“Catalogs offer fascinating garden tools - Anchorage Daily News” plus 1 more

Catalogs offer fascinating garden tools - Anchorage Daily News

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 01:26 AM PST

Some gardeners really get into gardening tools and gadgets. It shouldn't come as any surprise to the rest of us that there are catalogs and Web-o-logs that specialize in gardening tools. These are really winter reading material. Not only will you be amazed by what is available, a good tool catalog can stimulate gardening thoughts in the middle of winter.

Garden calendar (1/20/10)

Christmas tree recyling: It is over. Do not spoil the program by taking trees to the now closed collection areas.

Sweat Peas: Order, buy and start. Pinch the outer covering with a nail clipper, soak in water for 24 hours and plant in good soil. Pinch back when they get three sets of leaves to two sets.

Seed Racks: They are up and they are dangerous. Only buy what you need, not what you desire.

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Let's start with Lee Valley Company. These folks have a standard display at many home and garden shows around the country, and it is always fun to touch their offerings instead of just looking at them in a catalog. Still, they have a great gardening "tab" on their Web site (leevalley.com), which is fun to go to as well. I never thought of a gadget to connect two bamboo tomato stakes for a longer reach, much less a nifty item that makes three stakes form a teepee without ties. Need to see some different kinds of trowels because of arthritis or want to price a composting thermometer? Check out Lee Valley.

Next, I love Rittenhouse (rittenhouse.ca), a Canadian garden, farm and nursery supplier with warehouses in the U.S. They sell almost everything you can think of from watering gardening tools and equipment to dog-shaped wire frames to make topiary displays. I don't confine myself to the Web tab designed for the home gardeners, either. Check out some of the golf course equipment, for example, over in the professional products tab or some of the sprayers in the industrial supply tab. As for pricing, if you are going to buy, make sure to check the U.S. currency flag on the opening page.

You will surely find all sorts of interesting things to consider at Gardener's Supply Company (gardeners.com). I like these folks, in part, because I bought a garden cart from them over 1,000 years ago that is still working hard for me. Their site has a bunch of tools listed in different categories, which makes it a bit easier to navigate than some tool sites. Check out the labor saving devices for some good ideas. I love the clothespin twine cutter that fits in the pocket. It can be seen over in the new tools section.

Kinsman Company (kinsmangarden.com) sells all sorts of gardening things but has a tab for gardening tools on their Web site. Need a sharpener for the mower blades or for those old shears you can't part with? How about "Better than Rocks" -- a great idea to help your deck pots and containers to hold water and provide some aeration while keeping the pots light?

Lilypons Water Gardens (lilypons.com) has been the go-to place for water garden equipment. It is also a great place to spend some time and learn about water features you might consider for your yard. Who knew there was a special sealant to divert water over waterfall rocks? Liners? What is a liner? Spend a half hour here and you will learn what you need for that water garden you have always wanted. You don't have to buy; winter catalog time is for learning too.

I have always wanted to automate the watering around our yard with a drip irrigation system. (My lovely spouse wants me to do so as well). I am going to make sure we both spend some time at Dripworks (dripworksusa.com) Web site. Not only do they have lots of neat systems to look at, but there are educational videos on setting them up.

Felco (felcostore.com) makes pruning tools. Spend a few minutes on their site to see what they have to offer, including how to choose a pruning tool and how to maintain them. Similarly, Fiskars (fiskars.com/content/garden_en_us/Garden/Home) has a bunch of stuff on their U.S. gardening Web page, including their new products. I am looking at their foot aerator, for instance. Both brands are carried in several locations here in Alaska.

While they don't sell to the general public, Growers Supply Company (growerssupplycompany.com) has a whole line of indoor gardening products and tools. Lights, fixtures, growing trays, stands and systems are featured. You can buy anything you see at local outlets.

Finally, the list wouldn't be complete with out a reference to Charley's Greenhouse and Garden (charleysgreenhouse.com). There are lots of tools listed, including, obviously, things needed in greenhouses. There is also a hard copy catalog available.

Again, if there is a catalog you think should be on one of my January lists, let me know. Happy reading in the meantime!

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.

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Attack of the killer tomatoes? - Tahlequah Daily Press

Posted: 29 Dec 2009 08:58 AM PST

Published December 29, 2009 10:54 am - Dec. 29, 2009

Attack of the killer tomatoes?
But the threat of voracious veggies, even if real, shouldn't affect humans.

By BETTY RIDGE
Press Special Writer

By BETTY RIDGE

Press Special Writer

Almost everyone has heard tales about, or witnessed, carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap or pitcher plant.

And who could forget the movie, "Little Shop of Horrors," in which a particularly aggressive plant tended to gobble up humans?

But most of the time, people think of plants as the prey rather than the hunted, the consumed rather than the consumers.

Not necessarily so, according to research by scientists at London's Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. The Independent, a London publication, reports in its science section that these plant probers theorize hundreds more plants than previously known can catch and eat insects and other small animals.

Among the suspects are the usually mild-mannered tomatoes and potatoes. Also in the lineup is a type of petunia, ornamental tobacco, and shepherd's purse, which is related to cabbage.

With tomatoes and potatoes being vital to most diets, people usually think of eating them, rather than them eating something.

"Widely recognized carnivorous plants number some 650, and we estimate that another 325 or so are probable additions — an increase of about 50 percent," said Dr. Mike Fay of Kew.

Fay and his colleagues performed the research as part of an anniversary of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. Darwin conducted many experiments with carnivorous plants, feeding them meat, and published a book, "Insectivorous Plants," in 1875.

Obviously, for Darwin and later researchers, the concept of survival of the fittest took some unexpected turns.

Fay said these plants' lust for a more varied diet probably has been overlooked because they do not have specialized structures to capture and devour their prey, such as those possessed by the Venus flytrap and the pitcher plant. The tomato and potato are more likely to regard meat – if insects may be so termed – as a supplement rather than a dietary mainstay.

Anyway, here's how it works: As gardeners who have raised these crops know, they possess sticky hairs on their stems and leaves. These hairs trap aphids and other small creatures. The scientists believe the plants derive nutrition from these beasties when they become stuck, die, decay, and fall to the ground. The plant then absorbs the nutrients that enter the earth.

"They catch little aphids on the sticky hairs all the time. As these insects break down and drop to the ground, the ground becomes enriched and the plants absorb them through the roots," Fay said.

The scientists concluded that while the plants may gain some nutrition from the decomposed bugs, they do not rely on it because most gardeners supply them with ample fertilizer.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010