Celery and Your Health

Important health information from our friends at Burpee Home Gardens

Did you know - Celery contains luteolin, a nutrient with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent plaque buildup in the brain that can lead to Alzheimer's.

Read more about Celery

Gorgeous Drought-Resistant Plants with Vivid Color

From John Riha with House Logic

Great Info: Do you follow House Logic? You should!

Just when the growing season looks bleakest — think scorchers and mid-summer drought — Mom Nature brings out bursts of cheery color. These drought-resistant plants help conserve water and ensure your curb appeal won’t wilt in the heat. Native varieties are the most tolerant; check your state extension service. Meanwhile, check out our slideshow of colorful drought-resistant plants!

Read more: 

Four O'Clocks

John Riha

John Riha has written seven books on home improvement and hundreds of articles on home-related topics. He’s been a residential builder, the editorial director of the Black & Decker Home Improvement Library, and the executive editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. His 1972 suburban house has been an ongoing source of maintenance and renovation experience.

Home Country

 

In northern Australia a new generation help to heal their homelands.


You just have to read this, it's inspiring, a plan that is brilliant, in it's simplicity and common sense.


By Ron Geatz
Photographs by Ted Wood 
Standing atop the red cliffs
of Fish River Gorge in Australia’s Northern Territory, it’s difficult not to indulge in a fantasy of nature primordial. More than 100 feet below, fish are clearly visible in the crystalline water. Flocks of squawking white cockatoos soar through the riverine forest, and wallabies dart in and out of view. 

Beyond that: woodlands as far as the eye can see—and no sign of people. 

Happy Memorial Day

Please remember the veterans that have and do serve our country.

Landscape Vision offers them our thanks and prayers.

Create Some Buzz In Your Garden

Even if you think bird-watching is a little lame, there are upsides to having the winged creatures in your yard -- I can think of no better reason than the fact that they eat bugs. Although some birds can also be a nuisance since they can make a mess and they may even go after your veggies, hummingbirds are gorgeous, and just buzz around and provide a little outdoor entertainment. Adding a few of their favorite plants to your yard will ensure you have the little birds whizzing around all season.

Hummingbirds, like most birds, have little to no sense of smell. They rely purely on sight and instinct to find food. Brightly colored flowers are what catch their eye, which is why most hummingbird feeders are red. While homemade or store-bought food can provide a nice supplement, nectar from actual flowers is more nutritious. The good news is that once the hummingbirds find your yard and the sources of food, they will stick around.

Plants hummingbirds love

Bushes or trees

• Azalea
• Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
• Cape honeysuckle
• Flame acanthus
• Flowering quince
• Lantana
• Manzanita
• Mimosa

Vines

• Coral honeysuckle
• Cypress vine
• Morning glory
• Scarlet runner bean
• Trumpet creeper

Flowers

• Bee balm
• Columbine
• Coral bells
• Foxglove
• Hosta
• Hummingbird mint
• Yucca
• Impatiens
• Petunia
• Various salvia varieties

Hummingbird food recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 part white sugar
• 4 parts pure water

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil and add sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and remove from heat. Let cool completely before adding to a feeder.
2. Store leftover liquid in the refrigerator.

Hummingbird safety

First and foremost, avoid using pesticides, herbicides or any other chemicals on or near plants that hummingbirds feed on. Even small doses can be toxic to the tiny birds. When making your own food you should only use white sugar, and food should be changed every few days if it is exposed to hot sun (the food can ferment or thicken if left out too long). It’s best to add a small amount to your feeders and refill often.
Do not use food dye and avoid store-bought mixes that include additives or preservatives. The hummingbirds are attracted to the red or other bright colors on the feeders themselves -- no need to dye the liquid red. The dye provides no nutritional benefit and can cause health problems.
Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned frequently, as mold can develop rapidly. The best method is to soak them in a mixture ofhot water and vinegar. Avoid using soaps or strong cleaning chemicals, as residues can be fatal to the birds. Rinse feeders well after cleaning.

Apr 27, 2012 4:17 PM by Alicia French