Hort Shorts

National Garden Bureau, Inc. Plant of the Year
The National Garden Bureau has declared the year 2000 as the year of the sweet corn and zinnia. Factsheets on both are available from U of I Extension.

Making Bamboo Fences and Trellises
This four-page well-illustrated bulletin is available free by telephone request from the Gardener's Supply Company (800-955-3370). The bulletin shows how to construct two different styles of bamboo fencing and provides suggestions on wall and tripod trellising with bamboo supports.

All-America Rose Selections Sweepstakes
During the month of February, you can enter this sweepstakes by filling out a form at the AARS web site (www.rose.org) or by mailing a postcard with your name, address and daytime phone to All-America Rose Selections Sweepstakes, 221 N. LaSalle, Suite 3500, Chicago, IL 60601 (postmarked no later than February 29, 2000). The grand prize winner will receive 12 rose bushes in time for spring planting - four of each All-America Rose Selection winner for 2000 ('Crimson Bouquet,' 'Gemini,' and 'Kock Out'). The runner-up will receive six rose bushes - two of each AARS winner for 2000. Winners will be selected by a random drawing.

Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants
The Center, established in 1987, is sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, Inc.; it collects, preserves and distributes plants documented in American gardens prior to 1900. Twinleaf, published annually by the Center, includes a catalogue of historic seeds and plants available by mail. The current issue for 2000 (number 12) has articles on the flower diaries of Jefferson and some of his contemporaries and also on Jefferson's favorite vegetables. The price is $2 postpaid (make your check or money order payable to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation) from Twinleaf Catalogue, P. O. Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Trellises, Arbors and Plant Supports
Garden Trellises (Box 105, LaFayette, NY 13084, phone 800-498-0584) offers a free catalog of trellise and plant supports made from copper and galvanized steel.

The Hose Rose
This handy new device makes your garden hose act like a watering can providing a gentle spray that won't batter seedlings or compact potting soil. The rose is made of brass, just like those on fine English watering cans. A mail-order source is Charley's Greenhouse Supply, 17979 State Rte. 536, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273-3269, phone 800-322-4707, catalog free.

Seed Spoons(tm)
Brian Harron (209 Linda Loop, Kinburn, Ontario, Canada K0A 2H0, web site www.brianseye.com/spoons) is marketing these handy little plastic spoons that allow you to pick up and plant just one seed at a time (or, by selecting a different spoon end size, two or a few seeds at a time). The spoons are bright yellow for maximum visibility. No more wasting seeds and wasting time thinning out extra seedlings! Look for them at local garden centers (retailers: wholesale price lists are available from Brian); if you can't find them locally, call 613-839-3497 (evenings and weekends) or send an e-mail message to seedspoons@brianseye.com

Used Gardening Books for Sale
Natural history bookseller Raymond Sutton, Jr. (P. O. Box 330, Williamsburg, KY 40769, phone 606-549-3464, web site www.suttonbooks.com) recently published Bulletin No. 79, listing hundreds of used gardening books for sale. For a copy of the list, send $2.00. “Any book may be returned for any reason.”

Spring 2000
Perennial Plant of the Year | Fertilizing Your Lawn in Spring | Home Study Lawn Care Course | Stay Safe When Mowing Your Lawn | PHS Gold Medal Plant Award | Penn State Expert Offers Tree Shoppers Well-Rooted Advice | Cybergarden Sites | Bug Bites | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Healthy Body-The New Year's Resolution | Water: An Essential Nutrient | Asparagus: Queen of Spring Vegetables | Gardening: My Cousin Broccoli | Health and Household Tips | Did You Know?

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