Friday, December 11, 2009

“Wreaths with a twist - Los Angeles Times” plus 2 more

“Wreaths with a twist - Los Angeles Times” plus 2 more

Wreaths with a twist - Los Angeles Times

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 07:33 PM PST

Peacewreath
For my money, at $9.99, the best wreath deal in town is Trader Joe's basic circle of fresh-cut greenery. I like to embellish the Noble fir boughs with my own ribbons and baubles to make it look pricey and custom-made.

This year, though, several creative alternatives have captured my imagination.

Tillandsia_wreath Snowflakewreath Hanging the Peace on Earth wreath, above, from Gardener's Supply Co. seems like a larger holiday gesture. I love that this enduring symbol  can double as a holiday wreath. It is made on a rural Vermont farm using fresh-cut balsam fir hand-tied on a metal frame, $34.95 (18-inch) or $44.95 (24-inch) plus shipping.

Southern California's not-so-wintry climate is ideal for an elegant tillandsia wreath, top right.  Made-to-order by Cactus Jungle Nursery and Garden in Berkeley, the 14-inch design contains hundreds of tiny air plants (also called Tillandsia). It costs $156 plus shipping.

You can keep this living wreath outdoors year-round in Southern California. Mist the plants weekly (more often in summer) and display out of direct sunlight.

Wreaths Unlimited, from Patterson Creek Co. near Mt. Shasta, sells lots of gorgeous wreaths made from fresh-cut evergreen and dried floral ingredients. But I especially adore this green snowflake, lower right, made of fresh shore pine accented with Douglas fir cones. It measures 18 inches and costs $41.95 plus shipping.

Let there be wreaths on Earth!

-- Debra Prinzing

Photo credits: Garden Supply co., Cactus Jungle, Patterson Creek

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger

Gardening: Gifts for that special gardener - Green Valley News

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 01:43 PM PST

There are so many choices, you can't be stumped about what to give your favorite gardener. Besides area nurseries and garden centers, there are many ideas from Web sites and catalogs.

Among favorite catalog/Web sites are "Plow & Hearth," "Gardener's Supply Company," and "Smith & Hawken."

New, ergonomically designed tools, clever and colorful watering cans, countertop weather stations, dancing metal chickens and garden angels, plant supports and stands, rooting vases, and even color-changing solar outdoor lights are among the many options.

Because gardeners share their space with songbirds, there is often a special bond between them. Brightly colored ceramic or soft sculptured copper birdbaths make great gifts.

There are many bird feeder styles, shapes, and sizes, including some designed specifically for the type of bird to be attracted. Bird houses of every imaginable architectural style add decorative punch to the garden, as well as providing shelter for the birds.

A favorite for the gardener with an interest in birds might be a gift subscription to Birds & Blooms magazine. The photography of both flowers and birds in this publication make it too beautiful to ever throw away. The recipient can later share your gift by taking it to the waiting area of their doctor or dentist.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger

Cape resident wins national gardening award - Cape Coral Daily Breeze

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 09:21 PM PST

BURLINGTON, VT - Com-bining his dedication to teaching and his passion for the environment, Joe Mallon led a team of students to restore an area of a local beach. In recognition of his ability to motivate high schoolers to make a difference outside of the classroom, Mallon has been honored as a third place winner in the Restoration category of the 2009 Garden Crusader Awards.

The Garden Crusader Awards, created by Gardener's Supply in 2001, recognize individuals who make a difference in their community through their passion for gardening. A Garden Crusader is a gardener who has beautified an abandoned piece of land, fed the hungry with their produce, comforted the sick, or taught about gardening or the environment. The Crusader program donates $15,000 in cash and products every year to support community gardening.

Utilizing his skills as a field biologist, Mallon engaged his students to undertake a habitat restoration project where they would use mangrove plantings to stop the erosion at a local beach. The restoration team used bamboo, harvested from a local historic site, to shelter the young mangrove plantings from the high energy beach environment. By re-purposing the bamboo, Mallon and his students were able to help restore two locations at once: the local historic site and the beach.

"Getting students out of the classroom is the best way to show them that they are making an impact," Mallon said. "Restoring the local beach by re-planting mangroves was a great way to do something for the environment, and teach my students that they can make a difference."

Mallon was nominated for a Garden Crusader Award by Cherie Sukovich because, "he is a motivated environmentalist and teacher who enjoys working with children and improving the world around him."

Through this project, Mallon and his students created a lasting impact on both the environment and the community. The mangrove plants help restore the habitat of the local beach, which provides erosion control to benefit all of the species that live there. The restoration of these two sites will lead to more frequent visits to the historical site and to the beach by community members.

The deadline for nominations for the 2010 Garden Crusader Awards is June 1, 2010. The four categories include: Urban Re-newal, Feeding the Hungry, Edu-cation and Restoration. To nominate a Garden Crusader, visit www.gardeners.com for an online nomination or e-mail crusader@gardeners.com or call 1-888-239-1552 to request a nomination form.

Gardener's Supply offers everything from seed-starting supplies and garden furniture to flower supports, greenhouses, and nature and garden-inspired gifts. The company is known for its exclusive and patented products and earth-friendly approach to gardening.

Visit Gardener's Supply online www.gardeners.com or request a free catalog by calling 1-800-955-3370.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger
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