The Conyers Garden Club Landscape of the month for August was awarded to John and Sue Cone of 1744 Hickory St., in Conyers. The landscape design is based on the couples love of caladiums. Part of the design is focused on an arrangement of tomato vines planted among the caladiums and nandinas on a trellis handmade by John Cone. The Cones have also created small gardens of multi-colored perennials and annuals which give the yard a colorful appearance. (Special Photo)

The Conyers Garden Club Landscape of the month for August was awarded to John and Sue Cone of 1744 Hickory St., in Conyers. The landscape design is based on the couples love of caladiums. Part of the design is focused on an arrangement of tomato vines planted among the caladiums and nandinas on a trellis handmade by John Cone. The Cones have also created small gardens of multi-colored perennials and annuals which give the yard a colorful appearance.

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SCRAPBOOK: Garden Club awards yard of the month for August

Website can help homeowners cut landscape water use by half or more

Dr. Guy Fipps, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service irrigation engineer, holds an Aggie Catch Can, a device is used to measure how much water a sprinkler irrigation system applies in a given amount of time. On the new Water My Yard website, http://WaterMyYard.org, homeowners have the choice of using a such a method, or simply selecting a picture of their sprinklers and entering the spacing between them. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Jose Lopez)

Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION The new Water My Yard site has been completely updated, making it even easier for homeowners to sign up, create profiles and better manage landscape irrigation, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service irrigation experts.

Automated text messaging of recommended irrigation scheduling is new to version 2, said Charles Swanson, AgriLife Extension irrigation specialist, College Station. Also, the new version allows homeowners to create multiple zones for their yard, such as a recommendation for the front yard sprinklers and the backyard sprinklers. The original version only allowed you to select one sprinkler type per sign up.

What hasnt changed is the basic principle behind Water My Yard, said Dr. Guy Fipps, AgriLife Extension irrigation engineer, College Station.

The Water My Yard project incorporates automated weather stations situated throughout the state that feed data to the Water My Yard website, http://WaterMyYard.org. The website software uses evapotranspiration rates usually termed ET to calculate weekly irrigation recommendations specific to areas within the district, Fipps said.

Evapotranspiration is a measure of how much water plants, such as turfgrass, trees and shrubs, need in order to grow and stay healthy, Fipps explained. Water requirements depend not only on the type of plant, but also on local weather conditions such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation.

All this may sound complicated, but its been made nearly a no-brainer for those who are part of a sponsored Water My Yard region, Fipps said

In 2013, the program was first piloted in cooperation with the North Texas Municipal Water District, which delivers water to 1.6 million customers in 13 cities in the Metroplex: Allen, Farmersville, Forney, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Mesquite, Princeton, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Royse City and Wylie.

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Irving, College Station, Bryan now in Water My Yard program

By this fall well have over 100,000 plants, says project manager Patrick Breedlove, looking out over the yard of potted natives.

Those pots represent just the starting stock for what Breedlove eventually hopes to see covering the yard and growing along Cherokee stream banks. The department is continuing to get more species in largely from the N.C. Forest Service, which has given the Eastern Band a reduced price with plans to gather still more from the backcountry.

Come fall, theyll take cuttings of all the plants and start growing those cuttings into new plants. Those baby plants will go in the greenhouse for the winter while their roots grow and their stems harden into wood, and from there theyll move to a soon-to-be-erected cold-weather hoop house. The last stop will be a return to the grow yard when the weather gets warm, where theyll await planting in some tribal restoration project. Meanwhile, another batch will be growing up six months behind.

Our goal in three to five years is for us to provide all plants, not just for environmental-based projects but to land-based projects that need native plants, Breedlove said.

The tribe doesnt reveal cost figures for projects, but the propagation operation, with its automated greenhouse and irrigation system, soon-to-be-installed tower lights and security system and the impending renovation of a historic house onsite that will serve as an office didnt come cheaply. But within three years, Breedlove said, the greenhouse operation will have paid for itself.

The plants will mainly be used in restoration projects to improve waterside habitats and wildlife forage. Before, the Eastern Band has had to buy all those plants from some other supplier, but its a whole lot cheaper to grow them in-house. For instance, a rhododendron in one gallon of soil costs $3.30 to buy, but only about $0.60 to propagate.

For some of them, were about 10 or 15 percent of cost, Breedlove said.

Its the potential for cost savings that initially sparked Breedloves interest in the greenhouse idea. He started looking into the dollars and cents in 2012, submitting a financial analysis to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which funds ECBI restoration projects. The funds were approved in October, with 99 percent of the money coming from the EPA, though a whole laundry list of partners donated supplies, volunteers, professional advice and the remainder of the cash. By January, the first ground was broken, and by July the greenhouse was ready to go.

I detailed my whole department down here for the last two weeks, said Jamie Long, manager of the Office of Environment and Natural Resources. We worked every day, long hours.

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Reclaiming the landscape: Greenhouse project to spur habitat restoration

Weeds (Thomas Maccubbin / August 15, 2014)

A funny thing happens during the summer.

The weeds grow big and tall. Actually it is not funny at all as some grow much larger than your flowers and shrubs. Most are sneaky growing up among the desirable plants to gradually overtake the landscape. Some even look like the desired plantings as they grow bigger and wider. I know, its hot outside and you are often tempted let them grow. You will deal with them during the fall.

Big weeds are hard to control and by the end of summer they can be intermingled with your plantings. Even though you may be a bit behind, now is the time to take control as there are several months of good growing weather ahead. And you do not want that most unfavorable weed to go to seed. Take back your landscape and prevent more growth using one or more of the following weed controls.

*Do the old fashion thing of pulling or hoeing out the weeds. This may be the only control if weeds are close to your favorite plants or have overtaken large areas of the yard.

*Spot treat the weeds with a nonselective herbicide that allows use in flower beds and near shrub plantings. Some are natural weed controls including soap and vinegar-based products. Just make sure you do not spray or treat the desirable plants and follow label instructions.

*Control grassy weeds in flower beds, shrub plantings and ground covers with an over-the-top selective herbicide. Several companies have products specifically for grassy weeds that can be used with many of your plantings following label instructions.

*After removing weeds apply a landscape fabric to the surface of the soil. Use one of these in flower beds and shrub plantings. They can be topped with stones or mulches if you wish.

*Maintain a one inch mulch layer in flower beds and up to a 3-inch layer with shrub and perennial plantings.

*Apply a preemergence herbicide made for flower and shrub plantings that prevents weed seed germination. Most can only be applied to specific established plantings so follow the label carefully.

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Don't Let Weeds Outgrow Your Yard

Vibrant Blues, Pinks And Purples Not Expected Back In These Parts Until 2015 August 15, 2014 6:23 PM

From our newsroom to your inbox weekday mornings at 9AM.

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) You know summer is in full swing when you see those gorgeous blue hydrangea flowers arguably the most popular shrubs in our area.

But, as CBS 2s Carolyn Gusoff reported Friday, this year, the most common of the beloved hydrangea is missing from our landscape.

Daniel Kubovicks front yard is bursting with color all but his 70-year-old hydrangea plant, which never disappointed before this summer.

This is all new growth but no buds no flowers, Kubovick said.

No big leaf hydrangea flowers across our region. Those ubiquitous mop-head flowers, usually a mid-summer garden staple, have been a no-show.

The perennial favorites that usually bloom to softball size in vibrant blues, pinks and purple have been yet another victim of the polar vortex, Gusoff reported.

Because that winter was so harsh those buds got killed, unfortunately, said landscape designer Rich Abate of Hicks Nurseries.

Abate said hydrangea flower buds form the year before they bloom, on old wood. But this year they were zapped by the extended winter, leaving many wonder where have all the hydrangeas have gone.

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Experts: Polar Vortex Has Crippled This Summers Hydrangea Bloom

By U-T San Diego7:30 p.m.Aug. 14, 2014

Free California Friendly Landscape Training Classes help turn the dream of a more attractive and water-efficient yard into a reality.

The San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies are offering free classes about WaterSmart landscaping throughout San Diego County. The classes introduce a holistic approach to landscape design and maintenance that emphasizes water-use efficiency.

The three-hour seminars are fast-paced and informative. They offer solutions to common landscape problems. Participants will learn to think about landscapes from the soil up. In addition, they will learn how to design landscapes that are sustainable in San Diego Countys climate. Class topics will include how to make the best use of the regions limited rainfall, irrigate efficiently and choose the best plants for each yard.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Visit WaterSmartSD.org for class dates and locations.

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Low-water landscaping classes are free

AMES | Tom Farniok has surveyed the landscape, and he fails to see a great divide at quarterback.

Discussing Sam Richardson and Grant Rohach, Iowa State's starting center said, "They're both level-headed, good leaders. They like success, obviously, but they really want success. They're driven.

"It's pretty even right now. They're really kind of the same person. That's why it's difficult to pick a guy."

That's been the company line throughout spring practice and fall camp. Richardson and Rohach, a junior and a sophomore, respectively, are neck and neck in the battle to start at quarterback for ISU when the season begins against North Dakota State. Even if head coach Paul Rhoads and his staff make a choice, sticking with it might be another matter, given the revolving door that's been spinning at that position under Rhoads.

Where it used to be Steele Jantz and Jared Barnett a few years ago, or Barnett, Jantz and Richardson, it's now Richardson and Rohach. Another candidate might be Joel Lanning, the true freshman out of Ankeny. But the two men who have won games at quarterback for the Cyclones are Richardson and Rohach.

"They're both - all three of them - at the 1-2 and 1-2-3 positions are great kids," said Mark Mangino, the new Iowa State offensive coordinator. "They have great personalities and I enjoy being around them.

Mangino, like Farniok, chooses to stand on common ground when evaluating the quarterback candidates.

"I think those guys are focused on being the best they can be and winning that position," added the former head coach at Kansas. "They all have certain leadership qualities. Whether your quarterback is a captain or a true freshman, there's a certain amount of leadership. I think those guys possess that. They just need to polish up and put the whole package together. That's the process we're in right now."

Of course, Farniok and Mangino can only run so far with the similarities, because the two veteran quarterbacks are not the same guy.

Richardson is a 6-foot-2, 223-pounder from Winter Park, Florida. Rohach, listed at 6-1, 224, was born in Iowa City, although he attended high school in Moorpark, California.

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Little separation between Cyclone QBs

Birds add a lively element to the garden, and attracting them to your landscape is easy if youre a good host or hostess. What you have on the menu and the quality of your provided lodging determineswhether your yard is alive with the sound of chirping and singing.

You dont need to be a bird expert to get them to flock to your yard, says Elaine Cole, president and owner of Coles Wild Bird Products Co. With very little knowledge and effort you can attract a lot of birds to visit your yard.

Follow these steps to setting up a backyard bird sanctuary.

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Cole's Wild Bird Products Co

Keep your feeders well-stocked.

A full "kitchen" attracts loads of birds to your landscape. This is especially important during the winter months when food is scarce for your feathered friends. Keep your feeders full, says Cole. That way neighborhood birds keep your yard on their go by and visit list, and migrating birds just passing through will notice all the feeding activity going on at your feeders and make a pit stop.

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Attracting Birds to Your Garden

Is there such a thing as a low-maintenance garden?

Some landscapers and horticulturists will tell you no every garden needs maintenance of some kind.

For the most part, they are right.

From personal experience, I can tell you there are high-maintenance and lower-maintenance gardens. It's all about plant choice right plant for right space and giving plants room to grow without crowding.

It's also about the plant types you select. Plants that need constant pruning to keep them sized and shaped and plants that dislike temperature and soil changes have no place in a low-maintenance garden.

For me, native plants especially in my bees, butterflies and birds garden are the way to go.

Landscape designer Denise Greene agrees, and shows and tells you how to best to create a minimum-care garden that attracts and feeds feed bees, butterflies and birds at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center, Centerville Road, James City County. The program is free and open to the public. A $5 donation is suggested for each person.

"Low maintenance means a minimum amount of input is required to keep the plants in the garden healthy and growing," says Greene. She grows 130-140 plants native to the Mid-Atlantic region at Sassafras Farm, a nursery she started in 1997 at her home in Gloucester County. She sells plants at the Williamsburg Farmers Market many weekends.

"The reason natives can be low maintenance is because they are adapted to the specific growing conditions of the site. Of course, you have to know what the site conditions are and which plants are adapted to those conditions. Just because a plant is native doesn't mean it will do well in any conditions, but it will thrive if you plant it in the right place."

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Native plants offer minimum maintenance, maximum benefits | Gardening

Connie Osiers favorite color is purple. How do I know? It was pretty obvious when I drove up to her South Hill home for this interview for the July Garden of the Month sponsored by the Inland EmpireGardeners.

Her front yard was a sight for sore, heat-stressed eyes. Velvety purple petunias, pink and white Stargazer lilies and light purple zinnias lined the walk to the dark blue front door. The lilies fragrance added to the sensual treat. A magnificent purple-leaved laceleaf Japanese maple draped over a wall at the foot of the sidewalk. Container plantings of mixed purple

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Connie Osier shares a moment in her award-winning garden with Zamboni her tuxedocat. (Full-size photo)

Connie Osiers favorite color is purple. How do I know? It was pretty obvious when I drove up to her South Hill home for this interview for the July Garden of the Month sponsored by the Inland EmpireGardeners.

Her front yard was a sight for sore, heat-stressed eyes. Velvety purple petunias, pink and white Stargazer lilies and light purple zinnias lined the walk to the dark blue front door. The lilies fragrance added to the sensual treat. A magnificent purple-leaved laceleaf Japanese maple draped over a wall at the foot of the sidewalk. Container plantings of mixed purple annuals and chartreuse sweet potato vine adorned the front step and border beds. Below a small sitting area by the front door are large Endless Summer hydrangeas that rounded out the color theme. More on themlater.

Osier and her family have lived in their 1939 house for 25 years. We basically had to demo the yard in the beginning and start from scratch, she said. Osier helped the process along by taking landscape design classes at Spokane Community College which helped sharpen her skills for creating an exciting series of spaces starting with her entrance garden through to her backyard full of fruit trees, vegetables andchickens.

The space along the east side of the house is planted with aspen, alpine firs and wildflowers that combine to make you feel as if you are walking along a North Idaho trail. This garden was created after a major water line break meant everything including a large pine had to go. The pine was rotten and hanging over the neighbors irreplaceable tile roof, shesaid.

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Gardening: July garden showcases the color purple - Sat, 09 Aug 2014 PST