Lestv said:

I grew up in Grand Haven. We had dune sand underlying everything, and on top was a very rich black topsoil. You don't see that type of topsoil anywhere around here. My Dad's iris always grew very well. The sand was great drainage, and the soil was rich.

I have a garden mix, which is soil with a mushroom compost that was mixed in , delivered by the cubic yard. I will need 4 cubic yards for my newest raised bed. That is a whole lot of wheelbarrows I will be hauling.

I hear ya! I've been hauling dirt from my driveway to the opposite end of my backyard today to fill the new 4' x 4' bed for my new irises. Completely worth it, though, I think.

It sounds like you did have some nice soil in Grand Haven. It's possible we had that at one point where I'm at, too, but doubtful, considering the high clay content. I'm sure there was a lot of better topsoil though before they stripped this area for new construction houses some years ago. It's slowly building back, but I have no idea if it will ever get to be anything truly great to grow in. I'm hoping our next house has some great soil, though, and/or some goats or horses nearby that I can collect 'nature's fertilizer' from.

You must be in a part of MI with the glacial moraines. That left a lot of clay and such behind without depositing much sand or loess.

Now your just making me homesick

Sorry, Gabe. Germany is beautiful, though. I haven't been there in many many years, but I was there for a few weeks and had a great time.

I am wondering what kind of sand one should buy to amend the soil. I always mix it in my pots in the fall. I am out of it at present. All Home Depot has is play sand which is too fine and Quikcrete which I would think would turn into concrete. Not sure what other kind there is available close by. I know it is supposed to be construction sand with bits of rocks in it but what do you call it?

Janie -- any of your local nurseries should be able to help you.

What I want to know is -- whatever happened to round stepping stones????? All I can find are square ones............

Muddymitts said:Janie -- any of your local nurseries should be able to help you.

What I want to know is -- whatever happened to round stepping stones????? All I can find are square ones............

You can buy molds and make them yourself.

If you find any let me know Mary Ann.

I don't have anything to mix concrete in for molds, though they would be a perfect solution if I could.

ref: labeling iris---When I see vinyl mini blinds on a trash heap, I grab them to recycle them into temporary plant labels. I cut them about 4-5 inches long and use a soft lead pencil to write the name, breeder & year. I make TWO labels per rhizome. One for above ground, one to bury below ground...or a longer label with the name written on each end. I prefer two labels in case the above ground label gets lost. Pencil works better for me than permanent ink marker or paint pens. For permanent labels, I prefer engraved UV resistant acrylic labels. I've had some for over 10 years and they still look new. They are more expensive than the metal but worth it to me. Maps and labels are essential if names are important to you.

@SButler--Where do you get your "engraved UV resistant acrylic labels"?? Sounds good!

SpringGreenThumb said:

You can buy molds and make them yourself.

What a great idea! Any idea where the molds are sold?

I think you can get them at garden centers, and of course Amazon.

Actually -- I found one on Ebay for twelve bucks. Thought that was a good deal. The seller also has an octogon shaped one -- that is my second choice. I may get that mold too!! How cool is this???

Way Cool!!

Send me some will you?

Finished ones I mean....

I would vote for octagon.

Yeah Leslie -- I don't think you'd want to pay the freight!!!

I got the octagon mold too Lucy!!!

When my boys were young I gave them a summer project. I cut off the bottoms of plastic five gallon buckets and challenged them to make round stepping stones about two inches thick. They has six nice bucket bottoms and would mix once a week and let them cure before turning them out. I still have those stones. Maybe sixty or so.

That was a great project, Bonnie! I wish my boys were still young!