Garden Best Price!

   

Garden Stake 3D Metal Outdoor Decor Lucky Ladybug Man (32H) (A324) by Regal Gift
From B00183KAFS

This Garden Stake 3D Metal Outdoor Decor Lucky Ladybug Man (32H) (A324) by Regal Gift is fun, unique and whimsical . . . with gorgeous, three dimensional details and rich hand painted colors. This quality stake is NOT your everyday, dollar-store variety. Decorate your garden and home with these perfect gents, ladies, bugs, birds, flowers and what nots! Purchase more than one and get a whole theme going on. An optional stand (if shown it is not included), so you can create a standing display on your patio, porch or indoors, is also available for the larger ones with feet.
Amazon Sales Rank: #577647 in Kitchen & Housewares Brand: Regal Gifts Dimensions: 5.00 pounds

A must for any yard I purchased 2 ladybug stakes for our backyard and they are the talk of all of our guests. They are very well made, hold up to wind and rain and add a smile to our faces when we are sitting in the yard.

   

Burt's Bees - Garden Tomato Complexion Soap, 4 oz bar
From Burt's Bees

WHY IT WORKS: Its like treating your skin to a healthy salad. This hand milled soap is made to naturally cleanse and balance oily and troubled facial skin. Tomatoes are a natural source of AHAs and lycopene to balance your skins pH. This soap also helps to refine enlarged pores and provides a soothing effect. HOW IT WORKS: Wet face and throat. Lather soap between hands and massage gently over skin. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and again with a cool rinse. Follow with a toner and your favorite Burt's Bees Creme or lotion. 4 oz.
Amazon Sales Rank: #25017 in Health and Beauty Size: 4 Brand: Burt's Bees Ingredients: Vegetable soap base, fragrance, tomato powder, aloe barbadensis. 96.80% Natural. Dimensions: .30 pounds

Very good product. In the store, the first thing the salesman told me when he noticed I was looking at the Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Complexion Soap was that he's had many a customer come in to purchase it saying their doctor or dermatologist had requested they get it. Now, I can see why. It lathers just like regular soap but is soft on the face, is easily apply and rinse off. It doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or irritated like regular soap or cleansers. But, as for clearing/preventing acne, so far that hasn't happened, and that's one of the main reasons I purchased it. But don't get me wrong, this is a very good product and if you aren't looking for an anti-acne soap, then consider this review a 5/5. Acne no more! I've never had horrible acne, but I've never had completely clear skin either. For the first time in my life (I'm 32) I have clear skin. I am in love with this soap. The ONLY thing that has worked like this. I have loved Burt's Bees for a long time, but just found this soap. If only I had found it sooner... oh well, I have it now. Finally a reprieve from oily skin I have to say the first couple days I was a bit disappointed with the soap. I noticed the eruption of a lot of tiny red pimples, which made me worry that I had just wasted more money hoping for a cure. What I did immediately notice was that it got rid of the oiliness on my face. I have severely oily skin and within a couple hours after showering, my forehead is completely shiny. With this soap, the shininess was gone, all day. I decided that I would be patient and try it a little longer. I have used it about a week and I have noticed an improvement. My pores are smaller, I have fewer pimples, the oil is gone, and my skin feels softer. I had awhile back used Tretinoin and as a result developed bad rosacea on my cheeks. Every other protect I used just aggravated my skin and caused a lot of other problems. If you have problem oily skin, I'd say give the soap two weeks, and see if it can do the same for you. If your skin is really bad, you probably won't see an overnight effect. Also, I'd recommend using the tomato toner in conjunction.

   

How to Grow Vegetables and Berries
By Sunset Editors

   

Turbofloorplan Home & Landscape Pro V12
From IMSI

Designing your dream home has never been easier. Choose from one of the sample plans or build your own from scratch with the powerful House Builder Wizard and create your dream home layout to your exact specifications. Customize the interior and outdoor space by quickly adding walls color furniture lighting landscaping or a deck. Experience your dream home in photorealistic 3D and create a virtual walkthrough to show friends and family. Home Design Remodeling Interiors Kitchens & Baths Landscaping Site Planning Cost Estimating and more Design and Visualize your home in Photorealistic 3D Automatic Building and Design Tools like Home Design Wizard Kitchen Design Wizard Deck Design Wizard Shed Design Wizard Material Selector Brand Name Content Color Chooser and more Over 10000 built-in Library Items Material Selector - point-and-click colors for walls floors countertops and more Accurate Measurements & Cost Estimating Over 1000 Sample Home PlansSystem Requirements: Microsoft® Windows® 2000 (SP4) XP (SP2) or Vista 500Mhz or higher processor 750MB free hard drive space 512MB RAM (*1 GB RAM Recommended) DVD-ROM drive Video Card with OpenGL driver and 32MB RAM (*64MB RAM Recommended) Color monitor with 1024x768 resolution or higher Windows-compatible mouse Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher to access online features (Optional) *Use these requirements to optimize your software experience. Format: WIN XPVISTA Genre: REFERENCE / LIFESTYLE Age: 730526358162 UPC: 730526358162
Amazon Sales Rank: #1519 in Software Brand: IMSI Released on: 2007-09-04 Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows XP Format: CD-ROM Dimensions: 1.25 pounds

General Design - Nothing To Build From This is a very nice general design software however, I was looking for something that would provide more detail. The software provides for common selections for a given area, probably the area the software designers are from, it didn't come close to the building codes in my area of California. You definitely CANNOT print a set a blue prints from this software package. The software wouldn't even provide a proper material list simple balcony. It listed general lumber and nails. I couldn't specify specific hardware, such as, screws, Simpson ties, etc. Since this software doesn't stand out from the rest, I rated it average. Disappointing program Looked good at first blush but has several limitations. Can't resize a single wall; adjusting one always adjusts one or more adjacent walls. Have existing house plans I wanted to 'plug-in' but gave no option to do so. Hard to do anything but a strict rectangular plan. Great, easy to use drawing program Turbofloorplan Home & Landscape Pro V12A super great, easy to use drawing program. A lot of fun to use.

   

Live Butterfly Pavilion
From Insect Lore

The 2-foot tall Butterfly Pavilion pops-up easily. Hang it from a string or set it on a table-top. The see-through mesh and zippered entry allow easy access for care and feeding. Includes habitat, mail-in coupon for 6-10 Painted Lady butterfly larvae with special food and complete instructions. Please be advised that there is an additional $5.00 required when redeeming your coupon for shipping and handling. Available only in the Continental U.S. and Alaska.
Amazon Sales Rank: #2782 in Toys & Games Size: Pavilion Brand: Insect Lore Model: 4100192 Dimensions: 15.60" h x 3.10" w x 15.50" l, 1.55 pounds
The 2-foot tall Butterfly Pavilion “pops-up” easily. Hang it from a string or set it on a table-top. The see-through mesh and zippered entry allow easy access for care and feeding. Includes habitat, mail-in coupon for 6-10 Painted Lady butterfly larvae with special food and complete instructions. Please be advised that there is an additional $5.00 required when redeeming your coupon for shipping and handling. Available only in the Continental U.S. and Alaska.
So fun I Bought My Own! I bought one of these last year for my nieces. I also got one for me, and I'm in my 30's. I waited until the spring time to send in my caterpillar certificate. They came in their own little container with just enough food. So you don't need to feed them anything. I tried to put some real food such as leaves from the plants they like to eat in the wild, but they preferred the food that came with them. I think I received 6 caterpillars and they all turned into butterflies. I let them go a day or two after they emerged. Kids are completely fascinated by the process from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. One word of caution, it may not be the best thing to get for Christmas since you may have to wait until spring to get your caterpillars. They will send them in the winter, but I didn't want the butterflies to die on me or freeze to death if I let them go. Wonderful--Raise generations of butterflies! My son (age 5) got this from his grandparents for Christmas and it has been terrific fun for all of us. The first set of ten caterpillars grew visibly day-by-day, then pupated and emerged as butterflies in a few weeks. There is a lot of great information about painted lady and other butterfly species online and having this project got my son very interested in how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly so soon I found myself showing him multi-colored pictures of imaginal discs (the larval structures that produce the butterfly wing, leg etc. during metamorphosis) online at websites I found--a great way to get him interested in developmental biology. The first time we talked about this he decided they were actually "magical discs", given what these groups of cells can do...the whole process has been very entertaining for the whole family.... It is also really fun to have butterflies flitting around and caterpillars growing in the pavilion in the kitchen when it is gray and wintery outside. How to raise more than one generation of critters inside: Since we sent our coupon for larvae out immediately after Christmas, we had butterflies dancing around the pavilion and mating in February when there were no plants outside to collect for the next generation of caterpillars to eat. Anticipating this, I ordered a mallow plant and some additional larval food from Carolina Biological Supply Company at about the time when our caterpillars turned into chrysalises: there is an online store and the stuff to get is the L918 culture medium (144040). This will feed about 80 larvae. (Unfortunately the Insect Lore company, which makes the Pavilion, only sells caterpillar food in small quantities along with additional larvae, which we certainly didn't need). How to do it: We set the mallow plant in the pavilion and the butterflies laid their eggs on the leaves where we could watch them darken and emerge as very tiny 1mm long new caterpillars. After 4-5 days of watching the caterpillars eat the mallow plant (making little tracks on the leaves) we prepared them new homes in caterpillar media. To do this, you can use either the original plastic containers that the first generation larvae are shipped in (clean them out and dish wash them) or use another small clear-sided plastic or glass jar with a lid. Clean the containers well (I wiped the inside with a paper towel with isopropyl alcohol on it after dishwashing to kill bacteria, which will contaminate the food and make the larvae sick). The food will come in two plastic containers (nearly full). One of these can be frozen for subsequent generations. Transfer the contents of one container to a covered microwaveable container and heat on medium in the microwave (swirling every 10-30 seconds to mix and avoid overheating) until it is a solution. Pour media into the bottoms of the larvae containers to a depth of about a quarter inch (this will make 4-5 new containers). If there is a lot of condensation on the sides after the media has hardened, you can wipe this away with a paper towel--I did this, but then again alcohol-wiped the inside solid surfaces and lid above the media. Cover the containers loosely (leave the lid slightly ajar) and put them somewhere to dry. I laid a clean paper towel over the collection of covered jars to keep dust/dirt from drifting in given the activity level of the children here. After a couple days of drying, these were ready for larvae. If necessary (ie., if not using the previously shipped containers) make very, very small air holes in the lid. Then use a toothpick or matchstick to collect each 2-4 mm long larva off of the mallow plant leaves and tap to drop them into the new container. Put a clean paper towel over the top of the container (under the lid) and re-cap the jar--now the paper will serve as a scaffold for new chrysalises to hang from and will allow air in while preventing the tiny caterpillars from escaping. Try to be relatively aseptic about this. It appears that we're going to get about 20-30 new caterpillars from the first generation, which I should be able to accommodate with the larvae cups made above...hopefully by the time we've run out of this food and been through a couple more generations it will be summer and warm enough to release all of the butterflies we have outside. The pavilion is well made and sturdy enough that it should accommodate many other projects involving insects. All in all, we've been entirely pleased with this--a great gift that's had my son on the phone describing his butterflies' recent development to grandma and grandpa several times! One more tip: the adult butterflies seem to become upended on the floor of the pavillion at times while they are flapping around and have trouble gaining traction to right themselves on the slick nylon surface. This shortened the lives of several of ours until I saw it happening and put some packing material (like easter straw) in there for them to stand on. Fun, educational, and really cool, too! I bought this kit for my 5-year-old, but my 3-year-old wound up loving it every bit as much as the older one. The caterpillars arrive in a sealed container with everything they need--all you have to do is observe them. After a week, we placed the cocoons in the habitat, and out hatched five gorgeous butterflies. What's more, they began laying eggs within a few days, and before you know it, we had DOZENS of teeny-tiny baby caterpillars! Of course, we set them free outside (I'm no bug farmer), and we enjoyed painted lady butterflies throughout the rest of the summer. This kit provided my children with a wonderful, exciting learning experience that they will never forget!

   

Merrill's Compost Tea
From Merrill's

Now its easy to make your plants happy with Merrill's Compost Tea. Simply steep one teabag in a gallon of warm water for 15 minutes and water your plants for beautiful blooms, shiny leaves and healthy plants. Merrill's Compost Tea is a mixture of Rodale Organic Gardening Certified compost, sea kelp, humic acid, and micorhizae. Packed with the living microorganisms and essential nutrients your plants have been craving.
Amazon Sales Rank: #23360 in Lawn & Patio Size: small Brand: Merrill's Dimensions: 3.00" h x 4.00" w x 4.00" l, .28 pounds

This stuff is easy to use and amazing Fertilizing can be tricky in terms of what, and when to add. Compost tea is great because its easy to apply without risking damage, but often hard to make. This process takes out all of the guesswork with the tea bag. Just add the tea bag to a gallon of water, let it sit for a while and water. I was surprised at how fast and well it worked on all of the plants, both indoor and outdoor. In addition, its nice to have organic going on the garden herbs and vegetables we eat. You can go direct easily through (......)

   

Sentinel 8 x 10 Outdoor Storage Shed With Windows, Skylights, and Shelving, By Lifetime Products, # 60005
From Lifetime Products

Sentinel 8 x 10 Shed with new side entry, two new side windows on front and one standard size window on back wall. Shelving system includes 2-90 inch shelves, 2-corner shelves, 1-pegboard strip with hardware, and two large skylights. Constructed with powder coated steel A-frame roof trusses and internal wall structure of steel-reinforced double polyethylene panels. High grade metal screws ensure secure-fastened assembly. Peak screen vent cap offers additional airflow. Low maintenance features include UV-Protection to help prevent fading and cracking, weather resistant seams help keep interior dry, stain resistant finish is easy to clean and never needs painting. Your yard is a jungle - its time to tame it with this year-round storage unit. 10 Year Limited Warranty thru Lifetime Products. Customer service information 1-800-225-3865 and www.lifetime.com.
Amazon Sales Rank: #887269 in Lawn & Patio Color: Putty/Brown Brand: Sentinel Model: 60005 Dimensions: 33.75" h x 32.00" w x 96.00" l,

We LOVE this shed! I did alot of research before purchasing this shed on sale at 997! All other reviews have been awesome on other sites... and I can't say how the winter / snow will be since we haven't had to deal with that yet. However, the beams do seem very strong, and there are a bunch of them, so I can't forsee any trouble. However, there are more then 500 screws that go into this, so it will take 3-4 hours to build, 2 adults. It is easy to build, nice shelveing and slots to hang things, etc. One inner light, 2 vents and a window that does open. All in all a great shed for the money. It really looks nice too, our neighbors have commented on it. We had no problems with the instructions, and the doors went on easily and aligned perfectly. They open wide, so no need to worry about them reclosing or not enough room. Roomy inside, 8 x 10. Left door has its own lock to keep it shut, and space to lock both doors from outside. Roof collapsing!! I bought this shed, new, last fall. The roof has sagged at least 3 or 4 inches(in middle) over winter from moderate snow loads. "Customer service" says it's my problem. They would be happy to sell me new roof trusses though. The difference between a GOOD company your happy to do business with again and the rest is how they treat you when something goes wrong. Live in snow country? Expect good service for your money? Avoid these guys like the plague!

   

Sunset Hillside Landscaping
By Susan Lang, Sunset Books

This all-inclusive edition explores landscaping solutions for properties with everything from slight slopes to extreme vertical challenges. Combining creative planning with practical application, Hillsides Landscaping offers easy-to-follow guidelines for designing plant beds and terraces, private steps and paths, serene seating areas, and soothing waterfalls on slopes of varying degrees. A Guide to Planting covers plant selection and installation, and includes advice on erosion control, plants for walls and crevices, and other special considerations.


A pillow-book for gardeners I was a flat-land gardener most of my life, and when we retired and moved to a house with a backyard that sloped steeply down to a small river, I needed ideas on how to landscape our new property. "Hillside Landscaping" is a sort of pillow book for gardeners. The majority of its beautiful photographs show landscapes that gardeners of modest means can only dream about. I used the book to point out photographs of steps and retaining walls that I liked to the local landscaping firm, then we'd have a good laugh about the price, and work out cheaper compromises. For instance, instead of stone steps I now have wooden stairs leading down to the river. Don't misunderstand me, though. There are some very good ideas in this book. For instance, we used the suggestion to zig-zag the stairs down the slope, both to make the climb a bit easier (the slope varies from about 1:6 to 1:2) and to make the journey to the river more interesting. This book is divided into five sections: * "Understanding your Terrain"--this section is very important, no matter how much money you plan to spend. It discusses types of hillsides (most especially the severity of the slope) , drainage considerations, and whether or not the landscape needs to be reshaped, e.g. terraced. * "Inspiring Ideas"--beautiful photographs of slopes, decks, patios, steps, retaining walls, water features, etc. with suggestions on placement, materials, and plantings. * "It's all in the planning"--a very useful chapter, including the ABCs of garden design, and the mechanics of plotting your property. One of this chapter's suggestions that we plan to implement is a 'dry creekbed' to drain water from our backyard slope. * "Building on slopes"--Many landscaping features such as fences are more challenging to build on a slope. This chapter explains what factors you need to consider when building or gardening on a slope. I learned NOT to pull up weeds and saplings from their downhill side, after yanking out a small alder, losing my balance, and tumbling over the dry-stone retaining wall and down the steps. It was a cheap way of conducting my own bone density scan, but I wouldn't recommend this procedure to anyone else! I was also very glad that we had decided to build the steps out of wood, not stone. * "Focusing on plants"--Erosion control. Erosion control. Erosion control. Figure out how you're going to work your beds. Use low-maintenance plants "if you want to avoid scrambling around your hillside to perform tasks such as weeding and pruning." There are suggestions on how to water on a slope--very important, and something I didn't think of when originally planning the beds. "Hillside Landscaping" is useful as well as beautiful and can be used by do-it-yourselfers as well as those of us who plan to hire the muscle to move the stones and build the steps. Lots of pic's but no help for do it yourself homeowners I live in Southern California where there are hills galore. I thought the book showed very pretty pictures and has nice planting tips, but it wasn't very helpful for homeowneres like my husband and I who wanted to try and landscape ourselves. I also purchased a book called Inspirational Terracing which was able to help my husband and I really landscape our yard ourselves with instructions and wonderful ideas for any situation and the author built all the landscapes himself, using afordable stones that the average person can lift. The book has beautiful pictures and it was very useful. It made me wonder how Hillside Landscaping got all their pictures, I think anyone can drive around and take pictures of landscapes that other people have built and work hard to maintain and beautify and turn around and make money off of other peoples hard efforts. It seemed more like a magazine than a book,it had beautiful scenery but used only materials that top notch contractors with huge equiptment, charging heafty prices could pull off. These landscapes are not for the person with an average house, only the upper class, homeowners could never afford these landscapes and nearly all of them could never be attempted by the homeowner. Great addition to any landscaping book collection I just received this book today and have been unable to put it down. I never expect to be so impressed with a book in this price range, but I highly recommend it for anyone who is serious about landscaping and has to deal with hills or slopes.Having just recently purchased some hillside property, I was looking for the kind of book that would help me and my land partners develop this in the fashion we want. This book gives me much more than I could ever imagine. Not only is it chalk full of great suggestions for developing practically EVERY kind of sloped surface, but it great tips on garden design, plant choice, decks, multi-leveled lawns, walkways (all types), retaining walls and much, much more. There are also loads of great instructions and diagrams to help anyone from beginner to expert. The second chapter, "Inspiring Ideas," is worth the price of the book alone. Yes, the photos are sometimes a bit small, but there are so many good ones here of, in some cases, some of the cleverest landscapes I've ever seen that it more than compensates for any photographic shortcomings.Hard to go wrong with this book. Really. Highly recommended for anyone who has to deal with this type of landscape.

   

100% Organic Biodegradable 3" Seed Starting 22 Pots
From Hirt's Gardens

Organic, Biodegradable Seed Starting Pots Beyond Biodegradable 100% Organic and 100% biodegradable. DOT Pots are the worlds only OMRITM listed Biodegradable plantable pots. Plant the pot without ripping the bottom. Post consumer content packaging is printed with biodegradable soy inks. Organic, Not just because we say so Wood fiber used is sourced exclusively from thinning of sustainably managed forests. Electric power used in the manufacturing process comes primarily from renewable resources. It's what's NOT in the DOT PotTM that makes it better! Unlike glued peat moss pots, biodegradable DOT Pots are made from all natural wood fibers, 80% spruce fibers and 20% peat moss and nothing else! DOT Pots contain zero glues or binders -- allowing the plant roots to grow right through the pot during a normal production cycle. The plant's growth is not impeded by the walls of the pot. This creates a vigorous, non-girdled root system that spreads out evenly and uniformly. Air pruning is taken to a whole new level. The highly porous technology of the DOT Pots allows us to exclude one more ingredient from the DOT Pot -- drain holes. Without glue or binders, air and water flow freely through the entire container without the need for drain holes. Why reduce air pruning to a few dime-sized holes or narrow slots? DOT Pots achieve even air pruning along the entire container surface. Not only are DOT Pots 100% biodegradable, but they are 100% OMRI Listed® as well. Now you can forget about the plastic waste and the disposal hassles of traditional plastic containers. When you plant a DOT Pot, both you and Mother Nature will be smiling. You will receive 22 organic, biodegradable pots, size 3 1/8" x 3 1/8"
Amazon Sales Rank: #55302 in Lawn & Patio Brand: Hirts: Gardens Products

great for seedlings These are the perfect size for cuttings, or for an intermediate transplant of peat pellets. Roots can punch through the bottom quite easily, which is good. (As with any container like this, though, remember that the pot itself wicks moisture out of the soil and away from your seedling. Keep an eye on the soil moisture.)

   

Sunsational 6' Classic Awning
From SUNSATIONAL

Retractable Sunsational Classic Awnings save you money! These Awnings really look sharp... and actually pay for themselves in energy saved! Not only do they offer a decorative touch, but they block more radiant heat out of your home. Fabric is water and dirt repellent; UV and mildew resistant, too; Individually hand-sewn with the highest attention to detail; Retractable with a simple pull of a cord; All sizes have a 2'1" drop, 2'1" projection and a 6" valance; Easy to install; Weighs 7 lbs., 10 ozs. State Color. Order Today! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: 4' and 8' - word search in our Store for 'Sunsational Classic Awning'. Sunsational 6' Classic Awning


Quality is iffy, at best I purchased two of these for our beach house last year - the have not held up well, given the coastal environment. I wouldn't expect many years of use, but after just one year, they have faded severely when rolled up for the winter. It takes them several days and much exposure to "fall out" after opening them up for the Spring/Summer/Fall months. They do a good job of blocking the sun and shading the house but the material is the problem - using a Sumbrella type fabric would make these a great value but the supplied fabric is basically canvas that fades and wrinkles. Also, the supplied connectors are a huge disappointment - they are exposed "wing nuts" and UGLY UGLY UGLY. Look CLOSELY at the photo, if they had designed these to be on the inside, where you cannot see them, this would be a far better design. If you have a nice home and want these for function over asthetics, go for it but if I was buying again I'd pay a littel more for a better grade of fabric and connector system. Oh, and one more thing: if you live in a windy environment, even t-storms, the design of these is such that they bang against the house due to the support arm having far too much give - we have added rubber washers and they still make a lot of noise - enough to wake you up in the middle of the night with just a 20-30 MPH wind gust... UPDATE 10.30.09: We finally ditched the canvas material, after my wife used it as a pattern for new awnings - made from SUNBRELLA material - which is heavier and far superior to the flimsy canvas supplied. So heavy in fact the "thumping" against the side of the house has all but stopped in winds up to 30-40 MPH - no banging - those canvas awnings were so light they would bump in almost any wind. So two problems solved. the frames have held up well and are good quality - so figure a way to buy the frames and make your own! Costs $100 or so in material and a few hours of sewing - my wife loves to sew so it was easy for her. Horrible Product Installation was easy and it looked great for about 2 months. It faded horribly and now looks like it is a pink awning that we have had up for years when in fact it has been up for less than a year. I would not suggest buying this product. I tried to contact the seller and they would no return my request to discuss the problem. A product has to be really bad for me to write a review like this. Please stay away from this product.

   

Tricam MH2340 Universal 6-Inch No Flat Tire, Black
From Tricam

6 in. diameterHeavy duty ball bearings1/2 in. BoreNot for highway use
Amazon Sales Rank: #44466 in Home Improvement Size: 6-Inch Color: Black Brand: Tricam Model: MH2340
6-Inch no-flat replacement tire with heavy-duty ball bearings and a 1/2-Inch bore. These tires don't need air and the solid polyurethane design means you will never be stuck with a flat tire. Great as a replacement or an alternative to regular air-filled tires. Universal replacement for all similar sized tires. Not for highway use.
Excellent tire I purchased 2 of these tires to replace the original, plastic, broke-the-first-day tires that came with my Brinkmann 94125 gas grill. I had to make a trip to Lowe's to buy a larger and longer threaded axle rod and wing nuts to secure the ties. The end result is infinitely superior to the original. The tires have a metal frame with metal ball bearings. Awesome! Nice tires but I received wrong bore These tires are of good quality and would definitely work for any outdoor non-motorized to small engine use. The only complaint I have is that it stated that the bore was 1/2" when it was actually 3/4". At least that's what I got in my shipment.

   

Fiskars PowerTooth 6-Inch Pruning Saw with Belt Clip #9259
From Fiskars


Amazon Sales Rank: #14608 in Home Improvement Brand: Fiskars Model: 9259 Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
The Fiskars PowerTooth 6-inch sliding saw comes with a belt clip and features a 6-inch stainless steel retractable blade. The blade includes a patented triple-angle tooth design intended for season-long clean cuts on the push and pull strokes. Ideal for medium-size branches, the saw retracts into the handle for safe storage and easy transportation and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Fiskars PowerTooth 6-Inch Pruning Saw with Belt Clip #9259
SUPER SAW This is the best little saw I have ever used. It is sharp as the dickens and retracts to stash in my hip pocket. Sooo nice. I lost mine so I am buying a couple more befor Fiskars looses its' mind and discontinues it Fiskar Power Tooth 6" Slding Saw Friends and I do a lot of clearing trail in the forest and have tried different small saws, all of us agree this is the best one we have EVER come across. It cuts quickly and smoothly, stays sharp a long time. We have used it not only to cut branches, but downed trees that are wider then the saw is long. Doesn't take long with this little saw. Compact and extremely sharp! I recently came home to several fallen branches. I was able to cut through 4" wide branches with incredible ease and speed. Fantastic!

   

Pigeon Deterrent Plastic Bird Spike
From Bird-B-Gone, Inc.

Plastic Bird Spikes: 3 - 2 foot Sections 7" Width Plastic Bird Spikes + 1 - Tube Adhesive (6ft. /Box + 1-tube Adhesive)
Amazon Sales Rank: #312312 in Kitchen & Housewares Size: 3 -2 foot sections (6 linier feet) 7" Bird Spike + One Tube Adhesive Color: Crystal Clear Brand: Bird-B-Gone, Inc. Model: BBG2000-7CLR

Amazing! I have been trying for years to get these pigeons off my roof. I have spent a small fortune in fake owls, snakes, and electronic devices. These actually worked! The only spike that worked! We had pigeons roosting in the eaves of our home. After using the Bird-B-Gone Spike (which was incredibly easy to install!), the birds went away, and so did all their droppings. Our church also used the product on the edges of the Sunday School building with excellent results! Our neighbors had tried spikes from another company, but the birds were able to land between them....don't be fooled by imitations! This product is great - it doesn't harm the birds - it just stops them from landing! Rugged & Easy to Install We had a pigeon problem on our terrace. One of the problems is, since the wooden plank topping the terrace wall is about 9 inches wide, a single row might not have provided adequate coverage. But as Bird-B-Gone plastic bird spikes came in 1 foot long sections, we decided to placed them somewhat diagonally across the rail, parallel to each other about 8.25 inches apart (think herringbone). It works great. Some pigeons decided to test it and things got "poinky" and "ouchy" very quickly. They got the message. We did 40 feet of rail for about $125. One caution: These are strong spikes, and placed at about waist height on a terrace rail, we realized these would be a hazard if anyone tripped coming out of the balcony door. So we used clear push pins instead of screws so we could remove a section of them when guests visited. Works well.

   

The Gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright
By Derek Fell


Amazon Sales Rank: #31269 in Books Published on: 2009-03-01 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Binding: Hardcover 160 pages
Review Derek Fell shared his first thoughts about Frank Lloyd Wright's landscapes with Historic Gardens Review. Now here's the book - and a highly interesting one it is, as well as beautifully illustrated, as one would expect from this skilled writer-photographer. --Historic Garden ReviewDid Frank Lloyd Wright design gardens during his long career? This glorious books shows us that he most certainly did. Author Derek Fell has taken all the photographs, which really capture the way the designer's mind was working... One can see echoes of Wright's style in the work of various American landscape designers and his importance in this sphere has been underestimated. This book helps redress that balance. --BBC Gardens IllustratedFell's book is a substantial coffee table editon, lavishly illustrated and carefully crafted so as to give the reader an insight into Wright's work. -- Reckless GardenerSynonymous with great architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright also created beautiful gardens. This is a record of them and is full of inspiration to carry you through the winter till your garden flourishes again. The book will allow you to wander through the awesome Taliesin or exquisite Fallingwater in your mind's eye, and demonstrates the principle that gardeners should complement nature, not engineer her. --Waterstone's Book Quarterly Review The text of The Gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright is both engaging and informative - and the pictures are excellent. ... a book dedicated to his gardens and landscapes is most welcome and there is a brilliant guide at the end with information on visiting them. It is also nice to have the text on the plants he used and to have them identified throughout in the photographs. Review A poetic contemplation on garden history... Most of the book is taken up with photographs by Linda Koolaris Dobbs, who uses many imaginative angles and techniques to describe every corner of the gardens.
Large Gorgeous Photos Throughout Entire Book There are so many LARGE, beautiful and colorful photos of Wright's various homes and gardens throughout this book it is worth the book price just to view them over and over. Looking at them gives ideas for your own home. Frank Lloyd Wright's work is phenomenal and this book explains why in pictures and words. The Creative Beauty of a Master Frank Lloyd Wright is a bank of inspiration for all interested in art, architecture and gardening. One of the best architects of our times (a genius), past and future. This book by reknowned writer (also master gardener) and photographer Derek Fell captures and describes beautifully with incredible sensitivity the art, connection and respect that Write had for nature and the natural beauty of his country. Even if you are not interested in gardening you must read and enjoy this well worth having treasure book. Great publishing and bainding. Check out Glen Fell's other garden books! Edgard Abadia.

   

Sportsman Series 36-Inch x 18-Inch 600 lb. Load Capacity Steel Flatbed Garden Cart With Pneumatic Wheels #HDTFLATB
From Sportsman

The Sportsman Series 36" by 18" Flatbed Cart from Buffalo Tools is perfect for shop, home, nurseries, garden, farm or anywhere you need a heavy duty utility cart. * Heavy duty steel mesh deck lets dirt fall through cart bed. * Rolls easy on 4 air tires *
Amazon Sales Rank: #33156 in Home Improvement Brand: Sportsman Model: HDTFLATB Dimensions: 4.00" h x 19.00" w x 37.00" l, 45.00 pounds
The Sportsman Series #HDTFLATB 36-Inch by 18-Inch Flatbed Cart is the perfect product for the home, nurseries and farms. It has a black powder coated steel handle and a trailer hitch for pulling with the lawn tractor. The welded steel mesh deck is strong and allows dirt from plants and other cargo to fall through and not collect in the bed of the cart. Has 600-pound capacity.
Good Price - So-So Quality Supplied instructions were useless, fit of parts was poor (required some bending/forcing to get parts to "align"). Some of the "painted" parts arrived with signs of exposed (and painted-over) rust. It is the only steer-able cart we were able to find with pneumatic tires at this (small) size. The removable handle requires some effort to re-install given the geometry of the receiver and the number of spacers at play. Frequent swaps between towing and hand-operated modes would be very cumbersome. The wheels are attached (capped onto the axles) with large PLASTIC acorn nuts. For a 600lb capacity cart, this seemed a bit of a design oversight. The threads on the axles are not a standard machine thread, so we are still looking for a compatible metal nut to replace the plastic ones. For what it's worth, the tires produce an extremely strong/offensive odor, which is a problem for us since we wanted to store it indoors. It does what it was designed to do, but craftsmanship is less than average. Inadaequate packaging - everything scratched I am usually a person who gives alot of benefit of doubt to someone. Sometimes I end up paying for it. This was the case. I read the previous review, and noted the shortcomings. rust, inferior fit, inadequate hardware, must I go on. I ordered this wagon in hopes that the previous review was a fluke. It wasnt. Many of my parts came with the tailtale signs of beginning rust. In addition, nothing was wrapped in a condition to be shipped. Nothing was packaged or wrapped to protect it from banging around inside. Needless to say, all of the major pieces were scratched up, as if somebody had previously assembled it, used it and returned it to amazon. if that is the case, it wasnt inspected again before it was shipped to me. In the future I shall heed these reviews more carefully. mike

   

Nelson Six-Piece Flower Watering Combo Set with Long-Neck Nozzle, Multi-Pattern Nozzle and Male/Female Quick Connector Sets #51002
From Nelson


Amazon Sales Rank: #42753 in Home Improvement Brand: Nelson Model: 51002
The LR Nelson Six-Piece Flower Watering Combo Set is the ultimate watering set for any gardener. The combo set includes: Front Trigger Long Neck Nozzle, Front Trigger Multi-Pattern Nozzle, and four Male/Female Quick Connector Sets.
EXCELLENT!!!! We seem to have a difficult time finding quality watering sets; some have terrible spray patterns while others just seem to fall apart. I don't know why such a simple item tends to be so difficult to find at an affordable price but fortunately, this product beats the trend. It's affordable, has wonderful spray patterns, the quick connect really works and on top of it all...they are very ergonomically correct. A pleasure to use my only regret is that I didn't purchase more when they were on sale. Excellent, ergonomic, well built, very nice spray patterns, affordable...what more can I say? They do the job they were created to do without problem. KUDO's!!! PS - we are in Florida so don't have severe cold winters which could be a problem for this set. Keep in mind when buying. Makes watering so much easier I had to replace a nozzle on my hose and I bought this set. This makes watering more of a pleasure and less of a chore. It is easier as you can click on the trigger and do not have to keep the grip tight and you can adjust the flow very easily. Great product!

   

Rosemary & Thyme - The Complete Series
From Acorn Media

The hit British series that combines glorious gardens with classic whodunits

Seattle Times, August, 2007 An engaging "cozy" mystery series Brattleboro Reformer "Lots of fun all around" QuickStop Entertainment "Fresh and well-crafted"
Parsley, sage... Most mystery series have big tough longtime cops or lovably eccentric oddballs as their detectives. So it's a bit refreshing to see a pair of utterly ordinary detectives in the light mystery series "Rosemary and Thyme" -- one a cop-turned-housewife, and one a feisty horticulturist. You won't find any mind-blowing mysteries, just solid whodunnits and likable characters... and plants. Lots and lots of beautiful plants. Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris) has just been dumped by her husband of 27 years, for a "twenty-three-year-old tart!" When visiting an old pal, she encounters plant pathologist Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) who is promptly fired by her slimy boss. The two wronged women team together to solve a bizarre mystery involving poisonous plants, a car wreck, and a serial killer. After that, Rosemary and Laura go into business together, treating sick lawns and creating picturesque gardens. But like any good detectives, they keep bumping into sinister crimes, both of the past and present: a spa matriarch is strangled at her desk, skeletons are uncovered in a murdered pop star's garden, and a man is killed in a graveyard... with an arrow. Things don't improve much in the following seasons -- Rosemary and Laura end up dealing with wrecked romantic gardens, Parisian theft and murder, school pranks gone wrong, Italian restaurants, ferocious competition at a garden show, murder at a vineyard, sabotaged plays and tennis camps.... and even an abandoned baby that may have something to do with a murder. "Rosemary and Thyme" is notable more for its cozy, cottagey feel than for its intricate mysteries -- but then again, they don't try to be complex or twisty. Instead, the stories focus on our likable horticulturists, and the lovely gardens they create or restore... and the entertaining dialogue ("You've broken the bloody window!" Rosemary yells at a sniper) makes this even more fun. There's a pleasantly old-fashioned flavour to the series -- lots of vine-draped cottages, manorhouses, luxurious resorts, vineyards and herbal skills. Sure, there's laptops, TV shows, drug dealers and myriad cell phones. But those are just the trappings on an ordinary little mystery series, where the plant sicknesses often have something to do with the murders. Of course, the leads make or break a series like this. Fortunately, Kendal and Ferris have excellent chemistry. Laura and Rosemary are an entertaining pair, with just the right mix of similarities and differences. Laura is a sensible ex-cop/housewife who is still dealing with her family tensions, while Laura is a cultured academic ("more a bookworm than an earthworm") with a rough streak. Plant lovers and mystery buffs should enjoy the cozy, vine-covered mysteries of "Rosemary and Thyme." It's just fun and pleasant, all the way through. So glad to see the full collection in one box I really love this series - especially the final series (3). With all the interest in British mysteries and gardening, I am amazed that the show was not developed many, many years ago. Sadly, the Rosemary & Thyme series only lasted for 3 series and was abruptly cancelled. The premise of the story is about two women of middle age who each face life-changing experiences (one, a pending divorce and the other is fired from her position as professor of horticulture from a UK college). Both characters befriend each other and start their own gardening business. This new adventure takes them all over the UK as well as Spain, France, and Italy. While working on gardens, they always seem to stumble upon murders. Both Rosemary & Thyme add their unique skills and gifts to solve these murders all the while designing and planting breath-taking gardens. There are many aspects of the series that I find wonderful, but the thing I appreciate the most is the knowledge, that even those of us in our middle years can find new adventures and create new identities which bring us happiness and fulfillment. Partly due to this show, I had since enrolled in a garden design course to start me on a new adventure as a designer.... Thanks Rosemary & Thyme! Do not have to compare to the book Finally a program exists that was built from scratch and not based on a book or writer. They can not do it wrong because this is it. It looks like there is more horticulture in this series than in the Brother Cadfael series. Two women, each have a Life changing experience just before the series starts. Soon they become friends. One a hands on gardener, with a law enforcement back ground Laura Thyme, (Pam Ferris), the other an academic horticulturist with an old four wheeler vehicle Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal). The programs are of the two trying to find out who dunnit and how. We do not get bogged down in love interests. Each episode is unique in its approach. The only pattern I see is that it is like in the movie "A shot in the dark" where everyone is guilty except the maid. In this series there may not be a lit of murderers, however there are a lot of guilty people. Well sit back and enjoy the view, smell the roses, and buy the series so you can watch again and again.

   

Joseph's Studio Saint Joseph & Child Outdoor Garden Statue 20"
From Roman


Amazon Sales Rank: #225970 in Kitchen & Housewares Brand: Roman Model: 45685 Dimensions: 8.00 pounds

cheap this is about as cheaply made as can be, It could not be made any thinner unless it were made of metal. this is the type of thing found in dollar stores. Exquisite! I made it a point to write a review of this statue because the person before me called it a dollar store statue. I normally read reviews on Amazon and decide through them if I should get the item or not. This time, however, it was different because I promised someone that I would buy a statue of Saint Joseph through Amazon.com using my gift card. There was no other outdoor statue listed on Amazon except this one! But alas, it had a terrible review, which I ALMOST listened to. But after careful consideration and an email from Christmas Central telling me how well made this statue was, I bought it. I am so glad I did because it has to be one of the most beautiful statues of Saint Joseph I have seen. It is gorgeous! It is of course hollow inside, it would cost a fortune to ship if it wasn't! It can be filled with concrete or sand to be weighed down like most outdoor statues. It will find a very special place in my Mary Garden.

   

8' x 30" Easy Set Pool Set (with Filter pump and DVD)
From Intex

8' x 30", Easy Set Pool Set With Filter Pump & DVD Is Ready For Fun In 10 Minutes, Just Inflate The Top Ring & Fill With Water.
Amazon Sales Rank: #54357 in Toys & Games Size: 8'x30 Color: Blue Brand: Intex Model: 56971EG Dimensions: 11.50" h x 15.00" w x 19.00" l, 25.00 pounds
Get ready for a pool party at a minute's notice with this Wet Set Easy Set Pool, which measures 8 feet in diameter by 30 inches tall. It takes two people approximately 10 minutes to set up and get ready to pump full of water. The pool's liner is supported by an inflatable top ring while the pool goes up by itself as the water level rises. The sidewalls are made of three separate layers of material for extra strength and durability. Two outer layers of heavy gauge PVC are laminated to an inner layer of polyester mesh for extra reinforcement--for a total thickness of 28 gauge (0.71 millimeters). It includes a convenient, easy-to-use drain plug that connects to a garden hose so that water can be drained away from the pool area. It also comes with a 300 gallon-per-hour filter pump, which features a built-in debris surface skimmer and adjustable mounting bracket. 8' x 30" Easy Set Pool Set (with Filter pump and DVD)
A great summer investment...if you make a few modifications I bought this pool after my disasterous experience with the first one I purchased, which was an Intex 90" x 22" Swim Center Color Whirl Pool (please read the review I wrote about it before you consider buying that product). I purchased the pool alone (without the filter or other accessories) after reading several poor reviews about the quality of the filter that comes with the set. Instead of purchasing the 300 gallon/hour filter, I bought the Intex Easy Set 800 GPH pool pump/filter, which has been keeping the water clean without difficulty. If you are considering purchasing this pool, I would recommend that you do the same. In addition, I would also recommend buying the following items (many of these can be found at local stores if you would like to save money on shipping and handling): 1) a ground cloth...you can save some money by purchasing a Southern Camp 10' x 10' Blue Tarp (available at Amazon for a fraction of the price you'll spend on one that's labeled as a "swimming pool ground cloth" and it works just the same); 2) a pool cover...you can also use the tarp mentioned above for this purpose (just make sure you buy 2; one for use as a ground cloth and the other for a cover), but I would recommend buying a round pool cover that's made for this type of pool because it stays in place better (it has drawstrings to help secure it to the inflatable ring); 3) pool chemicals...specifically: chlorine (in granular form), pH increaser (soda ash), pH decreaser (pool acid), algaecide/clarifier, conditioner, and pool shock (many of these chemicals are sold together in pool maintenance kits; just make sure the kit you purchase in suitable for use in inflatable pools)...also, you will need a chemical test kit for measuring pH and chlorine levels (these are usually included in pool maintenance kits, as well); 4) a pool skimmer net, a nylon pool brush, and a pole that can be used with both; 5) a package of spare filter cartridges for use with the pool pump/filter you purchase; 6) an Intex Pool Surface Skimmer/Leaf Basket (this is optional, but it does help keep the pool surface free of leaves and bugs) NOTE: THE SKIMMER CAN ONLY BE USED WITH A 500 GALLON PER HOUR INTEX POOL PUMP/FILTER OR LARGER (IT WILL NOT WORK WITH SMALLER MODELS)...AS I STATED BEFORE, I RECOMMEND BUYING THE 800 GALLON/HOUR MODEL; and 7) a pool ladder (this is also optional; you'll only need it if you have children who are too short to step over the sides of this pool). I bought all of the items mentioned above and I couldn't be any happier with the end result. I haven't had any of the water leakage or air leakage problems that I had with the first pool I purchased, even though I set it up in exactly the same spot. I was also able to set it up the entire system without any assistance. From start to finish, it took about 3 hours until it was ready to swim in. This pool seems to be quite durable; the whole family has been playing and splashing in it almost every day this summer, without any problems arising. It does cost more to buy the extra maintenance supplies and the pool parts separately (rather than buying the set with a filter that won't do the job), but it has been worth the investment. And, unlike the Intex 90" x 22" Swim Center Color Whirl Pool, with a little bit of daily maintenance (checking the pH and chlorine levels, and using the skimmer net when needed), the water has remained clean, clear, and most importantly, IN THE POOL! Kids love it !!! My family and I bought this pool a week ago at our local Target store. The pool comes with everything you see in the picture. The only tools you need are a flat head screw driver to loosen and tighten the clamps for the hoses...other then that it is very simple and fast to set up. This pool is great for anyone who has a small yard, or would just like a small cool, refreshing pool to relax in on hot summer days. For my family...i can't seem to get my three kids out of the pool. They have a great time playing and just simply cooling off on our hot and sunny days. I would defiantly recommened to buy this pool.... Water fun is worth it, especially for the price ! I have had this pool for about a month, so now I can give it a proper review. It took me some time to get the pool chemical situation just right, and work out the kinks (with out city's water, NOT the pool, however !). We have a very uneven backyard, patchy grass, and quite "lumpy," so I was worried about using a quick-set pool. Thus far, I have had no issues, other than yes, you can feel the bumps under the pool, but it doesn't bother me or the kids, so no big deal ! It was much easier to set up with 2 people - stand on opposite sides and stretch the pool out into a GOOD circle, then start filling, and make adjustments to it, moving around the edge, keeping opposite of your helper to ensure a good circle. You will need to get it just right BEFORE the water covers the whole bottom, as it gets to heavy, but I feel some water in it helped it keep the shape better while we made minor adjustments. I've read reviews that the filter doesn't do much - I agree that it doesn't get out the bugs, but from experience, I can tell you how it DID work for me. Our city's water is VERY hard, and we have a softener but it is not connected to our outside spigots, so the pool water is still hard. After setting up the pool, and being gone for 2 days after, I came home to find water the color of RUST ! After trying to "shock" the pool, algaecide, etc. I checked the filter (it said change every 2 weeks, and it had only been a few days) - it looked like a rusty old car ! I figured out that it was catching all the things in the water that make it so hard, but then the water just kept circulating through it, and the "rusty" stuff went back in (so in a sense, it wasn't a GREAT filter, but it can only filter and hold SO much, right ?). So I went out every day and changed the filter (I had 5, at about $2.50 each), and then proceeded to wash the used oned in the washer with detergent and bleach, and they came quite clean and had no damamge. After a week of this process, I came out one morning to find the water crystal clear, the bad parts of the water had finally been filtered. So while it may sound like not a great filtration system, I have my mind set to think it's really 90% the fault of our water issues, and only 10% a not-so-hot filtration system. The good news is, the water has been crystal clear ever since. Now I go out every 2 days, and drop in a new chlorine tablet, and check the levels daily - that one tablet has kept the water clear - no cloudiness and no algae, and I change the filter at least once a week. I am still washing them (3 at a time), and they aren't looking brand new anymore, but still holding up well, and I will replace them as needed. While this isn't a typical "review," I want people to know that paying about $50 for a pool, and "getting what you pay" for don't necessarily apply. I am hard-headed, and think "If I paid for it, it WILL work, I just have to figure out what I'm doing wrong !" So I advise you to stick to it. A pool of ANY size requires maintenance. Kiddie pools you have to dump and refill, and to me, that's maintenance (and water waste) too, so this is no different. I spend about 5 minutes a day on mainting the pool, and that's chemicals AND netting the bugs, so to me it's not much time at all. All in all, I consider it money well-spent, and a welcome break from the scorching summer heat !

   

Ames True Temper 1986600 Eagle Hand Transplanter
From Ames True Temper

Eagle label. Promotional tool. Chrome plated blade and maroon poly handle.
Amazon Sales Rank: #64934 in Home Improvement Brand: Ames True Temper Model: 1986600 Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 11.00" h x 2.50" w x 1.75" l, 1.40 pounds
Eagle Hand Transplanter
It's a transplanter... The handle on mine is black, and the blade isn't as broad as it appears in the product image, it's actually quite narrow. It has markings at 1", 2", 3" and 4". Mine is Made in Taiwan.

   

Youngstown Glove Co. 05-3080-70-S General Utility lined with KEVLAR Glove Small, Gray
From Youngstown Glove Co.


Amazon Sales Rank: #49045 in Home Improvement Size: Small Brand: Youngstown Glove Co. Model: 05-3080-70-S Number of items: 1
The Cut-Resistant Utility is 100% KEVLAR Lined! We took our # 1 selling style and lined every inch of the glove with KEVLAR. This glove rates a Level 4 (of 5) on the EN 388 Standard Cut Test. Compared to other cut resistant gloves in the market, this model is far more durable, very dexterous and offers great protection. It is the world's first Cut Resistant Performance Glove.
Comfortable, yet durable! My husband and I have a weekend wood-cutting business. Typically, we cut about 20 cords of firewood over a 3-month period. With all the chainsawing, chain-sharpening, wood-splitting and wood-stacking we do, I usually have to replace my leather gloves every 2 weeks because I've worn holes in the fingertips. Although I've only been using these Youngstown kevlar gloves for the past few weeks, they are holding up beautifully -- MUCH better than leather, and much more comfortable, too. Another plus with these gloves is that since they're not made of leather, they don't suck all the moisture from my hands, leaving my skin feeling like sandpaper, which leather gloves always do. I LOVE them, and from now on will only buy these gloves.

   

Chiot's Run 2010 Calendar
By Susy Morris

A 12 month calendar featuring photos from my blog: ChiotsRun.com. Many of the photos are of my garden and the interesting things we do (like making maple syrup). I have a blog about my garden and all of these photos have been posted to my blog throughout the year. There is a small version of this calendar available: http://www.lulu.com/product/calendar/2010-chiots-run-calendar-%28small%29/5983331


Beautiful Garden If you need a gift for the gardener in your family or enjoy viewing seasonal artistically taken photos of nature and garden this is a calendar for you! The photos in this calendar are beautiful and the lady who takes then has an incredible artistic eye! You can rest assured that you are buying a one (or rather few) of a kind calendar that wasn't printed in China by the thousands - but by a local photographer and printed on our own soil! So, whether artistic enjoyment, garden enthusiast, or patriotic supporter - I recommend this calendar to you! And while your at it - check out her blog at chiotsrun - I enjoy reading her daily posts! This calendar will be hanging on my wall this coming year! Awesome Calendar for anyone who enjoys gardening I may be a little biased but I think this calendar is beautiful. Anyone who is a gardener will appreciate the images for each month that correspond to the season. If you like the images on the Chiot's Run website you will really enjoy this calendar. Makes a great holiday gift.

   

Vertex Deluxe Lawn and Leaf Bag #GB751
From Vertex

Quick fold frame snaps open to hold bags in a FULLY open position for easy loading. Use the included mesh bag alone when weeding, composting, etc. or insert paper or plastic bags for easy disposal. Easily acommodates 32 - 55 gallon bags. Folds to just 3 inches thick for compact storage.
Amazon Sales Rank: #2079 in Home Improvement Brand: Vertex Model: GB751 Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 4.00" h x 36.00" w x 4.00" l, 5.00 pounds
Vertex Deluxe Lawn and Leaf Bag #GB752
OK I bought it as I'm weeding my flower bed and wanted to be able to throw the weeds into the bag more easily. When I used a trash can, I could barely pull the bag from the can, so i thought this would be easier to remove the full bag - thought I could just loosen the corners and it would just drop, which was the problem. I tried putting a trash bag inside as suggested and as soon as I had alittle weight in it, the bag fell inside, so not practicle. I also tried clothes pins (4), but again as soon as some weight was in bag, the pins snapped off and the bag fell. I tried the green bag by itself, but it also fell after some weight got in it, plus I then had to dump from the green bag to a trash bag, which defeated the reason why I got it in the 1st place. I finally went back to laying the bag on the ground and stuffing it. Maybe it will work better with dry leaves (not as much weight), but since the leaves have not fell yet, have not got to try it on leaves yet. It is a great idea - just didn't work for what I wanted. Portable trash bin Light, easy to handle for when i need a trash can (party) but don't have room to store it other times. Can be used inside or out. the opening is a bit small for use with leaves, but otherwise have been pleased with the product. Excellent for Fall Cleanup I have no idea why so many reviewers have had such problems using this. I have owned one for about 3 or4 years now and am buying another to use solely out back. My house is a corner lot and surrounded by huge deciduous trees. Every fall the leaves drop and literally cover every surface on our property. I have found that if I use this bag holder and a pair of the Lawn/Leaf Scoops that the job of fall cleanup is much easier. Not to mention much quicker. I can do it alone without having to pull out the leaf blower or my husband. You do need to head for the home store and buy a box of Contractor Grade trash bags though. They are heavy and very tough and worth the extra few bucks. The cheap, every day trash bags won't stand up in this holder and will just puncture and tear when adding waste. Do not use the holder without adding a trash bag.

   

"L" is for Ladybug Nursery Decor Art Print
From Kathleen Nutter Designs

This original nursery/room design by Kathleen Nutter Designs features lots of vibrant adybugs and the phrase "L is for Ladybug". The grassy background was originally created in watercolor. The green border is part of the print. This purchase does not include a matte or frame.
Amazon Sales Rank: #67917 in Single Detail Page Misc Brand: Fat Crab Shop

   

1 Pound of Oak Wood Ash (Ashes Natural Fertilizer, Change PH Levels in Soil, Ward Off Slugs, Protect Plants Over Winter, Control Pond Algae, Boost Your Organic Tomato Plants, Compost, Make Soap, Shine Silver)


There are 10 great ways to use wood ash around your garden and your home: 1) Fertilizer: Wood ash is packed with potassium, phosphorus and calcium! Don't miss out on this great fertilizer! Ads potassium to your compost pile for complete nutrition. 2) Change PH levels in Soil: Wood ash reduces soil acidity as it is strongly alkaline. 3) Ward Off Slugs: Place a ring of ash around plants being destroyed by slugs and sit back and relax! The slugs who pass over the ring of ash are coated in the fine, dry particles. The ash acts just like salt on a slug and will dry that little guy up faster than you can say Bob's your uncle! 4) Protect Plants Over Winter: Heap wood ashes around fragile plants stumps like rhubarb, fuchsias, and ferns to protect them over the winter. Over the course of the winter nutrients from the ash will seep down to the roots of the plants as well. 5) Use as a Chicken Dust Bath: Wood ash in a box or crate makes an excellent dust bath for poultry. 6) Make soap: Soaking ashes in water makes lye, which can be mixed with animal fat and then boiled to produce soap. Salt makes it harden as it cools. 7) Control Pond Algae: One tablespoon per 1,000 gallons adds enough potassium to strengthen other aquatic plants that compete with algae, slowing its growth. 8) Boost Your Tomato Plants: To give your tomato's and other calcium loving plants a shot in the arm add 1/4 cup in the hole when planting! 9) Shine silver: A paste of ash and water makes a dandy nontoxic metal polisher. 10) Enrich compost: Before the organic compound get applied to soil, enhance its nutrients by sprinkling in a few ashes.
Amazon Sales Rank: #15144 in Lawn & Patio Brand: Natural Oak Ash

Pretty amazing fertilizer. After I started using this Ash my tomato plants are twice as tall, really lush and my harvest was almost 3 times more than year before. I also used it for quite other things. It works on slugs very well. I always add Ash to my compost pile. And have used it to polish silver which worked, to my surprise, very well. All in all what a simple, eco friendly product with many uses. And as I do not have wood burning stove being able to buy it on amazon is simply great. The product was of good quality and arrived very fast. Recommended! 1 Pound of Oak Wood Ash (Ashes Natural Fertilizer, Change PH Levels in Soil, Ward Off Slugs, Protect Plants Over Winter, Control Pond Algae, Boost Your Organic Tomato Plants, Compost, Make Soap, Shine Silver)

   

Precision Products 18-by-36-Inch Lawn Roller #PLR1836
From Precision Products Inc

18" x 36", Poly Lawn Roller, 41 Gallons Capacity, Steel Tow Bar Frame, Poly Drum Body Design, 331 LB Weight When Full, Yellow Dichromate Hardware, 30 Minutes Assembly Time, Side Molded Spokes.
Amazon Sales Rank: #46029 in Home Improvement Brand: Precision Model: PLR1836 Number of items: 1
The Precision Products PLR1824 lawn roller is a handy item for smoothing uneven ground from moles or frost heaving, packing down newly laid sod, smoothing dirt, or other rolling needs that require the heaviest weights. The poly roller drum measures 18-by-36 inches, holds 40 gallons-a hefty 331 pounds-and attaches to most trailers or tractors with a universal hitch. Fill roller with water or sand; the drum is designed to resist dents, scratches, and rust. The roller is covered by a 90-day limited warranty.--Jeffrey Dalto Poly Push Pull Lawn Roller 18-by 36-inch
Precision Products 18 * 36 Lawn Roller Today I am reviewing the Precision Products 18 * 36 Lawn Roller. I bought this a few months back because I needed something to repair the damage done to my yard due to undergrown moles. If you are somebody like me who takes pride in their lawn, then you would understand my frustrations when you wake up in the morning to find your yard turned into a battlefied. I decided sometime ago that it was time to sign up to the army faction against mole infestations. Little did I know that I would be up against a little varment who would make my life hell trying to take it out! Seriously, I have tried shooting water down the tunnles, mole traps, and mole bombs. In WWII, that last one would have been effective, but these little varments are tricky little critters I tell ya. FYI, as it turns out, the ultimate weapon against the moles are the grubs. The moles like to eat the grubs, so the simple solution is to lay down a insect killer. If you kill the grubs, you get rid of the moles! Once I started using this secret weapon, the moles began to dissapear and would show up in the neighbors vegitable garden. HAHA, take that you sneaky little varments, oh yeah, my neighbor really loves me.......NOT So, I got rid of the beasty moles right, but I am left with a problem. My used to be level and even lawn has now become an uneven mess. Another contributing factor to your lawn being uneven is the frost and dethaws we have each winter. What you want to fix this issue is one of these handy dandy lawn rollers. Keep in mind that this model is for towing behind tractors, NOT FOR PUSHING. I own a Husqvara 23HP V-Twin with a hydrostatic drive and some people think that the hydrostatic drive transmitions are not strong enough to pull all the weight of a fully filled roller. After experiancing the use of my lawn roller, they could not be more wrong. When fully filled with water, the roller will weigh roughly 400 pounds. Yes the site claims 331 pounds but every other brand of same sise roller states 400 pounds. Simple math, a gallon of water weighs 10 pounds. So, take 40 gallons of water times 10 and you get 400. Another thing to keep in mind is that this is a polly roller, hence it is plastic. So when this roller is fully filled, you really don't want to role over concrete too much as this will scratch up the roller and possibly damage it. Incase you are wondering, the roller only weighs 50 pounds when empty, so it is easy to put in storage with both hands. I found that assembly was super easy and all parts were there. All you need is some simple tools to put this together. Such as a pair of pliers and a socket wrench or open ended wrenches. And don't worry about weather or not the roller will fit your tractor, its designed to be universal and will fit any tractor with a standard hitch. And yes, it does come with its own hitch pin if you do not have one. Now, one thing you want to keep in mind when using a lawn roller, is that you can do a better job when the lawn is wet. You don't want it to be soaking wet where your just going to fall into mud, but you do want it wet. So following this technique, and moving no faster then 3MPH, I was able to role my lawn and it came out pretty darn level. And some spots which were really bad, I had to go over twice. Main thing to remember here is that this is not a steem roller, so please don't expect it to smooth out tractor or truck ruts. Again, this is a roller to smooth out the bumps and uneven land caused by the moles from hell. And for its intended purpose, I think it does really well. I do want to point out however that it uses a expansion plug to plug the water filler hole in the roller. As such, if you do not tighten the wing nut enough, it could fall out of the hole as it did for me, keep it tight, just don't overtighten it is all. Another thing I should mention is, knowing the sise of this thing, don't expect it to get through a small fence gate, its 36 inches long, it won't make it through unless you have a double gate. But if this is not a problem for you, then by all means pick this model because I find that the larger the roller is, the more weight it can put down to the ground, and the faster you get the job done. I have a lawncare service and I also got this attachment so that I can role other people's lawns. If I ever felt that the durability of this attachment would not hold up under such conditions, I would not use it for such. So in other words, I feel that the framing is strong enough and the roller is strong, what more can you ask for such a good price? Don't get me wrong, any proffesional can spend 250 bucks for a 24 * 48 steel lawn roller to get the job done, but if you feel that a 18 * 36 roller can meet your needs just fine without spending the higher price tag, you would be a fool not to do it. In conclusion, I have not really had any problems with this roller itself besides learning that you can't just tighten the expansion plug snug. I felt that this roller was able to do all that I was asking of it and was well worth the money. Just don't forget that you can't take really tight turns with it, be gradual. And that its better to role when the yard is wet. Furthermore, this roller could also be used after seeding in a new lawn, or rolling an area of dirt to get it level. And if you have tractor or truck ruts in your yard, don't expect this roller to help you, you would need a steem roller. This attachment is your best bang for buck, what more could you ask for? For I am a happy customer and would buy again! PS: I won the battle against the little varments and I am a retired general. Date Purchased: 05/08/09 [...] Where Purchased: Amazon Recomended: YES Good deal for the money The product arrived promptly, even though I used the free mail. Easy to assemble and works well. I use it to level mole tunnels and it does the job. I have used it both by hand and with a lawn tractor. Pretty hard going by hand when full but can be done.

   

Heritage Farms Butterfly House
From Century Tools

Natural wood house.
Amazon Sales Rank: #134533 in Lawn & Patio Color: Natural Brand: Heritage Farms Model: 64008FLY Dimensions: 24.50" h x 5.00" w x 4.12" l, 1.05 pounds

Needs more glue but still cute My butterfly house arrived in good condition except for the roof. I plan to paint it bright colors and display in my garden. It's nice to find something cute that is not plastic. I would recommend this product.

   

Envirocycle Composter-Black
From Envirocycle Systems

With the EnviroCycle drum/turning bins compost may be finished in 4 - 6 weeks in a rotating drum composter! Easier to handle and easier to turn the drum for effortless rotation. Turning is simple. You need no mixing tools. . To dump compost directly onto your soil or garden just latch the door and roll the drum off the base and into your garden. Remove the door so you can dump the compost right where you want it.. Approximate 120 to 156 degrees interior temperature.. Ideal for garden lawn and kitchen refuse.. Comes with composting instructions to help get you started.. Specifications: 7 cubic foot capacityDrum: Dimension: H 25.5 x W 25.5 x D 20 Base: Dimension: H 5.5 x W 21.5 x D 20.25 . Made of Virgin Plastic 50%/Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic 50%. Envirocycle Warranty: 5 years for the drum 2 years for the base and 1 year for the wheels/axles/caps


No Problems Yet I bought the Envirocycle Composter a few weeks ago after extensive web research. I wanted a self-rotating composter as my major concern was the possiblity of rodents, flys and other pests. I simply did not want to hand-turn a compost pile. The Envirocycle Composter is not as durable as I would have expected. I think the plastic is on the thin side, and I'm convinced the door latch will break some day. The product does come with a decent warranty, which you can register online at www.envirocyclesystems.com. You can also read more about the product at that website. The cylinder drum and door are covered for five years; the base is covered for two years; and the wheels, axles, and caps for one year. Right now, my Envirocycle is about 1/4 full with an equal mix of brown yard waste and green kitchen waste. I have it sitting outside on a concrete slab in a dog pen (to deter curious racoons). It is still winter here in St. Louis. So far, I do not notice any odor and I have not had any tampering from neighborhood animals. I don't think I'm anywhere near having compost. I am amazed to see how much kitchen waste we generate now that it is not going into the garbage. I feel good about keeping it out of a landfill. I do have a handy trick for gathering kitchen waste. Rather than use a countertop container, I keep an ordinary plastic container in the freezer. This keeps odors down and eliminates the need to purchase a special container with charcoal filters. Freezing actually aids the decomposition process. If you want to batch compost, you can accumulate a large quantity of kitchen waste in a deep freezer. I'll update this review periodically to fill readers in on the progress of the composting process. Well made, solid, clean, bug and rodent resistant. In a prior home we had a larger compost bin which had problems with bugs and rodents getting into the compost, and run-off from the compost sliming the patio. The Envirocycle solves those problems with its enclosed design, which has no access for rodents, and limited access for bugs. The fluid trap below is perfect for catching the liquid which drains from the compost. This is a very solid product which will last for a long time. The rollers are very solid, designed to support a considerable load of compost. The door, which is removable, is also very solid and should handle the expected banging. We have a smaller house and the compost bin is more visible. The Envirocycle looks much better. Most people will have no idea that it is a composter. No problems yet I bought the Envirocycle Composter a few weeks ago after extensive web research. I wanted a self-rotating composter as my major concern was the possiblity of rodents, flys and other pests. I simply did not want to hand-turn a compost pile. The Envirocycle Composter is not as durable as I would have expected. I think the plastic is on the thin side, and I'm convinced the door latch will break some day. [...] . You can also read more about the product at that website. The cylinder drum and door are covered for five years; the base is covered for two years; and the wheels, axles, and caps for one year. Right now, my Envirocycle is about 1/4 full with an equal mix of brown yard waste and green kitchen waste. I have it sitting outside on a concrete slab in a dog pen (to deter curious racoons). It is still winter here in St. Louis. So far, I do not notice any odor and I have not had any tampering from neighborhood animals. I don't think I'm anywhere near having compost. I am amazed to see how much kitchen waste we generate now that it is not going into the garbage. I feel good about keeping it out of a landfill. I do have a handy trick for gathering kitchen waste. Rather than use a countertop container, I keep an ordinary plastic container in the freezer. This keeps odors down and eliminates the need to purchase a special container with charcoal filters. Freezing actually aids the decomposition process. If you want to batch compost, you can accumulate a large quantity of kitchen waste in a deep freezer. I'll update this review periodically to fill readers in on the progress of the composting process. Update #1: After about 3 months of use and headed into 80 degree weather, the Envirocycle (from about six feet away) smells like the monkey house at the zoo and has a few fruit flies inside. I've got a 50/50 mix of green and brown and hope the odor is due to a week of sitting without rotation while we were on vacation. I can tell that decomposition is occurring. I've ceased adding new materials (am compiling more scrap in the deep freeze) because I really want some compost for the herb garden.

   

Black Plants: 75 Striking Choices for the Garden
By Paul Bonine


Amazon Sales Rank: #12552 in Books Published on: 2009-09-16 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Binding: Paperback 160 pages
Review "Black is not the first color that comes to mind when you think of plants. But as this beautiful guide makes clear, dark-hued leaves and flowers, from perennials to tropicals, have enormous appeal in a garden." (Martha Stewart Living )"This little gem of a book packs a planter's punch … If you never grow a single plant highlighted, it's still a fascinating read." (Our Little Acre blog )"Someday, I shall create the black-and-white themed garden I have been dreaming of; when I do, Black Plants will become muddy and dog-eared." (Pacific Horticulture )"This whimsical collection … is beautiful to behold." (Canada Style at Home )"Something that strange and surreal has to be a part of Halloween. Enjoy the celebration and think about adding some black plants to your garden." (Deseret News )"Black works great for cocktail dresses and luxury cars, but in the flower garden? Absolutely." (San Francisco Chronicle )"Despite some highly evocative names, this haunting book isn't just a Halloween treat. Dark foliage and flowers offer great opportunities for contrast, depth and focal points in the garden." (Hartford Courant )"I wish I could say I was always intrigued by the dozens of gardening books publishers send our way … but every once in a while, I'll get a gardening book that I read cover to cover, such as Paul Bonine's little book called Black Plants." (Tulsa World )"If you want to add dark blooms for contrast in your garden, grow some very novel plants, or plant an entire garden with a dark color theme, Black Plants is a great resource to have on hand." (May Dreams Gardens Blog )"Every once in a while a book is published that fills an empty niche. With Black Plants, finding dark leaved and dark flowering examples doesn’t need to be a mystery anymore." (Anchorage Daily News )"Your garden might never be the same." (Akron Beacon Journal )"Black generally has a negative connotation, a signal that all is not well with a plant. Paul Bonine has set out to salvage black’s horticultural reputation with Black Plants." (Chicago Tribune )"Some of the names are frightening, but their stories are enlightening." (Indianapolis Star )"Bonine is making the point that these deeply pigmented plants are striking additions to the ordinary run of garden bed and container choices, but the creepy factor is irresistible." (Star-Ledger )"Go ahead, open the cover, creep through the screeching gate. The plants inside are no nightmare. More like a dream." (Oregonian )"Rather than cast gloom, these plants can add mystery, depth, and sophistication to the garden." (Houston Chronicle )"Gardeners and plant lovers looking for ideas for distinct color schemes and exciting plant suggestions will appreciate this." (Library Journal ) About the Author Paul Bonine is co-owner of the wholesale nursery Xera Plants Inc. and has worked in the nursery industry in Oregon for almost two decades. In addition to consulting for NPR, various newspapers, radio, and television, Paul has written for several national gardening publications. Black Plants is his first book.
Needs more plants This is a nice book for someone who's thinking of creating a black garden or looking for a few really interesting accent plants. It lost one star because there's no index & I'd have like another 25 plants. The author gives the mature size of some plants, but not all. Light & water requirements are represented by 4 & 3 pictographs respectively. It's a bit like reading an international clothing care tag, but you get used to it. The plant photos tend towards macro shots, so you'll need to find find more pictures elsewhere if you want to see the plant structure. This little book packs a planter's punch! A few years ago, it became fashionable to create a Chocolate Garden, a trend that continues to be popular. Plants grown in a Chocolate Garden have a chocolate fragrance and/or have very dark blooms or foliage in tones of deep purple, brown, burgundy, maroon, or near-black. A great resource book for planning such a garden is the newly-published Black Plants: 75 Striking Choices for the Garden by Paul Bonine. (Timber Press, September 2009) This little gem of a book packs a planter's punch by giving essential information on 75 stunning plants that would be appropriate for creating either a themed garden or a smaller pocket of attraction. With each plant description, characteristics are provided that aid in making choices for the garden: soil conditions, hardiness zones, growth habits and light requirements. Suggestions are given for companion plantings that show off each plant's unique traits. On the page facing each description is a beautiful photograph of the plant. Growing plants with such dark colors could be seen as gloomy and unexciting, but when paired with contrasting colors such as lime green, a very dramatic effect can be obtained. Black Plants provides the necessary information to create such drama, but if you never grow a single plant highlighted in this book, it's still a fascinating read. first book I've returned in years. I'm sorry, I really am, but this book is a major disappointment. There are hundreds more plants than these out in the world if you are really interested in dark or black foliage, and the images in this book are almost exclusively closeups of the flowers or foliage with zero examples of those plants in action in a planting. You'd get better results googling "black plants" or "black flowers" or "balck foliage" than by buying this book. I expected better from Timber Press, I usually drool all over their books! I haven't returned a book to amazon or any other seller for many years, but this one didn't last 10 minutes out of the box before I printed the return label. I kid you not. If all you want are a few closeup photos and some less-than-useful nomenclature. For example, Helleborus x hybridus is a large group of cultivars and colors - many more than than the disappointing black specimen in the photo. Good luck finding the dark flowering plant shown using the name "Helleborus x. hybridus").