I'll answer the questions I can, Goren. "put our plants in jeopardy by placing them where direct air movement from open doors, windows, furnace registers....etc....can cause soil temperature to change abruptly;" Gentle movement from a ceiling fan is not in the same category and has no effect on temps except to make them more even (from top to bottom in a room.) "possibly drying out the soil faster" Rhizo mentioned this as a factor of why a greenhouse operation would increase air movement. Drying fast is good, though a ceiling fan is a much less brisk blast of wind than the big fans I've seen in greenhouses, so the drying effect would also be less. "What is the intent?" To reduce air stagnation, increase evaporation as mentioned, to provide slight wind resistance so plants aren't so weak/floppy. In my specific case also, so all of the heat isn't collecting in the upper parts of rooms and that it moves evenly through the house. So I have the fan on anyway whenever the windows are not open, even if there are no plants inside. "To say that a plant needs air movement--so spider mites don't land....is just plain silly....they land on plants in the most hidden places and begin to suck their juices." I agree but don't think that was said. What I remember reading above is that a fan could spread them more quickly. "misting the plant" I'm convinced this practice offers far more potential for harm than good. "water spray, then a dust with lime sulfur, dusting sulfur or petroleum oils" I don't get leaves wet while plants are inside, although gentle air movement from a ceiling fan on low would help them dry more quickly if I did, lessening the potential for surface pathogens to cause problems described in the link in the last paragraph. A very brief google of "PH of lime sulfur" leads to the conclusion that I don't want to put this stuff on leaves. I've never heard the advice about petroleum oil on plant leaves before. What would a plant look like covered in dust and oil? IDK but sure I don't want it in my house. Spider mites can be rinsed away in a shower if they are spotted.

Lisa, I agree. Watching the critters and insects at the stream is so fascinating. The birds love to bathe in it and drink from it. So far I haven't seen any chipmonks drinking from it, but one of their holes is close by. The bees/wasps/hornets (whatever they are) come for their drinks too. All of my life I was terrified of them, but now I can even gently move them out of the way without fear or being stung. They love the lavender, which you can't see in these pictures, and I have to brush up against it to work on the pond. I haven't once been stung or threatened by them. There is an Anise Hyssop and a butterfly bush just the other side of the arborvite, as well as globe thistle, yarrow and bee balm. So I have lots of insects coming to visit the back yard. Even though I want to make changes, it has been so nice all week to sit out there next to the head waterfall and just listen and watch - and breathe deeply!!!! I leave for work at 4am and walk to the gate to listen for the waterfall to be sure all is well in the fishie world before I start my day. It is Friday afternoon, I'm through with work and after work work (I do scrapbooking for other people) and have a martini mixed and am headed out for the pond! WHEW!! Long hard week deserves a relaxing sit by the pond! Anne

Looks great. I need to do one as well to minimize runoff from our pipes into the neighbors yard. The space is narrow and has a lot of tree/bush roots. Most recs are to make it at least 2 feet wide. Will it still work if its only a foot or 6 inches wide?

On a slightly different tack regarding regular refrigerators and cabinetry, we have a 30-inch one that we were forced to buy in an emergency last year. It's just fine for our needs, so we're not replacing it in new kitchen. I am assuming we will replace it once at least before I have to leave the kitchen, so we've decided not to build a surround for it. What options do you use for suitable pieces at the refrig., esp. above the unit? open shelving, perhaps? Could this be used for a refrig that has heat accumulating at top?