“Remove seed pods before they spill seeds across your garden - Seattle Times” plus 4 more

Remove seed pods before they spill seeds across your garden - Seattle Times
Senior citizen stabbed to death in van - Indian Express
Home and Garden briefs for Aug. 7 - North County Times
Sears' Heroes at Home Spring Campaign Raises $2.1 Million for ... - PR Newswire
Richard Gamble Appointed Publisher of Chicago Magazine and Chicago ... - Earthtimes

Remove seed pods before they spill seeds across your garden - Seattle Times

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 04:08 PM PDT

Some popular perennials and biennials such as columbine, foxglove, Siberian iris, Gaura, Angelica, Astrantia and others tend to seed about in the garden. Sometimes that's a good thing. Columbine, for instance, is a favorite of hummingbirds and I often move small seedlings to places where their flowers play a key role in the spring garden.

Unfortunately, even with columbine, it can be too much of a good thing, and you end up spending hours weeding out seedlings to keep them from crowding out other valued plants.

Prevent overabundant seeding by removing seed pods before they open and disperse their seeds all over the garden. If you want to allow a controlled number of seedlings to grow, tie a bag over the seedpods to collect the seeds and plant the desired number of seeds where you want them to grow in fall. With this method, your seedlings aren't a nuisance and you obtain plants for free.

Keep weeds

under control

The hot, sunny weather has been a boon to weed growth, especially for drought-tolerant ones such as fireweed, false dandelion and purslane. Chemical weed controls do little to control these herbaceous embarrassments, so the best way to control them is to get out there regularly and pull the weeds before they go to seed. For lasting control, follow up with a thick layer of mulch.

In areas where you rarely move plants, wood chips (left over after the arborist runs branches through the grinder) will greatly reduce weed seed germination. As long as you lay the wood chips on the soil surface and don't mix them into the soil, they won't cause a nutrient deficiency.

In perennial gardens, or areas where you tend to move plants often, it's better to use compost. Compost doesn't prevent weed seeds from germinating, so you'll still have to go out there and weed from time to time, but it will be less work. Weeds growing on soil mulched with compost pull out much easier than those growing on hard, bare ground.

Give thirsty trees

a drink

Due to the price of water and the need to conserve resources, few of us water our lawns these days. Lawns survive drought by going dormant, but your tree is in active growth and must have some water.

Most homeowners don't worry about their trees in a drought situation because they think that their mature trees have sufficiently large root systems to reach deep into the ground for water, but the reality is that about 90 percent of roots of most trees are within the top 12 inches of soil. If that soil is bone-dry, your tree is in trouble.

Warning signs are if a tree begins to turn fall color early, or worse, if there is significant branch dieback. The best way to water is with a soaker hose. Wrap the hose around the base of the tree in concentric circles starting at the trunk and working your way out toward the canopy. Run it for a few hours once per week.

If your tree is showing signs of stress, try watering it now in hopes of recovery because you don't want your tree facing winter cold still suffering the effects of drought.

Ciscoe Morris: ciscoe@ciscoe.com. "Gardening with Ciscoe" airs at 10 a.m. Saturdays on KING-TV.

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Senior citizen stabbed to death in van - Indian Express

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 03:54 PM PDT

Following a minor argument, a senior citizen was stabbed to death in a RTV van in East Delhis Kalyanpuri area.

Vishwa Nath Sehgal, a 69-year-old retired BHEL mechanic, was travelling from the Kalyan Vaas vegetable market to his Shashi Garden home in the RTV van plying on route 343A, a police officer said.

As the RTV headed past the Chand Cinema, Sehgal had an argument with three youths. They were blocking the exit and apparently harassing a woman who wanted to get off.

When Sehgal objected to their misbehaviour, an argument ensued. Then one of the youths whipped out a knife and stabbed him in the thigh, said the bus conductor, Parwana.

The driver took the vehicle to the nearest police post across the road, after which they rushed Sehgal to the nearby Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. But he had lost a lot of blood and died at the hospital soon afterwards.

Two of the youths have been arrested.

Kalu alias Tekchand and Mahesh, both below 25 years in age, are being interrogated about the whereabouts of their absconding accomplice.

Deputy Comissioner of Police (East) Anand Mohan, however, denied the involvement of any woman in the episode. There was an altercation between the accused and the victim, who wanted them to move from the footboard of the bus and make way for others. They resisted and as the matter turned ugly, they stabbed the victim, the officer said. He also said that the youths arrested belong to a gang of pickpockets.

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Home and Garden briefs for Aug. 7 - North County Times

Posted: 07 Aug 2009 12:30 AM PDT

Hawaiian Plumeria Festival: The Southern California Plumeria Society will hold its Hawaiian Plumeria Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 5 at Casa del Prado, Room 101, in Balboa Park. There will be a flower show, plant sale, Hawaiian music and more. A table of blooms with flowers of every color will be on display, and hundreds of flowers grown by club members will be for sale. Each attendee will receive plumeria blossoms. Free; call 619-461-5942 or go to www.socalplumeriasociety.com.

Flower show winners: The Fallbrook Garden Club recently received awards from the California Garden Clubs Inc. in San Mateo. On June 6, Pauline Sechi represented the club, which received first place in the state for "Nature's Palette," the club's 2008 flower show; the show also won first place from the National Garden Clubs. Christel Lakata received several awards for her garden flower photography, and Sechi won Flower Arranger of the Year.

Conserving customers rewarded: Olivenhain Municipal Water District recently awarded customers who take part in the 20-Gallon Challenge, which asks participants to pledge to save 20 gallons per person per day through 20gallonchallenge.com. Each month, a name is drawn from a list of participants, and the winner receives a prize worth $100; this month, Patrick and Kathleen Pelonero were winners. They save water by not using the dishwasher, by using a hose with a shut-off nozzle, and more. Go to omwd.com.

Quail hosts "Garden Expressions": Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas will host "Garden Expressions" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23, featuring lectures, a sculpture unveiling, art demonstrations and displays, children's crafts, live music and food for sale. The day's highlight will be an appearance by Pearl Fryar, called the "real life Edward Scissorhands" by the New York Post for his whimsical, three-acre topiary garden in Bishopville, S.C. Fryar will create topiary that will be auctioned off, and he'll be at a screening of the documentary "A Man Named Pearl," about his journey from sharecropper's son to world-famous topiary artist. "Garden Expressions" is free with paid gardens admission, which is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, active military and students, and $6 for children ages 3 to 12. Quail is at 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Call 760-436-3036, ext. 206, or visit www.qbgardens.org.

Summer work days at Magee: The California Coastal Rose Society will meet to deadhead flowering plants and do general maintenance on the Magee Park Rose Garden at 9 a.m. Aug. 22 and Sept. 5. Homemade refreshments and water; call 760-804-0875.

Quail anniversary gala: Quail Botanical Gardens will celebrate its 10th anniversary from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 12 with guest Huell Howser of PBS, cuisine, entertainment and decor. Tickets are $175; call 760-436-3036, ext. 215, or go to qbgardens.org.

Light bulb exchange at Birch: Birch Aquarium at Scripps is holding a light-bulb exchange on specific dates and is offering 2-for-1 admission to the aquarium on the same day. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 15, bring up to five old light bulbs to trade in for free new, energy-efficient bulbs and check out the aquarium afterward. Participants must bring a copy of a current SDG&E bill and/or a California ID.The aquarium is at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla; call 858-534-FISH or go to aquarium.ucsd.edu.

Poway homeowners eligible for rebates: The city of Poway is offering numerous rebates for residential customers who want to save money and reduce water consumption. Homeowners can receive rebates of $135 for high-efficiency clothes washers and $100 off on high-efficiency toilets. Those interested in improving landscaping can obtain rebates on rotating sprinkler nozzles of $4 per nozzle, rebates of $630 per acre for weather-based irrigation controllers and rebates of up to $1 per square foot for artificial turf. Free residential landscape water use surveys are also available by calling (800) 986-4538. Visit poway.org/waterconservation.

Summer at Quail Botanical Gardens: The popular Encinitas attraction is holding a variety of summer events at 230 Quail Gardens Drive: Music in the Gardens on Thursdays; children's activities such as Toddler Tales and Tunes in Seeds of Wonder (10 a.m. specific Tuesdays); Garden Arts and Crafts in Seeds of Wonder (11:30 a.m. Wednesdays); Plants, Wings and Crawly Things in Seeds of Wonder (10 a.m. specific Thursdays); Free Summer Fun Friday in Hamilton Children's Garden (10 a.m. Fridays); summer camp, classes and more. There is also a Fairy Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8. Call 760-436-3036, ext. 206, or go to qbgardens.com for prices.

MEETINGS

San Diego Horticultural Society: Meets Aug. 10 at Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas, for a special meeting and program with horticulturalist Steve Brigham. Free for members. Call 760-295-7089 or go to sdhortsoc.org.

Southern California Plumeria Society: Meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Drive, in San Diego's Balboa Park. Richard Eggenberger, past president of the Plumeria Society of America, will discuss plumerias in the Matrimandir Gardens. He will also sign copies of his book. Call 619-461-5942.

Fallbrook Garden Club: Annual "Tomatomania Contest" and picnic will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 19 at Live Oak Park in Fallbrook. Call 760-477-7068.

CLASSES

Vineyard design seminar: Grangetto's Farm & Garden Supply will offer a free seminar on "Vineyard Design, Installation & Management," featuring Pete Anderson of Carlsbad's Witch Creek Winery. The seminars will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 1105 W. Mission Ave. in Escondido. Register to 760-745-4671, ext. 215 or e-mail to events@grangettos.com. Anderson teaches vineyard development and management at MiraCosta College.

Fruit tree pruning classes: Grangetto's Farm & Garden Supply will offer free fruit tree pruning classes at four locations in August. Richard Wright of Edible Even will conduct the free one-hour classes, which will be followed by a free barbecue. All classes are at 10 a.m. at different Grangetto's locations. Visit grangettos.com for details. Schedule:

-- Saturday at 189 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas

-- Sept. 5 at 530 E. Alvarado St., Fallbrook

-- Sept. 12 at 29219 Juba Road, Valley Center

Decorating class: Jerome's Furniture will offer a free decorating class at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at the San Marcos showroom and clearance center, 780 Los Vallecitos Blvd. Customers can learn to "organize with style. Tackle your clutter. Simplify your life," with tips on making the most of space, getting the whole family involved in organizing and more. Snacks and a storyteller, as well as a raffle for a $200 Jerome's gift card. Call 866-633-4094 or go to jeromes.com/en/jclub.

Free gardening classes: Oceanside's Agri Service will host free monthly gardening classes taught by master gardeners Diane Hollister and Pete Ash from 1:30-2:30 p.m. every third Saturday at the El Corazon Compost Center, 3210 Oceanside Blvd. Register at 800-262-4167, ext. 4. Upcoming:

-- Aug. 15: Composting

-- Sept. 19: Planting for fall

-- Oct. 17: Cover crops for soil building

-- Nov. 21: Tool care

The Water Conservation Garden: Free classes are offered at the Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon, to help residents save water (and money) with landscaping. Register to 619-660-0614, ext. 10, or visit www.thegarden.org. Ask about stimulus pricing when making multiple reservations (same-household two-for-one pricing).

Quail Botanical Gardens: These classes are coming up at the gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. The gardens also have docent-led tours, 10 a.m. Saturdays (free with admission); botanical originals, 9:30 a.m. first Sunday of the month ($20); and bird watching, 8 a.m. first Monday of the month (free with admission). Call 760-436-3036, ext. 206:

-- 2 p.m. Aug. 16: Palm Springs-Style Gardening; free with admission to the gardens

-- 9 a.m. Aug. 29: Stunning Plant Combinations; $25 members, $35 nonmembers

-- 9:30 a.m. Sept. 17: Succulent Wreath Class; $55 members, $65 nonmembers

-- 7 p.m. Sept. 17 and 24 and Oct. 8; 9 a.m. Oct. 10: Secrets of Tree Care; $80 members, $100 nonmembers

-- 2 p.m. Sept. 20: Firewise, Waterwise Landscaping Class; $10 members, $12 nonmembers

-- 6 p.m. Sept. 22: H2O 911! Living with the Water Crisis; $20 members, $30 nonmembers

-- 10 a.m. Sept. 25: Soil Building and Water Conservation Through Cover Crops; $25 members, $30 nonmembers

Send Home & Garden items to Home & Garden editor Pam Kragen, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, fax to 760-745-3769 or e-mail to home@nctimes.com.

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Sears' Heroes at Home Spring Campaign Raises $2.1 Million for ... - PR Newswire

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 11:58 AM PDT

Three-Year Fundraising Campaign By One of the Nation's Leading Retailers reaches nearly $9 Million To Provide Substantial Home Renovations for America's Military Families and Veterans

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Celebrating its 3rd Spring campaign, the Sears Heroes at Home program raised more than two million dollars in support of Rebuilding Together, to improve the lives of American military families in need by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes. The total for the three-year effort by Sears has exceeded $8.9 million for Rebuilding Together's Veterans Housing program.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO )

"Rebuilding Together has been our core nonprofit partner with the Heroes at Home program," said Don Hamblen, VP and Chief Marketing Office, Sears Holdings. Continued Hamblen, "Heroes at Home embodies the Sears culture of giving back, we salute the millions of loyal Sears customers who have contributed to the success of this campaign, they have made a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of our troops."

Sears' Heroes at Home program provides support to service members, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations, including Rebuilding Together. Heroes at Home and Rebuilding Together have helped hundreds of military families - more than 460 homes have been rebuilt across America and the commitment continues in 2009 and beyond.

"Sears has shown enormous commitment to our troops with Heroes at Home which continues year after year to serve our nation's men and women in uniform upon their return to domestic soil," said Gary. A. Officer, President & CEO, Rebuilding Together. "Heroes at Home has met with unprecedented success as Sears once again stands out as a model of corporate leadership committed to the needs and values of their customers and the communities in which we live."

To find out more about Heroes at Home, or to nominate a military family or veteran to the home renovation program through Rebuilding Together, visit http://www.sears.com/heroesthome. Sears Holdings' ongoing commitment to assisting troops and their families includes several recruiting and employment programs. The company offers a military pay differential to Sears associates employed (full time) who are reservists serving on active duty. Additionally, reservists who are employed full-time are allowed to continue participating in life insurance, medical and dental programs.

About Sears Holdings Corporation:

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fifth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Rebuilding Together:

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses and the hands-on work of over 200,000 volunteers led by more than 200 affiliates, Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually.

In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together renovates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and gulf coast recovery. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together

Website: http://www.rebuildingtogether.org