(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Henry Toulouse Lautrec, hyacinths, moulin rouge on 2008-01-04, 10:05:00

This Hyacinth flower is Fashionably Late for the show. It has a colour like crushed purple velvet...
I am going to Paris in Febuary and this reminds me of the Moulin Rouge,
http://www.moulinrouge.fr/home-flash-gb.html
The colourful flower with the gentle arching curves, and the light reflecting of the petals. It reminds me of Can Can Dancers with the bright costumes and Energy.
Henri Toulouse Lautrec pictures spring to mind. He had a great love of Life, and painted 19th Century Paris nightlife. He liked painting the dancers, and the people who attended the nightly Revues.
http://ftp1.us.proftpd.org/wm/paint/auth/toulouse-lautrec/
Hyacinths have such heady perfume, I think they smell like a cross between Lavender and Candy sticks. The kitchen has occasional whiffs of the Flowers perfume.
Maybe the Toulouse Lautrec Dancers and Women he sketched and painted had some perfume, reminiscent of the fragrant hyacinths.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-04, 09:53:20

Do you look at your garden at this time of the year and wish it were more alive? Well, as those of us who have their homes on the market have found out - there are ways to make your front yard look attractive even in the dead of winter!

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-04, 09:15:31

When I was very young, we lived on a farm in rural Scotland. My father looked after the animals and the crops and my mother would do the cooking and cleaning, making jams and jellies and other good things to eat. At that time, I was an only child and never had anyone of my own age to play with, and as a five year old, this, to me, was a problem.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-04, 08:03:17

If you mow your grass correctly, you'll have a better lawn, and can save time by not having to collect and empty the grass clippings. You'll be doing your bit for the environment too.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-04, 07:50:00

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-04, 06:46:38

This article gives advice and tips to people on how to start a container garden. It includes tips on plants and containers to use.

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Landscaping on 2008-01-04, 06:41:14

Rutgers University Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE) announced their 2008 Landscape Program course offerings. The 48 courses have been carefully designed to be enjoyable and interesting for both landscape professionals and novices alike. Many of the courses offer field experience on and around the Rutgers campus where the class is being held in addition to classroom learning with one of the expert instructors.

The centerpiece of the Landscape Program is the Landscape Management Certificate; consisting of 9 courses which allow a student to confirm and advertise their knowledge and experience. Karen Tizzano, Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education Landscape Program Coordinator said, “Earning this certificate gives you a competitive advantage and helps you market yourself better. Plus, we are affiliated with Rutgers University a name synonymous with quality education.”

The certificate series consists of courses that are diverse in their content but that complement each other in providing useful knowledge to students. For instance, Introduction to Plant Identification is a two day course that teaches students the basics of plant classification and biology to so that they will have confidence in identifying, keying out and talking intelligently about landscape plants. On the other hand, Water Management and Drainage teaches students how to evaluate site conditions in order to make better plant selections and maintenance decisions.

Other classes in the series include: Growing Ornamental Plants, Soil and Plant Relationships, Introduction to Pruning Techniques, Basics of Turfgrass Management, Integrated Pest Management, Pest Management of Landscape Turf, Pest Management of Ornamental Landscape Plants.

Complete Landscape Program course descriptions and registration details including the Landscape Certificate Series can be found online at www.cookce.rutgers.edu/landscape

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to To-Do, cheapskate finds, chores, crappy stuff, food, garden, resolutions, weekend on 2008-01-04, 06:36:00

23*, feels like 13*, 66% humidity, S 9 mph wind, fair I spent 3 days sick (it wasn't a hang over after all, but a case of eating BAD SHRIMP at a party), and so have not started working on my new healthy habits for 08. These habits include everything from eating locally, exercising more (you will have to see my other blog tired soles for this) and getting back on the more sustainable lifestyle