http://freshare.net/article/ en admin@panoramamart.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-30T02:30:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/take_a_close_look_at_lawn_irrigation_needs/ http://freshare.net/article/take_a_close_look_at_lawn_irrigation_needs/#When:14:49:00Z Homeowners should take a close look at just how much irrigation their lawns actually need, said a University of Missouri Extension turf scientist. “Some studies show that the average homeowner applies 2.5 times the amount of water that is required for turf growth when using a hose-end sprinkler,” said Brad Fresenburg. Learn how to read your… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-07-27T14:49:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/throwing_some_light_on_twilight_gardening/ http://freshare.net/article/throwing_some_light_on_twilight_gardening/#When:11:50:00Z Twilight gardening is a way to extend enjoyment of outdoor plants past normal hours, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Twilight gardens are designed to be at their best at dusk, when natural light is fading,” said David Trinklein. Appropriate plants for twilight gardens include those with light-colored silver and grey leaves. White flowers also… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-07-22T11:50:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/how_to_plant_a_fragrance_garden/ http://freshare.net/article/how_to_plant_a_fragrance_garden/#When:20:39:00Z The fragrance of a flower or plant is an integral part of its appeal. Adding fragrance to a garden requires modest effort and is well worth it, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Careful selection of plants with fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage can heighten our enjoyment of a garden while serving as a method of biological… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-07-15T20:39:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/waterlogged_soils_causing_problems_for_oklahoma_gardeners/ http://freshare.net/article/waterlogged_soils_causing_problems_for_oklahoma_gardeners/#When:16:32:00Z It is no secret that Oklahoma has had its fair share of turbulent weather over the past few weeks. Record rainfalls have left many Oklahoma communities with more than enough water. Generally it seems Oklahoma experiences more dry weather than wet, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension consumer horticulture specialist. “During some growing seasons,… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-07-13T16:32:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/the_july_night_sky/ http://freshare.net/article/the_july_night_sky/#When:14:15:01Z Searching for what might be happening in the July night sky? Here are a few planet and moon viewing opportunities you may want to observe this month: The evening planets are Mercury (beginning tomorrow, the 10th, and observable through the end of the month), Venus, Mars and Saturn. The morning star is actually Jupiter, making its… Backyard, Night Sky 2010-07-09T14:15:01-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/hostas_are_emperors_of_the_shade/ http://freshare.net/article/hostas_are_emperors_of_the_shade/#When:13:35:01Z Hostas may be just the ticket for gardeners who want to plant something in a shady spot. “These plants are hardy, low-maintenance perennials that are easy to grow,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Their impressive colors and leaves give hostas the label among gardeners as ‘emperors of the shade.’” There are an estimated… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-07-09T13:35:01-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/marigolds_durable_versatile_colorful/ http://freshare.net/article/marigolds_durable_versatile_colorful/#When:13:51:00Z Marigolds are popular, easy-to-grow flowers that also can help fend off pests from your garden. “This colorful and durable flowering annual asks very little of us as gardeners,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. The National Garden Bureau (http://www.ngb.org) has chosen the marigold as its 2010 Flower of the Year. Marigolds are native… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-06-24T13:51:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/change_the_landscape_reduce_water_use/ http://freshare.net/article/change_the_landscape_reduce_water_use/#When:13:42:00Z Sometimes the best way to reduce sprinkler use is to change the landscape to include fewer water-hogging plants, said Mark Brown, Pulaski County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. The traditional landscape, characterized by large areas of turf with trees and shrubs, is often costly to maintain - especially in the summer. By depending… Backyard, Outdoor Projects 2010-06-22T13:42:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/the_role_of_nutrients_in_plant_growth/ http://freshare.net/article/the_role_of_nutrients_in_plant_growth/#When:22:12:00Z Everyone knows they need to apply fertilizer for optimal growth of fescue and other plants. But what exactly do those nutrients do for the plant? University of Missouri Extension agronomist Travis Harper explains. Nitrogen “The primary use of nitrogen in plants is for the formation of proteins,” Harper said. “Nitrogen is also an integral part of… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-06-17T22:12:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/add_flavor_to_cooking_by_growing_herbs/ http://freshare.net/article/add_flavor_to_cooking_by_growing_herbs/#When:22:07:00Z Growing herbs in pots or plant beds is a great way to liven up your meals, said a University of Missouri Extension agronomist. Whether growing herbs inside or outside, place them where they can receive six to eight hours of sunlight a day, said Pat Miller. “Inside, a south or west window would be best. Select a good… Backyard, Cooking and Grilling 2010-06-17T22:07:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/save_water_while_keeping_lawn_alive_during_the_summer/ http://freshare.net/article/save_water_while_keeping_lawn_alive_during_the_summer/#When:14:31:00Z As summer temperatures rise, and as lawn grass begins to wilt, homeowners can save on water costs and ensure a healthy yard by keeping some helpful watering practices in mind, said Mark Brown, Pulaski County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. It’s no secret that homeowner water use rises in late spring and early… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-06-15T14:31:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/barbecue_safety_tips_ensure_a_grilling_good_time/ http://freshare.net/article/barbecue_safety_tips_ensure_a_grilling_good_time/#When:16:26:00Z With summer heat comes summer barbecue, and Arkansans should keep food safety tips in mind to ensure a grilling good time, said Dr. Denise Brochetti, assistant professor-nutrition with the U of A Division of Agriculture. Grilling safety begins at the store, she said. “When shopping, buy cold food like meat and poultry last, right before checkout,”… Backyard, Cooking and Grilling 2010-06-04T16:26:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/abrupt_weather_change_results_in_soggy_stress_syndrome/ http://freshare.net/article/abrupt_weather_change_results_in_soggy_stress_syndrome/#When:04:13:00Z For trees and shrubs, a sudden change from cool and rainy weather to hot and dry conditions is particularly stressful. After a rainy spring and return to normal temperatures, homeowners may see leaf scorch, dieback or leaf drop on their landscape plants. “When soil is saturated and air temperature is cool, plants develop an imbalance between… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-05-28T04:13:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/fire_up_the_grill_its_time_for_hamburgers/ http://freshare.net/article/fire_up_the_grill_its_time_for_hamburgers/#When:13:54:00Z May is National Hamburger Month and with Memorial Day just around the corner, this is a great time to kick off the summer with a nutritious hamburger. Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension food specialist, said one out of every five times Americans fire up the grill it is to cook a hamburger. To ensure a winning… Backyard, Cooking and Grilling 2010-05-25T13:54:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/why_plants_fail_to_flower/ http://freshare.net/article/why_plants_fail_to_flower/#When:14:56:00Z Plants that fail to bloom can be a big disappointment for gardeners. According to University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Jennifer Schutter, the problem is usually related to the age of the plant, temperature, light, nutrition or pruning practices. “Many plants must reach a certain age before they are mature enough to produce flowers. Fruit trees, such as apples… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-05-13T14:56:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/seven_factors_help_reduce_diseases_that_plague_tomatoes/ http://freshare.net/article/seven_factors_help_reduce_diseases_that_plague_tomatoes/#When:14:15:00Z While tomatoes are popular and easy to grow, both the home gardener and commercial grower find it challenging to maintain productivity throughout the growing season. Diseases such as Septoria leaf spot and early blight affect the lower portion of the tomato plant and shorten productivity. Environmental conditions play a role in presence and severity of certain… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-05-11T14:15:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/raised_bed_vegetable_gardening/ http://freshare.net/article/raised_bed_vegetable_gardening/#When:13:59:01Z Raised beds for vegetable gardening are growing in popularity. “Many gardeners are realizing the benefits of this low-cost approach to gardening,” said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “There are many reasons to consider building a raised bed, including higher yields, easier maintenance and longer growing seasons,” said Marlin Bates. Because the soil within a raised… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-05-04T13:59:01-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/avoid_sneezes_sniffles_while_spring_gardening/ http://freshare.net/article/avoid_sneezes_sniffles_while_spring_gardening/#When:11:13:01Z Spring gardening can bring on a bad case of sniffles and sneezes. With record-breaking levels of pollen in some areas, allergy-prone gardeners may be especially hard-hit this year. “Choose low-allergen-producing plants when establishing a new garden or to replace offensive plants in your landscape,” suggests David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. The biggest plant troublemakers… Backyard, Outdoor Projects 2010-04-30T11:13:01-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/shade_trees_provide_homeowners_with_sweet_relief/ http://freshare.net/article/shade_trees_provide_homeowners_with_sweet_relief/#When:10:58:00Z Shade trees foster cooler temperatures underneath their leafy boughs, and that can translate to lower utility bills for homeowners, said Jim Robbins, extension horticulture specialist-ornamentals with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Shade trees that are properly located on your property can cut summer utility bills by 20 percent or more,” he said. In other… Backyard, Outdoor Projects 2010-04-30T10:58:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/plant_a_tree_to_last_a_lifetime/ http://freshare.net/article/plant_a_tree_to_last_a_lifetime/#When:14:05:00Z With proper planting, a tree will establish quickly and begin a long and prosperous life, said Jim Robbins, extension horticulture specialist-ornamentals with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. An oft-heard proverb is that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is today. In Arkansas, however, the optimal time to… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-04-27T14:05:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/more_morels_than_you_can_eat_freeze_the_extras/ http://freshare.net/article/more_morels_than_you_can_eat_freeze_the_extras/#When:12:58:00Z Lucky mushroom hunters who have bagged more fungi than they can eat can freeze some for later, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. “It’s best to freeze the extras the same day you picked them, not several days later when you haven’t had time to use them,” said Janet Hackert. First, you need to… Backyard, Cooking and Grilling 2010-04-23T12:58:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/edible_landscapes1/ http://freshare.net/article/edible_landscapes1/#When:11:02:00Z If you prefer landscaping to gardening but still would like to enjoy the benefits of homegrown produce, then edible landscaping might be for you. “Edible landscaping uses attractive plants that also just happen to produce food,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Edible plants in the landscape can include Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, peppers,… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-04-22T11:02:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/mulching_defends_trees_from_chemical_attack_by_turf_grasses/ http://freshare.net/article/mulching_defends_trees_from_chemical_attack_by_turf_grasses/#When:13:10:00Z The grass in your lawn might be stunting the growth of your trees, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Certain grass species, including tall fescue, give off chemicals that can inhibit tree growth, said Chris Starbuck. “The effects can be dramatic.” The chemical inhibition of one plant by another is called allelopathy. Creating… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-04-20T13:10:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/midwest_meteor_lights_up_the_night_sky/ http://freshare.net/article/midwest_meteor_lights_up_the_night_sky/#When:13:29:00Z This video is from an Iowa sheriff deputy’s “dash cam.” It picks up the action over eastern Iowa last night. According to Chicago station WGN-TV, “residents in Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, even Illinois reported seeing a meteor or a large fireball traverse the sky shortly after 10 p.m.” The video repeats once. The National Weather Service in Iowa issued… Backyard, Night Sky 2010-04-15T13:29:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/gardening_with_mulch/ http://freshare.net/article/gardening_with_mulch/#When:21:33:00Z Whether it is in the vegetable garden, the flower bed or tying plants together in the landscape, mulch provides a number of benefits for the soil, plants and humans, said Marlin Bates, a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. The benefits of mulch include erosion control, weed suppression, soil temperature regulation, improved soil structure and enhanced visual appeal.… Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2010-04-14T21:33:00-06:00