tox, It's a good point, but target plant selectivity is a hallmark of herbicide development. What everyone wants is high effectiveness with only the target plant, and no effect on the crop being protected. For clopyralid, as an example, forage and grass hays are permitted a residual level of 500 ppm. We know that tomatoes are sensitive to levels of 30 ppb in the soil. If you couple that kind of effective selectivity with some environemtal persistence, then the stage gets set for someone, somewhere to have an issue. edit - To illustrate the point -- if the half life for degradation were 30 days (about the average for clopyralid), and the soil level were 10 ppm, then by my calculation it would take ~9 months for that 10 ppm to decay to a level of While farmers did use to love the persistent aspect, many are now questioning the desirability because of how their options can get cut when faced with a need for crop rotation. That hit ND wheat farmers when scab became an issue. I have heard anecdotally that WI dairy farmers in some areas are now prohibited from exporting their manures off-farm, and many are running out of places to keep the stuff. My suspicion is that market forces in the ag world may set a new direction before EPA and registration become a major issue. This post was edited by TXEB on Thu, May 2, 13 at 12:44

Thanks for the info y'all. I have used staw bales before that I left out to get rained on to sprout all the seeds in them, so they wouldn't sprout in my garden. Mulching potatos this way produced some of the best potatos I've ever eaten, and what fun it was to run out before dinner and dig up a few crispy fresh Yukon Gold's right out of my own garden! Right now, since I am a single lady, my problem is getting the spoiled hay or straw from point A...the farmer or rancher's barn or whatever...to point B...my garden :( But, I'll look around as per some of your great suggestions and see what I can come up with :) However, right now I am preservering and on top of the mushroom compost and peat moss, I'm using a bunch of last year's dead grass clippings that I'd piled up, some of which were partially composting, and I am breathing prayers that there is no fungus in this material to affect my potato plants which are growing like crazy. Afterwards, I lightly dusted with Bonide Copper Fungicide, which I hope will control any potential fungus, and that it won't do more harm than good. Also, even though the plants look healthy with no sign of potato bugs, "something" seems to be nibbling the edges of some of my plants. If it gets worse, I'm going to have to fight back rather than have all my hard work destroyed by some trespassor! Another question I have is, when do I stop adding more compost, hay, straw or other mulching material on top of these fast growing potato plants? None of them have started blooming yet.

ARS 2010 OFFICIAL ROSE Supplement, February 2011 By Ronald Schwerdt 2-28-2011 Registered and/or unregistered roses with ARS Approved Exhibition Names (AEN�s), missing from ARS 2010 Official List and/or Modern Roses 12. Lists are posted on the last day of each month, remaining valid until ARS publically publishes something to the contrary. (1) ARS Approved Exhibition Name (AEN), or temp. (AEN). (2) Color Classification. 3) ICRA-R Recent Rose Registrant (4) Rose magazine registrations (X) Yellow, are new or rose changes this month. (XX) Blue 7-31-2010, 11-5-2010 & 1-17-2011 have AEN�s, but not listed on ARS�s IRAR-R "Recent Registrations" website. Many are listed in the Combined Rose List (CRL), with a temp. (AEN). THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL ARS PUBLICATION MODERN ROSES HYBRID TEAS: (HT) Almost Heaven pb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 Always And Forever (XX) dr, 1-17-2011 Amelia HT, mp, 4-20-2010 Arjuna HT, mr, 3/12/2010, 5/2010 Ayumi HT, my, 2010 Brenda Marlene HT, pb, 1-21-2011 Baqi Billah Maulama Shaykh Nazim Betty Knight Scripps HT, m, 2010 Betty�s Smile (X) HT, lp, 2/9/2011 Black Berry HT, dr, 2009 Big Hearted HT, m, 1-21-2011 Bloom of Ruth (XX) lp, 2010, 7-31-2010 Bold and Beautiful pb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 Brother Jack HT, pb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 Brumildavan Rensburg HT, lp, 2009 Buckwheat HT, ob, 2009>>>(M/F) Carolina Pride HT, mr, 3-12-2010, 5/2010 Casey Alexandra HT, ob, 7-7-2010, Champagne Celebration HT, ab, 2010 Cool as Ice HT, m, 1-21-2011 Colour Buffet pb, 2008>>>>(S) Crescendo HT, pb, 2011, 1-17-2011 Dalen�s Delight mp, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Deepwater HT, m, 2009 Delray HT, pb, 7-10-2010, Delightful Blessings HT, w, 7-9-2010, Desert Magic HT, pb, 3-2011 Diane�s Delight HT, rb, 7-7-2010, Domina (X) HT, w, 2/9/2011 Double Exposure HT, yb, 7-7-2010, Ducat Ht, my, 2009 East Park (XX) HT, lp, 7-31-2010 Every Good Gift HT, mr, 7-7-2010, Fairest One (XX) rb, 2010, 1-17-2011 Father�s Love HT, 2009 First Lady A ly, 4-20-2010 Fortitude (X) HT, dp, 2/9/2011 Garden Director Bartje Miller rb, 4-20-10 Gem Star HT, pb, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Grandma Dee HT, rb, 7-7-2010, Heavenly Touch yb, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Hey Jack HT, yb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 His Redeeming Love (X) HT, yb, 2/9/2011 Honley Male Voice Choir 10-13-2010 Ireta Ellis (X) HT, dp, 2/9/2011 J&P Cabernet (XX) HT, 2011, 1-17-2011 J&P Chardonnay (XX) w, 2011, 1-17-2011 J&P Sangria (XX) HT, w, 2011, 1-17-2011 Jim-Z HT, rb, 4-20-2010 Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe HT, dp, Joy Unspeakable HT, w, 7-7-2010, Julischka HT, ob, 2010 Jycinda Maree HT, LP, 7-7-2010, Kabookie (X) X, dp, 2/9/2011 Katie Louise Ray HT, r, 7-10-2010, Koishi Hama mr, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 La Rose Des 4 Vents HT, lp, 2008 Lady Nefer Guinevere HT, dr, 3-12-2010 Laetitia Casta HT, pb, 2010 Laura V. HT, pb, 7-7-2010, Lemon Lexie HT, yb, 4-20-2010 Let�s Dance mp, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Love Everlasting HT, pb, 7-7-2010 Love�s Kiss (XX) HT, pb, 1-17-2011 Loveable HT, yb, 7-26-2010 Ludwig HT, 7-28-2010>>>S, 9-2-2010 Loving You (X) HT, w, 2/9/2011 Ma Normandie HT, pb, 2010 Madeline (X) HT, yb, 2/9/2011 Maid of Dignity HT, op, 1997 Magical Moment (X) HT, ab, 2/9/2011 Martina Mondadori HT, pb, 2007 Mon Petit Chou HT, dp, 2010 Marylou Whitney (X) HT, lp, 2/9/2011 Mr Caleb HT, mr, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 My Lady Barbara HT, pb, 3-1-2010 Mysterieuse HT, m, 2010 Natali HT, dp, 2010 Pacific Celebration HT, yb, 7-7-2010, Natalie Ann (X) HT, m, 2/9/2011 Party Dress HT, mp, 2009 Passionate Gardener pb, 9-2-2010 Patience HT, pb, 2010 Precious Promises HT, rb, 10-13-2010 Prime Minister Nakasone 10-13-2010 Prof Piet Hoek HT, w, 2009 Raspberry Ice HT w, 2009 Red Headed Stranger (X) mr, 2/9/2011 Rosarian Madame Hideko rb, 7-9-10, S Pandey HT, pb, 2004 Sanctuary 2007 HT, w, 2007 Secret Lady HT, pb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 Scently Devine (X) HT, w, 2/9/2011 Shield of Ruby (X) HT, pb, 2/9/2011 Silver Mascara HT, m, 2006 Sister Jane HT, 7-2010, Sister Ruby (X) HT, pb, 2/9/2011 Smoothie HT, Ob, 2010 Snow Star HT, >>>(S), 1/2011 Society Belle 1-2008, 9-2-2010 Souv De Baden-Baden HT, pb, Sparkle HT, ob, 2010 St Mary�s School HT, mr, 2009 Sugar Moon HT, w, 7-26-2010 Sunday Evening (X) HT, w, 2/9/2011 Sunny Sky HT, my, 2010 Super N-Joy HT, pb, 2009 Sweet Lissie (X) HT, dy, 2/9/2011 T. H. Coop HT, rb, 7-7-2010, Takiginou HT, mr, 7-26-2010, Tblbeta pb, 3-5-07, 4/2007 The Great White HT, w, 3-12-2010 The 9/11 Flight 93 Rose dr, 7-26-10 Top Gun (X) HT, pb, 2/9/2011 Toplesse HT, w, Tsarina Ritorto HT, Ly, 2009 Twizzle HT, m, 4-20-20110 View Beauty HT, mp, 2010 Wakana HT, w, 2009 Whirling Waves HT, pb, 7-7-2010, Xavier Maguire HT, pb, 4-20-2010 Young Rita HT, yb, 2007 GRANDIFLORAS: (Gr.) Apricot Angel Gr, ab,, 2010 Dancing Lady Gr, m, 1-21-2011 David Lowing Gr, yb, 2-9-2010 Dick Clark Gr, AARS 2010 High Flying Playboy (X) Gr, yb, 2/9/2011 Mister Z (X) Gr, op, 2/9/2011 Montauk Gr, mr, 7-10-2010, Natural Blonde (X) Gr, w, 2/9/2011 Southern Gal (X) Gr, ly, 2/9/2011 Sweet Sarah Gr, dp, 4-20-2010 The Duchess (X) Gr, mp, 2/9/2011 Tombob 8-2008>>>>9-2-2010 Vanilla Twilight (X) Gr, w, 2/9/2011 Vic�s Refrain Gr, w, >>>>>>>>>(S) FLORIBUNDAS: (F) Adobe Sunrise (XX) F, op, 11-5-2010 Anne Henderson F, ob, 2003 Antique Pink F, mp, 1-21-2011 Art Nouveau F, rb, 2010 Audrey and Bob (X) F, ab, 2/9/2011 Bass Tone F, lp, 1-21-2011 Be Dont F, ab, 2005 Berlingot F, pb, 2010, 9-8-2010 Bordure Apricot F, ab, 2010 Bossa Nova F, mp, 4-8-2010 Breathe F, ab, 2010 Bridal Tiara F, w, 2010 Captain Jack F, m, 1-21-2011 Castle Howard m, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Cholan F, pb, 3-12-2010 Chou Chou F, ab, 2009 Claire Marshall (XX) 2010, 7-31-2010 Dame Elegant F, yb, 1-21-2011 David Dugdale w, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Day Dream F, My, 2009 Disco Lemonade F, lp, 1-21-2011 Elsina Dean F, dr, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Estart F, Dy, 2010 Famosa F , 2008 Fem�s Rose F, dy, 2007 Fields of Fromelles 7-2010, 9-2-2010 Flame F, ob 2010 Flaming Phoenix F, mp, 1-21-2011 Gladys Quine (X) ob,>>>M/F, 3/2006 Girlguiding UK Centenary Rose (XX) rb Groovy Thangy (X) F, mp, 2/9/2011 Hans Gonewein Rose F, M, 2010 Harold�s Pride F, ob, 7-9-2010, Harquest F, ab, 2009 Herbert Maurice Vary F, pb, 4-20-2010 Hermann-Hesse-Rose F, w, 2010 High Summer Skies F, mp, 3-12-2010 Hilda Sophia Lehmann my, 2/9/2010 Huddersfield Choral Society (X) F, 2/9/11 Hypnotic (X) F, lp, 2/9/2011 Ichiyoh F, ly, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Jolene Adams rb, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Kandi Kisses F, pb, 7-7-2010, Kathryn F, m, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Ketchup & Mustard (X) F, rb, 2/9/2011 Kiss the Sun (X) F, lp, 2/9/2011 Koko Loko F, m, 7-26-2010, Land of Oz (X) F, op, 2/9/2011 Lemon Veranda F, mp, 2010 Loretta Lynn Van Lear ab, 10-13-2010 Lovely Jessie op, >>>>>>(17/25) Marguerita (X) F, lp, 2/9/2011 Mogul F, mr, 3-12-2010 Monkey Business (XX) F, ly, 1-17-2011 Moon Child F, ly, 3-12-2010 Mutant Charisma F, ob, 1997 Parbo F, ob, 2009 Peeky Boo (X) F, ly, 2/9/2011 Pianist Hiroko F, yb, 7-9-2010, Pink Explosion (X) F, lp, 2/9/2011 Pink Medley F, mp, 2007 Planet Earth (X) F, ly, 2/9/2011 Princess Tenko F, pb, 2010 Raspberry Ice rb->>>>10-5-2006, Red Hat Lady F, Mr, 2010 Riko F, dr, 10-13-2010 Robert Winston F, lr, 2010 San Diego Sweetheart F, ab, 9-2010 Sandra Lorraine op, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Shakira Folies F, dp, 2006 Shino m, 10-13-2010 Solero F, my, 2009 Sonic Boom (X) F, mp, 2/9/2011 Starry Eyed (X) F, lp, 2/9/2011 Striped Frau Astrid Spath F, rb, Susan�s Sister F, yb, 2010 Super Trouper (XX) F, ob, 8-30-2010 Sweet Dream Cream F, w, 2009 Tahlia F, yb, 4-20-2010 TeJoe m, 7-9-2010, The Last Dance my, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Tomblu 8-2008>>>>9-2-2010 Thanksgiving Rose F, ob, 2010 Vanilla Skies (X) F, w, 2/9/2011 Victoria Pendleton (XX) ly, 7-31-2010 Walking on Sunshine my, 11-5-2010 Zen F, r, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 MINIATURES: (Min) All a�Twitter Min, ob, 2012 Be My Baby Min, 2011 AOE BENomen Min, 2011 AOE Bill Zumbar m, 5-26-2010, Bridal Shower Cl. Min, w, 2010 Chelsea Belle Min, 2010 Hall of Fame Fancy Pants Min, 2010 Hall of Fame Feisty (XX) Min, mr, 2002, 1-17-2011 Festa Min, 2000 Free Power Min, ob, Flower Power? Giggles Min, rb, 2010 Grace Seward Min, 2010 Hall of Fame Harpeep Min, 2009 Hello Georgous! (X) Min, ob, 2/9/2011 Holly Tred Min, 1990 Intimidator Min, my, 7-9-2010, Kamakura Komachi Cl rb, 7-26-10 Lainey Marie (X) Min, yb, 2/9/2011 L�etranhe Min, r, 1996 La Belle Carmen Min, mp, 1999 Minnie the Moocher (X) op, 2/9/2011 Mr Gavin Min, dr, 2005 Ms Rhonda Louise Min, dp, 4-20-2010 Neon Balconia Min, dp, 2010 Pattie Coles (X) Min, ob, 2/9/2011 Quantum Min, mr, 2009 Renegade Min, 4/8 petals, 2010 HB Renegade (X) Min, 4/8, 2011 HB Renegade (XXX) Min, >>>17/25 petals Robin�s Rose Min, mr, 7-26-2010 Rose Tutu Min, w, 4-20-2010 Sans Parents Min, lp, 7-7-2010, Saxilb Belle Min, mp, 2009 Striped Delight Min, pb, 2009 Sweet Harriette (X) Min, dp, 10-13-2010 Teenie Genie Min, pb, 7-9-2010, Toscana Balconia Min, op, 2010 White Babyflow Min, w, 2010 White but Nice Min, w, >>>>>yb Zwergenfee 09 Min, or, 2010 MINIFLORA: (MinFl) Always On My Mind (X) m, 2/9/2011 Anna Mae M/F, pb, 4-20-2010 Anne Paul M/F, op, 7-7-2010, Apricot Ingrid M/F, 2007 Apricot Ingrid M/F, rb, 2007 Awesomeness M/F, dr, 9-22-2010 Behind Closed Doors (X), F, pb, 2/9/2011 Buckwheat M/F, >>-6-17-2010 Colour Scheme M/F, ab, 3-12-2010 Dr. Jim Hering (X) M/F, w, 2/9/2011 Dream Catcher M/F, pb, 3-12-2010 Elspeth M/F, pb, 4-20-2010 Eternity M/F, mp, 7-9-2010, Fading Love M/F, 2009 For Mickey M/F, 10-2009, For Mickey>>>>Vonna Mae, 9-2010 Forgiveness mr, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Ghostzapper M/F, 7-9-2010, Glowing Sunset yb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 Isabel Hit M/F, w, 5-30-2010 Kilmeny M/F, mp, 3-12-2010 Lunar Eclipse M/F, m, 7-9-2010, Mary Alice M/F, yb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 Mary Pickersgill 4/8>>>10-13-2010 Mary Pickersgill (XXX) 4/8, Jan 2011 Rose Mary Pickersgill (X) my,>>>>> 26/40 Melanie Dowe (X) M/F, dr, 2/9/2011 Minnelli 2007 Hit M/F, 5-30-2010 Miss Karen (X) M/F, m. 2/9/2011 Nova Hit M/F, mp, 5-30-2010 Otomegokoro (X) M/F, m, 2/9/2011 Pale Pink Sky lp, 10-13-2010, 1/2011 Patron M/F, dr, 1-21-2011 Plum Sauce M/F, m, 2009 Point of Grace M/F, pb, 10-13-2010 Powerhouse M/F, >>>, rb, Raspberry Ice rb->>>> (F), 10-5-2006, Remembering Margie rb, 7-26-2010, San Diego Sweetheart 3-2009>>>>S, Sister Jane M/F, 3-12-2010>>>>>>HT Skippy M/F, ly, 3-12-2010 Thelma Lou yb, 5-26-2010 Vernon�s Dream pb, 9-22-2010, 1/2011 White Jade (X) M/F, ly, 2/9/2011 Wine Colored Roses (X) M/F, m, 2/9/011 Yellow Ingrid my, 2006>>yb, 5-2010, LARGE FLOWERED CLIMBER (LCl) Brownie LCl, r, 2010 Eiffelzauber, LCl, lp, 2009 Emerald Isle LCl, ab, 2009 Etoile Orange LCl, ob, 2009 Grand Award LCL, mr, 8-3-2010 Heavenly Dawn (XX) LCl, op,1-17-2011 Hella LCl, w, 2010 Muse LCl, m, 2010 Norma"s Love LCl-2008>>>(S), Parfait Amour LCl, rb, 2009 Red Beret LCL, mr, 7-26-2010 Soleill Vertical LCl, my, 2010 Stormy Weather LCl, m, 7-26-2010, Sunsational LCL, r Sweet Serenade LCl, m, 2010 POLYANTHA: (Pol) Bossa Nova Pol->>>>-(F), 4-8-2010 Bouquet De Mariee Pol, mp, 2010 Rosalia Pol, dp, 10-13-2010 CLASSIC SHRUBS: HYBRID MUSKS (HMsk) De Tous Mois** HMsk w, Kew Gardens HMsk, w, 2010 Laurent Nicollas HMsk, rb, 2010 Pink Darlow�s Enigma pb, 7-26-2010 Rivers� Musk Cluster** mp, MODERN SHRUB: (S) Anna Louise (XX) S, ab, 2010 Allison�s Wonderland S, mp, 4-20-2010 Amorgos S, Lp, 2010 Apache S, dr, 2010 Apricot Drift (XX) S, ab, 7-20-2010 Artemis S, w, 2010 Baronesses S, dp, 2010 Bohemian Rhapsody S, pb, 10-13-2010 Bonita 7-28-09, 9-2-2010 Bubble Double (XX) S, 11-5-2010 Buttermilk S, w, 7-9-2010, Captain Terrific S, mr, 1-21-2011 Cento Qaranta S, mp, 3-12-2010 Colour Buffet (S), 3-2009 Como Park S, mr, 2010 Conch Pink S, lp, 1-21-2011 Delightful Phyllis S, yb, 4-20-2010 Deseo S, or, 2009 Desert Magic (S), 2005>>>HT, 3-2011 Eleanore Cruse S, 2007 Elizabeth Bowers S, mp, 1-21-2011 Equity S, mp, 2010 Ethel and Emily S, mp, 1-21-2011 Eyes For You S, m, 2010 Flash Impact S, dr, 4-20-2010 Flying Kites S, dp, 7-9-2010, Fun Jwan Lo ** S, w, Garden Of Roses S, w, 2011 Gerald Van Der Kamp S, 2005 Glam Queen (X) S, op, 2/9/2011 Igraine (X) S, 2/9/2011 Jazz S, ob, 2010 Kara Lee S, pb, 2010 Kew Gardens S, w, 7-7-2009, L�Oiseau Chanteur (X) S, lp, 2/9/2011 La Sainte Victoire S, dp, 2010 Lady of Shalott S, ob, 7-7-2010, Lemon Fizz S, yb, 2009 Look Good Feel Better S, 5-28-2010 Lorca S, rb, 7-10-2010, Love Crazy (X) S, mp, 2/9/2011 Ludwig S, 9-2-2010 Milwaukee�s Calatrava (XX), w, 11-5-2010 Madam X (X) S, pb, 2/9/2011 Masora (X) S, ab, 2/9/2011 Moyland S, ob, 5-28-2010 Mykonos S, dr, 2010 Naxos S, ob, 2010q Norma"s Love S, mp, 10-14-2009 One Nation (X) S, lp, 2/9/2011 Orchid Legacy S, m, 2008 Our Nan S, lp, 7-9-2010, Pat Henry S, lp, 7-9-2010, Paul Brooks S, 2006 Peppermint Pop (XX) pb, 11-5-2010 Pink Serenade (X) S, lp, 2/9/2011 Pinnatifide** S, mp, Princess Pink (XX) S, mp, 2011, 1-17-2011 Premier ** S, w, 1866 Red Frutillia S, mr, 2010 Red Sky Delight (XX) S, rb, 1-17-2011 Roisin Ruddle S, ob, 2004>>>Ron Ruddle Sea of Pink (X) S, lp, 2/9/2011 Shazzam (X) S, w, 2/9/2011 Snow Star S, w, 1/2011 Soft Knockout S, lp, 2008 Stellar Fella (X) S, dp, 2/9/2011 Striata ** S, rb, Surprise S, mp, 2006 Surprise for Amy S, lp, 7-9-2010, Sweet Drift S, lp, 2010 Tam O� Shanter S, rb, 2010 The Sun & The Heart S, yb, 2010 The Wedgwood Rose mp, 7-7-2010, Tomjon 8-2008>>>>9-2-2010 Tomlav 8-26-08>>>>9-2-2010 Totto-Chan S, mp, 2010 Tootsie�s Lounge (X) S, r, 2/9/2011 True Colors (X) s, pb, 2/9/2011 Twiggy�s Rose (XX) s, mp, 7-31-2010 Vic�s Refrain S, w, 1/27/08, 5/2008 Wacky Shelia (X) S, mp, 2/9/2011 Weisse Magie (X) S, w, 2/9/2011 White Tuxedo (X) S, ab, 2/9/2011 Wichtel S, w, 1994 Wow Factor (X) S, lp, 2/9/2011 Xtion S, dp, 2010 Yume Otome S, pb, Zaide S, mp, 2009 Zaros S, dp, 2010 HYBRID RUGOSA (HRg) Hart Crane HRg, dr, 2010 HYBRID KORDESII (HKor) Te Qiao dp, HKor, 10-13-2010 Te Jiao HKor, mp, 1-21-2011 Party Hardy (X) HKor, Weeks Roses 2009>>>>> Nouvelle France, 11-5-2010 OLD GARDEN ROSES CENTIFOLIA (C) Gerda Nissen C, mr HYBRID CHINA ( HCh) Yue Yue Fuen Ch, mp,

Yo Ken, if your still around your up on this one. Far as Composites go I am with the Larry/whoever We are for the most part. Composites are really no longer using recycled material because there is just not enough of it so most of the raw stuff is virgin,the energy used to make composite is an enviro no no, when its time to remove the project composite is not real big on bio degrade its tricky to burn shreading it would be silly. Bottom line composites are not so enviro freindly. Info like that might suggest its not all that good to clean it either, with anything. I dont agree>> composites will out last Ipe, left to go silver/gray Ipe is as close to no maintance as a person can get. With the softer composites like Choice/MoistureShield even trex= tjunk I have found a coat or two of TWP 116 seals up the decking,locks in the color and keeps mold,mildew,stains from causing major problems. Of course not needing to do this is the reason the Wallet goes for composite in the first place. I my own self dont like composites at all for the reasons stated in several posts here and on other sites. Welcome aboard Larry!!! Sorry I dident understand your intent at the begining . John