Nature's Green Hydrolyzed feathers are better than simple chopped feathers. The hydrolysis process for feathers (protein) is like digestion. Otherwise feathers take forever to get any nitrogen out of. Then you have blood meal. If blood meal was easier to work with it would be a lot more popular. It is very high in protein (nitrogen) but it acts so fast it can burn roots. In this case it is mixed with the feathers, so that is a good combination. Ringers This one has the hydrolyzed feathers. Then you have sodium nitrate (a chemical) and potassium sulfate (a chemical). Finally you have soybean meal. The last ingredient should be the first and the chemicals should be highlighted so the buyer knows what he is getting is not purely organic. If you want to try organics on your lawn, stick with soybean meal. For your small area you can afford it. Texas-weed will tell you it is hard to keep up with the nitrogen needs with organics. He should know. Still I would encourage you give it a try. Others have written in to say they were happy with organics on bermuda. If you start with soybean meal, know this: it has a very strong sour odor if you use too much. I would suggest easing into it. Start with 10 pounds per 1,000 square feet. You might even start with 5. Let that seed the soil microbes with a promise of what is to come. Until your soil has all the right microbes in place at the right population level, the soy will not decompose cleanly. Start small and work your way up to 20 pounds per 1,000. Give it at least 3 weeks between applications to let it work. You'll notice the aroma regardless of how little you use. But if you used a full 20 pounds or more, it would linger for weeks. With 5 it should go away soon. Next time you apply you can go up in dose by 5 pounds. Did you find a recent message from okc dan? I thought he left this forum years ago. You can find straight soybean meal at many feed stores. You have several near you no matter where you live.

Waiting in Spring is the hardest part. I have several that aren't up yet, and I'm in the warmest Winter zone around here. They are THERE, firm points and crown, just being little S***s! Stick around, Shirley! -Babka

So glad to hear all is back to normal! I too always worry too much. I have a pair of Red Breasted Nuthatches nesting in a dead tree in our small woods. I was convinced that something happened to them since I didn't see them at the feeders as much anymore (and then only saw one instead of both) and there was hair or feathers stuck in the pitch around their hole. Now I am seeing them again and think it was just due to the female incubating eggs. I am so hoping they bring the babies to the feeders! This is a first that we ever had Red Breasted Nuthatches in our yard let alone nesting. Our nestboxes right now are full of TRES and one pair of Dees, still waiting to see some Bluebirds. They seem to be scarce in WI this year for some reason. Donna

What type of look are you trying to go for? If you want to keep Garapa looking the same I have a product called Wood Protect. It's 100% invisible. Water-based. Zero VOC's. Will last 5-7 years depending on traffic. UV inhibitor. Lowers the surface temperature about 7-10%. Simple pressure wash will clean it, actually, since it bonds to the wood at the molecular level, all you need to use is a garden hose to clean it. Also, because of traffic over the years, you can spot treat it. No need to strip and reapply. Kinloch is the manufacturer if you'd like to check it out. We're working on a pigment in case you are looking to darken your material, but that won't be out for a few more weeks.