Greenscape Gardens
Saturday, March 19, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
CONGRESS APPROVED........STEROID PLANTS SOLD HERE
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GARDENIA......A HEAVENLY SCENT
Gardenias have a well-earned reputation for being a difficult plant for even the experienced indoor gardener. Gardenias thrive on bright light, high humidity, and an even supply of moisture and nutrients. When gardenias are freshly delivered from a greenhouse grower, their glossy leaves and heavenly-scented blooms just about cause the plant to leap into your arms, whether a gift for yourself or for a loved-one.
Then the plant enters the home environment where hot, dry air and gloomy winter days send the gardenia in a downward spiral. Those delicate flower buds, so filled with promise of good things to come, begin dropping from the plant in droves. The glossy leaves turn dull, yellow, and they, too, begin to drop like tree leaves in autumn. If the plant survives this cruel change in environment, mealy bugs, spider mites, scale insects and stem cankers provide further challenges to overcome.
Now for the good news. Gardenias can be successfully grown in the home, but they won’t tolerate neglect like many other houseplants. Gardenias are native to China and Japan but also grow well as an evergreen shrub in the south and west coastal areas of the United States. There, the plant reaches up to 6 feet tall! Gardenias thrive in bright light, cool temperatures and moderately humid air.
Your challenge in growing the gardenia as a houseplant is to match the plant’s native environment as closely as possible. First, make sure you give the plant plenty of bright light, preferably direct sunshine for at least half a day. Winter will likely be the most difficult time to keep high light intensity due to shorter, gloomy days. Moving plants closer to southern-exposure windows and/or supplementing with plant-grow lights will help. Cooler room temperatures are best for the gardenia, around 55 F at night and about 10 degrees warmer by day.
Maintaining proper relative humidity is a challenge, particularly during the winter heating season. There are several ways to help increase humidity, including running a humidifier and grouping plants together on trays of wet pebbles. Misting by hand with a spray bottle offers only momentary relief and so does not really increase humidity in a meaningful way.
A healthy, blooming gardenia will need to be nurtured with a steady supply of water and nutrients, but don’t overdo. The goal is to provide the proper balance of water, air and nutrients. If soil is kept constantly wet, the roots will be starved for air. Too much fertilizer can lead to damaging salt accumulation. Monitor the soil frequently for moisture content, and water thoroughly as the top inch of soil dries. Use a fertilizer that is formulated for acid-loving, blooming plants, such as an azalea-type product, according to rates listed on the label.
Don’t be afraid to prune the gardenia; in fact, blooming will be more prolific on younger growth. Remember that the gardenia is a woody shrub in its native environment and so may need to have older, woody stems removed to encourage new branches.
Though the responsibilities of gardenia care are daunting, if you persevere, you’ll be rewarded with elegant white blossoms and sweet fragrance that simply cannot be matched by other plants.
Ready to try your luck? We have a good selection of gardenias looking for a good home!!!!
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In 1938, Orson Welles broadcast "The War of the Worlds," an event that sent the U.S. into a state of panic. Although it's arguably the most famous hoax in history, other lesser-known ruses have been perpetrated against the public. This Museum of Hoaxes catalogs many of those frauds and pranks, such as the witch trial and unwed mother hoaxes pulled by Benjamin Franklin.
You can learn about millennia-old hoaxes, like Pope Joan, more recent ones, like the 2001 Sony Pictures' fake movie reviewer, or view the Hoax Picture Gallery that offers images of the WTC "tourist guy" (I got nailed on this one) and the Jackalope. Take the Gullibility Test to see if you're likely to be fooled by the next Internet hoax. The other site which details hoaxes, and which I use frequently, is www.snopes.com, to debunk scams and myths.
CONGRESS APPROVED........STEROID PLANTS SOLD HERE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
GARDENIA......A HEAVENLY SCENT
Gardenias have a well-earned reputation for being a difficult plant for even the experienced indoor gardener. Gardenias thrive on bright light, high humidity, and an even supply of moisture and nutrients. When gardenias are freshly delivered from a greenhouse grower, their glossy leaves and heavenly-scented blooms just about cause the plant to leap into your arms, whether a gift for yourself or for a loved-one.
Then the plant enters the home environment where hot, dry air and gloomy winter days send the gardenia in a downward spiral. Those delicate flower buds, so filled with promise of good things to come, begin dropping from the plant in droves. The glossy leaves turn dull, yellow, and they, too, begin to drop like tree leaves in autumn. If the plant survives this cruel change in environment, mealy bugs, spider mites, scale insects and stem cankers provide further challenges to overcome.
Now for the good news. Gardenias can be successfully grown in the home, but they won’t tolerate neglect like many other houseplants. Gardenias are native to China and Japan but also grow well as an evergreen shrub in the south and west coastal areas of the United States. There, the plant reaches up to 6 feet tall! Gardenias thrive in bright light, cool temperatures and moderately humid air.
Your challenge in growing the gardenia as a houseplant is to match the plant’s native environment as closely as possible. First, make sure you give the plant plenty of bright light, preferably direct sunshine for at least half a day. Winter will likely be the most difficult time to keep high light intensity due to shorter, gloomy days. Moving plants closer to southern-exposure windows and/or supplementing with plant-grow lights will help. Cooler room temperatures are best for the gardenia, around 55 F at night and about 10 degrees warmer by day.
Maintaining proper relative humidity is a challenge, particularly during the winter heating season. There are several ways to help increase humidity, including running a humidifier and grouping plants together on trays of wet pebbles. Misting by hand with a spray bottle offers only momentary relief and so does not really increase humidity in a meaningful way.
A healthy, blooming gardenia will need to be nurtured with a steady supply of water and nutrients, but don’t overdo. The goal is to provide the proper balance of water, air and nutrients. If soil is kept constantly wet, the roots will be starved for air. Too much fertilizer can lead to damaging salt accumulation. Monitor the soil frequently for moisture content, and water thoroughly as the top inch of soil dries. Use a fertilizer that is formulated for acid-loving, blooming plants, such as an azalea-type product, according to rates listed on the label.
Don’t be afraid to prune the gardenia; in fact, blooming will be more prolific on younger growth. Remember that the gardenia is a woody shrub in its native environment and so may need to have older, woody stems removed to encourage new branches.
Though the responsibilities of gardenia care are daunting, if you persevere, you’ll be rewarded with elegant white blossoms and sweet fragrance that simply cannot be matched by other plants.
Ready to try your luck? We have a good selection of gardenias looking for a good home!!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In 1938, Orson Welles broadcast "The War of the Worlds," an event that sent the U.S. into a state of panic. Although it's arguably the most famous hoax in history, other lesser-known ruses have been perpetrated against the public. This Museum of Hoaxes catalogs many of those frauds and pranks, such as the witch trial and unwed mother hoaxes pulled by Benjamin Franklin.
You can learn about millennia-old hoaxes, like Pope Joan, more recent ones, like the 2001 Sony Pictures' fake movie reviewer, or view the Hoax Picture Gallery that offers images of the WTC "tourist guy" (I got nailed on this one) and the Jackalope. Take the Gullibility Test to see if you're likely to be fooled by the next Internet hoax. The other site which details hoaxes, and which I use frequently, is www.snopes.com, to debunk scams and myths.
Friday, March 18, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
GRAVITY......GETS YOU DOWN
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SPRING OPEN "GREENHOUSE" THIS WEEKEND.
The garden center spring open house is this weekend. We'll have some timely seminars on Saturday at 10am concerning what's new at the garden center. Plus, free soda all weekend.
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The garden center is filling up and the plants look fantastic. The last load of nursery stock was put away by 5 and the sprinklers started watering all the new nursery stock. If you're looking for plant material.....this is the weekend......all green goods are discounted 10%. The selection is the finest in the midwest. No one has better looking azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies and the list goes on and on...............
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
GRAVITY......GETS YOU DOWN
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SPRING OPEN "GREENHOUSE" THIS WEEKEND.
The garden center spring open house is this weekend. We'll have some timely seminars on Saturday at 10am concerning what's new at the garden center. Plus, free soda all weekend.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The garden center is filling up and the plants look fantastic. The last load of nursery stock was put away by 5 and the sprinklers started watering all the new nursery stock. If you're looking for plant material.....this is the weekend......all green goods are discounted 10%. The selection is the finest in the midwest. No one has better looking azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies and the list goes on and on...............
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Thursday, March 17, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
I WISH THE BUCK STOPPED HERE.....I COULD USE SOME
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Busy day at the garden center again. Started the day with the expected arrival of "Grady". No your eyes were not playing a trick on you this morning as you drove by the garden center. Yes there was a leprechaun on top of the garden center Marquee waving to everyone going to work. Official traffic count going eastbound on Dougherty Ferry at the garden center between 7-8 am. was 2,078.
The first tractor trailer arrived from Oregon with 5,000 perennials. The plants look awesome and will look even nicer in your garden.
The second tractor trailer arrived at 9am from PA. The entire trailer load of container shrubs exclusively for Greenscape Gardens. We now have the best "northern grown" selection of azaleas and rhododendrons in St. Louis. Check out the new shade house which is the new home for these wonderful shade loving shrubs.
The third tractor trailer arrived at 11:00 am from California. Some of the nicest hollies and assorted container grown shrubs from one of the premiere growers.
Also 2 trailer loads of double ground mulch arrived, with 2 more scheduled for Friday.
We've been busy but that's what it takes to take care of the best customers in the world.
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We're always on the lookout for the newest and best perennials for the St. Louis area. Sometimes looking in the past reveals some interesting information. Check out this website for the oldest flower.
I WISH THE BUCK STOPPED HERE.....I COULD USE SOME
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Busy day at the garden center again. Started the day with the expected arrival of "Grady". No your eyes were not playing a trick on you this morning as you drove by the garden center. Yes there was a leprechaun on top of the garden center Marquee waving to everyone going to work. Official traffic count going eastbound on Dougherty Ferry at the garden center between 7-8 am. was 2,078.
The first tractor trailer arrived from Oregon with 5,000 perennials. The plants look awesome and will look even nicer in your garden.
The second tractor trailer arrived at 9am from PA. The entire trailer load of container shrubs exclusively for Greenscape Gardens. We now have the best "northern grown" selection of azaleas and rhododendrons in St. Louis. Check out the new shade house which is the new home for these wonderful shade loving shrubs.
The third tractor trailer arrived at 11:00 am from California. Some of the nicest hollies and assorted container grown shrubs from one of the premiere growers.
Also 2 trailer loads of double ground mulch arrived, with 2 more scheduled for Friday.
We've been busy but that's what it takes to take care of the best customers in the world.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We're always on the lookout for the newest and best perennials for the St. Louis area. Sometimes looking in the past reveals some interesting information. Check out this website for the oldest flower.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
A GOOD LAUGH....IS SUNSHINE IN THE GARDEN
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE GARDEN CENTER
The trucks just keep on rolling into the garden center. Today we just got finished unloading a tractor trailer of trees from Tenn which included a great selection of dogwoods, redbuds, burning bushes, 8' Foster hollies and serviceberries when another trailer load of pines arrived from a local grower in Illinois. It was almost Grand Central Station with two tandem loads of topsoil and another trailer load of mulch also arriving. The contractors are once again busy and homeowners are checking out the inventory.
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ALL AMERICAN SELECTIONS NAMED FOR 2006
Six ornamentals and 4 vegetables were named All-America Selections winners for 2006: dianthus 'Supra Purple,' diascia 'Diamonte Coral Rose' (the first cool-season Bedding Plant Award winner), nicotiana 'Perfume Deep Purple,' ornamental pepper 'Black Pearl,' Salvia farinacea 'Evolution,' zinnia 'Zowie! Yellow Flame,' carrot 'Purple Haze,' cilantro 'Delfino,' pepper 'Carmen' and pepper 'Mariachi.' For additional information concerning the All American Selections check out their website.
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ST. LOUIS WEATHER REPORTING ALTERNATIVE
Have you noticed lately the differences in the local weather reports on television? Well, I have. If you watch the evening weather reports you'll often see several completely different forecasts. In this age of computer enhanced reporting, it seems that the weather is more of a roll of the dice but the accuracy of this site seems just as accurate.
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ROSES
Have you ever stopped to think how versatile a modern rose is? You can plant a single floribunda at the base of a bird bath or in a tub on the terrace, cover a bank with multifloras, and edge a flower bed with miniatures. Or if you prefer the more formal approach, you can have a special rose garden with its rows of brilliant colors.
Roses fit into almost every garden where they will get six hours of sun daily. They will grow in shadier places too, but blooms will be sparser and stems and foliage leggy as they reach for the light. Shade is also likely to encourage mildew. Avoid excessively windy spots as bushes continually whipped by strong gusts take on a ragged look.
Make sure drainage is good since roses will not grow in water logged soil. For areas of poor soil or inadequate drainage such as over clay pan, raised beds edged with brick or wood will offer a better growing medium.
Roses thrive in a rich loam. If your soil is heavy or sandy, add generous amounts of compost, peat moss or rotted manure to improve its texture.
When you choose roses for the garden, consider carefully where they are to go, and their ultimate height. This is especially true with rose beds, as you obviously want the shorter ones to the outside with tallest types in the center.
If you plan to use roses in conjunction with perennials around the house, remember they are not evergreen, and tend to be unattractive in winter. Therefore, in front of picture windows or in foundation plantings, they should be used in conjuntion with low evergreens.
Final thought should be given to the choice of colors, both of the blooms and the background. While you will want variety, it should blend or contrast, not clash with the surroundings. For instance, any color of rose looks good against a white, grey or brown house, but white or yellow roses are the best choice for planting against red brick or other vivid colors.
The last couple of years, the KNOCK OUT Rose has become the rose of choice for many gardeners. Hybrid tea roses have always been another favorite for St. Louis gardeners. We will have close to 80 varieties of roses in early April at Greenscape Gardens. For additional information concerning roses check out the Greenscape Gardens rose website.
A GOOD LAUGH....IS SUNSHINE IN THE GARDEN
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE GARDEN CENTER
The trucks just keep on rolling into the garden center. Today we just got finished unloading a tractor trailer of trees from Tenn which included a great selection of dogwoods, redbuds, burning bushes, 8' Foster hollies and serviceberries when another trailer load of pines arrived from a local grower in Illinois. It was almost Grand Central Station with two tandem loads of topsoil and another trailer load of mulch also arriving. The contractors are once again busy and homeowners are checking out the inventory.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ALL AMERICAN SELECTIONS NAMED FOR 2006
Six ornamentals and 4 vegetables were named All-America Selections winners for 2006: dianthus 'Supra Purple,' diascia 'Diamonte Coral Rose' (the first cool-season Bedding Plant Award winner), nicotiana 'Perfume Deep Purple,' ornamental pepper 'Black Pearl,' Salvia farinacea 'Evolution,' zinnia 'Zowie! Yellow Flame,' carrot 'Purple Haze,' cilantro 'Delfino,' pepper 'Carmen' and pepper 'Mariachi.' For additional information concerning the All American Selections check out their website.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ST. LOUIS WEATHER REPORTING ALTERNATIVE
Have you noticed lately the differences in the local weather reports on television? Well, I have. If you watch the evening weather reports you'll often see several completely different forecasts. In this age of computer enhanced reporting, it seems that the weather is more of a roll of the dice but the accuracy of this site seems just as accurate.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ROSES
Have you ever stopped to think how versatile a modern rose is? You can plant a single floribunda at the base of a bird bath or in a tub on the terrace, cover a bank with multifloras, and edge a flower bed with miniatures. Or if you prefer the more formal approach, you can have a special rose garden with its rows of brilliant colors.
Roses fit into almost every garden where they will get six hours of sun daily. They will grow in shadier places too, but blooms will be sparser and stems and foliage leggy as they reach for the light. Shade is also likely to encourage mildew. Avoid excessively windy spots as bushes continually whipped by strong gusts take on a ragged look.
Make sure drainage is good since roses will not grow in water logged soil. For areas of poor soil or inadequate drainage such as over clay pan, raised beds edged with brick or wood will offer a better growing medium.
Roses thrive in a rich loam. If your soil is heavy or sandy, add generous amounts of compost, peat moss or rotted manure to improve its texture.
When you choose roses for the garden, consider carefully where they are to go, and their ultimate height. This is especially true with rose beds, as you obviously want the shorter ones to the outside with tallest types in the center.
If you plan to use roses in conjunction with perennials around the house, remember they are not evergreen, and tend to be unattractive in winter. Therefore, in front of picture windows or in foundation plantings, they should be used in conjuntion with low evergreens.
Final thought should be given to the choice of colors, both of the blooms and the background. While you will want variety, it should blend or contrast, not clash with the surroundings. For instance, any color of rose looks good against a white, grey or brown house, but white or yellow roses are the best choice for planting against red brick or other vivid colors.
The last couple of years, the KNOCK OUT Rose has become the rose of choice for many gardeners. Hybrid tea roses have always been another favorite for St. Louis gardeners. We will have close to 80 varieties of roses in early April at Greenscape Gardens. For additional information concerning roses check out the Greenscape Gardens rose website.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
CHEER UP......THE WORST IS YET TO COME
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OAK DESIGNATED THE U.S. NATIONAL TREE
President Bush signed a bill naming the oak as the official U.S. national tree. The generic "oak" was selected, rather than choosing one of its 600 species. Nat'l. Arbor Day Foundation conducted an unofficial, online survey in 2001 and oak received the most votes as the public's top choice for a national tree. Second was redwood, which had 81,000 votes to oak's 101,000.
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GARDENING TOOLS FOR THE MIND OR GREENSCAPE GARDEN'S FAVORITE REFERENCE BOOKS.
A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants by Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk.
This book is a weighty tome whose dusk jacket advertises, "more than 15,000 plants and 6,000 photographs". It is the plant reference books of reference books. You only buy this book if you are (or aspire to be) a true gardening geek, and even then you do your best to get it at a great deal through "American Nurseryman Publishing at 800-621-5727. This book has an awesome front section with a visual glossary of terms and general botanical information, and then a thousand pages of listings with all the scientific information and even descriptions of common cultivars.
The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses: How to Grow and Use over 250 Beautiful and Versatile Plants. By John Greenlee.
This all inclusive book on ornamental grasses describes a wide variety of grasses but also sedges and rushes. Take care to observe hardiness zones, as many of these will not survive the St. Louis winters. However, the scientific information, color photos and descriptions, suggestions for landscape uses, and cultural information including propagation, pests and climate problems, will make you crave things you never knew existed.
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SPRING IS LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY. HAVE YOU SERVICED YOUR LAWN MOWER OR SHARPENED ITS BLADES?
A dull blade on your rotary mower not only delivers a ragged cut but also wastes fuel and makes the engine work harder.
To remove the blade, first run your mower dry so when you tip it up on its side, you won't be leaking gasoline out of the tank. Pull the spark plug wire off and tuck it out of the way to prevent any possibility of the engine kicking over when you turn the blade. Now tip the mower up on its side and remove the nut that holds the blade on the drive shaft. This job is a lot easier if you use a block of wood to keep the blade from turning when you put pressure on the wrench.
Once you have the blade off, inspect it carefully. If you find any cracks in it, discard it and buy a new blade. If it is sound, put it in the vise with one cutting edge facing up, and file that edge as you would any single bevel blade. Then turn the blade over and file the cutting edge on the other end. If there are deep nicks in the edge, don't attempt to file them out. The blade will be grossly imbalanced if you remove a lot of metal at one end and not at the other. You can use a narrow round file to smooth and round out the nicks.
Before reinstalling the blade, make sure it is still perfectly balanced. The balance point is dead center in the drive shaft hole. Lay the blade on a dowel or screwdriver shaft, with the drive shaft hole centered right on your balance point. If one end of the blade drags, remove metal from the heavy end until it is balanced. This balancing act is important to eliminate nasty vibrations that can wreck the oil seals in your mower.
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ARE YOU TIRED OF HEARING CERTAIN PHRASES LIKE "YOU'RE FIRED!" WELL HERE'S A LIST OF BANISHED WORDS.
It all began on New Year's Day 1976 when Lake Superior State University published the first tongue in cheek Banishment List as a publicity ploy for the school. Since that day, the list of "Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use, and General Uselessness" has become an annual phenomenon. Over the years, thousands of words and phrases have been nominated for inclusion (or exclusion, depending on how you look at it). From At This Point in Time to Yuh know, this site really takes it to the next level.
CHEER UP......THE WORST IS YET TO COME
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OAK DESIGNATED THE U.S. NATIONAL TREE
President Bush signed a bill naming the oak as the official U.S. national tree. The generic "oak" was selected, rather than choosing one of its 600 species. Nat'l. Arbor Day Foundation conducted an unofficial, online survey in 2001 and oak received the most votes as the public's top choice for a national tree. Second was redwood, which had 81,000 votes to oak's 101,000.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
GARDENING TOOLS FOR THE MIND OR GREENSCAPE GARDEN'S FAVORITE REFERENCE BOOKS.
A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants by Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk.
This book is a weighty tome whose dusk jacket advertises, "more than 15,000 plants and 6,000 photographs". It is the plant reference books of reference books. You only buy this book if you are (or aspire to be) a true gardening geek, and even then you do your best to get it at a great deal through "American Nurseryman Publishing at 800-621-5727. This book has an awesome front section with a visual glossary of terms and general botanical information, and then a thousand pages of listings with all the scientific information and even descriptions of common cultivars.
The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses: How to Grow and Use over 250 Beautiful and Versatile Plants. By John Greenlee.
This all inclusive book on ornamental grasses describes a wide variety of grasses but also sedges and rushes. Take care to observe hardiness zones, as many of these will not survive the St. Louis winters. However, the scientific information, color photos and descriptions, suggestions for landscape uses, and cultural information including propagation, pests and climate problems, will make you crave things you never knew existed.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
SPRING IS LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY. HAVE YOU SERVICED YOUR LAWN MOWER OR SHARPENED ITS BLADES?
A dull blade on your rotary mower not only delivers a ragged cut but also wastes fuel and makes the engine work harder.
To remove the blade, first run your mower dry so when you tip it up on its side, you won't be leaking gasoline out of the tank. Pull the spark plug wire off and tuck it out of the way to prevent any possibility of the engine kicking over when you turn the blade. Now tip the mower up on its side and remove the nut that holds the blade on the drive shaft. This job is a lot easier if you use a block of wood to keep the blade from turning when you put pressure on the wrench.
Once you have the blade off, inspect it carefully. If you find any cracks in it, discard it and buy a new blade. If it is sound, put it in the vise with one cutting edge facing up, and file that edge as you would any single bevel blade. Then turn the blade over and file the cutting edge on the other end. If there are deep nicks in the edge, don't attempt to file them out. The blade will be grossly imbalanced if you remove a lot of metal at one end and not at the other. You can use a narrow round file to smooth and round out the nicks.
Before reinstalling the blade, make sure it is still perfectly balanced. The balance point is dead center in the drive shaft hole. Lay the blade on a dowel or screwdriver shaft, with the drive shaft hole centered right on your balance point. If one end of the blade drags, remove metal from the heavy end until it is balanced. This balancing act is important to eliminate nasty vibrations that can wreck the oil seals in your mower.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ARE YOU TIRED OF HEARING CERTAIN PHRASES LIKE "YOU'RE FIRED!" WELL HERE'S A LIST OF BANISHED WORDS.
It all began on New Year's Day 1976 when Lake Superior State University published the first tongue in cheek Banishment List as a publicity ploy for the school. Since that day, the list of "Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use, and General Uselessness" has become an annual phenomenon. Over the years, thousands of words and phrases have been nominated for inclusion (or exclusion, depending on how you look at it). From At This Point in Time to Yuh know, this site really takes it to the next level.
Monday, March 14, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
ALL GARDENING IS A LANDSCAPE PAINTING.
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NEW PLANTS FOR 2005
HYDRANGEA "BIG DADDY"
Incredible 12-14" flowerheads are the hallmark of this charming hydrangea. Pink in alkaline soils and blue in acidic soil. "Big Daddy" offers trouble free garden grouping or commands attention just as an accent plant. Each gigantic flowerhead is composed of masses of tightly clustered florets that radiate bright color. Perfect for fresh and dried arrangements, "Big Daddy" will add intrigue and romance to the garden from early summer through fall...an especially long bloom time for a hydrangea. Dark-green, glossy leaved shrub with sturdy branching habits. Easy to grow. Reaches 5-6' high and wide in no time, making a lovely accent for the front yard, along the driveway, or in large patio containers.
Available at Greenscape Gardens in mid May.
COLEUS KONG SERIES
Think of this series as the 'King of Coleus'. 'Kong' coleus are truly unique, with large leaves that can span 9 inches in length by 6 inches in width. 'Kong' coleus will thrive in morning sun, filtered all day sun, or partial shade. 'Kong' coleus is not a full sun coleus. These coleus make a statement. Grouping 3-4 plants together in a patio container, and you have a tremendous conversation piece all summer long.
Hopefully available this spring at Greenscape Gardens.
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HEALTH SITES
About 40 percent of all people who search the internet for health issues begin with Google. "Experts say that isn't necessarily the best place to start."
Medlineplus.gov makes a great starting point for your research. The site deals ith a wide range of subjects, from drugs to clinical trials to tutorials on tests like mammograms and colonoscopies.
ALL GARDENING IS A LANDSCAPE PAINTING.
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NEW PLANTS FOR 2005
HYDRANGEA "BIG DADDY"
Incredible 12-14" flowerheads are the hallmark of this charming hydrangea. Pink in alkaline soils and blue in acidic soil. "Big Daddy" offers trouble free garden grouping or commands attention just as an accent plant. Each gigantic flowerhead is composed of masses of tightly clustered florets that radiate bright color. Perfect for fresh and dried arrangements, "Big Daddy" will add intrigue and romance to the garden from early summer through fall...an especially long bloom time for a hydrangea. Dark-green, glossy leaved shrub with sturdy branching habits. Easy to grow. Reaches 5-6' high and wide in no time, making a lovely accent for the front yard, along the driveway, or in large patio containers.
Available at Greenscape Gardens in mid May.
COLEUS KONG SERIES
Think of this series as the 'King of Coleus'. 'Kong' coleus are truly unique, with large leaves that can span 9 inches in length by 6 inches in width. 'Kong' coleus will thrive in morning sun, filtered all day sun, or partial shade. 'Kong' coleus is not a full sun coleus. These coleus make a statement. Grouping 3-4 plants together in a patio container, and you have a tremendous conversation piece all summer long.
Hopefully available this spring at Greenscape Gardens.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
HEALTH SITES
About 40 percent of all people who search the internet for health issues begin with Google. "Experts say that isn't necessarily the best place to start."
Medlineplus.gov makes a great starting point for your research. The site deals ith a wide range of subjects, from drugs to clinical trials to tutorials on tests like mammograms and colonoscopies.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY!
NEW TOILET PAPER TAX......PAY AS YOU GO
Can you believe that the federal government is contemplating a 2 cent tax on every roll of toilet paper. Supposedly to help clean up the environment. I got a better idea......let's cleanup the environment and get rid of the a_ _ wipes that think up such foolish scams.
SPRING MAKES EVERYTHING YOUNG AGAIN.....EXCEPT MAN
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NEW PLANTS FOR 2005
** ROSE---"DOUBLE KNOCK OUT"
The next generation of the award winning "Knock Out" rose delivers a 1-2 punch with double blooms and improved performance. DKO is more floriferous than "Knock Out" and raises the bar with petal counts of 18-25 or twice the number of "Knock Out". Additonal petals present a fuller, richer cherry red inflorescence that is simply breathtaking. Blooms maintain a continous show of color from May to hard frost with beautiful foliage almost year round. DKO offers enhancements on "Knock Out's" easy to care for qualities of disease/pest resistance, drought/humidity tolearance and self cleaning. DKO is even more winter hardy and shade tolerant than its predecessor.
Available in limited quanities in late May.
MANGO MEADOWBRITE CONEFLOWER
Drought tolerant, brightly colored and vigorous grower, are just a few of the words that describe this plant. "Mango Meadowbrite" will soon be your summer blooming favorite. Orange-yellow blooms begin mid-June and linger on into September. This fragrant beauty is ideal for a cutting garden or as a sunny perennial bed. The foliage is deep green. Plant prefers well-drained and grows to 2 1/2 to 3 feet.
Available in April at Greenscape Gardens.
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COMING IN APRIL
The month of April salutes landscape architecture.
American Society of Landscape Architects declared April as National Landscape Architecture Month. The theme will be Design for Active Living, highlighting ways community design affects residents' daily activity levels and, in turn, their overall health. April was selected as National Landscape Architecture Month because it encompasses Earth Day (April 22) and the birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26), founder of the American landscape architecture profession.
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THE CANDY MAN
Everyone is a critic but a candy critic. Check out this website for all your sweet tooth fantasies.
NEW TOILET PAPER TAX......PAY AS YOU GO
Can you believe that the federal government is contemplating a 2 cent tax on every roll of toilet paper. Supposedly to help clean up the environment. I got a better idea......let's cleanup the environment and get rid of the a_ _ wipes that think up such foolish scams.
SPRING MAKES EVERYTHING YOUNG AGAIN.....EXCEPT MAN
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NEW PLANTS FOR 2005
** ROSE---"DOUBLE KNOCK OUT"
The next generation of the award winning "Knock Out" rose delivers a 1-2 punch with double blooms and improved performance. DKO is more floriferous than "Knock Out" and raises the bar with petal counts of 18-25 or twice the number of "Knock Out". Additonal petals present a fuller, richer cherry red inflorescence that is simply breathtaking. Blooms maintain a continous show of color from May to hard frost with beautiful foliage almost year round. DKO offers enhancements on "Knock Out's" easy to care for qualities of disease/pest resistance, drought/humidity tolearance and self cleaning. DKO is even more winter hardy and shade tolerant than its predecessor.
Available in limited quanities in late May.
MANGO MEADOWBRITE CONEFLOWER
Drought tolerant, brightly colored and vigorous grower, are just a few of the words that describe this plant. "Mango Meadowbrite" will soon be your summer blooming favorite. Orange-yellow blooms begin mid-June and linger on into September. This fragrant beauty is ideal for a cutting garden or as a sunny perennial bed. The foliage is deep green. Plant prefers well-drained and grows to 2 1/2 to 3 feet.
Available in April at Greenscape Gardens.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
COMING IN APRIL
The month of April salutes landscape architecture.
American Society of Landscape Architects declared April as National Landscape Architecture Month. The theme will be Design for Active Living, highlighting ways community design affects residents' daily activity levels and, in turn, their overall health. April was selected as National Landscape Architecture Month because it encompasses Earth Day (April 22) and the birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26), founder of the American landscape architecture profession.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
THE CANDY MAN
Everyone is a critic but a candy critic. Check out this website for all your sweet tooth fantasies.
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