SUCCESS IN POTS

Yes. That is what I did also. Just to much for me.

I don't think it would hurt to have a forum on politics on DG for those people that really want to discuss (vent)? :0)

I believe it is the rules that you are not supposed to talk about politics on Dave's Garden.

Didn't know we were. Think we were discussing the rules.

Yes but that is why there is no forum on politics.

I agree that it might not be a bad notion. I've found most gardeners to be polite and courteous, exchanging ideas in a civilized fashion would be a bit refreshing. It would likely need a good moderator to keep things in bound. No name calling or personal attacks, etc.

Monsanto was mentioned in one thread, and that got a little heated. Political motivations and biases colored the discussion, but it wasn't "about" politics, just about seeds and farming issues with political consequences.

A moderator stepped in eventujally and said in effect "we're watching", but commented that it was a civil and respectful disc ussion, so it wouldn't be closed.

There was a clear hint that it should STAY civil if people wanted it to stay open.

I've been in discussions of compost and soil amendment that became passionate. Some of the participants stomped away in anger "because you can't argue with mules". I would have thought those were about the very LAST topics in the world where anyone would think "there's only ONE right way", or especially "it is OBVIOUS that there is only one right way".

I got into an argument with someone once about how toxic silica gel is (amorphous silica gel such as flowers are dried with). I don't think we really disagreed very MUCH (it's much safer than asprin, and substancially safer than sand), and yet we sure argued about SOMEthing for a long time and with some passion. It seems silly now!

I once commented to my son how refreshing it is to discuss things on DG because topics generally remain civil even when folks differ, and he responded that 'of course, you're all gardeners' which I think says a lot.

Rick, you wanna argue about sand with me? That would probably mark a new low.
I'm very pro-sand. Passionate about it, in fact. LOVE sand.

I really like that, on DG, I can get away from distressing stuff & learn something new about gardening. Sometimes, when something really awful is going on in the world & nobody can stop talking about it, it is a relief for me to log on here ... blessed silence.

I agree.

The only sand we have here is blow sand. That is what I started with 12 years ago. Pale, light tan blow sand. Now it is black and beautiful. Thanks to leaves, scraps, alfalfa pellets, coffee grounds and my beloved earth worms. But I also have about 20 containers with their own little environments.

Sand is good for indoor house plants.A little white sand on top keeps the gnats from getting in the soil and laying eggs.

WLS that sounds like the best kind of an accomplishment. Good for you!

Thanks Willow. But I have lived in Las Vegas since 1960. It took me all that time to determine what needed to be done.

>> Rick, you wanna argue about sand with me? That would probably mark a new low. I'm very pro-sand. Passionate about it, in fact. LOVE sand.

That depends! I also love very coarse sand, say 1-2 mm. Or grit: 2-4 mm.

However, adding medium sand or fine sand (1/8 - 1/2 mm) to clay doesn't do very much to help drainage and aeration. Since drainage and aeration are what I desperately need, that determines how I feel about fine sand.

I THINK medium & fine sand help friability, if you started out with nasty clay, so that you can break it up and mix in other things.

The main reason I got "down on sand" is that any bag I can buy in Home Depot (even "coarse" sand) is half or more VERY fine and dusty sand. I don't even call it "sand" when it puffs up into my face as I pour it from the bag. That's dust.


>> That would probably mark a new low.

You're probably right. Arguing about how to compost is one thing: there are many ways, and some reflect people's personality and philosophy. Most people would think sand is "just sand".

But we know better!

(Perhaps arguing about ARGUING ABOUT sand would be even lower.)

Or, as one character on Babylon 5 said: "Let's talk socks!"

Makes me chuckle to see the original subject. Oh how far afield we can stray. No complaints.

Have been absent from the forums for almost a year........ slackard
My garden shows the lack of interest too. As I get older, plants in pots
makes a lot more sense. They are protected more from Deer too which is
a huge problem here on Haida Gwaii. NW B.C.
Thanks for the `pot`post!

Nice to see you again. We have all been taking brakes also. But there are some of us still around.