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    Earth-Kind Landscape School to be held in San Antonio - July 24, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Four-part series in September and October will address best home landscaping practices

    SAN ANTONIO The Texas Water Star Program will present the four-part Earth-Kind Landscape School for Homeowners program on four Saturdays during September and October, said program coordinators at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County.

    The school will be from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Sept. 6 and Sept. 20, and Oct. 4 and Oct.18. All classes will be in Suite 208 of the AgriLife Extension office, located in the Conroy Square business complex, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive in San Antonio.

    Earth-Kind landscapes combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a horticultural system based on real-world effectiveness and environmental responsibility. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kathleen Phillips)

    The workshop will target new homeowners in the area interested in learning the best practices for home landscaping and gardening, said Troy Luepke, program coordinator, water and natural resources for Bexar County.

    Luepke will be presenting the landscaping school with David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture in Bexar County, and the Bexar County Master Gardeners association, a volunteer horticulture program of AgriLife Extension.

    In these classes, we will be focusing on Earth-Kind landscaping principles, Rodriguez said.

    Earth-Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum garden and landscape production using the best of organic and traditional principles to create an effective and environmentally responsible landscaping system.

    Topics per individual classes will be:

    Sept. 6, Water Conservation: Soil Prep, Drip Irrigation and Raised Beds. Program will covertechniques for saving water and money by amending soil, plus how to build a raised-bed garden with drip irrigation.

    Read more:
    Earth-Kind Landscape School to be held in San Antonio

    Solar Powered 20 Lumen Landscape Floodlight Now Available at TheHardwareCity.com - July 23, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Issaquah, WA (PRWEB) July 21, 2014

    Customers of TheHardwareCity.com can now find a high quality landscape floodlight by Coleman Cable in the stores extensive online catalog. The landscaping light is in stock and available for 54% below retail price. Customers enjoy free shipping while purchasing a quality lighting product.

    Coleman Cables 20 lumen floodlight with 120-degree beam angle will automatically illuminate when it becomes dark outside, creating a landscape solution that functions on its own. It is solar powered and incorporates an AA lithium rechargeable battery, which can fuel the light for up to 7 hours. The light offers consumers an easy way to add lighting to their yard without the worry of increased electricity bills and TheHardwareCity.com provides convenience in purchasing the lighting fixtures.

    Made with a high quality warm white LED, the outdoor fixture adds a nice touch to any scenery without the need to replace light bulbs continuously. The fixture will remain cool to the touch, offering an easy and safe solution. It can be used in conjunction with lawn design to highlight architectural and garden features. Homeowners may also use the new light to create path lighting while enhancing safety and security for the home.

    The lights sleek and stylish design provides contemporary lighting features to any lawn. It is quick and easy to install and can be set up virtually anywhere without the need of electrical access. Constructed with durable plastic construction, the fixture can withstand any weather condition.

    About TheHardwareCity.com: TheHardwareCity.com is one of the largest online home improvement stores. The store is known for unbeatable prices and service. Tool and product experts are available for live online chat every weekday to answer questions about the merchandise available in every department of the online home improvement store including electrical, plumbing, building supplies, home hardware, lawn and garden, power tools, and more. Consumers can enjoy an easy shopping experience from their home or office and have items shipped to them for free.

    Continue reading here:
    Solar Powered 20 Lumen Landscape Floodlight Now Available at TheHardwareCity.com

    WorkBoat Launches One-Day Shipyard Conference in Alabama - July 23, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Portland, ME (PRWEB) July 22, 2014

    WorkBoat, the leading provider of news for the U.S. workboat market, has launched a one-day Regional Summit in Alabama in the heart of the Gulf of Mexico shipyard industry that will tackle challenges facing the industry.

    The Regional Summit, The Changing Landscape of Shipyards, will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club, & Spa in Point Clear. Topics to be covered include:

    The Changing Face of Personnel With the advancements in technology, the landscape of the shipyard workforce is changing. Will a more specialized workforce be necessary in the future? Will companies such as Siemens and Rolls-Royce alleviate the personnel crunch some by using their own technicians? How are personnel challenges different for smaller yards as compared to larger ones?

    State of the Industry in the Gulf Aside from the personnel problem, what other challenges face yard owners? Is the traditional shipyard becoming more of an erection yard, with specialized systems integrators doing more of the technical work?

    Financing the Future Whether your company is a small business or big publicly traded company, capital is the engine that drives it. Where that capital comes from is one of the questions that this discussion will seek to answer. This panel of finance experts will help understand the state of the commercial marine finance marketplace, answer questions and help find solutions to the problems.

    Registration for the Summit at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club, & Spa in Point Clear, Ala., is available at: http://www.workboat.com/regional-summit-alabama.aspx. Advance Registration is $425. Onsite registration is $495.

    The Changing Landscape of Shipyards Point Clear, Alabama Tuesday, September 16, 2014 8:00 am 4:15 pm Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club, & Spa

    More information can be found here: http://www.workboat.com/regional-summit-alabama.aspx.

    About WorkBoat WorkBoat is part of the Diversified Business Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and e-media products. The WorkBoat brand has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 45 years. In print through WorkBoat magazine, online at WorkBoat.com, face-to-face at the International WorkBoat Show and through education with the Professional Series, WorkBoat delivers high quality information to all segments of the marine industry in North America. For more information, visit http://www.workboat.com.

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    WorkBoat Launches One-Day Shipyard Conference in Alabama

    Yard & Garden: Sedum can make beautiful, easily maintained lawns - July 21, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Q: You toured two beautiful gardens in Roswell, New Mexico in the PBS program. One had a beautiful green "lawn" that did not need to be mowed. Sedum of some kind, I guess. Would such a lawn work here in the northeast heights in Albuquerque? I have converted the dichondra that I had in my courtyard to ice plant. Like dichondra, there is a period where it is ugly and brown, but at least the ice plant takes less water. I would love to have a lawn that required no attention.

    Betty H.

    A: The lawn you saw on the PBS "Southwest Yard and Garden" program taped in Roswell was a sedum lawn. The gardener was growing mostly dragon's blood sedum. These have large flat leaves and red flowers. In some varieties the leaves can turn reddish or purple in the winter. This characteristic can be used to a gardener's advantage. By grouping plants in drifts of differing colors, the gardener can have interesting winter patterns and color in the lawn instead of the traditional tan color of dormant grasses. Some sedum plants have cylindrical leaves. These plants will lend different textures to the landscape. Some have gray leaves, some have green leaves. They look somewhat like iceplant with which they may be mixed to provide additional summer flowering and to conceal the winter dieback of the iceplants. As you mentioned, in the winter, the iceplant is more likely to die back somewhat and leave "holes" in the landscape. If you choose to add iceplants to the landscape, choose their location carefully to minimize the blotchy look while they have died back until they resume growth and flowering in the spring.

    Both sedum and iceplant are succulents and may need little irrigation. Harvested water running off the roof into the landscape may provide much of the water that they need. Be sure that the soil is well-drained to avoid development of diseases in these succulent plants. Be prepared to irrigate during periods of prolonged drought, even in the winter. If there is no precipitation for 1 to 2 months, irrigate to keep the plants hydrated. In the winter, drought for 2 months may indicate that iceplant needs a little irrigation. The sedum plants may not need irrigation unless the drought is even longer.

    Because these plants are succulents, they will not withstand foot traffic. Properly placed flagstones or other pavers will be needed to allow access across the areas of sedum and to allow access for removing weeds (yes, weeds will grow through them).

    There are other low-growing groundcover plants that may be used to provide a lawn-like look. These include germander, English ivy, prostrate junipers and other low-growing, spreading plants. However, most of these will require more irrigation than sedum plants and many will not provide the flowers and color that sedum can supply.

    None of these plants can replace lawn grasses when foot traffic or heavy use is required of the landscape. Choose the appropriate plant for your intended purpose.

    Send your gardening questions to Yard and Garden, Attn: Dr. Curtis Smith, NMSU Agricultural Science Center, 1036 Miller Rd. SW, Los Lunas, NM 87031. You may also send to cwsmith@nmsu.edu or leave a message at https://www.facebook.com/NMSUExtExpStnPubs. Curtis W. Smith, Ph.D., is an Extension Horticulture Specialist emeritus with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

    More here:
    Yard & Garden: Sedum can make beautiful, easily maintained lawns

    Going sustainable - July 21, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Ripping out the front lawn and its bordering rhododendrons and replacing them with a landscape of native grasses, groundcovers, succulents and rocks once seemed an unfathomable act of defiance. No longer.

    As many parts of the United States grapple with drought and rising water bills, The thought of an English garden in the Central Valley of California is sheer madness. It wasnt meant to be, and its sucking up precious groundwater we need for agriculture, said Ann Savageau, a design professor at the University of California at Davis, who recently traded in her lush green lawns for a desert look.

    Instead of scoffing, neighbors stopped to ask her landscaper for his business card. Other California towns, including Sacramento and Menlo Park, have begun offering rebates to homeowners who remove their lawns.

    Gardeners nationwide are feeling the effects of climate change. In the East, and other areas where heavy downpours have become more intense, a sustainable garden might include native grasses and other plants that do well in heavy rain and the dry weather that can follow.

    Awareness is changing in a way that is here to stay, said Brian Sullivan, a vice president for landscapes at The New York Botanical Garden. Yard by yard, region by region, the overall environmental impact of this trend, which I think is very positive, is substantial.

    Mowing and watering a traditional lawn requires a lot of time, money, water and fertilizers. Increasingly, many home gardeners want to focus instead on edible gardens, and rethink the rest of their landscaping in a more environmentally sustainable and low-maintenance way.

    Its sometimes hard to know where to begin, however, and few people have the funds or time to tackle a total garden makeover all at once.

    Some strategies:

    Take it in steps

    Transitions should be made at your own pace and you do these things in small steps, Sullivan said. Lawn has utility. We play on it, sing on it and look at it. You can still enjoy your lawn, but cut it down by a third or half, or go with groundcovers you can walk on. Theyre not the same, but its about shifting expectations.

    Continued here:
    Going sustainable

    Front Yard Landscaping Ideas – Landscaping Network - July 19, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Landscape Design Landscaping Ideas How to Landscape Garden Landscape Design Front Yard Features Driveways Walkways & Paths Porches & Entryways Front Yard Structures Pergolas & Arbors Retaining Walls Fencing & Gates Hardscapes & Lighting Concrete Flagstone Pavers Landscape Lighting Plants & Lawns Plants for Landscaping Sprinklers & Drip Irrigation Lawns

    Find a Local Concrete Contractor See contractor photos & info in your area on ConcreteNetwork.com Search by city/state or postal code

    Subscribers get 30% off the cover price.

    Front Yard Infographic

    Having trouble remembering the width of a driveway gate? Not sure how much space you need for parking? Wondering how wide to make your front walkway? Find all these dimensions and more on this handy infographic featuring common front yard elements.

    Front Yard Dimensions (PDF)

    Traditionally, front yards serve two main purposes: providing an entrance to your home and creating curb appeal. A well-designed front yard landscape, with appropriately sized and placed elements, will indeed increase the curb appeal of your home. The landscaping should put your home on display by complementing its architecture and welcoming visitors.

    Landscaping options for enhancing the front of the home abound. You can choose a formal look with a courtyard circling a fountain. Or you can go more natural, with a meandering pathway lined with native plants. You can even create a private space for outdoor entertaining. Whatever you decide, be sure to spend plenty of time determining the look you want and planning how to achieve it. With the help of a landscaping designer to guide you, you'll be sure to get a front yard landscape you love.

    Get these tipsIn this section, you'll find tips from landscaping professionals on:

    Is your front yard overgrown? Do you dread mowing your large lawn? Are you wishing that your home had more curb appeal? Sounds like it's time for a front yard makeover. With creative landscaping ideas, front yards can be more than just a pathway and some plants.

    Read more here:
    Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - Landscaping Network

    Letter: Police nab yard workers at landfill bottleneck - July 19, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    To the editor:

    I own a local contracting landscape company, requiring me and my staff to frequent the Glenmore dump often.

    On a recent trip to the dump with the clippings from a job-site, I was shocked to see the RCMP had a man with a pickup truck and trailer pulled over to the side of the road near the entrance.

    I entered the line up to go in, and was waiting along with everyone else, when another man with a pickup truck and trailer was pulled over on his way out of the dump.

    So, I watched as the police questioned the man driving. It was apparent that an argument was occurring with waving of arms.

    The mans passenger was ordered out of the vehicle and the police called for assistance. Within seconds a second police cruiser pulled up with sirens blazing. Another minute passed and a third cruiser came, again sirens blazing.

    As you can imagine, quite the show for the people waiting in line to go into the dump.

    As I was unloading my trailer, the man that had been pulled over at the entrance came beside me. He told me that the police had pulled him over because his brake light didnt come on. Upon investigation, he wiggled the wire at the back, and behold, there was light. Lucky him.

    My thoughts went back to the man leaving the dump. Were his lights not working?

    This man, as it turned out, got angry and defiant. Not a great idea to do when confronted by our valued RCMP, but understandable.

    Continue reading here:
    Letter: Police nab yard workers at landfill bottleneck

    Sustainable gardening: how to get started with rocks, native grasses - July 16, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Published on July 15, 2014

    Sustainable gardening: how to get started with rocks, native grasses

    Ripping out the front lawn and its bordering rhododendrons and replacing them with a landscape of native grasses, groundcovers, succulents and rocks once seemed an unfathomable act of defiance. No longer.

    As many parts of the United States grapple with drought and rising water bills, "The thought of an English garden in the Central Valley of California is sheer madness. It wasn't meant to be, and it's sucking up precious groundwater we need for agriculture," said Ann Savageau, a design professor at the University of California at Davis, who recently traded in her lush green lawns for a desert look.

    Instead of scoffing, neighbours stopped to ask her landscaper for his business card. Other California towns, including Sacramento and Menlo Park, have begun offering rebates to homeowners who remove their lawns.

    Gardeners nationwide are feeling the effects of climate change. In the East, and other areas where heavy downpours have become more intense, a sustainable garden might include native grasses and other plants that do well in heavy rain and the dry weather that can follow.

    "Awareness is changing in a way that is here to stay," said Brian Sullivan, a vice-president for landscapes at The New York Botanical Garden. "Yard by yard, region by region, the overall environmental impact of this trend, which I think is very positive, is substantial."

    Mowing and watering a traditional lawn requires a lot of time, money, water and fertilizers. Increasingly, many home gardeners want to focus instead on edible gardens, and rethink the rest of their landscaping in a more environmentally sustainable and low-maintenance way.

    It's sometimes hard to know where to begin, however, and few people have the funds or time to tackle a total garden makeover all at once.

    Some strategies:

    Read more:
    Sustainable gardening: how to get started with rocks, native grasses

    Saunders Landscape Supply Talks Benefits of Lawn Maintenance This Summer - July 14, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Chantilly, VA (PRWEB) July 14, 2014

    Saunders Landscape Supply, located in Chantilly, Virginia, wants to remind homeowners this season about the benefits of lawn renovations and landscaping before the fall season starts.

    In the past 12 months, roughly 164 million people have gardened or performed some sort of yard work on their homes, and Saunders wants to make sure that everyone gets their property prepared for the fall and winter months so that they can enjoy their outdoor view next spring.

    Various materials, along with a mix of different wood, are used to make mulch. Mulch is used to retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, suppress weed growth, and for aesthetic appearances. Saunders Landscape Supply recommends mulching when the soil temperatures have risen enough that the ground has settled, which is usually in late summer or early fall.

    The company offers organic topsoil, which is a mix of compost and topsoil. The topsoil provides ample space for grass to grow, while the compost provides it with nutrients. Saunders recommends at least a one inch thickness of mulch for planting grass. One cubic yard of topsoil, also supplied by the company, can cover about 300 square feet at a one inch thickness. Because the soil is easily spreadable, homeowners have the option to easily and affordably plant grass.

    "The best time to renovate your lawn is during the early fall because any grass seed that is planted will have 10 months to germinate before the hot months of July and August," said Donald Saunders Jr., President of Saunders Landscape Supply.

    By laying new grass seed in the late summer or early fall, customers will benefit from the new grass having time to germinate and grow to its full potential the following spring.

    "Some homeowners will conduct a core aeration, and this helps relieve the compaction in the soil. This is typically completed by a machine that penetrates the soil by two inches," explained Saunders. "By relieving the compaction in the soil, the roots of grass can more easily expand and grow, and this makes way for a healthier, thicker lawn."

    Saunders Landscape Supply has served residents of Virginia and Maryland since it was founded in 1994, and provides the materials that homeowners need for any lawn renovation or maintenance plan. The business is located at 14016 Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly, VA. For more information, call 703-764-4831, email marketing (at) saundersls (dot) com or visit saundersls.com.

    See more here:
    Saunders Landscape Supply Talks Benefits of Lawn Maintenance This Summer

    Roseville PD: 2 arrested for stealing landscape equipment - July 13, 2014 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Two men were arrested for allegedly stealing landscape equipment from maintenance crews, Roseville police said Saturday.

    Shafeeq Jamal Purdy, 32, and Christopher Darnell Ross, 20, were taken into custody in connection with the thefts Friday, officials said.

    Roseville police were looking into a recent increase in thefts from landscape maintenance crews and were on a stakeout just before 11 a.m. on Friday on Park Regency Drive.

    Officers said they saw a vehicle cruising slowly through the neighborhood and watched two people get out of the vehicle and take tools from a landscaper's trailer.

    The officers stopped the vehicle and detained the driver on Junction Boulevard, but the passenger got out of the vehicle and ran away. He apparently jumped over a retaining wall and through yards in the neighborhood before officers found him in a yard on the 1800 block of Grouse Run Circle, police said.

    The stolen property was recovered and returned to the victim.

    According to police, Purdy and Ross were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy and possession of burglar's tools. Purdy also faces charges ofdelaying or obstructing police officers.

    Excerpt from:
    Roseville PD: 2 arrested for stealing landscape equipment

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