Belfast — On Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Rebecca Jacobs from the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will present a slide show and talk on Rain Gardens in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Fee Library.

This program is the last in the series of three evening presentations co-sponsored by the Belfast Garden Club and the Belfast Free Library on the topic Water in the Home Landscape for Beauty and Conservation.

Rain gardens are shallow gardens which contain flowering plants and grasses that can survive in soil soaked with water from rainstorms. They help reduce the rapid flow of storm water, and thus protect lakes and other bodies of water from pollutants washed from roofs and paved areas. They are not permanent ponds, but act as filters and temporary holding areas for the infiltration of storm water into the soil, while providing attractive landscaping and increased habitat for butterflies, birds and beneficial insects. Jacobs will discuss how to design, choose the best plants for and maintain a rain garden in one’s own landscape.

Jacobs comes to Knox-Lincoln SWCD with a wide range of experience in the field of conservation. Moving to Maine in 2006, Jacobs was able to share her love of horticulture and all things outdoors in her role as education coordinator for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Since that time she has moved on dividing her time professionally with her own business in landscape design and horticultural services, Gabriella’s Gardens, and as education/outreach coordinator for Knox-Lincoln SWCD.

Belfast Free Library is located at 106 High St., Belfast. The talk is free and the public is encouraged to attend, light refreshments will be served.

The Belfast Garden Club is committed to promoting both beauty and the conservation of natural resources in public spaces and home gardens. For more information contact Ann Mullen, 207-338-9125 or belfastgardenclub.org, or the Belfast Free Library at 338-3884 ext.10.

Americans have embraced recycling and are enthusiastic about cleaner energy sources. Yet when it comes to caring for their outdoor environment, many people still use less earth-friendly tools and techniques. So what’s standing in the way of Americans going green in their gardens and landscapes?

One answer may be the common misconception that eco-friendly products and practices don’t work as well as less environmentally conscious ones – such as chemicals that repel common garden pests, but can also cause groundwater contamination.

“Advances in environmentally responsible products have made it possible for homeowners to effectively care for their gardens and landscaping, while protecting the environment at the same time,” says Elizabeth Summa, president of Repellex, which makes eco-friendly lawn and garden products.

Some greener gardening tools are time-honored, like rotary lawn mowers. Others are leading-edge, such as pest-control products that are eco-friendly. Here are a handful of environmentally safe, effective ways to keep your landscape and garden green this spring and summer:

Responsible repellent – Deer, rabbits, squirrels and gophers – animals munch on landscaping and garden plants because they’re hungry and the vegetation tastes good to them. Eco-friendly repellents, like those made by Repellex, use taste aversion and natural ingredients like pepper, dried bloodmeal and egg to make non-edible plants less appealing to foragers. Repellex Systemic Tablets deliver a dose of pepper to the roots of plants – just place in soil, water and walk away. The flavor gets absorbed through the roots into non-edible plants, making them taste unappealing to garden pests. For edible plants, Repellex Fruit Vegetable uses a combination of putrescent eggs and plant extracts to keep animals and insects away from fruits and vegetables all season long. Log on to www.repellex.com to learn more.

Friendlier mowing – Long before combustion engines made it possible to mow your lawn quickly and easily, people relied on rotary mowers – also known as reel mowers. Environmentally responsible gardeners have rediscovered these people-powered mowing machines. Reel mowers have many positive attributes: they are pollution-free, quiet and very economical to operate. Modern reel mowers are lighter, smaller and with fewer working parts that require maintenance and repair. They’re also a great way to exercise; walking behind a rotary mower burns more calories than pushing a self-propelled mower.

Organic fertilizing – Chemical fertilizers are a well-known source of groundwater contamination, yet some form of additional nutrients is almost always necessary for successful gardens and lawns. The EPA says composting can eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and results in higher crop yields. You can compost food waste from your own kitchen, as well as grass clippings and other yard waste. Composting your own organic waste at home not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, it can provide you with an effective, eco-friendly and essentially free way to fertilize gardens and flower beds. For lawns, you can find a variety of organic fertilizers – based on natural ingredients rather than chemicals – at most hardware, big box stores and garden centers.

Kinder weed control – Weed killers are also well-known contaminants, and can be hazardous when used around small children or household pets. Before you bring out the spray bottle, consider weed-elimination alternatives that are kinder to the environment. Some very effective options include using a mixture of vinegar and water, boiling water and even pulling weeds by hand. Removing weeds by hand also adds a health benefit for you – you’ll burn more calories pulling weeds than simply spraying them.

Bug-free without bugging the environment – Chemical insecticides can be harsh on the environment – not to mention skin if you use a chemical repellent to ward off mosquitoes and other biting bugs. Instead of chemical insecticides, consider natural alternatives. Repellex’s Mosquito Tick product keeps mosquitoes, ticks and other insects off you by keeping them out of your lawn and garden. The all-natural repellent sprays on your lawn, garden, patio, deck and home exterior to ward off these disease-carrying insects.

Choosing to go green with your lawn and garden care doesn’t mean you have to give up effectiveness. With the right tools, it’s possible to accomplish your lawn and gardening goals while protecting the environment at the same time.

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One of the region’s most anticipated spring events will be here in no time: the 2013 Central Florida Home Garden Show, returning March 22-24 to the Orange County Convention Center in Hall South B in the Center’s South Concourse facing International Drive. The home improvement extravaganza is the premier place to find innovative products, new ideas, practical advice and great deals in remodeling, home improvement and gardening with hundreds of experts all under one roof. From windows and flooring to cabinets and landscaping, consumers can shop, compare and save on a wide variety of products and services to renew, refresh and restore their homes.

Show highlights include appearances by Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes; tips and advice from local and national home improvement experts appearing on the IKEA Home Stage throughout the weekend; demonstrations by some of the area’s favorite chefs on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage; Hero Day on Friday only, offering free admission to retired or current members of the military and first responders; designer rooms with instant ideas to refresh and restyle; and a “fun-raiser” for Children’s Home Society of Florida; and more than 250 DIY, landscaping and home improvement experts offering a range of new products and services, including more than 100 exhibitors new to the market or making their Central Florida Home Garden Show debut.

Marketplace Events, North America’s largest producer of home shows, including the Central Florida Home Garden Show and fall Orlando Home Show, announced earlier this year that attendance at the first four home shows in the company’s annual portfolio realized an average attendance increase of 17 percent over the prior year, and that exhibit space and online advance ticket sales were also trending upward. “Our results so far this year, coupled with low interest rates and improving home sales, lead us to believe that more and more people are taking on home improvement projects that they have previously postponed,” said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events. “Now more than ever, home shows are relevant to bring people with projects together with local businesses offering competitive pricing and promotions that even savvy shoppers might not find elsewhere.”

“Our shows offer something for everyone,” added Cristian Moore, show manager for Marketplace Events. “Whether they have a specific project in mind or simply want to enjoy a fun day out, local residents and visitors can refresh their space, reinvent their décor and restyle their lives at our show.”

Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes shares his passion for architecture and the wood shop, along with tips, advice and behind-the-scenes stories during his appearances on the IKEA Home Stage on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 12 noon and 5 p.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m. (subject to change without notice).

Guests can enjoy mouth-watering demonstrations and tasty samples prepared by some of the area’s favorite chefs and culinary pros on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage. Scheduled to demonstrate their signature recipes and dispense advice throughout the weekend are James and Julie Petrakis of the The Ravenous Pig; Kevin Spencer of Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops at Hilton Orlando; Greg Picard, executive chef for Orlando World Center Marriott; Dun Chau of Sushi House Orlando; Danny Otera of Teak Neighborhood Grill, and chefs and experts from Whole Foods Market, New York Dinger and World of Beer. Gloria B, the bi-lingual host of KQ103 FM’s afternoon drive show, spices up the stage on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Latino style!

Get answers to important DIY and home improvement, landscaping and home décor questions from more than 250 experts around the show floor and on the main stage throughout the weekend. Local favorites Harry P. Leu Gardens Director Robert Bowden and popular green thumb and Orlando Sentinel columnist Tom MacCubbin are among the presenters (visit www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com for a complete listing of presentations and times).

Other experts can help show-goers make their gardens a beautiful retreat. Belgard Hardscapes, Hoffner Landscape, Jan Clay Flowers, Lanai Hardscape Company, Pebble Junction, Pondtastic Water Gardens and Smithwell will be on site with ideas, tips and cash-and-carry items.

Speaking of items for cash-and-carry, guests can “raise the woof!” and show their furry housemates some love at the Pet Pavilion sponsored by Urban Pet Magazine and Stanley Steemer. Exhibitors range from emergency vet, boarding, training and pet rescue services to purveyors of fashion, treats and grooming for cats, dogs and other critters.

Other not-to-be-missed features and opportunities at the show include Hero Day on Friday only, offering free admission to retired or current members of the military and first responders with proper ID or in uniform; Friday Family Day, offering free admission to children ages 12 and under and family-fun activities on the show floor; Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Champions for Children™ Corner, where guests can spin the prize wheel, putt for prizes and bid on celebrity painted bird houses to support Florida’s most vulnerable kids; fantastic ice and fruit carving displays throughout the weekend by Laz of Wizard Connection; and designer rooms with instant ideas to refresh and restyle. Plus enter-to-win contests, prize drawings, and much more.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults 13+, $5 for seniors (60+, at the box office only), $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages five and under.

Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $3 discount off full-price $10 admission at , courtesy of TD Bank.

For more information, click this link, or call 877-871-SHOW (7469). Connect on Facebook, Twitter (@FloridaHomeShow), Pinterest (pinterest.com/homeshows/) for up-to-the-minute show details, discounts and fabulous home improvement tips. Visit the show’s blog here.

The Central Florida Home Garden Show and its fall sister show, the Orlando Home Show (October 4-6, 2013) are both produced by Marketplace Events.

You can feed your soul and your stomach at the same time with a landscape that combines beautiful flowers and nutritious foods.

How to do it is the focus of the March 30 “Edible Landscaping” workshop offered by the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy.

Master Gardener Sharon Johnson will share her expertise on integrating edible plants into the flower gardens and landscaping and how to plan for seasonal changes.

She will discuss how to use existing landscape “to fill your panty as well as your life with beauty and good nutrion.”

The workshop is for those 18 or older and registration is due in advance.

It takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on March 30 at the Guadalupe River Park Gardens Visitor Education Center, 438 Coleman Ave.

The fee is $15. For more information or to register, visit grpg.org or call 408.298.7657.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Central Kentucky Home, Garden Flower Show is the largest and longest-running show of its kind in Central Kentucky, introducing new ideas to homeowners since 1976 at Lexington Center’s Heritage Hall and Rupp Arena. Doug Hart, consulting show manager says, “The 2013 show is truly a streamlined experience where you, as our guest, can find everything for the home and garden at one time, in one place, all under one roof. Heritage Hall and Rupp Arena will be segmented into major categories, each of which could be a weekend show in itself.”

Here are a few examples:

• “The Remodeling Showcase”, powered by LGE/KU: Discover new ideas for painting a room or your entire house to installing a deck or skylight, and all kinds of remodeling projects in between. These vendors have the expertise to save you time and money in the Remodeling Showcase, a new feature this year.

• “Small Space Gardens,” presented by Meade Concrete Products: Here you’ll find landscaping advice, as well as products and design ideas to make the most of your outdoor space, no matter how big or small your project is!

• “Kitchen and Bath Showcase”: If you’re remodeling either or both of the most important rooms in your house, the exhibitors in the Kitchen and Bath Showcase have the latest trends in lighting, cabinetry and energy-saving appliances.

• The “Green Zone,” presented by GreenGuide Sustainable Living in the Bluegrass: It’s all about sustainable living in Kentucky for these exhibitors in the Elkhorn Room of Heritage Hall. Learn about green and environmentally friendly products and resources available to you in Central Kentucky.

• “Outdoor Living Market”: Local produce and products are good for you and good for the local economy. Local producers from the Lexington Farmer’s Market in Rupp Arena have a wide variety of locally grown and manufactured products for visitors to purchase while at the show. In addition, you’ll find gardening tools to purchase from Horizons Ltd., outdoor products from Reel Barrels which are crafted from Kentucky Bourbon Barrels and plants and landscape products from Springhouse Gardens.

• “What’s Up in Rupp,” presented by the Better Business Bureau: the BBB’s silent auction has hundreds of items worth tens of thousands of dollars donated by BBB accredited businesses. Nearby, stonemasons from the Dry Stone Conservancy will be building a dry-laid stone pillar throughout the show. Students and faculty from the University of Kentucky’s Department of Landscape Architecture will be exhibiting an urban environment landscape.

• “Outdoor Living Showcase”: Exhibiting in this showcase is a 2,400 square foot display of outdoor wonders from Nature’s Expressions. Whether you garden for pleasure, to put food on the table or both, the Outdoor Living Showcase exhibitors help you make the most of the great outdoors in your own home. Show Hours: Hours of the show are Thursday and Friday, April 4 5, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 6, 10a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, April 7 from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door, $2 ticket discounts are offered online at www.ckyhomeshow.com.

Garden show

Ideas and inspiration for gardens and outdoor living will be offered this weekend at the 11th annual Fraser Valley Yard, Garden Renovation Show at Chilliwack Heritage Park, located at 44140 Luckakuck Way in Chilliwack.
Organized by Gary Moran, owner of Chilliwack-based Fantasy Farms, the three-day show starts today and will feature 113 exhibitors, including 18 garden-related displays. There will also be a barbecue competition.
 “The show brings together the best in gardening, outdoor decor, lighting and furniture, landscaping, patio design, fencing and much more,” says Moran.
 Brian Minter, of Minter Country Gardens, will take part, offering advice about the best new edible plants and promoting many new flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals and ornamental grasses.
The Red Barn Burner barbecue competition on Sunday will involve 28 teams, including some from the U.S. The event is considered the first of its kind of the barbecue competition season.
Show times are as follows: today from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission includes access to the show and barbecue competition.
Admission is $7 for adults, $12 for a weekend pass; $2 for youth five to 18 years old and free for children four and under.
For more information visit outdoordecorshow.com or call 604 792-3407.

Americans have embraced recycling and are enthusiastic about cleaner energy sources. Yet when it comes to caring for their outdoor environment, many people still use less earth-friendly tools and techniques. So what’s standing in the way of Americans going green in their gardens and landscapes?

One answer may be the common misconception that eco-friendly products and practices don’t work as well as less environmentally conscious ones – such as chemicals that repel common garden pests, but can also cause groundwater contamination.

“Advances in environmentally responsible products have made it possible for homeowners to effectively care for their gardens and landscaping, while protecting the environment at the same time,” says Elizabeth Summa, president of Repellex, which makes eco-friendly lawn and garden products.

Some greener gardening tools are time-honored, like rotary lawn mowers. Others are leading-edge, such as pest-control products that are eco-friendly. Here are a handful of environmentally safe, effective ways to keep your landscape and garden green this spring and summer:

Responsible repellent – Deer, rabbits, squirrels and gophers – animals munch on landscaping and garden plants because they’re hungry and the vegetation tastes good to them. Eco-friendly repellents, like those made by Repellex, use taste aversion and natural ingredients like pepper, dried bloodmeal and egg to make non-edible plants less appealing to foragers. Repellex Systemic Tablets deliver a dose of pepper to the roots of plants – just place in soil, water and walk away. The flavor gets absorbed through the roots into non-edible plants, making them taste unappealing to garden pests. For edible plants, Repellex Fruit Vegetable uses a combination of putrescent eggs and plant extracts to keep animals and insects away from fruits and vegetables all season long. Log on to www.repellex.com to learn more.

Friendlier mowing – Long before combustion engines made it possible to mow your lawn quickly and easily, people relied on rotary mowers – also known as reel mowers. Environmentally responsible gardeners have rediscovered these people-powered mowing machines. Reel mowers have many positive attributes: they are pollution-free, quiet and very economical to operate. Modern reel mowers are lighter, smaller and with fewer working parts that require maintenance and repair. They’re also a great way to exercise; walking behind a rotary mower burns more calories than pushing a self-propelled mower.

Organic fertilizing – Chemical fertilizers are a well-known source of groundwater contamination, yet some form of additional nutrients is almost always necessary for successful gardens and lawns. The EPA says composting can eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and results in higher crop yields. You can compost food waste from your own kitchen, as well as grass clippings and other yard waste. Composting your own organic waste at home not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, it can provide you with an effective, eco-friendly and essentially free way to fertilize gardens and flower beds. For lawns, you can find a variety of organic fertilizers – based on natural ingredients rather than chemicals – at most hardware, big box stores and garden centers.

Kinder weed control – Weed killers are also well-known contaminants, and can be hazardous when used around small children or household pets. Before you bring out the spray bottle, consider weed-elimination alternatives that are kinder to the environment. Some very effective options include using a mixture of vinegar and water, boiling water and even pulling weeds by hand. Removing weeds by hand also adds a health benefit for you – you’ll burn more calories pulling weeds than simply spraying them.

Bug-free without bugging the environment – Chemical insecticides can be harsh on the environment – not to mention skin if you use a chemical repellent to ward off mosquitoes and other biting bugs. Instead of chemical insecticides, consider natural alternatives. Repellex’s Mosquito Tick product keeps mosquitoes, ticks and other insects off you by keeping them out of your lawn and garden. The all-natural repellent sprays on your lawn, garden, patio, deck and home exterior to ward off these disease-carrying insects.

Choosing to go green with your lawn and garden care doesn’t mean you have to give up effectiveness. With the right tools, it’s possible to accomplish your lawn and gardening goals while protecting the environment at the same time.

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Sharon Saye

Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 2:10 pm
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Updated: 2:12 pm, Wed Mar 20, 2013.

Library Lowdown: Books for garden inspiration

by Sharon Saye, Library Director

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Spring is finally here, and although it has not been a bad winter, it has just seemed endless. So with the daffodils starting to sprout and lawns turning a darker green, many people begin to plan for their gardens.

Inspiration is often the real first step and a brand new book may just provide that: “1001 Gardens You Must See before You Die.” Not exactly the niftiest title to remind one of one’s mortality, but the information in the book is certainly worth the look.

This volume is a stunning guide to the most outstanding gardens flourishing in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. These gardens are startling, unusual, interesting and beautiful. From famous gardens like Granada’s Alhambra to private, hidden gems, this magnificently illustrated guide is packed with vivid photographs and detailed descriptions.

For those looking for new ideas or those who just like to armchair travel, “1001 Gardens You Must See before You Die,” is a remarkable companion.

“Patio Stone: A Sunset Design Guide” provides the latest ideas on materials and plans to create perfect outdoor living spaces. It includes expert advice from landscaping professionals as well as real-world solutions to practical problems. It contains clear, concise charts to choose materials that meet your needs regarding appearance, durability, ease of installation and price. And if you are concerned with the environment, there is the latest information on green materials and landscaping techniques.

Another new book is definitely for the person who likes architecture and the unique. “1000 Details in Landscape Architecture” emphasizes forward design with real-life projects that demonstrate “the pinnacle of progressive design and eco-restraint from around the world.” With photographs, site plans, drawing and sketches, this is a book that looks at landscape architecture as a function of artistic design.

The library has shelves of books on gardening from the needs of everyday to the large, coffee table size book of the most beautiful flowers. So if you need to plant shrubs, grow herbs, plant tomatoes, there is a book for you on our shelves.

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013 2:10 pm.

Updated: 2:12 pm.