The Pallina Glove

It can be hard to find the perfect garden glove, durable, comfortable and snug, especially for women.  Look no further.  Yardiac.com introduces the latest addition to our glove family.  It is The Pallina Glove.  The Pallina features soft goatskin leather outer and reinforced palms.  Available in short and long gauntlet styles, you will find them to be comfortable, heavy duty, and perfect for any job.  Keeping them close by is a snap, literally.  A carabiner comes with, perfect for attaching to your belt loop.  Choose from pink or green, slim fit or regular.  They make a great gift for the gardener in your life or a special treat for yourself.  If you have a pair, please share your thoughts with your fellow Yardiacs by posting a comment to the blog.

Toad Houses to Brighten Your Garden by Emily Weathers

Garden season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking of how to make it more exciting than last year. This year, you should start with a toad house. There are several Toad Houses now available that you would have never thought of that are so unique that will defiantly stand out from others! You can get a castle for your prince or a 70’s style house to a Toad Spaceship. Not only are these decorative, but they will help the garden as well. We know not all toads are cute, but they have their ways. Toads consume approximately 110 bugs a day, such as moths, beetles, slugs and other bugs that like to damage your garden. Now that's definitely help to your garden! To spoil the helper toad, you may want to add a garden light, which not only will accent the garden, it will attract moths and other night bugs that will definite interest the toad in a snack. After a long night of snaking away, they need a cozy, moist resting place to hide during those humid summer days.

Once the toad house is chosen, you need to find the perfect location. The toad has needs to be placed under vegetation in a discrete and moist place. If you don’t have a pond you can water this location daily with a watering can to keep it moist. Toads drink by soaking in water and absorbing it through their skin. Another option for a pond would be to make your own pond.

You would need to take a small try, or pie dish and burry I partially in the ground and fill with water. This should be placed near the house so the toad can enjoy a nice soak! Enjoy your Toad House!

Fun With Terrariums

Terrariums were originally invented to transport living plants from far away places when voyages took months or even years. Terrariums were carried by Captain Cook on his voyages around the world and by Captain Bligh on the voyage of the Bounty. Today''s terrariums are mostly decorative in nature, but they still allow you to have a garden which can be maintained for long periods of time with a minimum amount of attention.

Having a terrarium of your own is easy. The first step is to choose a container for your terrarium. Most terrariums are planted in containers without drainage holes. Glass bubble bowls, bottles, fish tanks, and brandy snifters are commonly used for containers.

Line the bottom of the container with one-half inch of charcoal. This will help to keep the soil fresh and sweet smelling. Next add one and one-half inches of professional, soilless potting soil. Be sure to moisten the soil first and then put it into the container.

Now you are ready to add the plants. Remove most of the soil from the roots and then plant the plants using your hands or a spoon.

After the plants are in place, a final mulch or ground carpeting of florist's sheet moss will complete the scene. If there is space in your terrarium, you can add shallow container of water to serve as a pond.

Use a mister of clear water to settle the roots and remove the soil particles from the leaves and sides of the container. Be careful not to add too much water or you'll have a floating garden!

Terrariums do best in bright, indirect light. Sun shining directly on the glass for more than an hour is likely to steam-cook the plant.

If the soil appears dry, if no moisture droplets form on the inside, or if the plants appear lackluster and droopy, add a little water.

Keep the plants well groomed and remove yellowing leaves before the have the opportunity to rot. Watch for any disease or fungus. Once rot, or disease, gets started it may move quickly to healthy leaves and shoots.

Terrariums make great gifts!

Haws Watering Cans

The Haws Professional watering can is the most sought after watering can, ever. It all began in the 1880's with a civil servant, John Haws. Unsatisfied with the French style watering can that dominted the industry, he set out to design the perfect watering can. -One that is perfectly balanced, and easy to carry. His patented style has remained virtually unchanged, since 1885.

The design that sets any Haws can apart from the vast sea of watering cans is the handle. John Haws designed a lid, or 'breast' for the watering can, and a neck to carry the separate spout and back handles. The body, base, handle, and spout support are all very distinctive features, as well.

After a metal Haws watering can is formed, and hand welded, it is set outdoors, to collect rust. The pits of the rusting process allow the galvanization to adhere to the can. All metal Haws watering cans endure this process. After they collect just the right amount of rust, they are bathed in molten zinc, which galvanizes them. It is certainly the most effective means of weatherproofing them. After that, they are off to be painted, polished, and sealed with the Haws insignia.

Since it's origination, changes are limited to material, finish, and size. There are small variances regarding the rose, as well. There is one for everyone. They are the 'Must Have' for any serious gardener.

How to Select an Artificial Christmas Tree

Decision Time -Its an investment. Yardiac recognizes that buying a tree is not a typical purchase. It is something that will become part of your holiday traditions for many years to come. This is why we believe that we have found the perfect tree for you and your family; So much so we have put a 10 year warranty on the all of the Pre-Lit Trees we sell. This tree will represent Christmas for at least 15 years in your home, and maintain it's beauty for just as long.. We dare you to find a better tree. We can say in complete confidence that we sell the best artificial tree and, at the same time, you will not break the bank. The Christmas Tree Guide for Artificial Christmas Trees will help you understand the differences in Christmas trees. When purchasing Artificial Christmas Trees, keep in mind that most Christmas Trees will last around 15 years so choose wisely. Things you should know before you buy! Molds and Needles Our trees are molded from actual live trees. Yardiac makes shopping easier because we have an easy 'Shop by Style' (Pine, Spruce, and Frazier Fir). These trees were hand-picked by our lead designer who has been working with artificial trees for over 10 years. The material of our needles is Poly Ethylene which is used in an injected molding system to form a group of tree- like branches and needles. These branch molds use real tree branches as forms thus the needles are molded into the correct shape. A wonderful time saving advantage is that they requires little or no shaping. There are countless colors and textures available to choose from with Poly Ethylene (PE). Our tree Expert has studied every tree on the market. This research has provided valuable information resulting in the highest quality synthetic trees sold any where. We dare to compare our quality, as you will find we sell the best artificial trees. All Yardiac trees are a mixture of PE & PVC. Studies show that this preserves the realism of the trees. Fully PE, or molded, trees tend to shine, when lit. It gives a very plastic look. For the discriminating tree seeker, PE/PVC mix is the best choice. Construction Generally there are two major ways manufacturers attach the branches of artificial Christmas trees. They will either be attached to the pole or the trunk. Pole mounted trees are very hard to set up, year after year, and will never have lights.The second method is trunk mounted which is the way all of our trees are constructed. The hinged branch process on artificial Christmas trees is the quickest and easiest to assemble. All the branches are permanently attached and pre-lit. Simply fold down in correct position. Is the Stand Important? In a word, YES!! Make sure that you know what the artificial Christmas trees stand is made of. Common materials are plastic, metal, or wood. Our pre-lit trees include a metal stand. If there will be children or pets around the tree you need to do a tip-over test to see if the tree stand will hold a fully lit and decorated tree upright in case of an accident. Remember that a fully lit and decorated tree will be about twice as heavy. Plastic tree stands are cheaper and have a tendency to bend or break, under stress. Metal tree stands are stronger and, by far, the best. What is the Right Size Tree? A common mistake is to go out with the intention of buying the tallest, widest artificial Christmas tree you can find, only to get home and find that it doesn't fit through the door. The most important thing to consider is where are you going to display your tree. Most home ceilings are 8 feet tall. A 7.5 foot Artificial Christmas Tree will allow you to use a tree topper. If you have vaulted or custom ceilings, you may want to consider a taller tree. Our taller trees can be as tall as 12 feet which can really fill a vaulted room spectacularly. You also need to consider the amount of floor space available in the spot where you want the tree to sit. Measure between the pieces of furniture and from the wall out into the room to determine how wide a tree you can purchase. Each tree will show a diameter chart. Use it to help you determine which tree will best fit in the room of your choice. Yardiac Christmas trees come in regular or slim widths. Full diameter (Regular) are more traditional, but if you are working with a confined area, slim trees are perfect. A tip to save money: You can use a strong wooden box under your artificial Christmas tree and it will increase the height of your tree. You will be able to disguise the booster, once you drape your tree skirt, and place your gifts. This is also helpful, because there is more room for gift boxes, and decorations, under the tree. Once you have picked out your tree, don't forget about garland, wreathes, plaques, and other fun holiday decorations. One thing to make life a lot easier is a light timer. You can get one for outdoor, or indoor lights. You can set it, so that your lights will come on, and go off, at a certain time. It is the best gadget you can find, for holiday coordination. If you are looking for a commercial, or an outdoor tree, Yardiac is fully stocked. Most artificial trees cannot be used outdoors. If you are looking to 'spruce' up your courtyard, look no further. You will want a commercial tree. Don't forget about your entryway. Nothing welcomes the Holiday season, like a Christmas Urn. We would love to hear about YOUR Holiday traditions, and decorating tips. Don't be shy! Share them with everyone.

Drying Herbs

Gathering herbs for drying is one of midsummer’s most pleasant tasks. Using the heat of the season to preserve some of this bounty always makes me feel in tune with my garden. When sheared in midsummer, moist herb plants respond by growing bushier and more attractive; plants from which you take cuttings now will produce another harvest before frost. Drying herbs is not hard work, and you don’t need special equipment. A pinch of dried herbs can make a significant difference in stews, sauces, salads, and soups. You might also want to dry some mint or lemon verbena for teas, or prepare jars of dried herbs for thoughtful, personalized gifts.

1. CUT THE STALKS For best flavor, pick herbs when blossoms first begin to form, but before they open—this is when their volatile-oil content is highest. Wait until late morning on a sunny day, after the dew has dried. The leaves should be dry when you gather cuttings. Use scissors or pruning shears to clip off the herb stalks. It’s better to cut than to break the stems, because breaking them leaves a harder-to-heal ragged edge on the remaining stem, and tugging on the plant may disturb its roots. In most cases it’s best to remove up to two-thirds of an herb plant’s top growth. (In the fall, as frost approaches, perennial herbs such as sage should be trimmed more conservatively—perhaps by one-third to one-half—because they may not survive winter if pruned too severely late in the season.)
2. RINSE THE HERBS Now’s the time to remove any grit, dust, or other residues; you won’t want to wash the herbs after they’ve dried. Long-stemmed herbs are usually fairly clean, but creeping plants like thyme may have sand or mud clinging to their leaves. Hold muddy leaves under running water for a minute or two. If they’re just dusty, you can plunge them briefly into a bucket of clean water. Then shake off the excess water thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels, or whirl the cuttings in a mesh basket to spin off the water.

3. DRY THE CUTTINGS The best drying spot is a hot, dark space with good air circulation. Herbs will dry more quickly at temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Likely places include a garage or a shady porch. Even a hot attic, where daytime temperatures might soar into the 90s or 100s, is not too hot. The heat dehydrates the leaves before they rot, darkness ensures good color retention, and moving air carries moisture away while discouraging mold formation. Twiggy or stalky herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and dill) with small leaves that stay separate even when the stalks are bundled together may be hung in bunches from nails or wire. Working with one or two dozen stalks at a time, tie the stems tightly together with string or fasten them together with rubber bands. String may need to be tightened periodically as the stems shrink in drying, while rubber bands will continue to hold as the bundles lose bulk. If possible, hang the bunches of herbs where air reaches them from all sides—from a rafter or ceiling hook, for example, rather than on a wall.

If you don’t have a shaded place in which to hang your herbs, pop a brown paper bag over them. Cut small slits in the bag to admit air. Large-leafed herbs (such as basil or mint) may rot before they dry if they are bundled tightly together. Such herbs will dry more quickly and retain color better if their stems are grouped in small bunches or spread in a single layer on racks or screens, propped so that air can circulate under them. (Avoid using galvanized-metal screens; plant acids may react with the metal to form toxic compounds.)

The New Season

The New Season—it’s spread out in front of us like a clean slate. On January 1, we are given the opportunity to start a fresh new year. That’s where New Year’s Resolutions come in. Often, the very phrase "resolutions" strikes fear in our hearts—like it’s time to march out our shortcomings and make a list of amends for them. But, resolutions shouldn’t be about guilt and denial. They should be fun, uplifting, and invigorating, and now is the time to prepare, for the new growing season! This year, give yourself a break! Make resolutions that are fun to keep and that will benefit you as a gardener! Get a jump on the gardening season. This year, start seeds early and raise your own seedlings (as well as raising your expectations of your garden!) With a few simple supplies (germinating mix, flats, seeds, and a few other seed starting accessories), you can raise a whole garden. Watching those seedlings emerge through the soil is an uplifting way to spend a cloudy February afternoon. To learn more about this easy way to grow plants for your garden, read our feature Sow, sow, sow your seeds. Try something new. Plant a new variety or species in your garden, expand your garden area, add window boxes to your house or containers to your patio, raise herbs with your perennials, or get your feet wet with a water garden. Expand your gardening horizons and you’ll learn a lot more about different types of gardening. Share your harvest. Gardening is about bounty, and bounty is about sharing. That’s why the Garden Writers Association of America (GWAA) started "Plant a Row for the Hungry" in 1995. This program encourages gardeners to plant extra space in their gardens to raise extra fruits and vegetables for donation to local shelters or food banks. To learn how to participate in this program, read our update page on the Plant a Row for the Hungry program. Eat more vegetables! It’s a great way to stay healthy! The USDA recommends you eat 3 to 5 servings a day. So plant a lot of what makes our bodies work best: broccoli (high in calcium), spinach (high in folic acid and iron—Popeye was right!), and squash (high in vitamin A). To see a list of what vegetables are best for your body, review our Great Health List. Besides being good for you, fresh vegetables taste so much better out of the garden! Simplify, simplify. Henry David Thoreau’s call to action is something we should all heed. Make your life more simple, and that includes gardening. Weed less by mulching more, plant drought tolerant varieties that will flourish in your environment, or delegate areas of your garden to perennials, those reliable return visitors. Automate. Cut down on water chores in your garden by installing a drip irrigation system. Not only are drip systems the best way to water your garden, they are also the most economical because less moisture is lost to evaporation. There are drip systems for large and small gardens, as well as for containers. To read more about drip irrigation, read our feature Drip irrigation. Plant more flowers. Can you ever have enough? They brighten your yard and lift up your spirits. Plant an extra bed just for cutting so you can enjoy fresh flowers indoors all summer. Bouquets make wonderful visiting gifts, too. And, for color you can enjoy all year, sow some everlastings, such as globe amaranth, baby’s breath and yarrow. Start composting. Composting is a fully satisfying activity. You recycle kitchen scraps, garden debris, and grass clippings, and in several months, your composter has created a rich, nutrient-filled amendment for your garden. Gardeners call it "black gold." Composting is easy. To review the wide range of products to get you started, check out the supplies in the Composting Department. Pass along your gardening knowledge. Share your love of gardening with a friend or child. Take the mystery out of growing gorgerous flowers or fresh vegetables by helping someone you know get started in gardening. Enjoy your garden! If you make only ONE gardening resolution for the New Year, make it this one. Pick more flowers, cook from the garden, have a garden party, invite friends over for dinner alfresco. Use your garden as the outdoor room that it is, and make sure to sit back and smell the roses. Gardening is a hobby that nourishes your body and comforts your soul. Take time to benefit from all your garden has to offer.

Weather Stations

Weather is such an integral and important part of everyone’s everyday lives. Over the last few years with increasing occurrence of severe weather situations, people have become more and more interested in knowing their immediate weather forecast. La Crosse Technology introduced radio-controlled clocks to the US market in 1991 and continues to be on the cutting edge of this technology in America. The WS-9611U Wireless forecast station with Oscar outlook, this small weather station features a wealth of information at once. This weather station monitors inside and outside temperature, inside humidity and has an atomic clock that automatically updates for daylight savings time. In addition, this weather forecaster has 15 forecast icons based on temperature and air readings, suggesting what kind of weather to expect and what to wear. (So even young children can quickly tell the forecast.) In the form of various icons, the weather boy holding an umbrella for rain, or all bundled up for the cold, or in swimsuit with the sun shining and many more. Want to plan a walk in the moonlight? This weather forecaster also monitors moon phase, calculates sunrise and sunset based on selected city name. This forecaster, and many others, is available at Yardiac.com.

Do Sundials Actually Work?

The poor reputation of sundials is ill-deserved, and has arisen mostly because we have all accepted "watch time" as an absolute standard, without devoting any thought to the nature of the time it is measuring. They're also a perfect gift! Sundials measure time as it is. Noon is when the when the sun is highest in the sky (when it crosses the meridian). Watches measure time as we would like it to be, with noon tomorrow exactly 24 hours, 0 minutes and 0 seconds away from noon today. But noon on 26 December is actually 24 hours, 0 minutes and 29 seconds away from noon on Christmas Day. And noon on 15th September is only 23 hours, 59 minutes and 39 seconds away from noon on the following day. Mechanical watches obviously cannot be made to run in this way. (Electronic watches could be made to do so, though the manufacturers would probably not find a very large market for them). So Mean Time was invented, an artificial construct in which all days are assumed to be exactly 24 hours long. The sundials seen above church doors are a reminder of a time when sundials were the standard. Until about 200 years ago, public clocks could not be made sufficiently accurate to run for more than a few days without being reset, and the only way of resetting them was from a sundial. Until the railways came, there was no particular reason why people in, say, Bristol should keep the same time as people in London. And, of course, at that time there was no practical way of communicating information about time over a distance. When the telegraph made such communication possible, it became necessary for people living in one area to agree that they would not keep their own local time, but would all keep a time based on the local standard meridian. Bristol is at 2º 35'W of Greenwich, so noon there is just over 10 minutes later than in London. There is still a relic of this change - the clock over the old Corn Exchange in Bristol has two minute hands. One shows Greenwich Mean Time like all the other clocks in England, and the other, 10 minutes behind it, shows Bristol time! Later on, another artificial change was made with Summer Time, which arbitrarily adds one hour to all clock times during the summer. So, in the summer, there are 3 good reasons why your watch will be telling a different time from the sundial. They may be up to 15 minutes different because your watch is assuming that all days are equal in length. Then it will be 4 minutes different for every 1degree you are east or west of your standard meridian. (This can be quite substantial; Vigo in Spain, for example is 8º44'W of Greenwich, but is on Central European Time, for which the standard meridian is 15ºE of Greenwich, so the correction for longitude in Vigo will be 1 hour 34 minutes and 56 seconds). Lastly, it will be exactly 60 minutes different because your watch, if you live in England, has been arbitrarily altered to tell the time in Prague for the duration of the summer! Our sundials are a classic addition to any yard, and make great gifts! Not only do we have a generous selection of sundials, but also a great choice of bases. Be sure to take a look!

Make a Stunning Ivy Topiary

Making a topiary is a simple and rewarding project that even someone with the brownest thumb can do. The most difficult part is planning where to display the finished topiary. Having the display location predetermined will help you select the proper shape and style of your topiary form. Upon completing your selection:

1. Place the form that you will be using in your pot. An eight to ten inch pot should be sufficient, but it all depends on the size of the form and the size of the plant that you will be using.
2. Fill the pot with soil to about an inch from the rim.
3. Plant the first of the ivy plugs. You will want to use three to four plugs, depending on their size.
4. Weave the ivy around the base of the form, and continue winding up the vines. Keep adding plugs and weaving them around the form until the pot is full.
5. Once you have planted and woven all of the plugs, sprinkle a little time release fertilizer on the surface of the soil.

In a few weeks, your topiary should be filled out and looking great.