(Via Aaron’s Home and Garden)

Posted by admin to Outdoor Sports, Silver Seeker Metal Detector on 2008-03-27, 10:45:45

Silver Seeker (SS1) is a user-friendly metal detector for any weather condition, easily detecting precious metals like silver and gold buried up to two feet deep.

It was once upon a time that Black Beard the pirate ravaged the waters of the Caribbean upon the decks of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, a fast and sleek slave ship commandeered for the purpose of the pirating trade, but quarter was given to those ships that surrendered and a code of honor was set forth.

Where did he hide his treasure? Did his crew spend it all? Did they simply die in the pursuit of even more bloodshed after going into retirement for so many months only to die in a hopeless battle among the inlets of Ocracoke Island NC, flat broke?

Or is there still hidden treasure below the sands of our very shores? Chests of bloodstained and stolen Spanish coin? Pearls and Jewels?

No one knows for sure where these reckless souls may have stored their wealth if even they ever did see such riches, but in truth, the real fascination with searching for buried treasure is in the excitement of searching, not the find itself.

It need not cost us years of archeological research, nor many days perhaps even months of studying navigational charts or maps to go on a treasure hunt, each find has a story, and the story itself is worth every second of anticipation, every moment of that adventure.

This professional metal detector by Bounty Hunter, detects up to two feet deep, the waterproof search coil will submerge seven inches underwater, even saltwater.

It has two audio tones, discriminates between useless metals and precious ones as well as paperclips and coins or even different kinds of precious metals.

When we look for lost pirate treasure in the sands of North Carolina or across the stretches of old gold mining ghost towns in the far west this summer, a metal detector can really set the mood for adventure and story.

This metal detector is easily settable to certain frequencies for terrain that comes with mixed mineral traces, has a headphone jack for private listening, requires two nine volt alkaline batteries, measures 20.5 x 6 x 9 and ships at 1 lb.

Silver Seeker metal detector is the perfect tool for fun in the sun, even if all we find are old chains and anchors, or fools gold, the fun is not just in what could have been found but also the story each and every find has to tell, be it an old piece of rigging or pickaxe, arg!

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-27, 10:17:31

Pruning at the right time is crucial for the growth, development and long-term health of your garden plants. This is what you should and should not be doing in the spring.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-27, 10:15:38

Do you know the different aspects of the care of Roses? Do you know their different major classes and their characteristics? Do you know how to avoid sending a rose into shock? Do you know the best time to plant roses and how to cultivate them to perfection? Or Do you know the three D's to rose pruning like a profession? This article can get you started with the right information.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-27, 07:59:11

If you select the right orchid for your hometown climate, you can be sure to grow bright and beautiful orchids in your own home. This is provided of course, if you look after the orchids correctly. You will still need to provide the right amount of light, water, temperature and humidity to ensure that your orchids bloom.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-27, 07:40:02

Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial, evergreen shrub. Not only are they wonderful cooking herbs, they are also dependable staples to consider in any drought tolerant landscape. Rosemary blooms in winter and early spring. The flowers are small, just under 1/2 across, but they cover the tips of the stems in a way that makes the entire plant seem covered in blue. Some common names for rosemary include, Dew of the Sea, Compass Weed and Elf Leaf.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-27, 07:17:00

Asarum minor (which should actually now be called Hexastylis minor) is a small, wild ginger native to the mid-Atlantic states, west into Kentucky and Tennessee. It is evergreen in nature (which is why it is now in the genus Hexastylis, where all the evergreen gingers were placed). Surprisingly, it is also evergreen in our much more northerly and more inclement climate here on the western edge of the long grass prairie country. I am quite amazed that these thick, shiny leaves came through our vicious winter unscathed (perhaps I am hasty even at this late date in pronouncing our winter done, as light snow is predicted for today; this has become "the winter that would not die").
The plant pictured is a special cultivar of Asarum minor found in North Carolina, and distributed by Plant Delights Nursery; they have named it 'Dixie Darling'. It was selected for its very prominent silver veining on the leaves, which appears in summer. I actually prefer the plant in the cold weather of late fall and early spring, when the leaves take on dark maroon highlights with a faint silver wash. The flowers are quite striking too, being reddish maroon with white spots. I don't seem to have a picture of the flowers, probably because when the plant blooms, its flowers are pretty well hidden by the leaves.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-27, 07:17:00

Asarum minor (which should actually now be called Hexastylis minor) is a small, wild ginger native to the mid-Atlantic states, west into Kentucky and Tennessee. It is evergreen in nature (which is why it is now in the genus Hexastylis, where all the evergreen gingers were placed). Surprisingly, it is also evergreen in our much more northerly and more inclement climate here on the western edge of the long grass prairie country. I am quite amazed that these thick, shiny leaves came through our vicious winter unscathed (perhaps I am hasty even at this late date in pronouncing our winter done, as light snow is predicted for today; this has become "the winter that would not die").
The plant pictured is a special cultivar of Asarum minor found in North Carolina, and distributed by Plant Delights Nursery; they have named it 'Dixie Darling'. It was selected for its very prominent silver veining on the leaves, which appears in summer. I actually prefer the plant in the cold weather of late fall and early spring, when the leaves take on dark maroon highlights with a faint silver wash. The flowers are quite striking too, being reddish maroon with white spots. I don't seem to have a picture of the flowers, probably because when the plant blooms, its flowers are pretty well hidden by the leaves.

(Via EnjoyGardening)

Posted by admin to Current Articles on 2008-03-27, 07:13:43

first published March 13, 2008

Are you jealous that—regardless of what you do—your neighbour always manage to grow better vegetables and flowers than you do? Ever wonder why that is? Well, his growing prowess might have a lot to do with his choice in plants and how well he takes care of them, but it might also have something to do with one factor that neither he nor you have much control over: the sun.

We tend to take the sun for granted—starting with the assumption that there’s always enough of it. But that’s an assumption that often gets gardeners in trouble. In actuality, the amount of sunlight that plants receive in a growing season can vary enormously not only from one yard to the next but also within yards. I’m sure that many of the veteran gardeners reading this article are thinking well…duh, of course there’s a tremendous variance in sunlight, but it’s surprising just how many people aren’t quite sure which direction their yards face. Not knowing west from east or north from south will have a profound effect on whether or not you have a bountiful harvest of tomatoes or any tomatoes at all. Fortunately, figuring out directions is the all-time easiest gardening task. Here’s how.

If you can remember that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, it’s simple to figure out which way your gardens face. During the longest days of summer at our northern latitude, the sun rises somewhat northeasterly and sets northwesterly. If you face the evening sun, you are looking west. By stretching your arms out, your right arm will always point north, your left arm will point south and your back will be exposed to the east. Yup. It’s that easy. Once you’ve ironed out which direction your beds face, its time to add other factors into the equation—namely, physical obstructions.

Obstructions can easily change a sunny bed into a shade bed. I remember a gardener who was lamenting the fact that her tomato yields were inexplicably declining each growing season, regardless of the fact she was providing the same care to her tomatoes year after year. Well, a little case study revealed that her decline in tomato yield corresponded rather nicely with her neighbour’s trees’ ever-increasing appetite for sunlight. The take home message here? Tall trees, fences, sheds and kid’s playgrounds can radically reduce the amount of sunlight your plants receive. The rough rule of thumb we use in the greenhouse is that for every one per cent decrease in sunlight there is a one per cent reduction in yield.

Now, as important as it is to know which direction your flowerbeds face and if obstructions are altering the amount of sunlight they receive, there’s no need to overanalyze the sunlight issue. As a rule, flowerbeds can be categorized as follows: east beds are in semi-shade, west- and south-facing beds are sunny and north beds are deemed full shade. So when you head out to the garden centre, simply match the sunlight information on the plant tags to the sunlight that your beds receive and you won’t go too far wrong. The only caveat is to remember that some plants offer no second chances and need every speck of sunlight (and heat) they can get. For example, if you are thinking of growing warm-season crops like watermelons and cantaloupes and want any hope of getting them to mature before the first fall frost, then choose a southern spot that’s free of light obstructions from sunrise to sundown. The opposite set of rules applies for plants such as delicate ferns that grow best under continuous indirect sunlight or dappled shade all day long.

So if you are jealous of your neighbour’s beautiful garden, take heart in the fact that perhaps the reason it has the edge is because it won the sunlight lottery. Even so, don’t worry! If you just take the time to match the right plants to your garden, you too will have your day in the sun.

(Via EnjoyGardening)

Posted by admin to Feedback, Trends & Experiences on 2008-03-27, 07:11:35

Bill Hole’s
State of the Industry

No matter how often I ask people that question, I can’t help but be surprised by the stereotypical measuring stick used to calculate the answer. Apparently, gardeners are “an exclusive club of people with muddy boots, dirty hands and a commitment to spending hours with plants.” My definition is far less rigid. If you’ve ever cared for and enjoyed at least one plant, you’re a gardener. There is no minimum or maximum requirement for time, knowledge or mud. When I say this to people, it seems to take the pressure off. They realize they don’t have to garden the way their parents or neighbours do. They realize their “garden” is actually about them. It’s a long-overdue epiphany that not only opens up a new market to those other than diehards, but also increases the number of people who can feel good about having enjoyed and cared for a plant.

I hope that includes just about everyone.

(Via EnjoyGardening)

Posted by admin to Jim's Notebook on 2008-03-27, 07:11:03

Hits & Misses: Neglect & timing
Question of the Week: What does it mean when a plant is biennial?
Science & Technology: Amaryllis bulbs

This past week I watched a pair of pileated woodpeckers feeding voraciously at our neighbour’s bird feeders. Pileated woodpeckers are North America’s largest woodpeckers and judging by their beautiful red crowns, must have been the inspiration for Walter Lantz’s Woody Woodpecker cartoon. If I remember correctly, the original Woody Woodpecker was a bit of an odd, ‘screwball’ character before he settled into a more ‘normal’ mischievous role. I’m sure that Lantz thought any bird that would spent a good part of its day smacking its head against wood must have dislodged a few brain cells along the way. If you think about it, the old woodpecker cranium must be one of Mother Nature’s better designs because, unlike humans, no matter how hammered the woodpeckers get, they always look none the worse for wear.

Hits & Misses
Hit: Neglect
Hen and chicks (Sempervivum) are amazing perennials. As the snow recedes from my front yard, most of my perennials have a decidedly brownish-grey, dead-looking theme going on. But not my hens and chicks—they look as good now as they did in the summer. I never water my Hen and chicks or fertilizer to protect them during the winter, yet they continue to grow and thrive…hmm, what is the definition of a weed again?

Miss: Timing
We have a gorgeous crop of hydrangeas that will be ready for sale this week—a week AFTER Easter. Ideally, the hydrangeas should have been ready two weeks ago, but with Easter being so early this year, the only way to get them to bloom on time would have been to grow them warm. But the problem with growing hydrangeas warm is that they become spindly and weak. Given the choice between poor-quality hydrangeas that bloom on time or high-quality hydrangeas that bloom late, I’ll take the latter choice every Easter.

Question of the Week
What does it mean when a plant is biennial?
A biennial normally requires two growing seasons to complete its life cycle. Most biennials grow only foliage the first year and then flower and set seed in the second, before dying. Some common biennials are hollyhocks, English daisies and forget-me-nots.

Science & Technology
Amaryllis Bulbs
A customer mentioned the other day that the amaryllis bulb she bought five years ago is now the size of a soccer ball and produced nine shoots this last Christmas. Judging by that description, it’s safe to assume the bulb has been well taken care of. That means giving it a very sunny location while it’s blooming and then fertilizing it through the spring and summer so that it can store up enough food energy in its bulb for future growth. Quit watering your amaryllis in mid fall. Once the leaves wither and dry, store the plant in a cool, dry place for 2–3 months. When the first signs of new shoots appear, bring the plant into the light and resume watering.

Trend Spotting

Water bowls are more popular than ever this year. This one with a bamboo fountain works well indoors or outdoors, although you may have to wait a while to put it outside.

Did You Know?
Draceana marginata is called the money tree in Hawaii because they were first planted outside of the Bank of Hawaii.

“Snow and adolescence are the only problems that disappear if you ignore them long enough.”
–Earl Wilson