Happy Fourth

 

Because most folks are already in fireworks mode and jet setting off for their Independence Day, it’s just a simple quote with two garden images for this wordless Wednesday. I spotted the quote yesterday hanging in the rafters at an eatery. It was one of those painted wooden signs you buy at a quaint country store or a Christmas Tree Shop. But the words stuck with me so it’s what I’m using for the quote of the day. I believe John Cassis deserves the credit for these words. 

“It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.” 

A good reminder as we go off to celebrate Independence Day. Have a safe and happy 4th of July.   

Images by Ann Bilowz ©  

If you like this blog, hope you check in daily. Like our fan page https://www.facebook.com/abilowz  follow on twitter https://twitter.com/annbilowz  or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at annbilowz@gmail.com You can follow with visuals on Pinterest, too! http://pinterest.com/bilowzassoc/ and you can also find us on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/bilowz/bilowz-associates-inc

A Gadget for the Serious Gardener

 

Robert A. Heinlein once stated that “Progress isn’t made by early risers. It’s made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.” So goes the world of gadgets and trinkets and all the stuff we fill our lives with. And although I don’t promote too many gadgets, here’s one for the serious gardener or lazy homeowner who absolutely hates weeds. This hand-held ultra-low volume herbicide applicator is made to handle weeds that can overtake a vegetable garden or clog up the fine crevices in your terrace. Warning – this is not for everyone, especially lazy folks without a brain as you would typically use this handy dandy gadget to apply RoundUp® selectively and sometimes laziness may overcome common sense. You might just end up killing what is meant to grow. The beauty of this sprayer is how you can selectively choose spot areas but the biggest benefit is how little chemical you actually use. So here is the skinny on the homeowner’s gadget as you don’t want to confuse it with the fancier one hiking upwards to $900.00. This applicator is the best bet for the serious gardener from our friends at Oesco Inc. located in the western part of Massachusetts. 

http://www.oescoinc.com/pulmipur-hand-held-controlled-droplet-applicator-ultra-low-volume-herbicide-sprayer.html

So if you’re not online yet buying your gadget, when applying any chemicals best to consider Eleanor Everet’s words. “For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.” Sometimes for the average homeowner, safety and gadgets don’t go together too well.

Daylily Image by Ann Bilowz © 

If you like this blog, hope you check in daily. Like our fan page https://www.facebook.com/abilowz follow on twitter https://twitter.com/annbilowz or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at annbilowz@gmail.com You can follow with visuals on Pinterest, too! http://pinterest.com/bilowzassoc/ and you can also find us on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/bilowz/bilowz-associates-inc

Tomato Groove

 

Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, “A consistent thinker is a thoughtless person, because he conforms to a pattern; he repeats phrases and thinks in a groove.” Call tomato lovers thoughtless, but when it comes to perfecting the tomatoes in the garden, conforming to a few good patterns may be all that you need to ensure sweetness and disease-free plants. And with this being the first of July, the treasured tomato plants are in the midst of a critical growing period. While the posts below may seem like beginner's tips, repeating phrases is always worth it, especially now when disease can run amuck. Plus, tending to the veggie garden can get lost in the summer fun shuffle and these simple steps can keep a consistent tomato groove.

http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2011/06/simple-steps-for-tomatoes.html
http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2010/06/tomato-tip-of-week.html

So before I shove off, apologies abound for the short and sweet of things. But that’s the nature of the beast around this time of the year. Besides, I can’t tell what flavor people enjoy unless I hear from you. There’s a mixed audience that visits here, so sometimes it’s best just to serve up plain vanilla.

If you need a different flavor or twist, send your requests, comments or questions. Now off to celebrate – it’s the first day of July. You have to celebrate everything in life, even those small sparkles, otherwise, it all breezes right by you and you miss out on the grand finale. 

Image of tomatoes in the garden by Ann Bilowz ©

If you like this blog, hope you check in daily. Like our fan page https://www.facebook.com/abilowz follow on twitter https://twitter.com/annbilowz or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at annbilowz@gmail.com You can follow with visuals on Pinterest, too! http://pinterest.com/bilowzassoc/ and you can also find us on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/bilowz/bilowz-associates-inc