed crops or short term crops so don't worry to much about the numbers. Just use compost from the most diverse input such as a yardwaste compost facility, varied input will lead to a better chance that you have the micronutrients mentioned. AND most soils have the micronutrients. Now to low quality compost, something from a simple input such as composted horse manure will be good but probably not have the numbers to qualify as SST which is a combination of inputs to get to the numbers that have been determined to work best with a specific such as tomatoes or corn, etc. AND they have to make it work right now this season and don't enjoy the time we have with a perennial garden. Look at a field or forest, who fertilizes them, God will take care of it if we add organic matter. Denny, "What is the best compost?" Truly you give me more credit that I deserve. Now to the question, whatever is cheap and varied as possible. Everything you are doing and have is great except the Osmocote that was developed for pot culture and very expensive for the soil, BTW beer is great as well as soft drinks. "Is there a proven mix for the best compost?" The expense of composting is much greater than someone outside the business could understand and everyone assumes it is all free so the selling price is held down. I made an effort to seek out a varied input but that can't always be controlled. "Are the fomentioned nutrients in compost or must they be added?" They would test the compost then add to reach the numbers, doing this in volume for a short term crop can work but not for something like hosta and it hasn't been studied so one must guess. Add as many things as you can get your hands on, mulch, manure, coffee ground, grass clippings, anything that will decompose and throw it on the surface. Is this more than you wanted to hear?

Eric, While I in no way consider myself an expert, I know enough about propagation to have some thoughts/questions/comments..... 1.You are using the term "cloning" pretty losely. I believe you are propagating "asexually" by cuttings. The chance of a branch sport or "deranged" genetic material has a much higher probability in what you are doing compared to say "tissue culture"...which is about the closest plant people have to "cloning". 2.In the shrub/tree/plant world, I have often heard propagators, who have been in the buisness for many years, comment on over a long period of time...a plant loses its vigor/root-ability and is more prone to propagation "issues". I have never seen work or research on this...but it is normally referanced to plants that are popular, produced in large numbers and have been around for many years (Weigela Java Red comes to mind). No consistancy to the comments...just a few species/cultivars here and there. But back to question/comment 1...the chance of changed genetic material is a lot higher in what you are doing. 3. It is hard, in my mind, to compare sexual-vs-asexual propagation and how it effects genetic material.....two different worlds and sciences. Schmoo

Hi, ideamom...yup, we sure do have the same taste! :) Thanks for your kind words, never did I imagine that I'd ever build on a property like this and I guess it will seem more real when something happens like BREAKING GROUND (impatient sigh). :-p Anyway, don't feel like you have to "match" all the light fixtures in your home if you like more than one collection, I think it's part of what makes a custom home "custom" (JMHO). After my DH and I discussed lighting, we decided to use Belcaro in our entry/foyer, gallery, terminus, living and dining room. For our master suite, we are going with Bellasera. We also found another line for the kitchen, nook and great room, it's the R.A.M. Lighting Monaco Series. For the rest of the home, it's still TBD, but I think each bedroom suite will be different, as well as the wine room, game room, home theater and office. Anyway, you can see our lighting selections on our home-building website at VineyardAvenue.com (just click on "Decor"). I'll be adding much more to the site as the time progresses! Here is a link that might be useful: Our lighting selections...so far!

Yes, if you lean that way, meaning eating more fruits and vegetables, you'll be healthier, and a good place to get ideas for eating healthier. But his diet? As I said on the other thread, if you're supposed to get 60% of your daily calories from nonstarchy vegetables, that's something like 34 cups of cooked kale a day. Good luck with that....