permafrog, Author at Shakadoo

Mosquito Free Evenings

We spend months looking forward to those summer evenings when we can sit outside and unwind from a hard day at the office. The weekend BBQs when the family gets together and the neighbours drop by are a delight. One problem remains mosquitoes often ruin these moments.

Canadian Tire has the answer:

Mosquito Catcher:

Product #59-3680-4

Hassle-free mosquito catcher – no replacement parts required!
Uses LED blue light technology to simulate a warm blooded host and attract & trap pesky, biting insects
Effective up to a distance of 3/4 acre
No flame, propane, fragrance strips or pesticides needed, so it’s safe to use around young children
Simply sucks insects and pests into the vacuum vortex into an easy-to-clean mesh trap
Features 2 settings: On and Auto (which is light sensitive for night time operation)
Quiet operation – no zapping
Cord length: 3 feet
Dimensions: 13.5" x 13.5" w (34 x 34 cm)
Exclusive to Canadian Tire

Now on sale:
Sale: $149.99
Reg: $249.99

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Tomatoes

by permafrog Leave a Comment

My six tomato plants have been staying outside for three days now. The weather has warmed and the nights while cool are warm enough. We are past the last frost date and so it was time to let them stand on their own. i can still bring them in, if a frost warning occurs.

I was blog hopping this am, just seeing what folks are up to when I came across this post about tomatoes over at Skippy’s Vegetable Garden. Tomatoes are usally easy to pollinate as the wind takes care of the job. Even indoors my tomatoes set fruit wihtout any help. Out back wind I have but what has been lacking is heat.

Growing green tomatoes here is easy, getting them to ripen in the short season is the challenge. I do love fried green tomatoes, both the movie and the food.

repotting has begun.

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Wordless Wednesday: Roadside attraction

by permafrog 5 Comments

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A Lawn with Something Extra

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You may not want to turn you lawn
into a meadow but still want something a little different. If that is the case,
then consider adding some wildflowers to the mix. If you choose to go this route
then the grass that you will need is a bunch grass.

Bunch grasses grow naturally in
clumps with spaces around them. Planted thickly in a lawn situation, they can
look fine from a distance but tend to seem bumpy up close. In very dry
situations, they often stay clumpy, giving your lawn a more wild, natural look
rather than the manicured look we’re used to in lawns.

This growth habit works well when you’re
mixing wildflowers into your lawn mix, since the grass naturally leaves spaces
for flowers to grow.

Wildflowers for your lawn:

Achillea millefolium white yarrow

Thymus serpyllum Creeping Thyme

Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover

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Lawn Into Meadow: Part One

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Is your front lawn boring? Are you tired of trying to keep
it green and cut? Looking for something with colour and less care? Give some
though to turning your front lawn into a meadow.

This is not as easy as buying a wildflower mix and in fall,
as the grass is dying back , broadcasting the seeds across the lawn. There is a
way to do this and we will talk about that another day.

If you are seeking to create a meadow in your front lawn, perhaps
restoring some of the habitat that existed before your home was built, there
are a few things you need to know.

First and foremost: does you municipality have any bylaws
that restrict what you can grow on your lawn? Call city hall or visit the city’s website and find out. If you do not
you may go to some trouble and work, yes there is work involved in this transition
, you may be fined and ordered to remove the meadow.

So, take sometime to find
out what the rules, are before entering the game.

The second vital step is to take a look around your
neighbourhood and see what your neighbours lawns look like. If you are surrounded
by miniature golf courses you plan may well have a major obstacle. On the other hand,
if the neighbour’s lawns are dandelion havens then your plan may be well
received.

Tomorrow we will examine how to proceed if you are still
willing.

buttercup; looks great in the lawn

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Guerrilla Gardening

by permafrog 1 Comment

I am waiting for the city to give me the go ahead to do some work on the empty lot next door. This is taking longer than expected so I have begun to consider just going ahead and doing it, no permission just plant. This is known as guerilla gardening.

My concern here is that the City does cut the grass every month or so and this would make short work of whatever I plant. I do not want to maintain the site so will be using native widlflowers but if the plants do not get the chance to go to seed and spread, this plan will not work.

While pondering this situation, I have been thinking about water and waste. Rainwater is great for gardens and a rain barrel will let you collect that water for use on another day. You can conserve water and reduce water waste,a good combination. When it rains your garden gets a drink and you gather water for the future.

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Oudoor Shower

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Now you can cool yourself down and get rid of the sweat and grime that gardening on a hot day can bring and enjoy your garden at the same time. If you are looking for an upscale adult outdoor water toy, this is it.

The inverted step-on shower sprays out a meter-high fountain of water
from its 16 fine cone shaped jets for a unique showering experience. The
height can be regulated by adjusting the water flow from your tap. A
filter in the connector protects the channel system against impurities
so you don’t need to worry about clogging the jets with your muddy
feet.

And, the garden shower does not require any installation. The shower is priced at around $1,000.00 and while this may not be everyone’s choice, the shower will add elegance to the outdoor life.

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Waiting for the Weather

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This is the hardest part of gardening in a cold climate zone, waiting. It is still possible for frost to kill your plants and the soil is cold and wet. The tomatoes did not even go outside today. The wind along the River was so stong and cool that I decided that they were better off inside.

The dill and chive seeds have been planted and should be okay. I have been thinking about a greenhouse, something like this model from the Little Greenhouse may do the job. This way I can extend the season on both ends, spring and fall, and cut down on the waiting.

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Solar Water Feature

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This is a great looking feature for any yard from Select Solar. Completely self–contained, when the sun shines,
the water cycles up into the jug to cascade down through the bowls.

This is an easy to install and attractive addition to any garden and comes with a high performance solar panel. The solar panel holds a charge that allows the pump to continue to operate when the sun is obscured for up to 20 seconds.

Additional features:

– Dimensions: 485 x 450 x
350mm.

– Weight 9kg.

– Pump capacity 350L/hr.

– 1 year warranty.

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Rearranging the Furniture: Outdoors

by permafrog 1 Comment

I was outback this morning putting in a small herb garden, chives and dill to start. This garden is located just on the other side of the backyard fence. While I was leaning on the fence, running a crictial eye over the yard, I decided that it was time for a change.

The current decor looks like a rec room, where the kids play, and as there are no chidlren here, it needs a more sophisticated touch. What to do? Well my first stop helped point me in the right direction.

It has been too cold to spend much time out there but as the days and the evenings warm our time outdoors increases.

There is no shade so maybe a gazebo. However what I really want is a good comfy chair for reading and napping. Canadian Tire has a Muskoka Chair With Footrest that looks ideal. I know that making a plan is the first step. So now that I am inspired, back to the real first step a plan.

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