HOW TO REALLY START THE GARDEN

First of all, draw a plan (to a scale) of the ground at your disposal. Make allowances for paths, borders, etc. It's fascinatingly interesting after you get started. Next, take inventory of your likes and dislikes in vegetables. Put down on paper every vegetable you wish to grow. Then go back to your plan and mark out a definite space or number of rows for the different vegetables. Select early, midseason and late sorts of these vegetables, which you like best. This will give you a constant supply of them. When garden operations start, be sure to follow your plan. A disregard of your carefully planned program may easily spoil results. I can not lay too much emphasis upon this point, since most gardens fail to yield satisfactory crops for lack of adherence to the original plan.
Study the peculiar characteristics of certain vegetables and utilize them to best advantage. Some vegetables thrive even in partially shaded positions, while others require lots of sunshine for best results. Some of the finest lettuce I ever saw was grown between rows of early peas. The two-foot tall pea vines, rows running east and west would shelter Wayahead, Black Seeded Simpson, etc., which form perfect heads.
Though the pea rows were standing only 2 1/2 feet apart, the lettuce did splendidly since peas root deeply while lettuce is a shallow, rooting plant. Keeping the lettuce row free from weeds gives additional cultivation to the pea. vines, which will, under such conditions, stand considerable dryweather and still bear heavy crops.
A good many vegetables are of exceedingly slow growth during the seedling stage of development. Take advantage of this by utilizing space between such rows for quick-growing crops. For example, sow beet seed by middle of April and set young lettuce plants between the rows. By the time the beet tops develop, the lettuce will be used.
A distance of 20 inches between the rows is ample for most vegetables in a carefully managed home garden. Tall peas, tomatoes and corn should be allowed at least 2 to 2 1/2 feet and should be staked for best results. The proper thinning out of all, kinds of vegetables is advisable. Do not permit root crops to crowd each other in the row. Thin out radishes, beets, onions, turnips, etc., to stand about from 2 to 4 inches apart in the row, according to variety. Beans will yield more and better pods if plants stand 4 to 6 inches apart in the row.
Where space is rather limited; the French method of intensive cultivation may be employed. Here is how it is practiced:
Combine a packet of spinach seed and carrot seed, mixing seeds thoroughly. Make your row uniformly half an inch deep and sow this mixture in the row. Cover, and soon the quick-growing spinach seed will break the crust, making it easier for the weak carrot seedlings to see the light of day. In four weeks, the spinach may be "thinned" to make room for the slowly developing carrots. In six weeks the spinach -will be all used up, and the carrots will find room to develop. If an early carrot, such as Early Scarlet Horn, is selected, this will be ready for the table use by July 15th, when the last may be pulled to make room for endive, celery, late cabbage or any other fall crop.
This method may be employed with quite a number of vegetables. Care should be taken in experimenting along these lines, that kinds are combined having seed of about the same coarseness, but possessing different characteristics as to growth. Lettuce and radishes go well together, so do radishes and parsley; the last named being a exceedingly slow grower. The French gardeners plant extra early radishes, midseason lettuce and turnips` in, the same row, at one operation. This gives about as ideal a succession as can be worked out.
As to the actual location of the different rows and crops, here is a good rule to, follow:
If the land runs east and west the taller plantings should be on the north, so that the light will not be shut off from the lower growing vegetables. Corn grows so much taller than anything else cultivated that it should, if possible, be placed in the. rear. In front of it the few hills of early potatoes which it is possible to grow on a city lot may be planted, as they are the least ornamental of vegetables.
Cabbage and cauliflowers grow of corresponding height, and may be planted side by side and given the same treatment. Tomatoes may follow the potatoes, and so on in the order of height

Heirloom Vegetables

In the 70’s, my father would pack all of us in the station wagon, and drive for what seemed an eternity to visit my relatives. I was pretty young, but I can remember two details quite vividly. My brother getting me to ask, "Are we there yet?" and, visiting my Grandparents. My Grandma was an avid cook and gardener. While my older brothers would go fishing with my cousins, she would have my sister and I help with her gardens - watering, weeding, moving dirt and the like. We loved it! As a treat, she would serve us her tomatoes, ripened on a windowsill, cut and covered with sugar. As a young adult, the rich flavor of those deeply colored fruits escaped me. Store bought tomatoes, never had the flavor, and even the big beefsteaks from my own garden failed to quite capture the color and texture I remember from those hot summer days. I have always believed that my Grandmother had some growing secret. A few years back, I figured it out! My father told me, his grandmother gave him those same tomatoes when he was a kid. Grandma was a seed saver! Today, her ‘secret’ would be considered an heirloom vegetable garden.
Growing heirloom vegetables is becoming increasingly popular, and can provide us edible glimpses into our agricultural heritages. Many of the hybrids offered today are designed to be better suited for survival, offer a more consistent yield, and can be grown in a wider range of climates. But the recent increase of support for growing heirloom fruits and vegetables has caused many seed catalogs to carry these seeds, devoting entire sections to them. This makes acquiring these seeds easier than a trip to Grandma’s. In order for plants to be considered heirlooms they must have three characteristics.
First of all, almost all heirlooms are open-pollinated varieties. Most of the seeds sold today are hybrids and seeds from these plants will usually take on the characteristics of just one of their genetic parents. Heirlooms will grow "true to type" from their seeds. This means seed-savers (like Grandma) can enjoy the identical variety year after year. You can share the seeds of successful plants with friends and family. Some heirloom perennials are propagated from cuttings rather than seed, and while still considered heirlooms, their seeds may not produce exact genetic varieties. However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule. Some hybrids are stabilized and will open pollinate, but have not stood the test of time and are not considered heirlooms.
You should be able to trace heirloom varieties back fifty years or longer. This year marker is an arbitrary gauge. Yet many of the heirloom vegetables available can be traced back even farther. Pre World War II seed catalogs are filled with today’s ‘heirlooms’. Commercial seed companies dropped most of these for the more durable hybrid counterparts. But, these heirlooms have been rediscovered and are beginning to become available again today. The fifty-year cut-off predates most popular hybrids, and many of these early varieties are lost. But this makes today’s true heirlooms that much more precious.
The final determining characteristic of heirloom vegetables is their histories. Many of these varieties were collected and saved by families and ethnic groups dating back to their European or South American counterparts. Seeds were gathered and saved, for the following season’s crop. This practice protected the genetic make-up that made the specific plant successful within each particular environment. These base characteristics have become invaluable and the genetic strains of these vegetable forefathers are the backbone to today’s disease and drought resistant hybrids. Professional seed houses collect and store these to preserve these characteristics to combat future unseen agricultural catastrophes. These histories are what make today’s heirloom vegetables edible pictures into an often over looked part of our heritage.
I have never discovered the exact variety my grandmother used to grow (although ‘Brandywine’ seems awfully close). Unfortunately, the seeds she had propagated and saved for so long have been lost. But, the search to recapture those summer day treats has brought me hours of joy, and tons of tomatoes. I spent years learning how to garden. But, the practice of growing heirloom varieties has opened my eyes to a fascinating history of plants and agriculture. Now, when friends come over, we discuss my garden, and they get a brief history of some of the plants, and a packet of seeds. The heirloom vegetables I grow may not be the exact ones my great grandmother grew. But,

Cornell Plant Pathology

Welcome to the Cornell Plant Pathology Vegetable Disease Web Page. Vegetable MD Online was developed to provide access to the many Vegetable Disease Fact Sheets produced over the years by Media Services at Cornell. The addition of color photographs enhances the use of these sheets for plant disease diagnosis.
Navigating through this web site is very easy. By clicking on Diseases by Crops on the sidebar, seed packets of your favorite vegetables appear, and by clicking on the crop of interest, a listing of the current fact sheets available is displayed. Magnification of the photos provided in each sheet is possible.
A link is also provided to the Photo Gallery, which provides additional photographs not appearing in the original fact sheet. This will be updated on a regular basis, as the "typical symptoms" may not always appear every season.
Information in this site is in a constant state of change. Thus reference to the News Articles/Disease Alerts will highlight recent changes in disease management guidelines and options, and also provide news items suitable for newsletter articles intended for Extension Educator's Service Letters.
Finally, additional links to other useful sites are provided, including the Glossary, an On-line Glossary of Technical Terms in Plant Pathology and to

Plugging Pumpkins

I thought having a weekly (or so) plug for other "Pumpkin" sites might be fun... so with that in mind... here is the very first Pumpkin Plug...

Happy Jack Designs specializes in children's book baskets that are a step above the rest. Our specially selected classic children's books are the focus of the baskets and we pack in lots of goodies that are related to the story to make the reading adventure even more fun!

If you'd like to recommend another Pumpkin related site for our weekly Plug, email me the link and a bit of detail to provide along with the plug.

Spring Gardening Tips

Follow the ten tips outlined below for a welcoming garden that's filled with color and fragrance—and song.

SURVEY THE YARD

Make note of tree limbs that should be removed or cabled, especially those that overhang structures. Hire an arborist to maintain large trees.

Cut down last year’s perennial foliage, and toss it into the compost pile.

Rake mulch from beds planted with bulbs before foliage appears, and refresh mulch in other planting areas after soil warms.

Check fences, steps, and pathways for disrepair caused by freezing and thawing.


ORDER TOOLS AND PLANTS

Tune up tools so everything is ready when things start growing. Make note of what is missing, and order tools for the new growing season.

Choose new plants for the garden. Order perennials, trees, and shrubs for spring planting.


GET READY TO MOW

Send the mower and leaf blower for servicing, or if you have the right tools, sharpen the mower blades yourself.

Refill your mower with oil, install fresh spark plugs, and lubricate moving parts if necessary.

Clear the lawn of winter debris, and look for areas that need reseeding before mowing.


PRUNE TREES AND SHRUBS

Remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches from woody plants.

Thin and trim summer-blooming shrubs such as butterfly bush, hydrangea, and most roses, except for old-fashioned once bloomers.

Prune cold-damaged wood after plants resume spring growth.

Prune spring-blooming shrubs and trees after flowering.

TAKE A SOIL TEST

Check soil pH with a Home Soil Test Kit, taking several samples from different planting areas for an accurate reading.

Enrich soil as necessary: Add dolomitic lime to raise the pH or elemental sulfur to lower the pH.

PREPARE NEW BEDS

Clear the planting area as soon as soil can be worked, removing sod or weeds and debris.

Spread a 4-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure and any amendments over soil, and cultivate it to a depth of 10–12 inches with a spading fork.

PLANT

Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and perennials such as hostas and daylilies by early spring.

Choose a cool, cloudy day if possible.

Transplant container-grown plants anytime during the growing season except midsummer; be sure to water them thoroughly.

Sow seeds of cool-season flowers like sweet peas, poppies, and calendula, and vegetables such as lettuce, parsley, and spinach.

FERTILIZE

Apply balanced fertilizer (6-6-6 or 8-8-8), fish emulsion, or other soil amendments recommended by soil-test results around trees and shrubs when new growth appears.

Spread high-acid fertilizer and pine-needle mulch around acid-loving shrubs like azaleas and camellias.

Begin fertilizing perennials when active growth resumes.

START A COMPOST PILE

Start a compost pile, or use a Compost Bin, if you don’t have one already. Begin by collecting plant debris and leaves raked up from the garden. Chop these up first to speed decomposition.

Add equal amounts “brown” (carbon-rich) materials like dried leaves and straw and “green” (nitrogen-rich) materials like grass clippings and weeds in even layers with water and Compost Bioactivator. Turn regularly.

Continue adding to the pile throughout the season for rich, homemade compost next spring.


CLEAN BIRDFEEDERS AND BATHS

Disinfect the feeders by scrubbing with weak bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach: 2 gallons warm water). Rinse and dry the feeders thoroughly before refilling them.

Scrub birdbaths with bleach solution, then rinse them thoroughly and refill, changing water weekly.

Clean birdbaths and feeders regularly throughout the season.

Tomato History

The Tomato History has origins traced back to the early Aztecs in South America around 700 A.D; therefore it is believed that the tomato is native to the America’s. It was not until around the 16th century that Europeans were introduced to this fruit when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands. Throughout Southern Europe, the tomato was quickly accepted into the kitchen, yet as it moved north, more resistance was apparent. The British, for example, admired the tomato for its beauty, but believe that it was poisonous, as its appearance was similar to that of the wolf peach. (A visitor named David had this to add to the history of the Tomato. Thanks David!)
"...most Europeans thought that the tomato was poisonous because of the way plates and flatware were made in the 1500's. Rich people in that time used flatware made of pewter, which has a high-lead content. Foods high in acid, like tomatoes, would cause the lead to leech out into the food, resulting in lead poisoning and death. Poor people, who ate off of plates made of wood, did not have that problem, and hence did not have an aversion to tomatoes. This is essentially the reason why tomatoes were only eaten by poor people until the 1800's, especially Italians. What changed in the 1800's? First, and most significantly, was the mass immigration from Europe to America and the traditional blending of cultures. Many Italian-Americans ate tomatoes and brought that food with them. But also, and perhaps equally as important, was the invention of pizza. There is no pizza without tomato sauce, and pizza was invented around Naples in the late 1880's. The story goes that it was created by one restaurateur in Naples to celebrate the visit of Queen Margarite, the first Italian monarch since Napoleon conquered Italy. The restaurateur made the pizza from three ingredients that represented the colors of the new Italian flag: red, white, and green. The red is the tomato sauce, the white was the mozzarella cheese, and the green was the basil topping. Hence, Pizza Margarite was born, and is still the standard for pizza. And what could have led more to the popularity of the tomato than pizza!"It was not regarded as a kitchen vegetable until the times preceding The Civil War Period in the United States. From this point forward, tomatoes have become a staple item in the kitchen throughout the world. Each area of the world has its own tomato history and how it is used in everyday dining. It appears though that tomatoes have had the largest impact on American eating habits, as they are responsible for enjoying over 12 million tons of tomatoes each year. Fruit or Vegetable?An interesting aspect of tomato history is the classic debate: Is the Tomato a Fruit or Vegetable? I guess that depends on whom you are asking. By definition, a fruit is the edible plant structure of a mature ovary of a flowering plant, usually eaten raw; some are sweet like apples, but the ones that are not sweet such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc. are commonly called vegetables. Botanists claim that a fruit is any fleshy material that covers a seed or seeds where as a horticulturists point of view would pose that the tomato is a vegetable plant. Until the late 1800's the tomato was classified as a fruit to avoid taxation, but this was changed after a Supreme Court ruling that the tomato is a vegetable and should be taxed accordingly. When it is all said and done, the history of the tomato has classified as a poisonous beautiful plant, a tax-avoiding fruit, and a taxable vegetable. Nonetheless, the tomato is the m

Vegetable Soybeans Are New in America

The soybean is not at present a widely popular garden vegetable in the United States. Its valuable properties are becoming appreciated, however, and it deserves to be used far more.
Soybeans (Soja max) have been grown in the Orient for more than 5,000 years, but, strangely enough, they appear to have been known in the Western World a scant 250 years. It is puzzling, indeed, that this plant of Chinese origin should have become established so late in the West (including western Asia, Europe, and the Americas), while many other species from China have been known and valued in the West for thousands of years. The wild soybean is still found in China.
The old Chinese name of this plant was sou, from which the names soi, soy, and soja doubtless were derived; hence our term "soybean." In support of the belief in its great antiquity of culture, there are more than 50 names, many of them quite different, for soybean in the Orient. Western names are remarkably similar as a result of its recent introduction into the Western World.
The first written record about soybean goes back to an old Chinese Materia Medica written between 2900 and 2800 B. C. There is, however, no known record of it in a European language older than A. D. 1712, when a German traveler reported finding it in Japan in 1691 and 1692.
Ship Captain Brought Soybeans to America
Some recent popular articles might be interpreted to mean that the soybean was unknown in the United States even a generation or two ago. Actually, the first record of it in this country was in an old encyclopedia published in Philadelphia in 1804. That article said it was a plant adapted to Pennsylvania and well worthy of cultivation there. It had been introduced about 1800 by the captain of a clipper ship who bought some of the beans to supplement his ship's stores. In 1829 it was being grown at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it was considered a luxury.
In 1853 a Patent Office report referred to the soybean as the "Japan pea." It had been imported from Japan through San Francisco in 1850, then carried to Illinois and Ohio.
When Commodore Perry returned from his famous expedition to Japan in 1854, he brought additional seeds of the soybean. Between 1875 and 1900 a few more

Vegetable Ivory

palm like tree which grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet in several tropical regions of South America produce a vegetable ivory nut or seed called a Tagua nut. (Pronounced: Ta qwa or Tah gwa). They range in size from a cherry to a grapefruit and average about the size of a walnut. It usually takes from 15 to 20 to make a pound. Chemically they are pure cellulose and before the nut mature have a milky sweet liquid in the center. When ripe the nuts fall to the ground and are gathered and dried from four to eight weeks after which they become extremely hard. The nut is not toxic. Color varies from blue-white to amber with most nuts ivory-amber.
The ivory nut is close grain and very hard. The cellular structure and grain is similar to that of elephant ivory, but is more dense and resilient. It resembles the finest ivory in texture and color and is slightly softer than mammal ivory and usually contains a void in the center of the nut. Their are several names for this vegetable ivory nut, but the most common is the "Tagua Nut". Its similarity to elephant ivory has been known by craftsman for years and is frequently passed as elephant ivory on objects fashioned from it and can be very deceptive. It being so much like mammal ivory that pieces carved from it are sold at the same price as elephant ivory and in some carvings much more.
HISTORY
For over two hundred years vegetable ivory has been used by ivory carvers in the making of netsuke, dice, dominoes ,and chess pieces. Other uses found were cane and umbrella handles ,pipes , mah-jongg tiles ,sewing needle cases and the fine art of scrimshaw. Religious figurines were carved as were many toys. In the late eighteen hundreds up through World War II this ivory nut was used to make some of the finest buttons in the clothing industry. Some were even used on United States Army uniforms.
For close to eighty years the ivory nut was a commodity of global importance and factories on three continents used to manufacture articles of utility and luxury. The coming of synthetics killed the world ivory nut market.
The vegetable ivory nut has begun a come back because of the slaughter and near extinction of mammal ivory, e.g., elephant, whales, walrus and other species.
Additional Information
The Vegetable Ivory Nut is called a Tagua Nut.
Other

Seeds of Fortune

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Seeds of Fortune by Sue Shephard ( Bloomsbury ) For over a century, and across five generations, the Veitch family pioneered the introduction of hundreds of new plants into gardens, conservatories and houses. This story begins in 1768 when a Scotsman called John Veitch comes to England to find his fortune.For over a century, and across five generations, the Veitch family pioneered the introduction of hundreds of new plants into gardens conservatories and houses and were amongst the foremost European cultivators and hybridisers of their day.The Story begins in 1768 when a young Scotsman called John Veitch came to England to find his fortune, starting out as a gardener for the aristocracy. Realising that horticultural mania had begun to spread throughout the social classes, John’s son, James, opened a nursery in Exeter and began to send some of the first commercial plant collectors into the Americas, Australia, India, Japan, China and the South Seas.Using their canny business skills the Veitch family expanded their nurseries into the most successful and influential in Europe . They became key figures within the gardening establishment and were involved in the Royal Horticultural Society from its early beginnings and the great Chelsea Flower Show. The Veitch’s and their nurserymen made invaluable contributions to the science of botany and horticulture, including the first ever

History of Gardening

The cultivation of plants for food long predates history. The earliest evidence for ornamental gardens is seen in Egyptian tomb paintings of the 1500s BC; they depict lotus ponds surrounded by rows of acacias and palms. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were renowned as a Wonder of the World, although their existence is doubted. Darius the Great was said to have had a "paradise garden"; and around 350 BC there were gardens at the Academy of Athens. Theophrastus, who wrote on botany, was supposed to have inherited a garden from Aristotle. Epicurus also had a garden where he walked and taught, and bequeathed it to Hermarchus of Mytilene. Alciphron also mentions private gardens. In ancient Rome, the hortus started as a kitchen garden, and evolved into a flower garden maintained in the courtyard of the house. Wall paintings in Pompeii attest to elaborate development later, and the wealthiest of Romans built enormous gardens, many of whose ruins are still to be seen, such as those of Lucullus. The historical development of garden stylesRoyalty, most likely that found in Egypt, was probably also very instrumental in the development of the garden, much as royalty and the privileged classes throughout the centuries have continued to influence the design and actualization of gardens. Assyrian/Persian paradise garden or enclosed hunting-orchard. Hellenistic and Roman garden. Byzantine/Turkish gardens. The developed Persian garden, which evolved into the Mughal gardens of India. Islamic Spanish gardens. Medieval enclosed garden of northern Europe Hortus inclusus. Terraced Italian garden of the Renaissance. Baroque French gardens of Le Notre and followers. English Landscape garden and its imitators, called 'English gardens.' 'Hill-and-Pond' gardens of China and Japan. Zen garden of Japan. Romantic idealized English cottage garden. Contemporary gardens. Ancient Near EastAssyrian hunting parks and Persian paradise gardensEgyptian temple courtsHellenistic and Roman gardensIslamic gardensRenaissance gardensItalian gardensFrench gardensAnglo-Dutch gardensLandscape gardensRomantic gardensPicturesque gardens'Gardenesque' gardensThe 'Gardenesque' style of English garden design evolved during the 1820's from Humphrey Repton's Picturesque or 'Mixed' style, largely under the impetus of J. C. Loudon, who invented the term. In a Gardenesque plan, all the trees, shrubs and other plants are positioned and managed in such a way that the character of each plant can be displayed to its full potential. With the spread of botany as a suitable avocation for the enlightened, the Gardenesque tended to emphasize botanical curiosities and a collector's approach. New plant material that would have seemed bizarre and alien in earlier gardening found settings: Pampas grass from Argentina and Monkey-puzzle trees. Winding paths linked scattered plantings. The Gardenesque approach involved the creation of small-scale landscapes, dotted with features and vignettes, to promote beauty of detail, variety and mystery, sometimes to the detriment of coherence. Artificial mounds helped to stage groupings of shrubs, and island beds became prominent features. Historic gardenersThe following names, roughly in historical order, made contributions that affected the history of gardens, whether as botanist explorers, designers, garden-makers, or writers. Further information on them will be found under their individual

Organic farming

More external links:
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont - NOFA Vermont
Yahoo! Directory Agriculture > Organic Farming
Getting Started in Organic Farming
Organic Farming
NOFA Interstate Council: Home
Yahoo! Directory Agriculture > Organic Farming
Don't Panic Eat Organic
Organic Farming, Marketing, and Certification Resources
organic-research.com for organic farming & sustainable agriculture

Roundup

More external links:
Roundup Issue Tracker
The Payson Roundup: Front page
Roundup
UFO ROUNDUP
UFO ROUNDUP
Caribbean Travel Roundup Newsletter Homepage
The Microcontent News Blogging Software Roundup - Part One of the Weblog...
The Weblog Tool Roundup
The Weblog Tool Roundup
Texas Music Round-Up: Texas Music Mailorder Catalog

Herbicide

More external links:
Herbicide Exposure - Agent Orange, Compensation and Pension Service
Bio-Tech Info - Herbicide Tolerance
"Survey Shows Increase in Herbicide-Resistant Weeds "
International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds
TASKFORCE® Herbicide
Herbicide Manufacturers Should Accept Responsibility For Residues In Compost
The implications of spring-sown genetically modified herbicide-tolerant...
International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds
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OSR PMv6

History of gardening

Though cultivation of plants for food long predates history, the earliest evidence for ornamental gardens is seen in Egyptian tomb paintings of the 1500s BC; they depict lotus ponds surrounded by rows of acacias and palms. The other ancient gardening tradition is of Persia: Darius the Great was said to have had a "paradise garden" and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were renowned as a Wonder of the World. Persian influences extended to post-Alexander's Greece: around 350 BC there were gardens at the Academy of Athens, and Theophrastus, who wrote on botany, was supposed to have inherited a garden from Aristotle. Epicurus also had a garden where he walked and taught, and bequeathed it to Hermarchus of Mytilene. Alciphron also mentions private gardens.
The most influential ancient gardens in the western world were the Ptolemy's gardens at Alexandria and the gardening tradition brought to Rome by Lucullus. Wall paintings in Pompeii attest to elaborate development later, and the wealthiest of Romans built enormous gardens, many of whose ruins are still to be seen, such as at Hadrian's Villa.
Byzantium and Moorish Spain kept garden traditions alive after the 4th century. By this time a separate gardening tradition had arisen in China, which was transmitted to Japan, where it developed into aristocratic miniature landscapes centered on ponds and separately into the severe Zen gardens of temples.
In Europe, gardening revived in Languedoc and the Ile-de-France in the 13th century, and in the Italian villa gardens of the early Renaissance. French parterres developed at the end of the 16th century and reached high development under Andre le Notre. English landscape gardens opened a new perspective in the 18th century. The 19th century saw a welter of historical revivals and Romantic cottage-inspired gardening.
20th century gardening expanded into city planning.
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Celebrate National Garden Month

National Garden Month® is a time to reflect on and recognize the critical role plants play in our lives. We're encouraging green-thumbed students to get involved in the Give a Garden™ – Add Beauty to Life campaign, and spread the word to those in their school or neighborhood who may not realize how fantastic plants are.
This month's teaching unit takes you and your class step-by-step through the process of planning a container garden, and then giving it to a person or group whose well-being could be enhanced by the presence of plants.
Read on...

All American Vegetables 2005

AAS is a non-profit organization for evaluating new seed-grown flowers and vegetables from around the world for home garden performance. All of the 2005 award winners will be available this coming garden season in seed or already-started transplant form. This week I’ll be covering the three vegetable winners; my next column, we’ll review the three flower winners, including one flower winner from Goldsmith Seeds in Gilroy. All the winners have been tested at independent test gardens throughout the country. Goldsmith Seeds happens to be one such All-America Selections test site.
More information can also be obtained at the AAS web site: www.all-americaselections.org. The site includes a retail locator section, which provides some of the retailers offering AAS winners. “Sugary” tomato. With a name like this, you just know that this tomato is all about sweet flavor. This tomato variety is actually a sort of cross between cherry tomatoes and Sweet 100. Specifically, you get oval-shaped tomatoes that are slightly larger than regular cherry tomatoes, and they grow on clusters similar to grapes and what you’ll get with Sweet 100. The oval-shaped fruit is a distinct shape that makes this variety stand out. But like its name, the sugar content will make you remember this standout variety. In fact, the sugar content is nearly 10-percent higher than most other tomato varieties. “Sugary” tomato will ripen within 60 days from transplanting. Being a cherry type, they can easily be grown in containers or in the ground. Plants are vigorous and may need a little pruning to contain growth. “Sugary” sets a new standard for cherry-size tomatoes. “Fairy Tale” eggplant. This is a petite eggplant that features miniature eggplants that are just as good to look at as they are to eat. Fruit are elongated oval eggplants that are purple/violet with white stripes. They bear on petite plants that are less than 3 feet tall and wide, which makes them ideal for growing in containers. Taste of the fruit are sweet, non-bitter, with a tender skin and few seeds. Fruit can be picked when they are quite small at one to two ounces, or they can be left on the plant to double the weight; the flavor and tenderness remains. “Fairy Tale” eggplants are recommended for marinating or grilling. Harvest can begin around 50 days from transplanting. This is the first eggplant to win an AAS award since 1939. “Bonbon” winter squash. Three improved traits distinguish this winter squash. They are restricted habit, earliness and superior eating qualities. “Bonbon” has an upright, semi-bush habit that needs less garden space. Mature vines spread about eight feet. Fruit ripens with around 80 days, which is a full week earlier than other varieties. This squash has a thick orange flesh. When cooked, it delivers a sweet flavor (hence the name). The boxy-shaped, dark green squash has silver stripes. Each fruit weighs about four pounds. Like other squash, they are easily grown during the cool season. All these All America Selections winners will be available at garden centers this spring and summer. Look for the red, white and blue AAS display signs. You can also buy seeds from large mail-order seed companies. Again, more information is available at the AAS web site: www.allamericaselections

Garden Structure Plans & Kits

Garden Structure Plans & Kits
Gazebos from Backyard America
Home & Garden Decor Store Arbors
Arbors, Gates, Trellises and Pergolas

Patio building plan

Use this building plan to create a brick patio. Save money and do it your way.
A base of sand over gravel will support brick, as well as concrete pavers and stones. The sand beneath supports the brick, but you'll sprinkle more sand in between when finished.
First, cut out the size of the patio you want.
Just start with a brick in the corner and continue to lay full bricks for the rest of the course. Alternate the courses and fill them with sand to help lock them in place.
Start running bricks from one corner, 1/8 inch apart. Use a rubber mallet to knock the bricks in place. Use a level to see if the bricks are straight and uniform. If a brick is too high, remove some sand and re-fit it. Then use the sand to fill in any gaps.
Start the second row with a half brick. To cut a brick, mark it with a brick chisel and then score it. Place it on another brick and hit it with a sledgehammer. It should now be broken. Finish the row will full bricks and alternate the pattern, making sure that if you lay half of a brick in one row, the next is a full brick.
As you lay the bricks, check with the level of unevenness. When all the bricks have been laid, pour soft sand in the cracks. Brush the patio with sand until all the cracks are filled and spray with the hose. This will guarantee that the sand is packed.
You can rent a machine that is called a power tamper that will make sure the bricks are firmly in place. Just run it over the bricks.

ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE ORGANIC FERTILIZER
PERFECT FOR GOLF COURSE GREENS & FAIRWAYS
HIGH ORGANIC NITROGEN SOURCE PLUS 2% SULPHUR
SLOW RELEASE
NON-BURNING
PRODUCES HEALTHY GREEN FOLIAGE
NO UNPLEASANT ODORS
CONDITIONS THE SOIL
EASY TO APPLY PELLETS
COVERS 5,000 SQ. FT. PER 35LB. BAG

Organic Gardening

This forum is meant for the discussion of organic gardening. Organic gardening is most easily defined as a philosophy that stresses the use of naturally occurring substances and friendly predators and avoiding man-made chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This is the philosophy which guides this forum.
Instructions on using the forum are provided below. Before posting a question, please check the FAQ and do a search to make sure it hasn't already been answered.

A to Z Minerals- A Complete Organic Fertilizer

A Source of Minerals & Trace Elements
Azomite is the name of a special rock in Utah. Early this century geological prospector Rollin Anderson found deposits of montmorillonite clay in a valley south of Salt Lake City. U.S. Bureau of Mines analysis showed the clay is similar to Chilean/Peruvian caliche rocks from which much of the world's nitrate was mined. Anderson ground montmorillonite as fine as possible, then put it in his garden. Results were amazing and nearly immediate. Minerals in Azomite are necessary to optimal metabolism in living things. Ground to dust, minerals are small enough to pass through cell walls of organisms.
Azomite is natural mined rock from a specific volcanic deposit in central Utah marketed as a free-flowing, less than 200 mesh, tan to pink powder with a density of 48 lbs./cubic foot. No additives, synthetics or fillers. Mineralogically, Azomite is rhyolitic tuff breccia. Azomite has 67 major and trace elements, so its name means "A to Z Of Minerals Including Trace Elements." Typical analysis shows every element that's beneficial to plants and animals, and other elements (micro-nutrients) scientists believe essential. Azomite was mined since 1942 as soil amendment. Crop farmers report improved growth, health, size. Potatoes report 19-60% increase in yield; sugar beets are larger, with higher sugar content. Citrus growers report improved recovery from decline, healthier trees. In 1988 Peak Minerals, Inc. acquired the deposit and initiated accredited research in Colorado, Utah, Florida, and Georgia. Currently approved for organic farming in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
MY SHOPPING

The Superworm Farm, Inc.

Welcome to The Superworm Farm. We appreciate that you have come to our Web site in search of the highest quality feeder and fish bait insects, as well as related care products and information to assist you with keeping your insects healthy once they have arrived. Our products come to you from our growing facility located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, just minutes west of Allentown, Pennsylvania. We invite you to become one of our regular customers and join the many others that purchase millions of our insects every week. Browse our Web site and e-mail us with any questions about our products or policies. We hope to hear from you soon and look forward to the opportunity to serve your live insect needs. Remember, log on to our web site often to check for new products and our

FERTILIZERS are ALL NATURAL - ORGANIC NITROGEN - SOYBEAN BASED

Fertilizers for lawns and gardens
Commercial lawn and garden maintenance
Golf courses and
Used by Organic Farming

Welcome to Lawn Fertilizers

FERTILIZERS Fertilizers are literally plant food additives. Very few soils are fertile enough to supply the nutrients which healthy plants need. The soil in most areas has become so depleted over the years that fertilizers and other additives must be added.
Soil color is deceiving... and does not indicate the fertility; and the darkest may be poorest in nutrients. While grasses will survive without fertilization, they will not do so and look and perform to the standards we set for them today. A healthy, green, lush lawn is generally a result of a correct fertilization program.
You will find a lot of different opinions among the experts, about how often and when to fertilize. In general you should fertilize at the beginning of the season when the type of grass you have (cool or warm season) most actively grows. For cool season grasses this is in fall and spring. For warm season grasses the time is late spring as growth really accelerates.
BUY LAWNFERTILIZERSFROM SEEDLAND
How often you fertilize also depends on the intensity of maintenance. Low maintenance lawns require less fertilization (cool season - in fall / warm season in spring and early summer). Medium maintenance lawns usually have one additional fertilization added to the schedule. For cool season lawns this is generally in spring and for warm season lawns a fall application is added. High maintenance lawns are fertilized on a more precision application during the most active growing months.

Dog & Skunk -- not a good mix!

Every spring and fall my dog seems to find all the skunks that are lurking around our barns. Years ago a friend of mine passed on this recipe that eliminates the odor on contact:

1 box baking soda (small box)
1 regular sized bottle peroxide
1 tablespoon dish soap
1 gallon warm water

Mix all ingredients together and bathe the smelly pet. Careful not to get any in the pets eyes.

You'll notice just as soon as this mix hits the horrible odor it begins to fade.

There was a time we had to bathe our black lab in this mix three times in one week resulting in a red haired black lab. It was amusing to say the least. We began calling him our trailer park puppy because of his black roots and poorly dyed hair.

Modern reel mowers

Modern reel mowers are easy to push! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. People who think they are hard to push usually haven't seen or touched a reel mower in 20 years. Check out our testimonials page to see for yourself, or read our guide to using a reel mower.Since June 2003, we stock Brill reel mowers at our own warehouse and have the mower ready for immediate shipment. Your order will ship from Indiana within one business day

Planting A Tree

Planting trees is an easy and effective way to beautify your property, provide shade in summer and wind protection in winter and enhance privacy all while increasing real estate values at the same time. Since a tree is such a visible part of the landscape care must be taken to ensure proper growth conditions are maintained. A tree is far more difficult - and expensive - to replace, once mature in the landscape, than most shrubs. However, with some advance planning, trees too can be easily maintained.
Next: Choosing a Tree »

Backyard Habitat

What is a Backyard Habitat?
A Backyard Habitat is the manipulation of your yard into a garden that provides essential resources for different kinds of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, small mammals and other creatures. This could entail something as simple as planting a few host plants for butterflies or as elaborate as creating a place that provides food, water, summer shade, winter refuge, perches, nesting sites, and hiding places for all kinds of wildlife. This ecologically-minded gardening is especially critical in areas of excessive development. Natural wildlife habitat is disappearing quickly. Creating a Backyard Habitat is the perfect way for you, your family, and your schools to help conserve wildlife while being able to enjoy observing it every day in your own backyard.
The following websites will serve as references for you as you plan your Backyard Habitat. Once you have completed your habitat creation, you can officially register your

Bog Gardening

A POND is not an essential feature of the bog garden, although its presence is to be desired when you can use the overflow to feed a marsh. It is essential, that the soil of the marsh garden be kept in a moist, swampy state through out year. The site of the bog garden must, naturally, be low-lying and where the surface drainage will naturally collect. If the subsoil is of sticky clay, a mere trickle of water will keep the ground in a sufficiently moist condition. Should the subsoil be light and well drained, a certain amount of excavation will be necessary before the bog garden can be made.
Constructing the Bog Garden
Dig out about two feet of the topsoil and introduce a little clay for a basis. Over this stretch a five-inch bed of rubble or large stones, and then a layer of coarse soil. Now fill the remainder, almost to the level of the surrounding land, with medium consisting of half loam and half leaf-mould or peat. Unless a natural flow of water is available, you need to provide an artificial trickle, just sufficient to keep the bog swampy. Sometimes in the summer, I would turn the hose on and let the bog flood. This process should last for several months depending on your cliamate. Bog plants should never suffer from drought, the marsh garden should be kept quite moist, but on the other hand must not become stagnant, and it is for this reason that slight bottom drainage is introduced. The bog should never be more than two feet in depth; its extent, of course, will depend on the space available and upon taste. Paths of rough stones or bricks should be made through the bog, and over these should be placed flat stepping stones, in order to make every part of the bog accessible. If these paths are made at varying heights, they may be used to divide the bog into shelving beds, the higher and better-drained of which will accommodate plants not requiring to much moisture, while in the lower-lying sites can be grown the real moisture-lovers.
Selecting the Plants
Provided is list of a few good marsh plants. Almost any moisture-loving plant can be used. They can be found at the margins of streams and ponds, even some of those which at times have six or more inches of water over their crowns; in fact, all plants growing freely in shallow water may also be grown in the bog garden. Be careful not to overcrowd the plants, rather group together three to five plants of the same kind, leave a space, and again plant a clump of subjects of different colour

Tip of the week - Garden Edging Tool

When tackling small edging jobs try using a pizza cutter. It's more affordable than gardening tools and is just as effective.

Cleaning and Storing Garden Tools

Try this tip:

Keep garden tools clean and rust free by storing them in a pail filled with kitty litter.

After using the tools simply plunge them into the pail and you'll find they stay clean and dry until next use.

Recipe to Detour Deer

Follow these instructions and recipe for saving your hard work from deer damage:

1 egg
1/2 c milk
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 gallon water

Beat the egg and milk together, add cooking oil and detergent. Add mixture to water and shake well. Store in a covered 1 gallon container.

Directions for Use:
Apply liquid to plants (except for FOOD plants) using a spray bottle. Repeat every 2 weeks or following a heavy rain.

Again, this product mixture is NOT intended to be used on food products.

MTD- Garden Tillers

Garden Tillers
Take the backbreaking work out of preparing your garden plot! Available in two sizes, a lightweight version for the smaller gardens which makes it easy to reach around flower beds and between rows.
The larger Rear Tine Tiller Model offers a more professional finish with adjustable swing handles, eliminating the need to walk in freshly tilled soil. Large tyres and a 46cm tilling width combine to provide stability and traction while still offering a narrow width to cultivate between rows.

TL332
5HP OHV Motor
Push Drive
32-61cm/13"-24" Tilling Width
Adjustable Till Width
TL412
6HP OHV Motor
Chain Drive Fwd/Rev Drive
46cm

BCS Garden Tillers/Lawn Care Machines

BCS Garden Tillers are more than simply roto-tillers. These machines are probably the highest quality roto-tillers available; in addition to tiller attachments, many different attachments are available for this lawn care system including: sickle bar mowers; lawn mowers; heavy duty mowers; snow throwers; a sweeper; and a chipper shredder. Different size and types of attachments fit the different size tractors, but with two 5 hp, a 7 hp, a 8 hp, two 9 hp, and a 14 hp tractor unit, there should be a tractor/attachment combination to do your job. Since each tractor unit can run multiple implements, these units can be very efficient and cost effective to use, replacing several pieces of stand alone equipment.
Features/Specifications - Gardener 710
No belts - BCS uses a heavy duty automotive style clutch that does not rob power like belts, delivering more power to the tiller
All Gear Drive - all BCS tractors use only extra heavy duty gears, shafts, and ball bearings in the transmissions
Powered Reverse - The Gardener has a geared reverse that will get you out of tight areas while both hands stay on the handlebars
Versatility - The tiller can be removed and other attachments such as a sickle bar, or regular lawn mower can be added
No-Time-Limit warranty on the transmission
Handlebar adjustment - the handlebars can move from side to side instantly, which allows you to walk to the side when cultivating
Engine: Available a 5.5 hp Briggs And Stratton Intek series engine
Transmission is clutch and gear type, with 1 forward, and 1 reverse speed
Tine rotation speed is 290 rpm, tine drive is ring and pinion gear, tiller tines rotate at .6 mph, rotating them at 20 times per revolution of the wheel
Has large 15 inche diameter tires
Tilling width is 18 inches, tilling depth is 8 inches, has reverse tiller lockout
Has the exclusive planar wedge, that breaks up the soil in the center of the tiller leaving no untilled strip down the middle
Several pto powered attachments are available, including: an 18 inch rear tine tiller; 30 inch and 40 inch sickle bar, a 22 inch lawn mower with catcher, 20 inch single stage snowblower attachement, and a 20 inch wide brushmower attachment, (a non-powered hiller/furrower attachment is also available)
Units are available with recoil start or electric start engines
Adjustable handles: instant side to side and instant up and down adjustment
Reverse engagement gear shift
Warranty: 3 years plus no time limit on transmission
Gardener 710 Tractors (Attachments are ordered separately and listed below)
Model

The Mantis Tiller

The Mantis Tiller is the incredible lightweight tiller that has made gardening easier for more than a million people. Originally designed to help landscapers get their jobs done quicker, the 20-pound tiller is a favorite of home gardeners all over the world. Optional attachments make the tiller a complete lawn and garden tool.

Honda Tillers

Honda Tillers are recognized for their quality and their features: • Easy starting• Smooth performance• Quiet operation• Reliable power• Ultra-low emissions levels. All Honda Garden Tillers feature conveniently located controls for comfort, ease of use and safety.
Honda’s all-star lineup of rear-tine tillers are powerful earth churning machines with the extra durability and strength that customers expect from a Honda Tiller. With Honda’s four stroke engines, advanced tine design and a low center of gravity they are exceptionally efficient

Troy-Bilt

Troy-Bilt makes the moments that you work for possible.
You can't wait for that morning when the first seedling peeks out of your spring garden. You look forward to that hot summer day when you pick your first tomato. And you love those cool evenings when you look at your home and know that everything looks its best.
These are the moments that you work for. And these moments are the reason we make Troy-Bilt products. Because everything we build makes it easier to achieve this excitement, this satisfaction, this pride. From our legenday garden tillers , as well as premium lawn mowers, riding mowers , and lawn care products, we have the products you need... for the moments you want to enjoy.

Ferris Mowers

The IS 4500Z combines an industrial grade 28-hp CAT diesel engine and newly-designed front-wheel IS® Independent Suspension with rear-wheel Active Performance Suspension (APS™). This system provides comfort, speed, traction and consistency of cut. For those who prefer gas to diesel, a 35-hp Briggs Vanguard™ Big Block engine is also
Ferris’ most popular series of zero-turn mowers now offers a 26-hp Kawasaki Liquid Cooled V-Twin engine. This engine will increase power and torque capabilities while maintaining fuel efficiency. Additionally, this machine boasts other innovative features like Ferris’ new Hercules™ spindles, and cast iron rear suspension A-
The new IS 1500Z series mowers are capable of tackling tight places, providing maximum maneuverability and feature all the benefits afforded by suspension

Lawn-Boy

The Timeline of Lawn-Boy
1904: On a hot and humid Wisconsin summer afternoon Ole Evinrude was determined to present his future wife, Bess Cary, with an ice cream cone. His only obstacle was Wisconsin's Okauchee Lake, and of course, the blazing sun. Nevertheless, Ole rowed his boat across the lake to purchase the ice cream- only to deliver it to Bess in the form of creamy soup. Embarrassed, Ole vowed it would not happen again. It was this promise that led first to the birth of Evinrude Motors, later to the Outboard Marine Corporation, and subsequently to Lawn-Boy.1907: Ole Evinrude completed the design of his outboard motor, which is still the standard today. The design consisted of a horizontal cylinder, a vertical crankshaft, and a driveshaft with direction-changing gears housed in a submerged lower unit.1908: Like Evinrude, the Johnson brothers, Lou, Harry and Clarence from Terre Haute, Indiana built their first marine engine. The brothers later went on to form the Johnson Motor Wheel Company in 1917.1921: Ole Evinrude produced a smaller, lightweight motor called the Evinrude Light Twin Outboard, or the ELTO.1926: The original Evinrude Motor Company was sold to Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee, a pioneer firm in the field of small gasoline engines founded by Stephen F. Briggs and Harry Stratton.1926: Briggs and Stratton Directors voted against continuing in the outboard motor field. Briggs, however, decided to remain in the field and formed a syndicate with Ole Evinrude, merging ELTO, Evinrude, and the Lockwood-Ash Motor Company into the Outboard

Honda Power

You’re passionate about your yard. At Honda Power Equipment, we feel the same way about our lawn mowers. There’s more to an exceptional mowing machine than a great engine, or a great deck, or a great cutting system. Luckily, Honda offers all of these things on our mowers. And together they add up to something exceptional: Terrific Value. Which is one more thing to be passionate about.Honda’s world-renowned easy-starting lawnmower engines deliver smooth, quiet and reliable four-stroke power and ultra low emissions levels. The compact, light-weight OHC/OHV GCV Series of engines offer plenty of power for home use. And the legendary OHV GXV Series offers lawnmowers with rugged commercial grade performance that’ll get you through anything in short order.Our engines pass the toughest EPA and CARB emission standards. It’s no wonder why Honda makes more engines than anyone else on earth!ALL Honda lawn mowers are pre-tested and ready to perform for you!Honda offers five different lines of lawn mowers for you to choose from:
Visit us in person at these trade shows!
Honda HRX
Honda Harmony® II
Honda Harmony®
Honda Masters®
Honda Commercial

Murry,Inc.

Questions Every Riding Mower Buyer Should Ask...
What size cutting deck do I need?

The width of cutting deck needed is determined in part by the size of your lawn.

38” or 40” Cutting Decks Ideal for ½-acre to 1-acre lawns 42” Cutting Decks Perfect for 1-acre to 2-acre lawns
46” or 52” Cutting Decks Handle 2-acre or larger lawns with ease
What type of transmission is best?
There are three main types of transmissions available.

Manual Gear Drive Manual gear drive transmissions control ground speed with multiple gears and require the use of a manual clutch to start, stop or change ground speed. They are available in both 5-speed and 6-speed versions

Questions Every Walk-Behind Mower Buyer Should Ask...

Which type of lawn mower is best for my yard?
The size of your lawn is one factor that will help determine whether you need
a push or self propelled lawn mower.

Smaller Lawns (Less than 1/3 acre) May only require a push mower.
Larger Lawns (More than 1/3 acre) May require a self-propelled mower that assists in getting the job done faster and easier.
Should I consider a push or a self-propelled lawn mower?
Push Mowers
Push mowers are simple machines that offer the opportunity to combine yardwork with
moderate exercise.
Self-Propelled MowersIf you have a larger yard or uneven terrain, you need to consider a self-propelled mower.
Self-propelled mowers provide added power to turn or "drive" the wheels. This reduces mowing time and offers better maneuverability around trees and flowers beds. They are available in both front wheel drive and rear wheel drive.

What is the difference between a front wheel drive and a rear wheel drive?
Front Wheel Drive
More of a drive assist and easier to maneuver

Rear Wheel Drive
More positive traction for use on grades and unlevel lawns

What engine type do I need?

It is important to buy an engine to meet your lawn mowing needs. Most walk-behind
engines have simple, single cylinder gasoline engines that are reliable and easy-to-start.
In general, it is recommended that you use no less than a 4.0hp engine for optimum bagging
and mulching applications.

How will I dispose of my grass clippings?

There are three options available to handle grass clippings:
Mulching Mulching cuts the grass into fine clippings that are returned to the lawn to act as a natural fertilizer that adds nutrients to the soil. No need to dispose of the clippings because they are deposited into the lawn. Mulching saves time, conserves water, cuts fertilizer bills, and provides a greener lawn.
Bagging Bagging is great for collecting grass clippings or for leaf pick-up. Ideal for those who like to compost.

Side Discharging Grass clippings are dispersed onto the top of the lawn.
Do I need a convertible mower?
Choose a mower that best fits the way you usually mow your yard and has the flexibility
to adapt to changing mowing conditions. A convertible mower allows you to change back
and forth easily without tools

John Deere Lawn And Garden

John Deere has the products and services you need for the tasks you do on your property.

Perfecting the Yard & Lawn
Helping the Garden Grow
Exploring Nature & Trails
Maintaining the Pastures & Fields
Tending to the Animals
Tooling Around in the Workshop

Snappers premium lawn care

We manufacture premium lawn care and snow equipment for both residential and commercial customers. Snapper products include a variety of walk behind mowers, rear engine riders, tractors, yard cruisers, commercial mowers, snowthrowing equipment, a tiller and utility vehicle as well as a full complement of accessories. Snappers are sold only through qualified independent authorized dealers. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Toro Mowers, Tillers, Sprinklers

Free Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)for Z-Master® Mowers ManufacturedBefore 2004If you own one of these models,The NEW ToroECXTRA™ Timer Toro takes the mystery out of watering your lawn and landscape. Use your personal computer to create watering schedules and manage your Toro ECXTRA™ Sprinkler Timer - automatically

Marinated Greek Salad

You can probably find the vegetables needed for this salad already prepared at your grocery store's produce counter or at the deli. Add some cooked cubed chicken, canned tuna or cooked shrimp for a main dish meal.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 cup green olives
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 cup Italian or Greek salad dressing
1

The Water Garden Shop

The Water Garden Shop specializes in water plants for your pond, including waterlilies and marginal water plants. In addition, we also carry pond liner, pumps, filters, and all of the necessary supplies to construct and maintain water gardens. The Water Garden Shop offers information for pondkeepers of all experience levels and a secure site from which to order. While the products we offer are an excellent reason to visit our website, we also offer advice on water garden design, construction, and general pondkeeping from over thirty years experience designing and building water features. If you have any questions regarding water garden plants, items featured on our site, or general pondkeeping questions

The Water Garden

Welcome to The Water Garden!
You have come to the right site for information about, and products for your ponds and water gardens. Our site offers hundreds of pages of information about all aspects of ponds and water gardens. The list of links down the right side of this page will take you to our "how to information." Down the left side you will find links to the various categories of products in our online catalog. Here in the middle column we list a variety of information about special offers and what's in the current issue of our newsletter. It also has other information about what's new at The Water Garden.

agriculture for kids

U.S. farmers grow the food that feeds the world. There are more than 2 million farms in the nation and in California alone there are nearly 90 thousand. Some states (like Texas and Iowa) have more farms, but California farmers grow the most.
The USDA Farm Service Agency helps farmers by loaning them money to buy equipment. And after a flood or a drought, we help the farmers put their fields back in shape. We also help farmers take some of their farmland (along rivers) and plant them so birds and wildlife will visit.
Visit our Ag for Kids pages to find out more about agriculture in the US. This site is divided into coloring pages, game pages, fun facts (or trivia) and useful things to print out and keep. Have fun!
Two interactive games are available online. They are fun trivia games about USDA and American

Peace Gardens:

School gardens and habitats are ideal spaces for learning about peaceful ideals and conflict resolution for a number of reasons. Because every living thing depends on plants for basic needs – air, food, shelter, clothing, even water – they can serve as a clear symbol, even to young children, of how all living things are connected. It also points out the importance of preserving the living systems and cycles that plants – and therefore, we – depend on. Working with plants in a school garden, habitat or an indoor GrowLab gives students the opportunity to experience and grasp these complex concepts first hand.
We hear regularly from educators that their students experience the nuts and bolts of peace – good communication and healthy interaction – when they work together in the garden. They tell us that kids with diverse backgrounds and abilities quickly develop social skills such as cooperation, sharing, and leadership, and forge friendships that didn’t previously exist on the playground.
In this month's Teachers' Resource Room, you'll find activities, classroom stories, articles, Web resources, and grant listings that can help
Parents' Primer
A new gardening year lies before you and your kids. Looking for some guidance on how to make the most of it? Our Parents' Primer can help! Many other writings on kids’ gardening start with what to grow and how to design and build a kids’ garden, prepare soil, and plant, but this primer is not just about creating one garden for your kids. It’s about taking advantage of “gardening moments” with your kids every week in your own backyard ... and front yard and in the garage and at the windowsill and in the basement ...
The Parents' Parents' Primer
A new gardening year lies before you and your kids. Looking for some guidance on how to make the most of it? Our Parents' Primer can help! Many other writings on kids’ gardening start with what to grow and how to design and build a kids’ garden, prepare soil, and plant, but this primer is not just about creating one garden for your kids. It’s about taking advantage of “gardening moments” with your kids every week in your own backyard ... and front yard and in the garage and at the windowsill and in the basement ...
The Parents'
A new gardening year lies before you and your kids. Looking for some guidance on how to make the most of it? Our Parents' Primer can help! Many other writings on kids’ gardening start with what to grow and how to design and build a kids’ garden, prepare soil, and plant, but this primer is not just about creating one garden for your kids. It’s about taking advantage of “gardening moments” with your kids every week in your own backyard ... and front yard and in the garage and at the windowsill and in the basement

Gardening With Kids

SOIL: You always want to start with good soil, you may want to purchase a testing kit from a local garden center to find out what your soil needs. You want soil that crumbles easily in your hands. Sometimes you have to add sand, clay and compost to get the type of soil that grows plants best. You may need to turn your soil with a shovel and add soil amendments in order to get the best soil. Soil that sticks together when you press it probably has alot of clay in it. This causes problems for good drainage of water to happen. Soil that does not stick together and has much more air in it has too much sand. It does not hold the nutrients the plants need to survive well. Loam is the best kind of soil, not as sticky as clay and not too sandy. You can add compost or an organic (natural) soil amendment, such as leaves, compost, horse manure, bat guano or pre-packaged items from the local nursery that have nutrients. Always follow the directions on the package when using pre-packaged amendments. Soil amendments and different fertilizers can help the soil get better. Soil can be either alkaline or acidic, but what you want is some of each.
WATERING: Most plants need an average of 1 inch of water every week. You should try to water your plants earlier in the day, so the sun can help dry off any water left on the plant. If you see a plant drooping, be sure to water it, because some plants wilt and do not recover if they dry out.
MULCHING: Putting a mulch around the base of plants can help hold in water for the plant and keep weeds away. It is also useful

LP Greenhouse

Welcome to LP-Greenhouse Inc. ~Thanks for stopping by to visit us! As you click around our site, you will find the various plants we grow. As you browse around this site you will also find tips and suggestions to take many of the frustrations out of your gardening experience, making it more delightful and rewarding. LP-Greenhouse Inc. also provides links to some useful tools available on the internet.
Special Orders - Pots and Baskets
LP-Greenhouse Inc. is a family owned and operated gardening center and has been servicing tasteful gardener's since 1978. To learn more about the history of LP-Greenhouse Inc. visit our "about us" page linked above. While you are here

Back in time tea room

We are pleased to introduce a new Tea Room in the heart of Indiana.

Over the many years of having operated a quality greenhouse service, the patrons of L-P Greenhouse have often suggested a nice place to relax and have lunch. After the recommendation was made numerous times, Larry and Polly McCord realized the need for such a service. After two years of planning and construction, The Back In Time Tea Room is now open for business.
The Back In Time Tea Room is delicately decorated with fine antique tables and chairs, aged doilies, antique cook-stoves, and quilts created by masterful hands. Carefully planned menu items will tempt your palette, served on precious antique china. Each meal is enhanced with flavorful choices of loose tea blends as your beverage selection along with choice selections of soups and homemade breads.
Following lunch, our servers will continue to entice your taste buds with a selection of cakes and pies that are made entirely from scratch.
The Back In Time Tea Room is situated in the midst of a picturesque country setting, only 1 mile south of

Merlin's Greenhouse & Flowers

Merlin's Greenhouse & Flowers proudly serves the Oregon Illinois area. We are family owned and operated, and are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. Because all of our customers are important, our professional staff is dedicated to making your experience a pleasant one. That is why we always go the extra mile to make your floral gift perfect.Let Merlin's Greenhouse & Flowers be your first choice for flowers.

Hessell's Greenhouse

Hessell's Greenhouse Michigan has been growing Greenhouse Plants and Flowers since 1957. Growing Plants and Flowers is a family tradition at Hessell's Greenhouse and we take great pride in offering only the healthiest Greenhouse Plants and Flowers.
Hessell's Greenhouse Plants and Flowers begin with only the highest quality seeds sown in a rich seed starting mix to develop the highest quality Greenhouse Plants and Flowers.


Cells are labeled with care and instructions, then the Plants and Flowers are raised to maturity in our Climate Controlled Greenhouse assuring you only the Healthiest Disease Free Plants and Flowers.
We invite you to come in and browse through our Greenhouses in Shelby Township

Hirt's Greenhouse & Flowers

Hirt's Greenhouse & Flowers is one of Ohio's oldest horticultural establishments. We specialize in unusual vegetables, hard-to-find perennials, a full spectrum of annual flowers, thousands of house plants, a complete garden store, and seeds and bulbs from all over the world!
Hirt's Greenhouse & Flowers is also one of the largest flower shops in the United States, ranked in the top 500 by "FTD!" We can deliver flowers almost anywhere in the world

CropKing Controlled Environment Agriculture

CropKing specializes in Controlled Environment Agriculture for fun and profit. We provide complete systems for Greenhouses, Hydroponics, Organics, Mushrooms, Aquaculture, and the Training for you to enjoy and profit from these systems.
Join us for the 22nd Annual S/CEAHydroponic & Organic Grower's ConferenceNov. 10-12, 2005 in Sunny Orlando, FL. If you are an experienced grower or just considering controlled environment agriculture, this conference is for you! This year will also feature a hobby grower's track and an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Land Pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot® Center!




CropKing is opening a sales office in California!Come to a traveling Orientation in California, Nevada, and other Western States. If you are considering greenhouse production for fun or profit, try these low cost informative seminars.




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Advanced Grower Training WorkshopsCome to an Advanced Grower's Workshop in January or February to expand your greenhouse growing knowlege!




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Growing for Profit - The business of the future...with the Family Farm Lifestyle

Hydroponic Vine Crop Greenhouse Systems (Tomatoes, Eggplant, Cucumbers, etc.)Commercial NFT Lettuce and Herb Greenhouse SystemsCertified Organic Tomato Greenhouse SystemsSpecialty Mushroom Growing SystemsOutside Hydroponic Strawberry Growing SystemsGrower Training WorkshopsGreenhouses and ColdframesRetrofit Hydroponic SystemsLivestock Forage Systems
Hobby Growing for Fun and Pleasure

Sanctuary Hobby GreenhousesEnjoy a Taste of Paradise in your Backyard Year-Round with a Sanctuary Hobby Greenhouse.Hydroponic & Organic Growing Kits and SuppliesGrow inside with grow lights or outside with innovative hydroponic kits and organic growing systems available at Carefreegarden.comHobby Mushroom KitsGrow your own mushrooms with these easy to grow kits.
Growing for Education

Hydroponicum

American Hydroponic

Whether you want to grow for fun or for profit, we make hydroponics easy. For over 20 years, we have been providing people with cutting edge hydroponic gardening and farming equipment. Welcome to our site, find out why we have so many successful growers and be sure to check back regularly for our special offers....
Commercial Products

Homegrown Hydroponics

Advantages
Since Hydroponics can be used in conjunction with artificial sunlight, the growing season may be extended to include the winter months. Also many vegetables yield more per square foot. and in a shorter time than with soil. Nutrients are re-circulated resulting in much less pollution.
HYDROPONICS LOVES THE ENVIRONMENT as there is no need for harmful pesticides and weed killers!
Anchorage (media)...
‘Growing mediums’ are used to anchor the roots and give support to the plant. Since all nutrition necessary to grow plants are supplied by the nutrient solution, mediums are used primarily for anchorage. The two most popular growing mediums in Hydroponics are ‘Heydite’ which are small pieces of shale rock that can be re-used indefinitely making it environmentally-friendly. ‘Rockwool’ is also made of rock but has been melted, spun like cotton candy and molded into growing blocks and slabs. Smaller amounts of rockwool
Nutrient (plant food)
The plant food in a hydroponic garden is supplied to the plants by dissolving natural fertilizer ‘salts’ in water to make a ‘nutrient solution’. It is important to feed the plants the proper amounts of each nutrient. Use a commercially

Wholesale Greenhouse

Since we introduced our first greenhouse in 1987, thousands of serious and hobby gardeners have discovered a whole new world of gardening with a Farm Wholesale Greenhouse. With over 15 years of experience, we will help you find the greenhouse that is right for you! Special Offer: FREE DELIVERY on greenhouse kits and cold frames!

Advance Greenhouses

Advance Greenhouses welcomes you to our online store for greenhouses and greenhouse kits.
Need help getting started? Not sure which greenhouse kit is right for you? Click here for our free planning & building a greenhouse guide. (How to build a greenhouse)
D-I-Y Greenhouse Kits
Your one stop source for greenhouses, greenhouse kits, sunrooms, solariums, garden rooms, patio rooms and conservatories.
Shop for items for your garden, your pets and yourself here.

Greenhouses . Com

Get greenhouse advice from the specialists. A great resource for all greenhouse users!
Want advice or a supportive ear? Share what's on your mind in the Greenhouses community.

Distributing Heat in the Greenhouse

Greenhouses use a majority of the sunlight as a means of heat along with the nutrients that the plants will derive from the sun. But there are times of the year, combined with the size of the greenhouse, that you may not get enough heat from the sun. Supplemental heat is needed in all sizes of greenhouses during certain times of day when the weather is a little cooler outside of those walls.
Read more...

Rose Water for the Home

Rose water is a delightful fragrance that will use the scent of the roses from your garden to change the scents and add to the smells in your home. The process is not really that difficult at all and the results are similar to that of perfumes, oils or other types of scents that you use in the home. Rose water really doesn’t cost much to make either, a little of your time and a good sense of what you like is all that you really need!
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American Greenhouse Kit Company

With every purchase of a walk-in greenhouse, receive a free 1-year subscription to Practical Gardener magazine. Practical Gardener is a blend of practical tips, techniques, and tactics for gardeners at any level
We are pleased as could be with our greenhouse. Your web site is very good. Easy to navigate and the information describing each kit made it really easy to decide which one would be right for us. My Mom wanted to have a place to keep her orchids safe and warm. Even here in California it gets down to 32 degrees (once in a while). The ordering process was a breeze. It had to be for me to follow it. I have had trouble with other sites, but not with yours. Shipping - The carrier called the day before to tell us they would be there the next day. The driver even hand trucked

ACF Greenhouses

OVER 40 YEARS IN THE GREENHOUSE BUSINESS!ACF features a wide variety of greenhouses and a full line of greenhouse supplies. Not sure exactly what you need? Visit our Greenhouse Resource Center for help in making a decision. There you can view buying guides for greenhouses, supplies, cold frames, grow lights, and links to other helpful information. For links to all of the products that we offer, please visit our Greenhouse Kits and Greenhouse Supplies pages.
Greenhouse Kits
Cross Country Greenhouses These greenhouses are second to none in quality and available options. They feature a sturdy painted aluminum frame, choice of coverings, storm door with screened in window, automated ventilation system, and are available in hundreds of sizes.
Juliana GreenhousesEvery Juliana greenhouse kit features a sturdy aluminum frame and a twinwall polycarbonate covering to provide home gardeners with many years ofenjoyment at an economical price.
Hobby Gardener GreenhousesThis greenhouse is covered with SnapGlas™ panels which give it the clarity of glass but the strength and durability of polycarbonate. Hobby Gardener greenhouses also features hinged doors with latches and many roof and wall vents for optimal ventilation.
Portable GreenhousesInexpensive greenhouses that can be assembled quickly and easily and dismantled when you don't need them. Portable greenhouses feature a dark green painted steel structure and one of the most durable plastic film coverings available. Only $119 to $299
Sunshine GreenhousesThese greenhouse kits include a beautiful redwood frame and twinwall polycarbonate covering. The tall roof makes them very roomy and one of the easiest kits to build because the polycarbonate already comes installed into the frame.
Little GreenhousesThe Little Greenhouse kit is a great economical choice for extending your gardening season. Kits include a UV protected structure and covering, bench setup, exhaust fan, and more. Greenhouse kits come packaged