Hi Nina, "I buy packets that show large, full blooms and when they bloom they are about half the suggested size and one layer of petals instead of three or more." Some seed companies buy their seeds from growers who do not spend the extra money to hire people to rogue their fields, and the zinnia varieties "run out" under those conditions. Generally, the seeds in packets on seed racks are not the best. "I have bought several packets that show bluish purple and when they bloom they are always magenta or towards pink. I don't really believe there is a bluish zinnia." The color pictures on seed packets are not reliable and, even if they were pretty good to start with, the ink colors aren't lightfast, and some colors fade with exposure to sunlight. In general, seed racks are not a good place to store seeds. I have even seen seed packets that were water damaged, but still for sale in a home store. The best way to purchase seeds is by mail order or online sale from a reputable seed company. Higher prices do not always ensure higher quality, but lower prices usually mean lower seed quality. You stand a better chance of getting quality seed if you buy from a seed company that also sells to commercial growers. "I don't really believe there is a bluish zinnia." There are bluish zinnias, but they are not for sale commercially. As a person who grows zinnias as a hobby, I can assure you that there are lots of zinnias that you can't get commercially. I don't think there will be a true blue zinnia until blue genes (I always think of blue jeans when I say that) from other flowers that have true blues are added to zinnias by genetic engineering. That has already been done to get blue roses. But in the meantime, there are bluish lavender zinnias that actually look sky blue when they first open in the shade. But on exposure to sun, that color turns to a lavender. They are not available commercially. "Does anyone know if it could be a deficiency?" Zinnia buds and blooms can be seriously harmed by certain nutrient deficiencies. For the best results, use a soluble nutrient formula that contains a complete range of macronutrients and micronutrients. That includes the usual nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium as well as magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Plants, including zinnias, also need quite a lot of calcium, which unfortunately is almost always absent from soluble nutrient formulas. Hydroponics growers almost always supply calcium as calcium nitrate to their plants. Garden soil usually contains some calcium, but not always enough for zinnias (or tomatoes). If you have previously added lime or gypsum to your garden soil, it should contain enough calcium. If I see calcium deficiency symptoms in my zinnias (and I do from time to time), I include some calcium nitrate in their foliar spray. Foliar feeding is a good way to make sure your zinnias get the nutrients they need. If I see boron deficiency symptoms, I add a little extra boron in the form of boric acid in my foliar spray. You have to be careful with boron, because it doesn't take a lot of it to reach a toxicity level. I also supply a little cobalt and nickel to my indoor zinnias, but there is usually enough of those in garden soil. And it is beneficial to supply soluble silicon to zinnias, to increase the strength of their cell walls, which makes for stronger stems and leaves, which contributes to disease resistance. Rice growers frequently supply soluble silicon in their fertilizer, because it is important for rice stems to be strong to keep the seedheads out of the water. It may seem counter-intuitive, but sand is not a way to supply silicon. I use a solution of potassium silicate to supply soluble silicon to my zinnias. ZM

The fruits of your labor will be rewarded by doing the so called boring stuff first. Instant gradification for this project will come with great disappiontment. So you are on the right track. If you want those roses sooner try growing in the large pots as you say. Put in an area that won't get in the way of the project area. You can also dig holes and place those pot in the holes to be lifted and planted when ready. Some can be placed above ground level and some placed in dug holes. Kind of a win win. Don't forget to use annuals to also give great color and interest during the growing season. It is a compramise you may beable to live with. I agree get pics of before during and after. Watch it evolve I think you will be suprised and quite pleased with the results.

1. Cost to build: It is much cheaper to fit metal pipes before pouring a slab rather than after the structure is completely framed. 2. Cold water pipes are prone to condensation when the dew point is above the water temperature. Many parts of the country experience dew points in the 70's all summer long, and the cold water temperature is in the 60's or colder. Put the water pipe in the attic, where the temperature and humidity are not controlled, and you will have big time condensation issues. Inside the house or inbetween floors, the air conditioning dries out the air and lowers the dewpoint so the condensation is not an issue as often. But in warm moist places like bathrooms it is common to have condensation issues with the toilet tank and line. You do not want condensation in the attic.

Oh, I'm sorry everything seems so tough right now. I had a crying jag a few weeks ago, partly because I worry about dd1 who is staying in India for several months and partly, I'm sure, because of hormones. I'm 49-- are you at that point? I don't mean to offend if you're younger!! Yes, Kat is right on all points, especially pushing you to see a doctor and getting your dh to take his meds. A screwy thyroid can really mess with the emotions. Does he say why he won't take them? There was a long thread about them recently and it was full of interesting information, especially that Synthroid doesn't help some people. We do worry about our little chickies, don't we? It's so easy for me to tell others that all will be well, but I tend to get worked up over my own when I should let them be. How is Sydney liking college so far? I left for a week just after you wrote about taking her to school-- I'm sure she'll have a great time and do well. Sounds like your ds has his feet on the ground and both of your kids are making you proud. I try to remind myself that things usually do look brighter in the morning because I can become more anxious/depressed when I'm tired. I'll make one suggestion that helps me: if you can't sleep, go watch a good sitcom or funny movie! Things WILL look better in the morning.