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Gardening experts share the wealth
Article from Clarksville Leaf Chronicle:

CLARKSVILLE, TENN. — Anyone who has ever attended a Montgomery County Master Gardeners Association meeting knows that these folks love good food, because a spread always gets laid out.

In fact, a couple of members are prize-winning bakers.

But another key component of this group is that they talk incessantly about gardening. In fact, they twitter so much about the intricacies of plant life that they sound like the birds in their own gardens come springtime.

Right now this group is chirping away about its 2nd Annual One Day Workshop, which is slated for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 10 at the UT Montgomery County Extension Office at 1030-A Cumberland Heights Road. Tickets are $ 40 per person and can be arranged ahead of time by calling 648-5725.

Some of these Master Gardeners met recently at the local library to discuss the big day. But they occasionally got sidetracked talking about all things plant life.

“We’re having such a mild winter this year, it’s almost scary,” said Terry Simo.

“It’s lovely though,” said Sue Albright.

“I saw forsythia blooming in Nashville a month ago,” said Diana Ruby………………….continues on Clarksville Leaf Chronicle
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RHS top gardening tips
Article from Telegraph.co.uk:

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Tensions rise as property market becomes tricky
Article from gulfnews.com:

French multinational Saint-Gobain shut all its seven home decoration stores in Shanghai last year, an inevitable fallout of the beleaguered residential property market. Government control over the property sector has so far prevented overheating and implosion, but it is getting increasingly tricky to regulate this unwieldy sector.

For all its adeptness, the regime should begin to end its control over every aspect of the property market, before such manipulation becomes self-defeating. While the state is not likely to loosen its rigorous property policies in the short term, it may be forced to give the market a bigger role in handling prices. Since the start of 2011, the government moved swiftly to cool property prices. It set limits on the number of homes a family could buy in some cities, raised minimum downpayments on houses and introduced disincentives to help cool the market. Property prices in more than two-thirds of China’s major cities dropped further in January.

But policy-induced measures to discipline this complicated sector will not be enough. More mature mechanisms such as introducing property taxes in every city will help balance the market. A ma…………………continues on gulfnews.com
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Renovation begins on Evergreen Apartments
Article from Long Beach Press-Telegram:

LONG BEACH – The residents of the Evergreen Apartments have been waiting a long time for their units to be upgraded. But they acknowledge that sometimes when you live in affordable housing, you get what you pay for.

That’s changing, however, as Abode Communities has begun work on a $ 25.8 million effort to renovate and upgrade 81 apartments in three complexes over the next year, including two in North Long Beach and one in the Central Area.

On Tuesday, a crowd of about 70 representati…………………continues on Long Beach Press-Telegram
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Like Home Depot, Lowe’s gains from warm winter
Article from Chicago Tribune:

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Renovation of Libertyville home focuses on details
Article from Chicago Daily Herald:

The atmosphere inside the old house at 955 Winchester Road in Libertyville is of easygoing comfort — tea with a neighbor, knitting on the porch, a bay window view of towering pines planted long ago.

Entering through the front door, visitors can’t miss the richly colored mahogany handrail on the staircase leading upstairs, or the warm red oak floors — sturdy features that have remained as they were since being installed more than 80 years ago.

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There also is a big-screen television above the original slate and fieldstone fireplace in the living room. But that, too, seems to fit just fine as a nod to modern living in an extensive renovation completed just before Christmas.

The thrust was not to start over but work from within to retain the heart and character of its longtime occupant, Lillian (Smith) Pruss. She moved into the home when it was completed in 1931 and enjoyed a long lifetime of memories there.

“She talked about all these things, and that’s what we did and a little bit more,” Pruss’ granddaughter, Diana Barthel, says of the renovation. “Her friends, her family and everybo…………………continues on Chicago Daily Herald
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Muscatine event covers wide variety of gardening topics
Article from Quad City Times:

From beekeeping to blueberries, you’ll find a wide variety of topics covered at the “Art of Gardening” to be offered Saturday, March 17, in Muscatine.

There also will be three “make-and-take” classes, including a terra cotta fountain, a small replica porch swing planted with succulents and a terrarium. Garden art vendors will be on hand, and there will be a raffle for a wooden garden bench.

The day will begin at 8 a.m. with coffee, rolls and registration, followed from 9 to 10 a.m. by the keynote address. Craig Hignight, the former owner of Hignight Valley Market in Coal Valley and now on the staff at Wallace’s Garden Center & Greenhouse in Bettendorf, will talk about “My Life with Plants.”

Hignight grew up in the nursery business, and for more than 27 years he answered gardening questions and gave plant tips on WQAD-TV.

Participants will then attend their choice of 22 different breakout sessions.

Session 1: 10:15–11:15 a.m.

- The wonderful world of beekeeping: Ron Fischer, an Orion, Ill., beekeeper, will explain how to start keeping honeybees, including equipment. Also, there will be a tas…………………continues on Quad City Times
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Usher in March with a gardening gala on Saturday
Article from Iowa City Press Citizen:

One of the best ways to usher in spring and the new gardening season will be available Saturday. Clear your calendar if you can because Backyard Abundance is hosting a Spring Home and Gardening Gala from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the new Extension building at the Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds.

What a great time to meet fellow gardeners and home energy enthusiasts at a fun and information-packed event.

There will be a variety of workshops to show you how to save money, energy and time, yet create a beautiful home and garden that work harmoniously together.

Here’s a list of the topics that will be covered that day:

Deer-resistant gardening.

Grow mushrooms at home.

Successful gardening basics.

Easily create a new garden bed.

Grow seedlings and save money.

Reuse materials in the garden.

Create an eco-friendly home.

Save energy with windbreaks and shade.

Presenters include Master Gardeners, ecological designers from Backyard Abundance, home-building experts from the Center on Sustainable Communities, tree professionals from Trees Forever and edible fungi specialists from Mushroom Mills. Other partner…………………continues on Iowa City Press Citizen
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Gardening

Gardening – Giclee Print
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Toronto: Home Renovation Tips website launches
Article from Canadian National Newspaper:

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Reno advice aims to fight ‘horror’
Article from Calgary Herald:

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Home

Home
List Price: 8.0
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Gardening with Laurie: Herbs can be planted almost anywhere
Article from Victoria Advocate:

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Gardening tips: Planting lemon trees, fertilizing citrus trees and more
Article from NOLA.com:

I have been anxious to plant a lemon tree in my backyard. Is it true that only Meyer lemons are recommended for this area? If so, why is that? I would very much like to grow a lemon with a more traditional flavor. Are there any lemons at all that I could try? The tree will be relatively close to the house and might be able to be somewhat protected in case of a freeze.

Kathy Wilson

The Meyer lemon is recommended because of its cold tolerance. Lemons are one of the less cold hardy of the types of citrus we grow. (In order from hardiest to least hardy: satsuma, kumquat, orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime.) The Meyer lemon is actually a hybrid between a lemon and orange. The genes from the orange make it hardier than other types of lemons, and it will tolerate the freezes we have in winter better. These genes also make the flavor of Meyer lemons a bit sweeter and less acidic than other lemons, such as Lisbon and Eureka, the varieties you often find in the supermarket. You may find these varieties available at local nurseries, and if you do, feel free to plant them even though they are more prone to freeze damage. Don’t plant a lemon…………………continues on NOLA.com
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Helping Seniors Live Independently
Article from Government of Ontario News:

Ontario is moving forward with a new tax credit that would create and support thousands of jobs as it helps seniors to make changes that allow them to live safely and more independently at home.

Premier Dalton McGuinty was at Motion Specialties in Toronto today, a company that sells stair lifts, accessible showers and other devices for people with mobility challenges. The Premier met with employees and spoke about his government’s proposed Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit.

The credit, worth up to $ 1,500 each year, would be available to senior homeowners and tenants, and people who share a home with a senior relative. It would support about $ 800 million in home renovation activity and around 10,500 jobs every year.

Helping seniors live independently for longer allows them to choose to stay in their own home if that’s what they want, while also making spaces available for those who need long-term care – all while boosting the economy and creating much-needed jobs.

…………………continues on Government of Ontario News
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CENTRIC HEALTH CORPORATION : Centric Health Announces Ontario Premier Visit to …
Article from 4-traders:

- Centric Health Demonstrates Accessibility Solutions that Help Seniors Stay in Their Homes as They Age -

TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2012 /CNW/ -Centric Health Corporation (“Centric Health” or “the Company”) (TSX: CHH), Canada’s leading diversified healthcare services company, announced that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today visited the newest retail location of Motion Specialties Inc., a provider of home accessibility solutions, to discuss the proposed Ontario Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit. At the store located at 939 Eglinton Ave. East in Toronto, Motion Specialties President, David Fraser, demonstrated for Premier McGuinty a variety of home healthcare equipment and assistive devices that offer seniors the opportunity to live comfortably and safely in their own homes as they age.

The proposed Personal Income Tax credit is intended to assist with the cost of permanent home modifications that improve accessibility or help seniors be more functional and mobile at home. With a combined 94 stores across Canada, Motion Specialties, in partnership with MEDIChair, which together comprise Centric Health’s Home Medical Equipment Division, offer a wide variety of hou…………………continues on 4-traders
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Home

Following in the footsteps of his critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated Up On The Ridge album, Dierks Bentley will release his sixth studio album of new music on February 7th, Home. The inspiring video for the upcoming album’s anthemic title single, “Home,” features iconic images of both the history and humanity of America. “My home is in Nashville with my family, my home is on the road with our fans and my home is definitely in country music,” said Dierks. “This album is more than a year’s wor

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Gardening in containers topic of talk at Marin Civic Center Library
Article from Marin Independent-Journal:

THE COUNTY

The Marin Master Gardeners will present a talk on “Container Gardening Basics” from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Marin Civic Center Library.

Attendees will learn how to select the flowers, herbs and vegetables suitable for container gardens, as well as design elements necessary for a beautiful display.

Pre-registration is not required for the program, which is free of charge.

For information, call the library reference desk at 473-6058.

…………………continues on Marin Independent-Journal
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Book Sale, Career Workshop, Gardening, Self-Defense are at Library in March
Article from Patch.com:

Here are the March events at the Strongsville Branch Library. 

Registration is required for most events. Please call (440) 238-5530 to register or for more information. 

All events sponsored by the Friends of Strongsville Branch Library. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information. 

Year-Round Story Times!

Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Grade 2. Story Time sessions are going on now! Please call the Strongsville Branch for program information and more details.

Friends of Strongsville Branch Library Spring Book Sale. 
Saturday, March 10 -  The Friends members ONLY preview will be from 9 – 10 a.m.  Sale opens to the general public from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.   Friends memberships will be available for purchase at the door for $ 8.00 and are good for one yea…………………continues on Patch.com
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BC home builders applaud HST transition rules
Article from CBC.ca:

Home builders and renovators in B.C. are applauding the provincial government’s move to reverse the harmonized sales tax.

On Friday, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon unveiled a series of HST relief measures he said gives home buyers and builders a more solid foundation to transition out of the controversial tax, which voters rejected last summer.

Falcon said the government will officially return to the seven per cent provincial sales tax by April 1, 2013.

He said starting April 1, 2012, the government will raise the HST rebate threshold for new home buyers to $ 850,000, up from the current $ 525,000, meaning more than 90 per cent of newly built homes will now be eligible for a provincial HST rebate of up to $ 42,500.

After the HST end date, those who buy a home built before April 1, 2013, will pay a two per cent transition tax on the full house price, he said.

Phil Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Builders Association of B.C., said the HST changes are well thought out and are “definitely worth the wait.”

“This is the kind of thing that deals with housing afford…………………continues on CBC.ca
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Gardening turns out to be very eco un-friendly
Article from The Independent:
Gardening: surely few things could be more eco-friendly? Not so, it seems. Scientists have produced new research which suggests that, far from doing their bit to save the planet, Britain’s green-fingered army may be damaging it.

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Smaller containers makes gardening easier
Article from LubbockOnline.com:

Container gardening is growing smaller.

Suppliers are downsizing this season with easier-to-use trough planters, raised beds, pots or bags. It’s an effective way to produce edibles or blooms in tight spaces.

One of the leaders in this less-is-better concept is EarthBox, a Scranton, Pa., manufacturer of self-watering plant containers. A half-size version designed for growing herbs and salad greens outdoors on deck railings, patios, rooftops and fire escapes, or indoors from kitchen windowsills, was introduced in January.

“It was a consumer-driven product,” said Frank DiPaolo, EarthBox’s general manager. “People told us they were interested in using self-watering technology for leafy greens and herbs and for growing them inside. For that purpose, the original EarthBox might have been too big.”

Like the EarthBox original, the compact “Junior” has a water reservoir that wicks moisture to plant roots, reducing the need for daily watering while boosting yields. Junior measures just 23 by 7.25 by 9.5 inches, compared to the original’s 29 by 14 by 11 inches.

An estimated 17 percent of gardeners — or about 20 million households — do their growing…………………continues on LubbockOnline.com
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