Butterfly weed is one of the flowering plants used for attracting those colorful, winged insects to the garden. The focus here is on host plants for monarch and tiger and black swallowtail caterpillars.

Butterfly weed is one of the flowering plants used for attracting those colorful, winged insects to the garden. The focus here is on host plants for monarch and tiger and black swallowtail caterpillars.

Organizing your laundry room not only keeps it looking clean, it is one quick and easy way to help keep you and your family safe. Use this checklist when you are organizing your laundry room, doing spring cleaning or just need a quick review of safety tips.

Allium schubertii is that ornamental onion that looks like fireworks exploding. I describe these bulb plants and tell you how to grow them in this introduction.

Allium schubertii is that ornamental onion that looks like fireworks exploding. I describe these bulb plants and tell you how to grow them in this introduction.

Allium schubertii is that ornamental onion that looks like fireworks exploding. I describe these bulb plants and tell you how to grow them in this introduction.

This ornamental onion is called Schubert’s Allium. My picture shows the plant in flower in spring, with its flower head looking like a burst of fireworks.

Ragged robin picture. This photo shows how ‘ragged robin’ came to be named.

Picture of lavender crocus flowers. Like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, snowdrops, scillas and other bulb plants, crocus flowers grace our yards with early spring color.

“Noxious” weeds are so called because they are harmful (from the Latin, nocere , to harm). But harmful

‘Sky Pencil’ holly presents an interesting option for small spaces. The narrow form of this columnar shrub lends itself to usage near house foundations, especially at the corners.

Products with “green” claims prove weak; Plus, tips on how to choose and the latest brands to be downsized.

Which trash bags hold up the best? Consumer Reports uses some “heavy” testing to find out.

Japanese maple trees are often understory trees in their native habitats. A hot summer can result in brown leaves on even established Japanese maple trees.

Blue morning glory picture.

Granite requires special care and attention because it’s a natural stone. Here are a few tips to help you protect your investment.

In many cases restoration can cost less than replacement.

Variegated leaves typically bear one color on the inside and a second around the edge of the foliage. View these pictures of bi-colored leaves for some examples.

Pictures of poison ivy, as well as of similar vines, offered for identification purposes. These pictures of poison ivy show the vines at different stages of development and in different habitats.

There are great hardscape ideas everywhere; just be observant while taking a walk around any city, or a drive around any neighborhood. In the meantime, use this resource for immediate inspiration.

Laverstoke Park Farm Organic Real Ale costs £2.50 available from supermarkets or online.

It’s also CAMRA real ale and Soil Association certified.

5% abv.

All information is © Life Goggles 2010

Real Ale Review – Laverstoke Park Organic Real Ale

Grass got thick, lush and dark green under where hubby dressed a deer? Chalk it up to deer blood, which is rich in nitrogen and iron — two key nutrients of grass.

George WeigelDifferences in nutrition (such as from deer blood) can affect the color and performance of grass.

   Q: My husband dressed a deer last fall from a pulley system in our yard. Since then, the grass in that area has remained emerald green all winter. Now that area is super lush. My question is, what made this happen? Was it the fat from the deer? The deer blood? We would like our whole yard to be as green and thick as this 2-foot circle!

   A: Chalk it up to the deer blood. That’s a very rich source of nitrogen and iron — two key ingredients for lush, green grass.

   You’d get a similar effect from using any fertilizer with high amounts of nitrogen and iron. In fact, blood meal is a common organic fertilizer that’s made by using dried blood, mostly from slaughterhouse cattle.

   It’d be easier to go that route if you want greener grass than to hang deer carcasses from pulleys every 2 feet.

This Organic German Lager is £1.99 and available from Vintage Roots.

5% abv.

A very fruity and refreshing Bavarian-style beer.

All information is © Life Goggles 2010

Organic German Lager Video Review

Should you grow flowering quince shrubs? These spring-blooming bushes have their good and bad points, which I relate while telling you how to grow them.

The running bond pattern is one of the simplest. My picture of a running bond pattern does throw a curve in though — literally!