permafrog, Author at Shakadoo

Buying plants on ebay

I have been buying and selling on ebay for years. It was not until this morning when I stopped by Hanna’s This Garden is Illegal blog that I gave any thought to ebay as a source for plants for my indoor and outdoor gardens.

According to Hanna:

I personally have never had a problem with my eBay plant purchases. I
am careful to check the feedback score and the feedback comments and as
long as I find that they are both positive, I find that I get great
plants.

So the next time I need to purchase a plant I’ll take her advice and check on ebay first. You never know what may await you. Drop by Hanna’s blog to read the rest of her comments on buying plants on ebay.

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Arbor Day

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A visit to the Park Seed Garden Journal today reminded me that tomorrow April 27 is Arbor Day. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates according to their best tree-planting
times.

If you live in the United States check here to find out when your state celebrates Arbor Day. For information about Arbor Day in other countries look here.

If you have never planted a tree before or just need your memory jogged this will help.

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Eco-labels: Cut flowers

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I was reading through Amy Stewart’s blog, Dirt earlier today when I came cross this interesting article about eco-labels for cut flowers. Amy is the author of Flower Confidential which, according to the NY Times, is an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes look at the flower
industry and how it has sought–for better and worse–to achieve
perfection.

I am doing some research of my own, based upon the references and information, that Amy provided in her blog. I will post an update here soon. In the meantime go dig Dirt.

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Great Gardening Tools

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Okay, your mother or mother-in-law is not for the birds, or the bees, bats and butterflies either. Don’t despair there are still great gardening gifts out there. For example, Rittenhouse sells a line of garden tools that are the perfect gift for the avid gardener.

Rittenhouse’s
long history begins in 1914 when Moses Rittenhouse saw the need for
agricultural spraying equipment in the booming tender fruit region of
Niagara. He began by building orchard sprayers from his barn in Jordan Station, Ontario. The
company M.K. Rittenhouse was born, and soon established itself by
providing equipment and service to fruit and vegetable growing
communities throughout Ontario

The Burgon and Ball Advanced tool set:

All British-made Stainless Steel, these four tools provide a wide
range of uses. This kit consists of a Scoop; a two tine Weeding Fork; a
Patio Knife; and a Widger.

The two tine Weeding Fork is a classic tool. It is very effective
in rock gardens and other small spaces. Overall length is 29 cm( 11
1/2 inches).
The Scoop is rugged and well-crafted. It’s benefits are
endless — it can transfer pottting soil, mulch, compost, seed faster
than a traditional trowel.
The Widger is a cross between a trowel and a dibber. Great
for levering plants out of pots, planting seeds and seedling and for
digging weeds out of rock gardens. Overall length is 13" or 33 cm.
This Stainless steel Patio Knife will make short work of any
invasive weed or grass in-between your cracks in your walkway stones or
bricks.

photo courtesy Rittenhouse

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Mother’s Day is for the Birds

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Mothers Day approaches. if you haven’t yet bought your mother a gift then stop by Bird Central. Bird Central carries great gifts for the bird lover, for example, the Songbird Loft Folding Tray Bird Feeder.

This
unique large capacity tray bird feeder folds flat for shipping. These
bird feeders open to become a substantial tray feeder featuring an
overhanging roof that keeps the seed dry and clean for our wild bird
friends. A beautiful accessory with the grace and style reminiscent of
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture.

These bird feeders are made of
durable recycled wood and solid brass components. Separate tray
compartments allow placement of up to three types of seed. So if your mother or mother-in-law loves birds consider giving her a gift that allows her to enjoy their presence all year round.

photo courtesy Bird central

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Mother’s Day Gifts for the Garden

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Mother’s Day will be celebrated this year on Sunday May 13, 2007. This is just three weeks away but there is still time to get a gift for the Mother who loves Nature or is an avid gardener.

Bothered by mosquitoes in the backyard? Is it diifcult to sit outside at night, then consider giving Mom a bat house.

Bat House

Place our Bat Houses near your home to attract hungry pest-eating bats. Bats consume mosquitoes, grasshoppers, moths flies, crickets, gnats and even fruit flies.

Does Mom love butterflies, then how about giving her a butterfly house. Or is she a bird lover? Does she like to watch the seasonal songbirds come and go as they drop by for a snack after their long flight. Or does she enjoy watching the year round residents devouring a much needed meal on a cold winter day?

Whether Mom loves butterflies, birds, bats or even bees, for that matter, The Butterfly and Nature Gift Store will have what she wants.

photo courtesy of the Butterfly and Nature Gift Store.

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The Vertical Garden

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As the weather warms our urge to get out into our gardens
grows. This year, as you plan your garden, give some thought to growing
vertically. Even if you have made a plan, there is still time to change it. In
much of Canada and the United States we are still a month or so away from planting out.

Vertical gardens are
perfect for small spaces, for people who have difficulty bending over or
kneeling or if you are interested in increasing your garden’s yield. Tomatoes,
cucumbers, peas and beans are all naturals when it comes to growing up rather
than out.

Melons, pumpkins and squash can be trained to grow up and
may make it possible for you to grow them. Zucchinis, as we all know, can
quickly take over a garden. Try growing
them vertically and you will save space for your other plants and have more
than enough of this versatile vegetable.

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Lights for your indoor garden

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While searching for information on lighting for the indoor garden, I found 3R Lighting. In an email exhange, the people at 3R offered the following advice:

"instead of a full spectrum tube, we recommend using a blue
(65K or 5K) 40 Watt tube. The full spectrum tubes can cost as much as $12
each while the blue tubes from an industrial supply house can be as low as $3
each. Plants in their early stages concentrate their energy on leaf growth
which is encouraged by the blue light."

If you are a teacher and are looking for a science project for your school, 3R offer a Hydroponic Science Project. Take a look. This is a great way to introduce students to the art and science of hyrdoponics and the world of home grown, fresh and healthy food.

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A basic hydroponic system

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Bustan’s sells a simple hydroponic system for the beginning hydroponic or indoor gardener.The Ebb and Flow Starter Kit is a complete hydroponic grow system. The kit is easy to use and requires no previous hydroponic or gardening experience. This is an ideal way to begin your indoor garden and to enter into the world of hydroponic gardening.

You will be able to grow luscious tomatos and lettuce on your balcony or windowsill or with the addition of a grow light, you can enjoy gorgeous flowers, herbs or vegetables all year round. If your mother loves to garden remember Mother’s Day is less than a month away.

photo courtesy Bustan

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Lighting for your indoor garden

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In an earlier entry I discussed indoor gardening with natural light. If you want to start your plants from seeds or cuttings indoors but do not have sufficient natural light to do so or you are concerned about the rising cost of energy, a full spectrum fluroscent will meet your needs.

Full Spectrum Fluorescents are ideal
for starting seeds or cuttings or for low light plants. They are the
most energy efficient grow lights available. These high-efficiency compact lamps will do the job and with savings as
high as 75% over standard bulbs. They are guaranteed to last 8,000
hours.

Next post we will look at indoor lighting systems for the gardener who wants to maintain an indoor garden all year round but does not have enough natural light. Artifical light can also help you grow your own veggies indoors, more to come.

photo courtesy of Bustan

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