Garden Supplies News

"The outdoor gardening season has ended in much of the country" is how Charlie Nardozzi opens his article on the ways that houseplants act as natural air cleaners. He then lists all the common household items that give off harmful chemicals. This is a particular problem in the winter because the ever more efficient insulation in our homes means that stale air stays in our rooms for longer. But there is a simple solution, fill your room with houseplants and he gives a list of the most efficient varieties. (Unfortunately this article has now been taken offline, but here is his list of the most efficient varieties:
Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Rubber plant (Ficus robusta)
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii) )

Maybe the main gardening season has ended but for one lady in Chandlers Ford, a small town in Southern England, spring has arrived early. In the words of the local paper "a daffodil has given a green-fingered pensioner a shock by making an early appearance". Four months ahead of schedule - it must be global warming! Read more..

Always a sucker for any new gadget, there were two references to new inventions that caught my eye today. Actually the first is hardly new. Chuck Ahumada created his Big Flex Outdoor Dustpan seventeen years ago. His inspiration came while moving house. "I rolled everything in a beach towel, and I thought, "If this had a handle, it would be a great tool". Unfortunately it seems that few others agreed. Although he registered a patent in 1998, he has had little success in selling his product. Read more..

Eric and Raylee Rose have had more success with their Culti-Hoe. This multi-use gardening tool can tackle anything from light weeding to heavy hoeing. The Culti-Hoe, was judged the winner of a recent New Inventors program on ABC. No mention of sales here either, but maybe worth a look. Read more..

And finally it's the 15th of the month which means that the November issue of Garden Ramblings has been emailed to subscribers. Click this link to read this issue and go here to subscribe so that you will receive a copy each month.

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November 19, 2007 10:03 - Birdscaping, Fallscaping And Seedless Watermelons

Apparantly there are 40 million backyard birdwatchers in the United States who spend more than $2 million a year on bird food. But to be a true birdscaper you need to redesign your yard using native trees and plants that will attract the birds to your home. The article looks at several examples of gardens that have been laid out in this way, ranging from a two acre plot to a tiny yard. Read more..

Fall Scaping is the title of a new book which is reviewed by Susan Smith-Durisek, a Fayette County master gardener. With the sub-title "Extending Your Garden Season Into Autumn" the book is full of suggestions for planting schemes to provide color at this time of the year. "The authors know their gardening and offer advice beyond the expected". Coming from a master gardener that is a sure recommendation. Read more..

Continuing the scaping theme here's a couple who turned a moonscape yard into a lush, cat friendly garden. Learn how Jan and Tony Massara created a safe haven for their five cats and a pleasant garden for themselves. I particularly liked their way of using netting to stop the felines venturing out over the fence. Read more..

Question: How can someone plant seedless watermelons?

Answer: If I understand your question, you're asking how you can plant seeds from a watermelon that has no seeds. You just have to buy a packet of seeds. Is that clear? No - then read more..

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