2009 Yellow Book For Gardeners

The 2009 Yellow Book is now available. It lists more than 3,600 gardens, with 643 opening for the National Gardens Scheme for the first time – a fantastic way to nose round beloved plots, both grand and tiny.

The book contains details of over 3,600 otherwise private gardens which can be visited under the programme.

The 2009 edition features over 650 new gardens and includes those designed with children in mind, national plant collections and new ideas for growing vegetables.

Since 1996 the scheme has raised more than £4 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care, helping to fund more than 200,000 hours of nursing care.

Roses and the Economy

The rose has great economic value. In many countries where climatic conditions favor flower farming, the rose is a major earner of foreign exchange. In one African country, for example, out of the millions of flowers exported during one recent year, over 70 percent were roses, making the country one of the leading producers in the world.

In times past, before man discovered the flower’s alluring qualities, the rosebush grew freely in the wild. Today, through the use of carefully controlled methods of crossbreeding, some of the more than 100 species of wild roses have been bred to produce the thousands of varieties of roses known today. As a result, the flower has become known worldwide and is found in almost every country on earth. The most popular and widely cultivated is the hybrid tea rose.

How do they Maintain Golf Courses So Well?

I sometimes wonder how much effort it must take to maintain golf courses in such tip-top condition, especially when it gets to the putting greens. They must spend a lot of time and research in choosing the right grass, watering the greens with just the correct amount of water, cutting the grass to the optimum level and so on.

When I think about my own garden my grass gets cut to just one level, which is as short as possible, so I don`t have to cut it again for as long as possible. My own contribution to keeping the weeds out is to have a company come around every few months to sow the lawn with a mixture of fertiliser and weedkiller, (boy, do I hate weeding). That tends to keep the lawn looking pretty healthy all year round.

As for watering, why was rain created? Admittedly during the odd summer periods when it stays sunny for long periods it`s tempting to get the hose out, but, being tempted and actually doing it are two different things in my book.

Anyway, back to the golf. I do enjoy a round of golf from time to time, in an amateurish sort of way. My handicap is that I can`t play very well. I do envy those who have some good golfing equipment. When I`m at the driving range I just hire what`s available since I don`t even have my own clubs. So, what`s worthwhile looking at right now for good golf equipment deals?

At the Golf Equipment Store they have an excellent range of low cost golf equipment and accessories for all types of golfers.

For anyone wanting to buy ladies golf equipment their online shop offers a wide range of golf sets, clothing, shoes, and bags at discount prices.