SAN ANTONIO More than 40 green industry and other professionals attended the recent Texas Water Star Program presentation of an Earth-Kind landscaping school at the San Antonio Garden Center in San Antonio.

Earth-Kind and the Texas Water Star program were both developed by Texas A&M AgriLife.

Earth-Kind landscaping school attendees tour the San Antonio Botanical Garden. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Attendees included representatives of commercial nurseries, professional landscaping businesses, landscape designers and irrigators, the San Antonio Water System, Master Gardeners and homeowners.

Program coordinators were Jared Beaver, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program coordinator for water and natural resources for Bexar County, and David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension horticulturist for Bexar County.

The workshop was designed for recreational, public, and residential landscape irrigators and contractors, grounds maintenance personnel, retail nurseries and other users of urban water resources, Rodriguez said. We focused on Earth-Kind landscaping, which incorporates the best practices of both traditional and organic gardening in an environmentally responsible manner.

Class instruction included presentations on plant selection and landscaping using Texas Superstar plants; tree selection and placement for energy and water conservation; reducing yard waste and reusing landscaping materials; irrigation efficiency and drip irrigation; and an irrigation audit and evaluation demonstration.

I came to the program to learn more about landscaping in general, said Peter Davis, owner of Davis Company Landscaping of San Antonio. And specifically, I learned a lot about proper tree trimming and more about low-water-use plants for the landscape, like esperanzas and mountain laurels.

Water conservation and proper irrigation were major topics discussed at the school.

We are providing landscape professionals with instruction and management practices that can help them conserve water in recreational, public and residential landscapes in urban areas, Beaver said. One of the biggest uses of municipal water, and the one with the most potential for increased savings, is water use for commercial landscapes and lawns.

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Earth-Kind landscaping school draws variety of green industry, other professionals

PADUCAH, KyJust 31 days now until spring and many of you are counting down! Temperatures are getting warmer, and there is some rain in the forecast, that will probably turn your yard into a slushy and muddy mess.

Landscape professionals and homeowners said they are ready for spring, even if it means some extra yard work.

Today the sun was shining, the snow and ice packed down is finally thawing.

Crystal Sanders owns James Sanders Nursery and said people need to start preparing their yards now.

"We go around and mulch all the plant material around the root systems to protect them...If you didn't get seeding done in the fall, it's a great time to start seeding now," said Sanders.

Homeowner Talmadge Martin takes pride in his yard and says he is ready for spring.

"We have had enough of it. We've had more snow than I can ever remember," said Martin.

All the snow in Martin's yard has created mess, that will take months to firm back up.

"You can walk around in some other places in my yard, back out back, it may go over your shoe tops," said Martin.

Both homeowners and landscape professionals said they are tired of winter.

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Weather makes for muddy mess for homeowners

Q. Will black plastic create a suitable weed barrier under bark when I landscape my yard?

A. Though black plastic is cheap, will suppress weeds and will last a long time, it creates an impermeable barrier, shutting off moisture and light and thus either killing or seriously limiting soil life beneath it. Also, though it shreds easily, unsightly scraps will remain on or in the soil for years without decaying appreciably.

Landscape fabric, on the other hand, though more expensive, does a comparable job of keeping weeds down but will let rain and some light filter through its woven fabric. Trees, shrubs, flowers etc. planted in holes cut in the fabric will continue to be nourished by living soil, as they would not be able to with black plastic. Another possibility is cardboard, often available free. It wont last as long, but it will break down completely and become part of the soil.

The Shasta Master Gardener Program can be reached by phone, 242-2219, or email mastergardeners@shastacollege.edu.

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Master Gardener: Black plastic weed barrier stops weeds but harms soil health

Landscape, marketing contest winners named

The North Dakota Nursery and Greenhouse Association has awarded Peter Boyle of Boyle Landscaping, Fargo, as the first place winner in the residential front yard category in its annual Landscape and Marketing Contest. Boyle was recognized for his project at Shotwell Commons, Fargo.

Ryan Aakre of Signature Landscapes, Fargo, won the residential backyard division, and Terryl Melby and Sarah Liljestrand of Hollands Landscaping and Garden Center, Moorhead, received first place in the marketing awards program in the plant materials and hard goods divisions.

Awards of Merit went to Cody Wilhelm, Dakota Impressions Landscapes and Design, Bismarck; Paul Beck, Lowes Garden Center, Minot; and Chad Erickson Oasis Plantscapes, West Fargo.

Lura named Nodak Mutual sales leader

Duey Lura, an agent for Nodak Mutual Insurance Co., Fargo, has been recognized as a sales leader with Nodak Mutual for his outstanding sales performance for all lines in the state of North Dakota during 2013.

He also earned partner level status for the year.

Prudential Premier agents earn recognition

Prudential Premier Real Estate has awarded 31 of its real estate agents with Top of the Rock Club status, which recognizes their 2013 sales accomplishments.

The agents receiving the special recognition include: Sabrina Anderson, Amber Bender, Jayne Bertsch, Randy Bertsch, Jodi Birnbaum, Jared Blankenship, Terri Craig, Pat DeVine, Connie Dreyer, Mary Eberhard, Julie Fournier, Cathy Hahn, James Hand, Pam Hanson, Nancy Kelly, Kim Kelsh, Steve Klocke, John Knosalla, DeAnne Mason, Mark Mason, Kim Meyers, Pam Moffat, Susie Nickell, Bobbi Solien, Lyle Rasmussen, Tyler Rebrovich, Rod Richter, Steve Ritter, Mari Santoyo, Rod Searls, Lisa Swanson and Cat Yokom.

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Honors and officers (Feb. 15)

Observer reporters fanned out around the region to capture the winter landscape. Here's what they saw:

Snow follows this couple

The snow followed Mike Kutner and Andrea Platano here from Ohio. The couple recently moved to Fayetteville in hopes of escaping the white stuff.

"It's such a nuisance," Kutner said Wednesday while doing laundry at Koretizing Dry Cleaning and Laundry. "This is nothing. We're from the snow belt where it snows feet at a time.

"This ain't that bad for us, it's just another day."

Trudging through snow-covered streets, it took the couple more than 45 minutes Tuesday to drive a route that typically takes 15 minutes.

"The roads are awful," Kutner said.

Platano disagreed.

"It's the other drivers who are awful," she said. "Plus, these roads don't really get plowed."

Diana Cann, manager of the laundry facility, said growing up in New York has made her a pro at driving in icy conditions, so she's quick to dole out advice.

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Scenes from a snow day

As I look out the window and see the thermometer at minus 25, I start wishing for spring, still a long way off.

Seed catalogs and tree order forms can take your mind to a warmer time. As you browse and make your lists think about adding some edibles to your landscape. Edible landscapes have become more popular recently, but this is far from a new idea. Many of the ancient gardens of Babylonia, Egypt or medieval cloistered gardens used edible plants for their gardens.

Edible landscaping doesnt mean turning your whole yard into a vegetable garden. By using the same principles of landscaping such as balance, unity, pattern and inter connection you can include an assortment of edible plants into your landscape. You can have an attractive and productive landscape.

There is a large selection of plants or seeds to use in your edible landscape, including both annual and perennial plants. Many of the trees and shrubs in the catalog are natives which typically have the advantage of less watering and maintenance.

The following plants and seeds are usually readily available. Check those seed catalogs or the Internet for more. Now is a good time to order seeds so you have them in time to give them a head start under lights.

Rainbow chards, colorful kales can easily be incorporated into a flower bed and provide greens for tasty and nutritious salads. Herbs like chives, rosemary, thyme, parsley are all easy to grow and very good in the kitchen. Creeping thyme, chamomile and strawberry can be used as ground covers. Sweet or hot peppers are also available in many colorful varieties but be careful with children, touching hot peppers and then your eyes can be quite painful.

Shrubs with edible fruit such as raspberry, high-bush cranberry, serviceberry or hazelnut could be used as a hedge or a divider. If you dont pick the fruit the wildlife will love to pick it for you. Apple trees, flowering crab, wild plum and sand cherry can be used in the landscape. If you plant an apple tree, remember they are not self-pollinating so you will need two varieties. A neighbors tree will work well.

Many of these trees and shrubs are available quite reasonably at your Soil and Water Conservation District sales. They are usually sold in bundles of 25. If 25 trees are more than you need, talk to your friends and neighbors and share a few selections. Anoka, Isanti and Ramsey counties all have annual spring tree sales. For now, lets stay warm, dream and plan. Then we will be ready when spring comes.

The Anoka County master gardeners invite you to visit our web page http://anokamastergardeners.org/ Go to hot topics for information on the Home Landscaping and Garden Fair, plant sale and the plant diagnostic clinics.

Bob Vaughn is an Anoka County Master Gardener.

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Garden Views: Consider adding edibles to your gardens landscape

Austin, TX (PRWEB) February 11, 2014

An increasing number of homes, businesses, golf courses and municipalities are realizing the benefits of synthetic grass as a low-maintenance, environmentally-friendly and attractive landscape solution. Buyers can maximize their investment and avoid poor service and products by doing proper research and following smart purchasing guidelines.

John Baize, director of synthetic turf manufacturer Act Global, said that while there are hundreds of reputable companies, there have also been instances of false manufacturing claims and dishonest business practices.

By informing buyers of important issues to consider, we can help them avoid the frustration of poor quality product and service, said Baize.

Baize, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC), said the organization is focused on serving as a resource for trustworthy information about synthetic turf and promoting ethical industry standards. The STC has published Considerations When Buying Synthetic Grass for Landscape Use, which provides guidelines on artificial turf selection, suppliers, manufacturers and installation practices. The document is available on the STC website for download.

Act Global offers Ten Tips for Purchasing Synthetic Landscape Turf:

1. Know your suppliers.

Research the seller to understand their reputation and stability. Check their website, local Registrar of Contractors (ROC), business registrations and research any complaint records online. Most companies should be licensed, bonded and insured. Inquire about the companys quality checks and procedures. ISO 9001 Quality Certification is a good indicator of manufacturing practices, as a world-recognized standard for quality management.

2. Check references.

Know the companys business history and ask for installation references, both recent jobs and ones that are several years old.

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Act Global Issues Tips to Consider When Purchasing Synthetic Lawn Turf

Published February 09, 2014

Associated Press

Feb 8, 2014. The Alexander Wang Fall 2014 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York.Associated Press

There are hip fashion shows. And then there are fashion shows that seek nothing less than to redefine just how hip a fashion show can be.

How else to describe a designer who can get crowds of the most discerning fashion to leave Manhattan on a frigid Saturday night in February and head to Brooklyn to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, yet for a 15-minute fashion show?

That would be Alexander Wang, 30, who presented the fall 2014 collection of his signature line (he is also creative director of Balenciaga in Paris) at a 100,000-square-foot greenhouse at the navy yard, a huge space that provided a dramatic backdrop to his inventive fashions. The production involved a rotating stage that moved the models around, and a futuristic-looking set that resembled some post-apocalyptic world.

The design label, perhaps knowing that many guests would feel reluctant to leave Manhattan, particularly after running from show to show all day long, provided free ferry boat service to Brooklyn and back, and also chartered buses.

In a post-show interview, Wang explained that he felt a duty to raise the bar and keep experimenting.

"Fashion is always evolving and changing, so why not have a location change?" he asked. "With every kind of change there is opposition, but I think that's the exciting thing ... to keep the conversation new."

And, he said, fashion and theater go hand in hand. "For me it's part of the process," he said. "You want to create an experience. Clothes are clothes, at the end of the day. You're not reinventing the wheel there. So you want to be proposing an idea that entertains people and gets them to come out to Brooklyn in the cold. There are so many fashion shows on the calendar, it's important to create that individual moment between you and the audience."

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NY fashion show held in Brooklyn Navy Yard

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Metro Detroit home and garden calendar

Breeders of modern roses are developing varieties that are beautiful, carefree, disease-resistant, fragrant, and many make great plants for incorporating into the landscape, according to Keith Hansen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture agent for Smith County. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Keith Hansen)

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

TYLER The first of seven seminars on the finer points of gardening in East Texas will be held Feb. 22 at Chamblees Rose Nursery, according to Keith Hansen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture agent for Smith County.

We have an exciting lineup for this year, and were beginning with roses, Americas favorite flower, Hansen said. Mark Chamblee, owner, manager and professional grower, will discuss new, exciting rose breeds and give demonstrations on how to prune different kinds of roses.

After the pruning demonstration, Chamblee will give a tour of the nursery and be available for any questions, Hansen said. Chamblee is a Texas Master Certified Nursery Professional through the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and currently serves as a Texas Nursery Landscape Association chairman.

The nursery is located north of Tyler at 10926 U.S. Highway 69. A map can be found at http://www.chambleeroses.com/contact.php .

Registration is $15 per individual lecture or $45 for a season pass to all seven lectures, Hansen said. The next three lectures will be held in March, April and May. After a summer hiatus, the series will begin again with lectures in September, October and November. All lectures will have registration at the door beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the program starting at 9 a.m. Ending will vary depending upon how many questions are asked, but should usually end by noon. For more information, contact Hansen at 903-590-2980 or go to http:// http://www.facebook.com/ETGardenConference .

After the lecture at Chamblees Nursery, the rest of the lectures will be held at the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler. The full lineup of the remaining 2014 East Texas Garden Lecture Series is:

March 22 Location, Location, Location: Right Plant/Right Place and Ask The Designer. Tyler Rose Garden Center. Hansen will discuss selecting the right plants for landscaping projects for long-term success. Laurie Breedlove of Breedlove Landscape Nursery and James Willhite of Willhite Landscape will answer landscape design questions.

April 12 A Warm Welcome Landscape Tips for Curb Appeal. Dee Bishop, Smith County Master Gardener and longtime landscape professional, will share ideas on how to easily set out a colorful and inviting welcome mat to your home with plants. Demonstration planters will be offered as door prizes. May 17 Saving Water With Drip Drip Irrigation Basics and Applications. Dr. Dotty Woodson, AgriLife Extension water specialist, Dallas, and Brad McCullough, state licensed irrigator with Ewing Irrigation, Tyler, will demonstrate how to design and install a drip irrigation system. They will also show how easily an existing spray irrigation section can be converted to a drip system.

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First East Texas Garden Lecture Series set Feb. 22