Ontario Horticultural Association Convention 2012 Rose

District 9 of the Ontario Horticultural Association will be hosting the 106th Annual Convention in 2012 from August 17-19, 2012.  

The theme for the Convention is "Gardening Then & Now 1812-2012"  This coincide with the Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812.

The venue will be at the Niagara College, Niagara on the Lake campus

This hybridized, disease resistant red rose will be a fundraiser for the District 9 Societies at the Ontario Horticultural Association Convention.  Plantings at Niagara College are planned to showcase this yet unnamed rose.

City of Welland Rose

City of Welland Rose-Sale · Welland Horticultural Society

 The Welland Horticultural Society is again selling their City of Welland Rose. 

Orders will be taken at the Welland Market by their members for the next few Saturday mornings April 16, 23 & 30, 2011 between 9 am & 11 am. 

Cost:  $20 per rose

Pick up is on Saturday May 7 behind the Welland Civic Centre from 9 am to 12 noon.

Designer Potatoes

"Potatoes are cheap, right? Well, that may be so when selling tubers by the 10-pound bag but a marketing company in the U.S. is selling its potatoes for more than $1 a piece. What it is doing is wrapping the pre-washed potato in an attractive package and putting a label on the wrap listing cooking and microwave instructions. " (FruitandVeggie.com)

Who would buy potatoes at more than $1 a piece? I buy a 10-pound bag of potatoes approximately every 1.5 - 2 weeks. Yes, we go through a lot of potatoes. The girls love potatoes especially smashed taters--as they call them--they have the leftovers as fry-ups the next night. Yummy!! If I bought these designer potatoes, we would be broke.

Complete article at:
Designer potatoes an example of access to high-value markets

Who doesn't know how to cook potatoes?
--
Juleigh

Fiskars Momentum™ Reel Mower -- Product Review

Fiskars Momentum Reel Mower

DD1 is itching to get her hands on this mower to try it out. It is far too wet at the moment but if it was dry she would have this out of the box!

I think it is because it is a cool looking mower.

Review to follow!

Fiskars SmartPower™ Propane 4-cycle Trimmer -- Product Review

Update: July 29, 2011
There is a recall on the Fiskars SmartPower Propane 4-cycle Trimmer.  

Fiskars Canada, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls SmartPower Propane Trimmers

Fiskars SmartPower Propane 4-cycle Trimmer
Bruce has the Fiskars SmartPower Propane 4-cycle Trimmer still in the box in the garage. He is NOT opening it yet as he will be wanting to use it. He is getting itchy fingers but it is definitely TOO early to start trimming anything!
Review to follow when the weather is better!

Update:  April 11, 2011

The Fiskars smart power line trimmer has a 25cc 4 cycle can deliver 40% more power than an electric trimmer and 6 times more power than battery trimmers.
On one of the short stubby propane tanks will last 85 % on one tank of gasoline engine models and two times longer than battery trimmers. There is no priming, no chocking, and no flooding.  The Fiskars Smart Power trimmer has a sealed fuel systems so there is no evaporative emissions of hydrocarbon pollutants.
The Fiskars Smart Power Line trimmer has a trim line that is twisted for added strength, durability and a quieter cut. Its cut width is 17 inches wide. The head can be turned to trim a vertical edge.  The trimmer head also has bump and go technology to feed the line.

The trimmer must be stored in the horizontal position once the SAE 10W30 oil is added to the engine. You need to read the manual.
I have just assembled the Fiskars Smart Power Weed Trimmer / Line Trimmer you should follow the instructions even though you will only need a Philips screwdriver for the five bolts, two nuts and two screws. The hardest part I found was the two screws to secure the handle. This was only because a second person holding it would be helpful. I can hardly wait to pull that cord. Buurrrrrrrrrrrrrrroom!

Cavendish Plant Guides Perennials

A Must for our Library.

Cavendish Plant Guides Perennials
ISBN: 0-929050-47-9
Dorling Kindersley Ltd., London, UK
Published in Canada by Cavendish Books Inc, Vancouver, B.C

Excellent Perennial book.
Bruce gives this book a 5 Star rating!

A photographic guide to more than 1, 000 plants by type, size, season of interest and colour.

Update: February 10, 2011
I am extremely satisfied with this book. It cost me $ 33.94 US dollars with free shipping to an American address, or in our case to our US post office box. They charge an extra $ 3.00 for shipment to Canada. Web address is www.thriftbooks.com. This organization claims to have the largest used book inventory in the world!! . Thanks again. MR.
--
Juleigh
ust Adition to our Library

Happy New Year!

Have a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous 2011!