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Gardening in containers topic of talk at Marin Civic Center Library

administrator — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:24:59 +0000

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.

Send us your news: We want more news items from Marin’s cities and towns. Email them to our City Desk at localnews@marinij.com, mail them to City Desk, Marin Independent Journal, 4000 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903, or fax them to 415-382-7209. For more information about towns in Marin, visit the IJ’s website at marinij.com.

…………………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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Organic Growing And Gardening
This Product Shows You How Gardening Organically Helps In The Preservation Of The Top Soil And Therefore Contributes To The Health Of The Environment. Vegetables Grown Organically By You Are A Lot Safer For You And Your Family. Get 75% On Each Sale!
Organic Growing And Gardening

BC home builders applaud HST transition rules

administrator — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:34:00 +0000

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

administrator — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:12:26 +0000

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.

Click HERE to view graphic

The very staples of modern gardening, from mowing and watering the lawn to the use of peat and pesticides, have a harmful effect on the environment, claim experts from the University of Reading, the University of Sheffield, and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Their paper, The Domestic Garden: Its Contribution to Urban Green Infrastructure, questions the widespread assumption that gardening is eco-friendly.

The findings come as eco-gardeners are already trying to change their ways. Many are abandoning petrol lawnmowers – a move that can cut 36kg of CO2 every year. Lawn sprinklers can use up to 1,000 litres of water an hour – what a family of four would use in a day. Planting trees doesn’t help either: they can take a decade to become “carbon neutr…………………continues on The Independent

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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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You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening
This is not your grandmother’s gardening book. You Grow Girl is a hip, humorous how-to for crafty gals everywhere who are discover…

Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening
This classic has now taught generations of gardeners how to use the natural benefits of plants to protect and support each other. …

Home Renovation in the Works to Make Life Easier on Jack Jablonski

administrator — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:32:05 +0000

Home Renovation in the Works to Make Life Easier on Jack Jablonski
Article from Patch.com:

When Jack Jablonski returns home sometime this spring, he should be able to take an elevator from his second-floor bedroom to a basement “man cave.”

The Jablonski family is in the early stages of renovating their Minneapolis residence to make life a little bit easier and more comfortable for Jack. The 16-year-old sophomore hockey player from Benilde-St. Margaret’s will likely use a motorized wheelchair when he comes home from the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis, where he’s been for the past month.

Jack’s mother, Leslie Jablonski, hopes the renovations make Jack feel as comfortable as possible at home. Her son was severely injured by a hit during a game on Dec. 30, and he’s been at Sister Kenny or the Hennepin County Medical Center ever since.

That’s why it’s so important to Jack that he get his own bedroom back, Leslie Jablonski said. And because many of Jack’s friends don’t have wheelchair accessible…………………continues on Patch.com
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Modern Home Renovation Sponsors THI University at Home & Garden Show
Article from Kingwood News:

Modern Home Renovation (MHR), a full service custom design, remodeling and home improvement company located in Kingwood, TX is sponsoring the Texas Home Improvement University at the Home & Garden Show Feb 18 & 19 at the Humble Civic Center. MHR specializes in kitchen and bath remodel, flooring, exteriors, additions and outdoor living and has a 3000 sq ft designer showroom featuring the latest flooring and remodeling designs where you can make selections, browse for remodeling ideas and meet with our interior designers. Visit Modern Home Renovation at booth 417 or come to the Designer Showroom at 1715 Northpark, Kingwood TX for a free design consultation.

“We are thrilled to feature Modern Home Renovation as the official sponsor of THI University this year. As a pillar of our business community, MHR is not only committed to the highest in quality for their customers, but also to educating consumers throughout all stages of a remodeling project,” stated Jennifer Jozwiak of LHA Events, the production company behind the Lake Houston Area Home & Garden Show.

THI University features radio host Jim Hutton www.thipro.com AM 740 KTRH who will broadca…………………continues on Kingwood News
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Home

Home
List Price: 11.99
Price: 9.77

Gardening Calendar, Updated Feb. 16

administrator — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:44:45 +0000

Gardening Calendar, Updated Feb. 16
Article from TCPalm:

NEW LISTINGS

DATED EVENTS

Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens: Tour of rare and unusual plants by Diane Rexroad Haines. 1905 SW Ranch Tr., Stuart. Garden open 9 am-3 pm, tour 10 am, Feb. 18; tour 1 pm, Feb. 19. 772-283-5565; trbg.us.

Antique Show: Bougainvillea Circle/Garden Club of IRC, 2526 17th Ave., Vero Beach, 10 am-4 pm, Feb. 18-19. $ 2. Ticket: 772-794-4480; gardenclubofinc.org.

Kids After School Gardening: Heathcote Botanical Gardens, 210 Savannah Rd., Fort Pierce, 4:30 pm, Feb. 23, Mar 1. Ages 2+. $ 5-$ 10. Register: 772-4-644-672; heathcotebotanicalgardens.org.

St. Lucie West Garden Club: Casual flower show. PGA Country Club, Port St. Lucie, Country Club Dr., St. Lucie West, 9 am, Feb. 23. 772-343-7229.

Knowing Native Florida Lecture: Director of St. Lucie Co. Ext. Agent Anita Neal. Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 7 pm, Feb. 28. 772-323-7982; lakelasmint.fnps@gmail.com.

St. Lucie West Garden Club: Field trip to Adams Ranch. TBA, Mar. 10. $ 13. 772-343-7229.

Conservation Program: Turtle research by Michael Bresette. Knights…………………continues on TCPalm
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Gardening tips to avoid injury and discomfort
Article from Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Posted: Feb. 16, 2012 | 1:10 a.m.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2012 | 3:20 a.m.

It’s that time of year again when you can dig your hands into the dirt, spread seeds over the freshly turned earth, and smell the delicious scent of green plants growing.

Gardening is very healthy, both physically and mentally. In addition to providing exercise, gardening delivers health benefits in the fresh foods you eat and in the calming presence of flowers in your environment.

To get the most out of gardening’s health benefits, it’s a good idea to do a bit of stretching to help avoid injury or irritating existing conditions while out in the garden. Here are some tips to stay healthy:

Stretch those muscles
Heading out into the garden is just like going for a jog or visiting the gym. Before you grab all your gardening tools, practice some full-body stretches to warm up your muscles. Target your arms, legs and back, because the muscles in these areas will be put to good use while you’re planting, weeding and watering. And before you finish for the day, do some more stretching to help loosen any muscles that tightened during your gardening work.

Banis…………………continues on Las Vegas Review-Journal

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Gardening Calendar, Updated Feb. 16

administrator — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:44:44 +0000

Gardening Calendar, Updated Feb. 16
Article from TCPalm:

NEW LISTINGS

DATED EVENTS

Antique Show: Bougainvillea Circle/Garden Club of IRC, 2526 17th Ave., Vero Beach, 10 am-4 pm, Feb. 18-19. $ 2. Ticket: 772-794-4480; gardenclubofinc.org.

Kids After School Gardening: Heathcote Botanical Gardens, 210 Savannah Rd., Fort Pierce, 4:30 pm, Feb. 23, Mar 1. Ages 2+. $ 5-$ 10. Register: 772-4-644-672; heathcotebotanicalgardens.org.

St. Lucie West Garden Club: Casual flower show. PGA Country Club, Port St. Lucie, Country Club Dr., St. Lucie West, 9 am, Feb. 23. 772-343-7229.

St. Lucie West Garden Club: Field trip to Adams Ranch. TBA, Mar. 10. $ 13. 772-343-7229.

Conservation Program: Turtle research by Michael Bresette. Knights…………………continues on TCPalm
>>> Read the full article from the source

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Gardening tips to avoid injury and discomfort
Article from Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Posted: Feb. 16, 2012 | 1:10 a.m.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2012 | 3:20 a.m.

It’s that time of year again when you can dig your hands into the dirt, spread seeds over the freshly turned earth, and smell the delicious scent of green plants growing.

Banis…………………continues on Las Vegas Review-Journal

>>> Read the full article from the source

Ten revives home renovation dream

administrator — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:56:21 +0000

Ten revives home renovation dream
Article from Herald Sun:

Channel Ten is calling for people whose homes need redecorating and renovating. Source: Herald Sun

CHANNEL 10 looks set to venture back into home renovation territory after the failure of reality show The Renovators last year.

Ten’s website is calling for people whose homes need redecorating and renovating to apply for a new lifestyle series.

“From disastrous home ‘improvement’ stories to tales of hopeless hubbies with bricks for brains – we want to hear them all,” Ten’s website said.

“We’ll add the design expertise, manpower and materials to turn your disaster into a triumph.”

The concept sounds like old Channel 9 show, Renovation Rescue, which featured Scott Cam.

Ten is said to be keen to create a new home renovation show, despite the failure of The R…………………continues on Herald Sun

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Home-Renovation TV in the Post-Bubble Era
Article from Slate Magazine:

Still from Candice Tells All, starring Candice Olson.

©HGTV.

On The Bronson Pinchot Project, which debuts on the DIY Network this Saturday, the actor from Perfect Strangers seems a long way from Hollywood. In fact, Balki’s in Harford, Pa., 30 miles north of Scranton, where he spends his days renovating historical properties, rescuing 19^th-century clapboards from salvage yards, and concealing his refrigerator behind 200-year-old planks of wood. Pinchot’s show is about what happens when a hobby becomes a passion and then escalates into a pathology—he owns more than a half dozen homes in Harford, and he’s so obsessed with historically appropriate renovation that he spends a good portion of the pilot episode dressed in a purple pajama top. (“I just got so excited that I never got dressed,”…………………continues on Slate Magazine

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Home Buyers Handbook – Complete Guide
Looking For A Good Home Buyers Handbook? This E-book Describes What You Can Learn While Locating A Complete Guide To Help You In The Home Buying Process. A Good First Time Home Buyer Guide Is Hard To Find. Not Any More!
Home Buyers Handbook – Complete Guide

Merrimack Marine Getting Home Renovation

administrator — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:57:22 +0000

Merrimack Marine Getting Home Renovation
Article from Patch.com:

Chuck Donnelly, a Merrimack resident who lost the lower part of his left leg after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, will have his home renovated by volunteer contractors working with Building Dreams for Marines, according to a story on WMUR.com.

A group of about 15 volunteer contractors is donating their time to make Donnelly’s bathrooms and kitchen more accessible to him.

This is the first project for the Building Dreams for Marines group, according to the story. All of the labor is donated, and the materials will be purchased at cost through the program.

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…………………continues on Patch.com
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Housing, credit crisis hurt home remodeling
Article from Springfield News Sun:
By Cornelius Frolik and Tiffany Latta, Staff Writers 11:14 PM Monday, February 13, 2012

The housing slump and credit crunch have taken a toll on the home-improvement market, and some Miami Valley residents are forgoing renovation projects because of a lack of funds or an inability to obtain financing or sell their homes.

The number of permits issued for residential remodeling, alteration or addition projects declined last year in a variety of cities and counties across the region, according to data and building records obtained by the Springfield News-Sun. Some home-improvement businesses have also seen their earnings fall.

Industry experts said the declines are likely attributable to persistently high unemployment, tight family budgets, stricter underwriting requirements for bank loans, shrinking home equity and the weak housing market.

“Housing values have dropped pretty dramatically, so you have to question the value of putting a fair amount of money into your home if it’s not going to be reflected in a higher value or a higher sale price,” said Vincent Squillace, e…………………continues on Springfield News Sun
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Home: A Short History of an Idea
Walk through five centuries of homes both great and small—from the smoke-filled manor halls of the Middle Ages to today’s Ralph …

Home

Plateau Gardening: Will the mild weather of early February 2012 persist?

administrator — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:20:46 +0000

Plateau Gardening: Will the mild weather of early February 2012 persist?
Article from Crossville Chronicle:

My spring fever started New Year’s Day. While walking our chocolate Lab, Cocoa, I spotted two bright yellow daffodil blooms at the edge of the woods near the end of our driveway. According to Floriography (the language of flower meanings), daffodils or narcissus or buttercups, as many Tennesseans call them, symbolize not only the end of winter and earth’s spring rebirth but also good fortune and prosperity for those whose bulbs bloom during the new year.

February 2012 hosts not only the traditional Valentine’s Day “celebration of love,” but is also a leap year with leap day, Feb. 29, being an acceptable time for women to propose to men. Traditionally, lots of flowers are gifted this month. Violets are the February flower. Most of us recognize roses as expressions of love with petal color being an important indicator of the type and depth of the giver’s affection. Blue-colored flowers of any kind indicate faithfulness and loyalty. However, floral significance can be tricky. Did you know that some legends say daffodils must be given in bunches because giving a solitary daffodil predicts misfortune for the recipient? Bachelors, bachelorettes or anyone else exchanging fl…………………continues on Crossville Chronicle
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Landscaping question becomes ficus fracas
Article from Palm Beach Daily News:
By John Nelander

Special to the Daily News

A war of words erupted last week over something that often comes between residents of Palm Beach: ficus.

It’s a tropical plant that makes a great hedge between homes and works as an acoustic buffer to the road. Ficus is thick and can be sculpted into any shape an owner desires — so it can be a centerpiece of any landscaping plan.

It also turned out to be a wedge between two landscaping companies, Palm Beach police said. An officer was called about the dispute on Friday after a resident of the 100 block of Wells Road approached a landscaper and asked about the availability of ficus plants.

The homeowner said that his current landscaping company had been unable to provide ficus to complete a landscaping project. The representative of the company he approached said he did have ficus, and showed the owner photos of the plants he had in stock.

The landscaper told police…………………continues on Palm Beach Daily News
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Gardening Without Irrigation; Or Without Much, Anyway
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they ca…

Habitat for Humanity celebrates first home renovation

administrator — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:51:01 +0000

Habitat for Humanity celebrates first home renovation
Article from Kitsap Sun:

Photo by Steve Zugscwerdt

Dan Olson and his son Casey stand on the porch of their West Bremerton home after the Habitat for Humanity dedication ceremonies Saturday. The home, built in 1933, was donated to Habitat Humanity, who started a remodeling project in August of 2011. (PHOTO BY STEVE ZUGSCHWERDT | FOR THE KITSAP SUN)

Photo by Steve Zugschwerdt

Dan Olson, right, and his son Casey are the new owners of a home renovated by Habitat for Humanity in West Bremerton. (PHOTO BY STEVE ZUGSCHWERDT | FOR THE KITSAP SUN)

Photo by Steve Zugschwerdt

Kitsap Sun

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Volunteers make house feel like home
Article from Walton Tribune:

Shannon Allen unpacked the last box Tuesday. And with the help of Home Depot, the residence of wounded warrior Sgt. 1st Class Mark Allen is starting to feel like home.

A group of volunteers from the Loganville store comprised the local effort of Team Depot, which partnered with Building Homes for Heroes, Operation Homefront and the Patriot Guard to help put the finishing touches on a few projects inside and outside of the Allen homestead — including installation of a playground for their 3-year-old daughter, Journey.

“This is just amazing,” Shannon Allen said as a Bobcat was rolling off a trailer in her front yard Wednesday. “A lot of organizations reached out to give their support to us but we were in the hospital for so long it was hard for anyone to really help. But now, especially since all this time has passed, it is great to see all this support.

“I was a little worried that the novelty of it all would wear off and people would start forgetting about us, especially since we had only lived here for a year before Mark was injured. We didn’t have strong community ties. I am one of those type of people who has a hard time asking…………………continues on Walton Tribune
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