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Swiss chard adds lovely foliage to beds

By Times Staff, Wires
Published December 29, 2007

Swiss chard moves out of the vegetable garden and into the ornamental bed with Bright Lights, whose stems and leaves come in yellow, orange, pink-violet, burgundy and red. This 1998 All-America Selections winner is a good cool-weather crop, and it will withstand both frost and heat better than other spinachlike crops. Try it near pansies or tibouchina. Watch for it, or ask for it, at garden centers once the poinsettia season has passed.

Plant your own papaya seeds

Here's a gardening activity that's fun for the kids. Start papayas from seed. Clean the pulp off each seed and plant about 1/4 inch deep in a container of potting soil. Fresh seeds usually germinate inside in 10 to 15 days. Under ideal growing conditions, fruit should be produced in eight to 10 months. Seedlings planted in early March should produce edible fruit by November.

Kudzu a global warming culprit

Researchers say kudzu, the infamous Georgia tree killer, contributes to global warming by emitting volatile organic compounds, the Web site floridagardener.com reports. "As kudzu grows, it pours out nitrogen compounds, some of which can combine with other chemicals to form ozone," the site reports. That could contribute to water pollution, atmospheric warming, and Georgia's high ozone levels.

Forget the game, check out the turf

Look closely at the turf on the field Tuesday when the Gators play the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. That's Celebration Bermudagrass, installed by Quality Turf of Lithia. Players like Celebration because it's safe: It ranks low in "surface hardness," which decreases the chance of injury. Field managers say the turf recovers quickly from "divot injury," i.e., gouges, holes and tears from those cleats. That's important when a field has a fast turnaround between games. (The Champ Sports Bowl was played Friday at the same stadium.) All that and Celebration is drought-resistant, a key consideration in water-short times.

Try them before you buy them

Field-test new garden tools before you buy, the experts at the Ergonomics Center of North Carolina and Corona Clipper tools say. See if they pass these tests:

- Weight: A too-heavy tool may tire you. A very lightweight tool may not last.

- Balance: Look for tools that distribute the weight evenly. Move the tool around and simulate its working action. How does it feel?

- Grip dimensions: The right size maximizes control and prevents fatigue. Grips that are too large tire the hands.

- Grip texture: Usually a soft, nonslip surface is desired.

- Ease of maintenance: Construction and quality translate to durability, ease of maintenance and overall enjoyment.

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 16:50:31]