I wonder how accurate the air test are.. I know they do air test on the side of the highways here, it's just a scruphy man that sets up this device on a tripod.. They normally arent even there a day.. What if one of the devices malfunctions? I just wonder how accurate they are.. How much should i worry(or not) just because that website has elevated air pollution? I would hate to worry people like that, especially if it's innaccurate.. I know I looked up the water quality in my local waterways on the epa website recently, a lot of the information was labeled "N/A" or not tested in several years, it was little help; that's what leads me to believe poor maintanance, etc.. "I'll link the air now site below. But don't let it get you down (if you look at the archives). Our air today was excellent!! (think positive :) )" I never let that stuff get me down, that's when the negativity pulls everyone downhill. Your mind is powerful, if ypu believe your getting poisoned, your going to be poisoned by them thoughts. If you think your eating healthy, youll be healthy, everyone knows the placebo effect. That's the healing power of the mind. I live about a mile from a main highway, i forage all around here. I dont worry.. At least the food is fresh and not sitting for a week or so in a semi truck, driving them polluted highways all the way to your local store. I remember how i went to this farm stand, i had some dandalions and other greens i was eating before i shopped at the stand.. The old farm guy who claimed his food was farm raised at his farm organic, when it was clearly shipped in, was nagging me, "You gonna wash that", "Be careful of pollutants, wash it".. I replied "no one treated this with chrlorine or fluoride, you want me to wash my clean wild food, with dirty tap water, really? That's like the organic spinach or greens at the store, oh it's organic, but it's been triple washed with crap water and who knows what soap. It never made much sense to me..

Wow, beautiful pics! I went last year and I want to go back more than anything! Every pic I took was good enough for a post card (and it has nothing to do with my picture taking, but everything to do with the beauty everywhere in Hawaii!) Definitely the most beautiful state for tropicals. The water is clear and beautiful, the mountains are stunning and unreal, and every plant does amazing there! The coconuts do so well that the hotels have a hard time keeping up with pruning the coconuts off (its a law in the United States to have all coconuts cut off of coconut palms when in public places (since coconuts are deadly if they fall on someone's head). However, out in the towns, you can see some beautiful coconuts growing on the coconut trees in people's yards (as well as bananas, plumerias, papayas, mangos, and tons of others!). -Alex

Thanks so much for your kind comments! I bought the arbor a few years ago at Big Lots. They have the best prices on stuff like that. I think I only paid 80 for it (it was on sale). The clematis are just the regular blue ones Walmart and Lowe's sell. It may be called Dr. Huey. Julia Child is my best performing rose because it's very blackspot resistant, has a wonderful scent, and it's always in bloom.

Can you tell us a bit more? Is this garden just ornamental (flowering plants and trees, shrubs) or is it intended to be a production/food or edible garden? Or a combination of both? I assume you have a work crew among the church members :-) Are these folks avid gardeners as well? (there is a reason I ask this........) And I imagine one of your primary intents is to gather seeds and plants for the renovation. Consider posting this request in any of the Exchange forums that seem appropriate. Many times these very generous gardeners will have an excess of seeds or plants that they are just as happy to send for the postage or shipping charges.