Henry Moore

Old thread, but I'll add my experience since I built a similar style place a few years ago. We went with a polished concrete slab with embedded radiant heating, ran us about $8 - 10 per square foot, but the thermal mass is a game changer.

Rammed earth or cob can work, but they're labor-intensive and need regular maintenance to avoid dust and cracking. If you have unlimited stone, I'd look into a dry-laid flagstone over a compacted gravel base, it's breathable, durable, and you can diy it in sections.

We built with Grand Homes in VA and they were open to non-standard materials, but you'll need to find subs who know how to work with them. Just budget for a good vapor barrier underneath, no matter what you choose.

Old thread, but I'll chime in for anyone else considering this. I haven't converted a pool myself, but I've done a ton of research on building ponds, and converting a pool is absolutely doable.

The depth is actually a big advantage, especially in cold climates like Vermont. Koi need at least 3-4 feet of water to overwinter safely, and your deep end gives them that. The shallow end is great for plants and for fish to warm up in spring.

The main things you'll need:

Aeration -  a small pond aerator or fountain keeps oxygen levels up and prevents stagnation.

Filtration -  a bog filter or a simple external pond filter helps handle fish waste and keeps the water clear.

Plants -  lilies, cattails, and marginals help absorb nutrients and keep algae in check.

Gradual filling -  don't rush the process. Let the water sit and plants establish for a few weeks before adding fish.

I got my koi from Next Day Koi a few years back, and the fish were healthy. I keep ordering more  to expand my gang fish lol.  Once the pond is cycled and stable, they'd be a great addition. It's a rewarding project if you take it slow.

I built an 8" J-tube with half barrels. Used three half barrels and the riser barrel. Worked perfectly. Four might be pushing it. Draft was fine and condensation was minimal. I'd stick with three to be safe.

Bennett pear is a classic but hard to find. Heritage varieties get lost over time. Check with local fruit societies or heirloom nurseries. One Green World is a good start. Also try Trees of Antiquity. If the farm still has the tree, they might share cuttings. Grafting onto Bartlett is possible but takes patience.

Goumi can be self-fertile but they produce better with cross-pollination. Do you have another goumi or a different Elaeagnus nearby? Also check the age, some take 3-5 years to fruit seriously. If it's blooming but not setting fruit, it could be a pollination issue. Try hand-pollinating with a small brush. Also check for late frosts. The flowers are sensitive. If they get hit, no frui

So true about online reviews, they’re mostly useless now with all the fake AI spam. Honestly, what's that site you mentioned for checking brands? I’m tired of buying power tools that die after a year

I’m with Douglas on this, I still prefer paying them off manually every month through online banking. It just forces me to actually look at my statements and see where the money went. Relying on auto-pay makes it too easy to forget what you're spending

Skin issues are tricky because everyone reacts differently to herbs. For warts, I've heard some people use specific types of sap, but it's definitely worth doing your homework first.