| Hellebores and Primroses and Violas, Oh My!
ROCKPORT (April 20): Seasons Downeast Designs is in bloom! The rain has finally stopped, the wind has died down, the sun is out and we are ready for Spring!We have new perennials and shrubs in stock for the beginning of the growing season. The early spring flowering plants - Forget-Me-Nots, Pincushion Flowers, English Daisies, Hellebores, Violas and Primroses are already brightening the walkway of the Garden Cottage while other perennials are budding nicely - and we're happy to announce that the hydrangeas, azaleas, honeysuckle and other shrubs are adding new leaves daily. We have ornamental trees and a full selection of evergreens ready for planting.Your garden may still be looking winter-worn, but a few more days of sunshine and the green will be on the grow! It's never too early for spring dreaming, so stop by and see what's new, make some plans to plant and while you're visiting, don't forget to order your compost! Our new spring hours are Monday through Saturday 9-5.
Students Harness Solar Power in House
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On a muddy lot at the bottom of a hill near the Architecture Building here, some environmentally-conscious students are creating what they hope will be the house of the future -- complete with walls made of plants and an indoor waterfall that sucks the moisture out of the air. The project, called Leading Everyone to an Abundant Future House or "LEAF House," boasts of solar panels powering 52 batteries and floors heated by rain water. It is the brainchild of architecture, engineering and even some communication students at the University of Maryland. "I love studying this. I consider myself an environmentalist," said senior mechanical engineering major Matt Caplins at one of the group's weekly evening meetings. "It is complex. You have to understand how much energy a structure uses over its entire lifetime, including how much energy you use to make it." The house will compete in the Solar Decathlon - a competition sponsored by the U.S.
SANTA ROSA: FORUM DISCUSSES, DRUGS, CHEMICALS IN RECYCLED WATER
There are trace elements of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and other unregulated chemicals in recycled water but they are not likely to pose a risk to human health. That was the consensus of a panel of experts who addressed the Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities on Thursday during a workshop session on the presence of the contaminants in recycled water. The concern nationwide is that the presence of the PPCPs, pharmaceutical and personal care products, in wastewater causes endocrine disruptions in humans such as low sperm counts, premature puberty in girls, testicular cancer in young men and breast cancer in some women. But a 2005 study concluded that no studies to date have indicated that association according to Dr. Shane Snyder, a research and development project manager with the Southern Nevada Water Authority who has helped conduct five national studies.
Farming Goods and Gardening Market Fair in Marsciano
Marsciano (Pg). A market fair featuring farming produce, plants and gardening tools has been scheduled to run in the old town centre on April 14th and 15th. Info: 075 8943395 - 075 8945416, fax 075 8942406, e-mail info@iat.todi.pg.it.
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What to look for when shopping for landscape plants
Are you ready to shop for your landscape plants? Do you need a shade tree, a flowering patio tree or to replace the foundation planting? Shopping for plants can be fun or confusing when all plants look alike. How do you decide what to purchase and insure you will get full value for your dollar? Here's a few suggestions: Get better acquainted with the local retail garden center or garden department. Ask other gardeners about a store's reputation, the overall plant selection and quality, employee helpfulness and knowledge. Visit the garden center and look over the plants to decide if they meet your needs. Garden centers and garden departments can provide top quality trees and shrubs. However, it takes a knowledgeable staff to maintain quality until you are ready to buy.
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