St. Petersburg Times
Special report
Video report
  • For their own good
    Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
  • More video reports
Multimedia report
Print Email this storyEmail story Comment Email editor
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Friend's name Friend's email
Your message
 

Garden

Cuttings

News of note for the gardener.

By JUDY STARK
Published July 29, 2006


Gardeners' accessories

After a hard day in the garden, your hands deserve some therapy. New from the Thymes: the Gardener Collection, a variety of soothing balms scented like fresh-cut grass and pink peppercorns. Lavender oil takes the sting out of insect bites; sage heals scratches. The line includes hand cream and lotion, cuticle cream, hand scrub and wash, soap pebbles, lip balm and a candle, priced from $4 to $32. Find a retailer near you at www.thymes.com, or call toll-free 1-800-366-4071.

Give furniture a facial

Is the outdoor furniture looking a little beat up at midsummer? Take these tips from Hampton Bay, a line of furniture from Home Depot:

* Prevent stains. Keep furniture away from foliage and trees. Some barks and oils (oak and palm, for example) can stain. Fade- and stain-resistant fabrics such as Sunbrella on chair cushions also help.* Clean carefully. Use a pressure washer (keep the setting low) to get rid of caked-on dirt on PVC or wrought-iron furniture, a damp cloth to wipe off legs and bases of metal chairs and tables, and a soft brush, with a mixture of mild soap and warm water, to clean cushions and seating areas. Bleach is too harsh and generally should be avoided. If necessary to remove mildew stains, use a well-diluted solution of bleach and water.* Protect. For teak furniture, apply an oil designed for treating teak. For all other woods, use a polyurethane-based wax made especially for outdoor durability. Protect metals from developing rust by polishing them with wax.

Your order, please

You want catalogs? We'll get you catalogs. A terrific list of gardening catalogs - seeds, supplies, accessories, furniture - is at www.backyardgardener.com/shed/index.html.

- Compiled by Homes editor JUDY STARK

[Last modified July 27, 2006, 12:41:25]


Share your thoughts on this story

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT