The only such study I can recall is one I posted linking to the research conducted at the Rodale Institute since 1981 comparing Organic farming practices to "conventional" farming practices. The only way to get good soil is to add organic matter to the soil you have, enough so the level of organic matter in your soil is around 5 to 8 percent. Whether that can be done with 3 applications of compost depends on many things. For many of us adding organic matter to our soil is a continuous practice, something we do as a matter of course. Here is a link that might be useful: Rodale Institute study

I am trying to understand why you want to view garden pictures on a tiny phone screen, when I can see it much larger on my PC. How can you appreciate nature on a tiny screen? I have a fast DELL PC and RoadRunner Broadband, no problems here. We happily got rid of cellphone plans many years ago, now have Tracphones only in our cars for emergencies. (In my past work life I was in high speed controls). Bernd

I assume you do not currently have a softener in place. Please confirm. I will try to go through your questions in order. Conductivity: This will always be higher than TDS. It has to do with they types of ions in your water. Your conductivity is on the high end of the scale based on your TDS, but not out of line. Other analysis: Do you have any rusty, brown, or black staining on fixtures? If so - test your water for iron and manganese. Sediment filtration: Two cartridge filters is certainly a viable option. Install them in parallel so that one cartridge may be changed without interrupting water supply to your home. Make sure to use 4" diameter, not 2". Big Blue is a very reliable brand. I like the clear housings for a visible indicator, but that is just my personal preference. All cartridge filters are a pain to change. If you currently have to make frequent cartridge changes you may wish to consider a backwashing sediment filter instead of cartridges. It would be similar in appearance to a softener, but pretty much no work on your part to operate. Softeners: Kinetico softeners are very reliable, but expensive (as you mentioned). If you are willing to spend the money up front and like your local dealer, they would be a good choice. Regeneration time is not an issue with any twin-tank softener, whether Kinetico or Fleck, since one tank is always available to provide soft water while the other is being regenerated. A Fleck of Clack twin tank softener would take up significantly more space than a Kinetico because you would have to purchase a larger softener to accommodate the higher flow rate for your jacuzzi tub. Sprinkler system: Yes, bypass the sprinkler system. There is no sense paying to soften all that extra water. RO: Any RO system will last longer if fed softened water. The minerals you get from water are in minute quantities - even heavily mineral laden water would be insufficient to provide the minerals your body needs. Additionally, your water has nitrates. If you want them removed from your drinking water, RO is the only reasonable way to do so. Why do you want a carbon filter? What, specifically, do you want removed from your water? Certainly two would be overkill. Once may be as well, unless you have a specific contaminant in mind. Softener bypass: Here is a picture of what a three-valve bypass should look like. And a drawing of a setup:

Keep it simple It's far less complex for any one person to just ask a question than it would be to rewrite a basic guide then followed by an updated FAQ In concern to the' new users' The longer some folks are here they seem to ask for more but have little to no awareness of how to run a forum when wanting guides for the new user to follow. Be aware a simple look it up suggestion is followed by 10000's of suggested ideas and even more comments that proved even more suggested comments that may also include several more ideas that sound/ read as conflicting, argumentative debates and often lead one to being more confused. Suggestion for those who have been here long enough to ask for an updated change of procedures If you want all this from a forum and require to operate like that simply start your own forum to get an idea of how easy (or not as easy) it is to have many walks of lives( folks) who post in the manners that you want them to post . So look it up as it's suggested: As we look it up we may notice it takes to longer to get to the answer that may have already been asked 1000's of times.As most people are looking for something easier to follow a forward response that requires little to no more information from the asker of the question is always going to be easier as the asker will/could be more willing to follow. Please note that following is not the same as leading end results could be more members to become better leaders to debate with later. The alleged experts of the forum will sometimes/often suggest that a user look it up as other experts will also suggest posting a pic if one isn't already seen. What makes scene to them doesn't always make sense to someone else who may be new and is usually what will happen in the pic cases As for the horticultural name of a plant OMG do you really think a new person to C&S is going to know the name of that painted/ dyed plant with the fake flower glued upon it ? Maybe if the industry/ commercial sales idiots started putting potted C&S plants in pots that had drainage the froum experts wouldn't have to suggest it at all. Who knows maybe the industry puts All the plants in a good draining soil If so and by then then we' wont need a forum.