Backyard Style

National Hummingbird Day - Celebrate and Save!

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:59:00 +0000

BackyardStyle announces a 1-week sale:

August 26th to September 3rd to celebrate National Hummingbird Day in the US.
Buy $75 of wild bird supplies (any kind) and save $5.00 on the already discounted prices. (use coupon code: rachels5)
Say YES to supporting National Hummingbird Day with Backyard Style.com

Celebration of Hummingbirds in North America is not just about the beauty of this tiny bird. The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is theorized to play an important role in cross-fertilization of plants and flowers.

As the Ruby Throated Hummingbird searches among flowers for a sip of nectar, it serves as an important pollinator of plants throughout its range.

It is not clear whether some plants may actually be dependent on the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds for cross-fertilization, but there are some that are heavily visited by hummingbirds during prime pollination season. There is on-going study regarding this that still needs to be completed.

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are also predators; they prey upon myriad tiny insects that serve as the main source of protein in their diets.

Along with nectar and pollen, hummingbirds eat flies, ants, bees, and beetles--all of which are quite small. If a hummingbird is sitting on a perch and repeatedly flies out a short distance and returns to the perch, it is probably "gnat-catching"--even if the human observer is unable to see the miniscule insects it is catching.

Celebrate these wonderful creatures and save at BackyardStyle!

Pond Algae 101 (Part II) - The Role of Pond Plants

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:33:00 +0000

If your pond is built properly and you've maintained the right balance between plants, fish and scavengers, controlling algae problems isn't difficult as mentioned in our previous article on pond algae.

Algae problems in water gardens are usually the result of excess nutrients in the water. One simple way to control excess nutrients is with aquatic plants. Plants take nitrates from the water, which deprives the algae of the nutrients it needs to live.

Surface plants also provide shade to the pond, further reducing algae.

Water Lilies Work!

The lush, floating leaves of the vibrant lily sweep across the pond's
surface, providing cover for fish and protection from the sun.

To keep lilies healthy and enhance their elegance, submerge them at a depth
of 18 inches and fertilize with LilyGro™
tablets.

Oxygenating Plants

These submerged floating plants provide essential oxygen and act as a natural
biological filter, benefiting the entire pond ecosystem.
One bundle of oxygenators is recommended for every square foot of the pond's surface area. For maximum growth without promoting algae, fertilize oxygenators with FloraFin.

Marginal Plants

These attractive, hardy plants come in a myriad of sizes, shapes and colors. These plants benefit the pond by removing excess nutrients that could otherwise feed algae.

Marginals grow best in shallow waters and should be submerged to a depth of 10 inches.

Pond Algae 101 - Basic Simple Backyard Pond Algae Removal

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:29:00 +0000

Plankton, - the pea-soup algae that most pond owners are familiar with is probably the most common type of algae in ponds -both large and small. Plankton is the type of algae that makes the water look green. It causes you not to be able to see your fish as clearly as you may want to.

Getting rid of pea-soup algae is fairly simple if you understand how it got there in the first place.

Plankton requires sunlight and nutrition to grow. The sunlight comes from the sun and the nutrition comes from bi-products from fish waste, dead and decaying leaves, decomposed fish food and plants.

The way to get rid of or reduce the amount of algae in your pond is by reducing the amount of sunlight and nutrients available to the algae. First and foremost is to have the proper size pump and filter. Next, sunlight can be reduced by providing shade to your pond. Pictured above is Pond Water Shade by Jungle Labs which is a chemical sun blocker.

Another simple way to add shade is by adding aquatic plants such as water lilies. Floating plants including water hyacinths can also help. The leaves of these plants help to cover the surface area of your pond and they make your pond look better to boot!

Nutrients can be reduced in a couple of different ways.

Clean your pond - obvious .. but these tips will really make a difference
Get rid of any dead and decaying leaves on the bottom or along the sides of the pond.
Get a pond skimmer so you can suck up leaves and debris before they ever settle and start to decompose.
OR get a pond net (you also can keep out predators such as raccoons, blue herons, cats, etc. with a net)
Make it a practice to clean the debris off the pond every day or so.
Get the leaves out of the bottom of your pond with a pond vacuum.

Add beneficial bacteria (we'll talk about this in a later post)

Happy ponding!

Espoma Organic Plant Foods - Benefits of Phosphate

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:19:00 +0000

Espoma Rock Phosphate is a natural way to supply phosphate to your plants and flowers.

The potential and occurrence for phosphorus deficiency is second only to nitrogen in plants and flowers.

A couple quick facts about phosphate in gardening:

Phosphorus is the third most limiting nutrient with respect to macronutrient uptake.

Nitrogen and potassium are the only other essential plant food nutrients taken up in greater quantities.

Phosphorus plays a vital role in energy transfer, photosynthesis, nutrient transport, sugar metabolism, plant genetics, cell division and as a structural component of the plant. So no wonder professional agriculturists and garden hobbyists both consider phosphate to be so important.

Crops with adequate phosphorus show steady vigorous growth and earlier maturity. This means larger fruits and vegetables in the fall. Earlier maturing crops are less susceptible to summer drought, disease infection and frost.

Espoma® Rock Phosphate is the finest, highest grade, all natural rock phosphate available. It is far superior in total phosphate content to all other natural forms of rock phosphate including black and colloidal rock phosphate.

Organic source of phosphorus & micronutrients. Rock phosphate contains 32% total phosphate (P2O5). Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required by plants that is primarily responsible for healthy root development and fruit and flower production.

In addition, rock phosphate is rich in minor elements such as boron, zinc, nickel and iodine which plants need in small amounts for optimum growth.Long term, slow-release feeding, Rock Phosphate becomes naturally available as the plant needs it.

Plant roots give off carbon dioxide and certain organic acids which react with the rock phosphate in the soil, making it available for plant use.

Because Espoma® Rock Phosphate is ground to a fine powder, a sufficient part of it is immediately available to the plant because the particles are so tiny that the organic acids and carbon dioxide produced by the plant roots and bacteria in the soil can break them down quickly.

Spend $75.00 on plant food this week and save $5.00 with coupon code: googlerocks

Sonic Pest Chasers - Do they work?

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:54:00 +0000

The short answer is YES, sonic Pest Chasers work to repel rodents and NO, sonic Pest Chasers do not work to repel insects. In fact, the US Government has ruled that ultra-sonic product devices are NOT proven to repel insects.

Ultrasound repels rodents by subjecting them to auditory stress. In terms of humans, it is like a continuous scratching of a chalkboard with your finger nails. Very simply, ultrasound hurts rodent's ears.

Sonic pest chasing devices use a classic animal behavior modification technique. Unlike traps and poisons, ultrasound does not kill rodents. The Pest Chasing units have the ability to provide long-term reductions in rodent populations by creating a "rodent-unfriendly" environment that discourages rodent infestations.

Unfortunately, if you have pet rodents of any kind - you can not use pest chasers in the same room as your pet! Rodent pets include mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, and squirrels. Never install an ultrasonic pest chasing device in a room that is inhabited by rodent pets. The sound will cause your pet severe auditory stress. The ultra sonic devices can't go through walls .. but better save than sorry. Keep your pets a couple rooms away!

Sonic pest chasers will not work effectively outside - although some manufacturers have developed squirrel chasers that work on this theory that can keep squirrels away from bird feeders.

The PestChaser emits high frequency ultrasonic sound waves between 32 and 62 kHz to create an acoustically hostile environment that repels rodents from sound-protected rooms. It's kinder than traps, safer than poisons, and completely inaudible to people and non-rodent pets. Unlike traps and poisons, the PestChaser minimizes human contact with disease-bearing rodents (no dead rodents to dispose of).

It is very important to note when thinking of purchasing an ultrasonic pest chaser the following SCIENTIFIC facts:

Ultrasonic sound waves decrease in intensity by the square of the distance, the same as for light.
Ultrasonic waves cannot penetrate objects
Ultrasonic waves leave a shadow of unprotected areas behind obstructions such as posts, desks and boxes.
Ultrasonic waves travel in a direct line form the device and cannot go around corners.
The ultrasonic waves cannot penetrate walls.

Given this information, How can an ultrasonic device situated in a room repel rodents inside a wall? NO

Can an ultrasonic device situated in one room repel rodents in other rooms? NO

Therefore .. you need to get a device per room.

Escape from the Backyard - About Dog GPS Locators

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:35:00 +0000

Global Positioning Systems.

They are cropping up everywhere and making our lives easy, safer and more convenient. There isn't a person that I know that hasn't raved about a new GPS product. Most notably are the car GPS systems - but as you know there is much more out there and much more to come.

If you are a pet owner, I am sure that you guessed that GPS locators for dogs would be coming soon - but the part that I DIDN'T guess was the ease of use of some of the systems and the way they are incorporated with an excellent online account experience and great customer support.

We carry the PetSafe system and we have heard nothing but great reviews from anyone that has had experience with it.

The PetSafe® GPS Locator collar is a powerful tool that helps you find your lost pet using assisted global positioning system (AGPS) tracking and two-way wireless technology. APGS is just GPS with a friendly person and technology helping you out.

This GPS system has simple-to-understand features and a dedicated live support team standing by 24/7/365. Petsafe makes it easy for you to pinpoint the location of your roaming pet so you can bring him back home quickly and efficiently - without too many tears shed.

The "Home Zone" is the key to how this innovative system works. You establish a Home Zone in a 3 step quick process. Once you've established that Home Zone™ area for your dog, the system will notify you (through any methods that you choose) whenever he crosses the Home Zone boundaries.

You will get an escape alert via phone, email or text message if your pet goes outside without your permission. At that point, call PetSafe. A PetSafe Customer Care Specialist will walk you through recoving your pet. You get the peace of mind that comes from always knowing where your dog is and service that keeps the recovery process fast and easy.

Best of all, the PetSafe GPS Locator comes with a money-back guarantee. If
you’re not completely satisfied with the product, simply return it to the manufacturer within the first 30 days for a full refund.

No More Geese! - Liquid Fence Goose Repellent

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:18:00 +0000

Smile and scoop up your last Goose turd.

Goose, Duck and Turkey habitat can be greatly reduced with Liquid Fence's ingenius product. In a nutshell, the way that Goose Repellent works is that it makes the food supply ( where you apply it) very undesirable to geese, turkeys and ducks. They hate it! In essense, this safely contaminates the geese and duck food source.

Take away the food source and those ducks and geese will migrate right out of the area to find food somewhere else. And you will be left with a doo doo free backyard, pond or lawn.

Although we love animals and birds here at BackyardStyle - we are also aware of the damage that geese and duck can do to your home and yard. They can damage grass and other vegetation, pollute ponds, and spread disease. Geese can actually endanger both children and adults with aggressive, nasty behavior.

I am a runner and have found that my worst foe is a nasty geese family that
lives near the Golf Course that I run around. These geese will actually chase me
while I am running! Although I am grateful for the additional cardivascular
workout as I sprint away from them - I am worred that someday .. one of those
suckers will take a chunk out of my leg!

Geese generally nest on shorelines, ponds, islands, man-made structures, golf courses and even in pools. If an area provides a water source, cover for a the geese nest and a good place for the bird to have a lookout, it is likely a goose will build its home there.

Geese are also attracted to lawns with short, mowed grass.

If the geese are migrating to your home - Liquid Fence Geese Repellent will do the job!

Liquid Fence Coupon: Save $5.00 on any Liquid Fence order that totals more than $75 with coupon code: rachels5

Happy 4th of July! - Keep the Mosquitos at Bay this Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:49:00 +0000

Our featured product this July 4th is Natural Mosquito Repellant by St. Gabriel Labs.

St. Gabriels Organics (best known for thier Milky Spore products) has created a Natural Mosquito Repellant that contains Garlic Juice, Citronella, White Pepper, Potassium Sorbate and Molasses to repel mosquitos effectively and naturally. It works on Gnats, Fleas and Ticks for up to four weeks.

Each bottle (with hose-end sprayer) will cover 5,000 square feet.

One of the most interesting articles on mosquitos that we have read recently is the recent news on how UK scientists are genetically modifying mosquitos to become Malaria resistant.

Malaria kills nearly three million people worldwide every year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of bed nets have been handed out, and villages across the continent have been doused with insecticide. But those measures haven't put a significant dent in malaria cases.

Mosquitoes bred to be immune to malaria could break the disease's transmission cycle.

But some experts fear these supermosquitoes would upset the ecosystem.

This is an interesting approach to a problem that is growing.

Here is a great video on the topic: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080620-mosquito-video-ap.html

Happy 4th to everyone!

How to Attract Birds to Your Yard

noreply@blogger.com (PetMaster) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:08:00 +0000

Did you know that wild bird feeding is the 2nd largest outdoor recreational hobby in the USA. (The first is gardening). Over 85 million people feed birds annually in the USA. The term "Birders" is used for people who feed birds.

Why are there over 85 million birders in the USA? Well, there are some great reasons why people feed birds. The first reason being that wild birds are a great natural way of keeping insects under control because the wild birds eat large quantities of insects. Think -- no pesticides needed, only wild birds needed.

A second is is that birds are a great decoration to your yard. The variety of species and colors can brighten your yard and become part of the landscaping. The beautiful sounds of the different birds is entertaining.

A third and very important reason it that feeding wild birds makes us feel good. In cold weather, it is a great feeling to know that you are nourishing the birds. In the hard winters, you could actually save the lives of birds by feeding them.

The final reason is that wild bird feeding is an inexpensive hobby compared to other hobbies.

Before you get started, it is important to understand wild birds' habits and needs so that you can help them thrive. Like humans, wild birds need food, water, and shelter.

1 . Food

Birds eat insects, spiders, grubs and worms, soft fruits and berries, tree sap, flower nectar, leaves and grass, and nuts . However, the birds that Birders primarily want to attract to their yards are seed or suet eaters.

2. Water

Birds need water to survive. A strategically placed birdbath or small pool can attract a greater variety of birds.

3. Shelter

Birds need protective cover. By flying, birds can escape an attack. Birds are most vulnerable when they are "grounded" to rest, feed or nest. Therefore, protective cover can be a plant or tree cover, or rocky ledges.

4. A Place to Raise Their Young

The nesting and raising of the young is exciting and educational for you and your children/grandchildren. Birdhouses, nests and nesting holes, and birdhouses are are places birds can rest and raise their young.

Things to consider when starting to feed birds:

1. Location of Feeders

Of course, you want to be able to see the birds, but remember most birds will not go to a feeder that is too close to your house or to close to their predators.

2. Height of Feeders

Just as important as the feeder location is the height of the feeder. Feeders placed at different heights will get you a large variety of birds coming to feed. You can start with suet feeders mounted on tree trucks, and remember to vary the heights. You can include a platform feeder placed 4 1/2 to 5 feet above the ground, and a couple of tube or Nugget feeders hung by wires between 5 - 8 feet off the ground.

3. Feeder Placement Should Vary

If you are able have 2 or 3 different bird feeding areas keep them about 50 feet apart. If you place the feeding stations around different vegetation and at different heights, you will attract a greater variety of birds. You need to keep winter in mind, so remember birds favor the most sheltered locations out of the freezing wind. You do not want to move feeders around when the seasons change.

4. Protect the Feeding Stations from Predators.

Squirrels, cats and nuisance birds, like Starlings need to be kept away from the feeders. Feeding stations are not just attractive to birds, but nuisance birds (like Starlings), squirrels, and cats.

The easiest way to get started is to start with suet feeders. Suet is one of the top three foods to feed wild birds. Since birds have very high metabolic rates, birds will consume 1/4 to 1/3 their body weight worth of food a day! C&S Suet offers a variety of suet, mixed with the highest quality grains, fruits, nuts, and flavored pellets providing the high caloric energy source birds require.

The traditional suet feeder is a vinyl coated wire cage suet feeder. They are inexpensive and durable. The cage may be hung from branches, tree trunks, or hooks. Suet will attract a great variety of birds, including chickadees, northern flickers, downy, hairy, red-bellied, and woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, warblers, thrushes, brown thrashers, blue jays, orioles, and bluebirds. The EZ Fill Bottom Suet Feeder will hols 3 suet cakes. It has a convenient feed level indicator that comes out of the roof to let you know how much suet cake is left

C&S Suet flavors are available in a variety of flavors and "No Melt" delights. Ingredients vary from peanuts to papaya, hot pepper to almond, berry to cherry, and raisin to insect. There are even special blends for Oriole andWoodpecker.

Suet feeding is the easiest way to get started with your feeding. Feeding suet is an easy way for you to become a Birder!

Help! My pond is already murky and has cloudy water!

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:49:00 +0000

First of all, it is important to note that murky pond water is not necessarily an indicator of poor water quality in a pond.

Crystal clear pond water does not always represent perfect water quality, either. Most pond owners would like thier ponds to be crystal clear for thier own benefit. This is not a bad thing .. just a natural human response to wanting to view our fish or Koi more clearly!

If you were to ask your koi what water conditions (if they could communicate with you) they prefer, they would choose murky, cloudy water every time - as found in the mud ponds of Niigata.

In any case, before you jump to any conclusions, do a thorough water test on your pond. A complete test (like Laguna's Master Pond Testing Kit) would include:

pH
hardness,
ammonia and
nitrite/nitrate

If everything checks out with the above numbers, algae could be the cause of your murky water or cloudiness. Excessive algae growth suspended in the pond water can make the water resemble pea soup. Try Tetra's Algae Control if you are having algae problems.

Remember - a pond filter will NOT remove suspended algae without help from an UVC (Ultra Violet Clarifier). Most filters these days come equipped with an UVC included in the basic design. This is the best type of pond filter to buy.

If your water chemistry is satisfactory, and the algae is not the cause then the solution to improving your water clarity is to enhance your filtration. Many of our customers have found PondCare Simply Clear extremely effective in clearing thier pond water and is worth a try before purchasing larger or more expensive filtration.

Happy Ponding!

The War Against Japanese Beetles

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Japanese Beetles Bug Me!

Most likely, if you are a gardener, Japanese beetles bug you too. If you have a light infestation of this pesty insect, the safest and most inexpensive route to killing Japanese beetles is to pick them off the plants by hand (yup .. boring, but effective) and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.

Most importantly - start with getting rid of the Japanese beetle grubs. Although the adult Japanese beetles cause the most damage on your plants and lawn, the beetle larval form -- grubs -- also cause horrible lawn problems.

If your lawn has a Japanese grub infestation, treating for the grubs with a product like Greenview Grub Killer and Preventer will kill most of them before they can emerge as adult japenese beetles.

A number of grub-killing products are quite effective. Most well known is Milky Spore. The adult Japanese beetle feeds on fruits, flowers, shrubs, garden plants and the foliage of some field crops as mentioned above. At the immature beetle stage, the grub, enjoys feeding on the roots of grass and other vegetation to include stems of plants. Milky Spore will work at the grub level.

The most important thing to remember when battling Japanese beetles is to work quickly. The beetles will release chemicals called pheromones into the air. These pheromones will attract other beetles to your yard! Kind of like "Invite a friend". So if you see a few Beetles, they are probably already sending out pheromones to attract thier friends.

Get rid of Japanese beetles quickly, before they can invite thier buddies!

Japanese beetles tend to avoid these plants: Arborvitae, Boxwood, Dogwood, Firs, Hemlock, Holly, Junipers, Lilacs, Magnolias, Oaks and Pines

Beautiful Birdfeeders From Recycled Material

noreply@blogger.com (PetMaster) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:06:00 +0000

With the price of gas at a all time high, it is time to realize that we all must play a part in saving the environment. One thing that everyone should do is recycle because the Earth is running out of room for all of its garbage. Purchasing products made from recycled material is one of the easiest ways to protect the environment.

Rubicon International is manufacturing a line of bird feeders and birdhouses made from recycled plastics. Using recycled materials saves the trees (deforestation) that would have been used for the lumber and also reuses the recycled plastic milk jugs that would be sitting in our landfills.

These bird feeders and birdhouses, besides being environmentally safe, are a great way to enjoy the beautiful birds around your home. Only the highest quality recycled plastics are used to obtain a uniform look in color and texture.

Environmentally Friendly

High Quality Construction

Won't Fade, Crack, Chip,Rot or Split

Easy to Clean - Stain Resistant

Easy to Disinfect - simply scrub down with a bleach solution

Impervious to Insects

Variety of Designs & Colors Compliment Homes & Gardens

Lifetime Guarantee on manufacture defects and weather/age related damaged

All feeders are designed with the birds' needs in mind

The Upside-Down Suet Feeder is a very clever feeder. For all your chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and woodpeckers this is the perfect feeder. Simply lift one side of the feeder roof to insert a single standard suet cake. Included is a steel cable hanger, so just hang your feeder and you are all set. This upside-down feeder will keep starlings away as they cannot feed upside down. The Upside-Down Suet Feeder has an unconditional 100 year guarantee.

The Large Recycled Hopper Bird Feeder is an environmentally friendly hanging feeder that holds 2.5 quarts of bird seed and is perfect for attracting all types of wild birds. The Large Recycled Bird Feeder is a top loading hanging feeder that, of course, is made from recycled material. Easy to clean and guaranteed for life.

When you purchase a feeder made from recycled plastic, remember, not only do you save a tree, keep plastic out of landfills, but you help our feathered friends. Save gas - stat home and watch the birds enjoy their feeders.

Rapid Red Garden Mulch - Grow a more Flavorful Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:53:00 +0000

The USDA and Clemson University can not be wrong!

Getting the most out of your crops whether you are a vegetable-growing hobbyist or a large conglomerate company outputting huge volume is more important than ever in this day and age.

The Rapid Red Mulch is effective is proven to grow more abundant and flavorful crops. In addition the Rapid Red Garden Mulch Film conserves water by slowing evaporation from the soil surface, AND it helps control weeds. Reducing weeds will therefore reduce herbicide use.

One could say that Rapid Red is Green :)

Here how to work with Rapid Red:

Unroll Rapid Red onto prepared soil. Place drip or other irrigation hose into the prepared soil at this time.
Hold the beginning and sides in place with soil, stones or garden staples.
Unroll in 5 foot increments, maintaining a taut, smooth surface. Continue to cover the edges as in step 2.
Cut a 3" diameter hole in the center of the film for placement of seeds or seedlings.
Space plants so at least some reflected light reaches every side of the maturing plant.
Periodically wash the film's surface with a garden hose to maintain the reflective capability.
Avoid spraying chemicals directly on the film, as this may change the color.
Once your crop is planted, water as needed;

Rapid Red aids in moisture retention so be careful to avoid over watering.

Order $75 worth of gardening merchandise and you can save $5.00 with coupon code: rachels5

Add Light to Your Pond or Backyard

noreply@blogger.com (PetMaster) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:11:00 +0000

Nothing is more beautiful than a few strategically placed lights in your pond or backyard area. The Floating Solar Chameleon Globelight is the perfect light accent. The Floating Solar Chameleon Globelight does it all. First, it can be placed in a variety of areas - it floats freely in non-chlorinated water OR it can rest in its included stand for table top lighting, OR it can be perched upon the included stake for yard or landscape lighting. Second, it is solar powered. It uses wireless technology to convert the sun’s energy into a light. The smart circuit and high quality solar panel inside the Globelight automatically illuminates the globe at dusk and turns off at dawn. The Globelight has an on/off switch which will disables the light and prevent it from automatically turning on at dusk, if you choose this option. Third, it is called Chameleon because it has ever-changing colors. The Globelight passes through a series of continuous color changes from green to blue to red. Also, between each solid color is an amazing array of color combinations. When fully charged, the Globelight will give you 18 hours of continuous unique awesome colors.

The Globelight will take not only illuminate your yard, but will give your yard a unique look that will be the envy of your neighborhood.

Buy 3 or more of the beautiful Floating Solar Chameleon Globelight at our store: www.backyardstyle.com/shop and save $5.00 with coupon code: rachels5 (use this at checkout and make sure you type it in all lowercase)

Convert the sun’s energy into a truly unique decorative accent with the STI Chameleon Floating Solar Globelight.

GardenArmor Gardening Gloves - the case for prevention

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000

We read a recent article about the dangers of gardening without gloves. Although it is rare, there have been a number of recent reports of illness and even death from scrapes and cuts that were gotten when gardening.

Granted, the primary cause of the problems is that people did not have recent tetanus shots - but possibly the cut would not have occurred if gardening gloves were worn.

Our recommendation are one of the following gloves:

Essential GardenArmor Garden Gloves

Landscaper GardenArmor Gloves

GardenArmor Advantage Gloves

A little about the gloves: They are manufactured by Super Protection. GardenArmor (SafeGrasp) Garden Gloves have earned the National Home Gardening Club Member-Tested Seal of Approval. They not only manufacturer the above 3 gardening gloves, they also have a line of work gloves called WorkArmor and also SportsArmor gloves.

What really caught my eye is that these gloves are machine washable - unlike many of the other brands on the market these days. The gardenArmor gloves are perfect for garden and yard – for handling rose, cactus and other thorny bushes. Avoid cuts and avoid serious illness.

They boast about powerful protection against punctures and cuts, as well as 90X the puncture resistance of regular gloves. This will be the last set of gardening gloves that you will have to buy.

Ordinarily you wouldn’t think of gardening gloves as a life-saving product, but when you take into account the recent scares in newspapers, blogs and articles across the Internet .. it just may be the right time to buy yourself, your Mom, Dad or loved one a simple pair of gardening gloves and make them wear them when working in the yard!

Solar Pond Lighting with Floating Solar Lights

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:33:00 +0000

The beauty of a lit pond sparkling in the evening with the sound of gently falling water is peaceful beyond imagination.

The hectic rushing of the summer days can always end in peaceful serenity if you have a pond in your backyard. As I get older, slowing down and enjoying nature is becoming increasingly more important to my spiritual and emotional health.

Buy 4 or more (one of each color ..or even 4 of the same color .. your choice) of the Pondmaster solar pond lights at our store: www.backyardstyle.com/shop and save $5.00 with coupon code: rachels5 (use this at checkout and make sure you type it in all lowercase)

These new solar powered floating pond or swimming pool light from Danner are clear spheres that produce an array of sparkling color at night. They depict a modern, unique and attractive design.

These solar lights allow you to provide lighting in your pond, fountain or swimming pool. They are available in a choice of five colors, red, white, blue, green and amber.

As with all of Danner products the quality is excellent - featuring a plastic sealed construction with base weight for stability. These solar lights come complete with a sectional pole and ground stake for the optional use as a garden/yard light.

Great for a secondary use if you close down your pool for the winter months. For festive or party use, this light may be hung in trees as a moulded eye is incorporated in the design.

These are economical and we offer our normal product guarantees along with the manufacturer's warranty.

Are Squirrels Driving You Nutty?

noreply@blogger.com (PetMaster) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:09:00 +0000

Personally, I like squirrels. My backyard has a group of squirrels who get their morning exercise chasing each other around the yard. It is particularly funny when 2 chase each other and then all of a sudden, they reverse roles- the one being chased turns around and is now the chaser. My kids love watching this. There is the cutest little black squirrel who keeps to himself, but is still entertaining as he leaps from tree branch to tree branch.

Now, as much as I like squirrel, I also like birds. What does a squirrel lover and bird lover do? Buy squirrel proof bird feeders. The variety of squirrel proof bird feeders available is amazing.

I really like a platform feeder and that type is the hardest to keep squirrel off. The Squirrel Blocker Champion Feeder works great. You know that platform feeder work great for sizes of birds. They are welcome to a platform feeder because of the easy and open access to the food. You also know that open access means you will need to keep the squirrels away! The Blocker Champion Feeder foils the squirrels with the two Squirrel-Blocker grids. This feeder is filled with a layer of black oil sunflower seed, so the bottom grid rests on top of the seed. The two-grids fence squirrel noses and squirrel paws and they are prevented from reaching the seed. The birds, however, feed easily. Every piece is completely chew proof, so the squirrels have nothing to gain. The seed capacity is one pound of black oil sunflower seed. This feeder is easy to clean, easy to fill and has built in drainage. Best of all is its beautiful antique copper finish.

The Spiral Sunflower Feeder/Twirl A Squirrel Combo is a great choice for a feeder that uses extra large mixed seed. This feeder is not only effective, but it is hilariously funny to watch the squirrels on the Twirl-a Squirrel. The part that is squirrel-proof has a patented "locking lid." Just twist and lock those squirrels have no chance at the seed. The patented spirals on this feeder attract more birds and allow more birds to feed. Birds love to perch on the patented spiral and love to "run the spiral", instead of flying to another perch. This feeders allows up to 12 birds to feed at once and has a 3 quart seed capacity. The Spiral Sunflower Feeder/Twirl A Squirrel Combo comes completely assembled and is easy to clean. The "Twist & Clean" easy-clean bottom comes completely off for easy cleaning. There are no screws to worry about, just twist and clean.

The BIRDS ONLY! Squirrel-Proof Feeder is the ultimate squirrel proof feeder. It utilizes patented Double Defense system against squirrels. First, the unique baffler design dome tilts easily, causing squirrels to fall to the ground below when the try to get to the seed. Yes, more entertainment! Second, the patented squirrel-proof collar closes due to the squirrels own weight and this will block off access to the seed. Easy to use- easy fill top and really easy to clean. The large 4 pound capacity allows you to go longer between filling.

Happy Bird Feeding (and squirrel watching)!!

EZEE Corral - Equine Portable Corral

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:03:00 +0000

Many of us outdoor types are horse lovers also. BackyardStyle carries many products for the farm and home and also carries select products for equine and livestock care. Our "brother site" is Shane's Tack which carries thousands of Equine products.

I wanted to talk a short while about a new product that I found for our horses that has a number of applications because it is portable. The NEW EZEE corral by Zareba.

We know that horse riders on the go want quick and simple solutions for safely containing their horses when away from home. This equine kit is self-contained and is the perfect solution for trail rides and horse shows.

It also does a great job keeping critters out of backyards when not in use at a show!

Fits any terrain. Secure corner posts with eight tie-down stakes and six ft (1.8 m) of cord, included. Corral design is easily configured to fit available terrain.

No special tools necessary to install the electric corral or fence. Assembling the EZEE Corral is easy. Simply step on post anchor and press it into the ground. Drive plastic stake through the center of the anchor. Then slide each post on an anchor and lock in place. Four corner posts and four line posts included.
No complicated wiring with this system! Stretch poly tape, which carries electrical current, around the perimeter of the corral. Tape is firmly held in place by built-in insulator clips on line posts.
No grounding needed—poly tape carries both positive and negative charge.
Easy connections. Attach poly tape reels to corner posts (adjust height as necessary). Use plug-in connectors to attach poly tape to poly tape reel, completing the circuit.
Reels dispense and store 30 ft (9 m) of tape, which quickly rewinds for re-use.
High visibility. Rest easy. Your horses are safe and secure. White components mean high visibility by day, reflective strips command attention at night.
Easy entrance/exit. Turn system on/off with toggle switch, then come and go as you please. Quick disconnect feature makes it easy to enter or exit the corral from any corner post.
Reliable power source. Don’t worry about running out of power. The EZEE Corral will operate up to 30 days, 24 hours a day, on four alkaline D-cell batteries (not included).
Produces up to 8,000 volts and .05 joules per shock. Fencer control box is self contained in corner post.
Features on/off switch and LED light that displays green when in operation or red if batteries are low.

Have a great week everyone!

Attracting the Acorn Woodpecker with Peanut Suet

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:06:00 +0000

Acorn Woodpeckers are resident in western Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas and are popular amongst wild bird enthusiast's because of thier brilliant colors.

If you live where Acorn woodpeckers reside - you might already know that they are attracted to peanut suet. You can many times find Acorn Woodpeckers in urban parks or suburban areas where oak trees are common.

Here are a few options that we have found successful in attracting the Acorn woodpecker and it's woodpecker relatives across the US:

Peanut Crunch Suet by Heath (Case of 12) New blended suet for wild birds.

Peanut Suet Cake by Heath Blended Suet and Peanut parts give added protein to the birds - this is one of our best sellers!

Never Melt Peanut Suet Cake (Case of 12) Peanut Never Melt Suet is also great for finches and other wild birds (by Pine Tree Farms)

Heath Peanut-ty Raisin Suet Mix (comes in a case of 12) The Heath Peanutty Raisin Suet Mix offers a quick source of high energy which is why the Woodpeckers love it.

The coloring of the Acorn Woodpecker male is brilliant red from the nape to a white forehead. The female is red only at the rear of her crown.

We suggest smearing some suet or peanut butter on the outside of your feeder and in the holes to attract the woodpeckers and help it identify the food source.

Happy Woodpecker Feeding!

Hummingbirds - How to Attract them and Great Hummingbird Feeders

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:58:00 +0000

Hummingbirds are the most beautiful birds in the world as far as I am concerned and the Ruby-throated hummingbird is the one that most of us are familiar with in most parts of the United States.

Before I start talking about how to attract them .. there are a few facts to keep in mind that will bring to light the "whys" behind my suggestions.

Hummingbirds have a long tongue that laps up liquids like a dog or cat would, just at a much faster rate. That is how the hummingbird gets the nectar out of your feeder!

The most commonly seen U.S. hummingbirds and their general areas of distribution are:

Allen's Hummingbirds in Coastal California
Anna's Hummingbirds in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas

Black-Chinned Hummingbirds in Western U.S. generally west of Texas to Wyoming

Blue-Throated Hummingbirds in Southwestern Arizona

Broad-Billed Hummingbirds in S.W. Texas, S.W. New Mexico and S.E. Arizona

Broad-Tailed hummingbirds in Parts of the Rocky Mountain regions, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado and mountains of Central California

Buff-Bellied hummingbirds in Rio Grande valley of South Texas

Calliope hummingbirds in Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, E. California

Costa's in S. California, southwest Arizona, southern New Mexico, western Texas
Ruby-Throated hummingbirds in Easter United States from Central Texas to N. Dakota

Rufous hummingbirds in northwest United States to coastal regions of S. Alaska

Violet-Crowned hummingbirds in Southern California and West Texas

White-Eared hummingbirds in south Arizona and West Texas

To attract hummingbirds, make sure that you plant lots of native hummingbird flowers and flowering shrubs and trees. The brighter the flowers, the better.

Place at least one hummingbird feeder that will help will draw and keep hummingbirds in your backyard. Hummingbirds have a great "GPS" system (not necessarily Magellan .. but you know what we mean). Once they feed in your yard, they will keep coming back.

To attract more hummingbirds initially, try tying a pink, red or orange ribbon in a few places to draw the hummingbirds to your backyard. Remember to change your nectar frequently (once or twice per week) to keep it fresh.

Laguna PowerJet Pond and Fountain Pumps by Hagen

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:35:00 +0000

A complete range of 10 fountain pond pumps to suit most pond sizes from small water features to large water garden projects and features.

Every Laguna Powerjet fountain pump by Hagen has been designed for powerful, reliable performance with low, low running costs! There is not a pond owner in America that is not worried about the costs of running the pumps and fountains this year. (at least we think there isn't!)

The construction of the PowerJets from the Motor housing to the fountain flow controls all the way up to the top of the riser stem is solid and durable. The strainer is one of the best in the industry and the foot adds a level of stability that is found in few brands.

Every PowerJET pump comes with 10 meters of cable. To hide the cable, simply run it under the turf or flower beds enclosed in a rigid conduit to protect it from over zealous gardening! It’s a good idea to run it against a wall or fence where you’re unlikely to dig too deep.

A pump alone does not clean the water. The strainer fixed to the front of every Laguna pump is not a pond filter. Its function is to protect the motor and impeller from clogging with pond debris and silt which will impair its performance.

The PowerJet pumps included in these kits are powered by Italian-made, magnetic-driven motors that are unequalled in the market for their ability to generate large volumes of water reliably and continuously at low energy costs.

Every PowerJET Pump comes complete with a riser stem and 2 fountain jets.

Do-it-yourself Pest Control Guide

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:52:00 +0000

It's that time of year that we have to pay attention to pests, insects and unwanted visitors a bit more than usual.

Personally our most dreaded visitor is back ... the "Garbage Raccoon". He thrives in our neighborhood and always seems to find a late night snack in either our garbage or one of the neighboors.

Keeping the pests out of the garbage is only 1/2 the battle; regardless of how clean your house is, you are not immune to pest infestation.

Pests such as termites, roaches, ants, beetles, spiders, earwigs, bumblebees, ticks, mice and rats and other pests can be drawn to your home by the prospect of food, warmth and shelter. Some pests can carry disease (rats), while others are poisonous (certain types of spiders).

Also very dreaded are termintes - termites can eat through your very home and cause thousands of dollars and more in damage.

Got Snakes? Once again, I have to rave about a Liquid Fence product. The relatively new Liquid Fence Snake Repellent works like a charm. If you have children, it is important to note how terrified a child can get when they see a snake.

In a nutshell .. this is how it works:

A snake’s sense of smell and taste is important to its ability to gather information and survive. The ingredients in Liquid Fence Snake Repellent irritate and confuse the snakes’ chemosensory systems. Simply put, it impairs the snake’s ability to gather information about its surrounding environment, forcing it to look elsewhere to live.

If you purchase the Gallon size Snake Eliminator by Liquid Fence - use coupon code: michbiz and save $5.00.

Whichever pest you are trying to eliminate .. we wish you luck and would love the opportunity to assist you. Please brown our Pest Control Products and call if you need any help at all!

Liquid Net Insect Repellent - ALERT .. the bugs are 'Comin!

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:53:00 +0000

100% Deet Free all natural insect repellent that works.

Why would you buy something with Deet if you have kids or pets when there are products that work as effectively and do not contain Deet?

Deet, which can be absorbed through the skin, has been linked to neurological damage, can cause sizures and even death. It can be extremely harmful to children and the elderly.

Liquid Net (The Ultimate Insect Repellent) is completely DEET free and is made from all natural, pleasant smelling ingredients like lemon grass, cedarwood, and citronella oils. These essential oils can be applied to everyone in your family, including children - there is also Liquid net for pets!

Permethrin (found in Deet) is a possible carcinogen and a suspected endocrine disruptor. Endocrine disruptors interfere with normal hormone function and can contribute to breast and testicular cancer, birth defects, learning disorders, and other problems. Animal studies indicate that small amounts of permethrin may cause immunotoxicity, or corruption of the immune system. Exposure to sunlight may worsen this response.

Get all natural Liquid Net The Ultimate Insect Repellent for your family and have more fun in the great outdoors!

All Natural - All natural ingredients including lemon grass, cedarwood and citronella oils

Safe - 100% DEET free, safe for the entire family

Hassle-free - Long lasting and non-greasy

Smells Great - Natural, pleasant scent

Effective – In independent lab testing, Liquid Net actually outperformed common DEET repellents

Member tested – Tested and recommended by the National Home Gardening Club!

Guaranteed - 100% Money-back Guarantee!

Garden "Green" - Save Water with Eco Friendly Hose & More Tips

noreply@blogger.com (The MBD) — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Our featured Eco-Friendly Tip helps save a ton of water! The Swan Soaker Hose saves up to 70% of precious, costly water and is manufactured of 65% recycled rubber.

Instead of ammonia-based cleaners, use vinegar and water or baking soda and water.
Don’t use electric tools and appliances when hand-operated ones will do the job.
Plant trees. Strategically located, trees can reduce hearing and cooling bills, help prevent soil erosion and reduce air pollution.
Water lawns at night to limit evaporation.
Compost your leaves and yard waste. You’ll improve your garden’s soil.
Minimize the use of garden chemicals by weeding.
Don’t pour oil and gasoline into the sewer system or on the ground. Take to your local collection site.
Tick/fly spray: Combine 2 C white vinegar, 1 C water, 1 C Avon “Skin-So- Soft” bath oil and 1 T eucalyptus oil.
Create your own Roach killer: mix baking soda and powdered sugar. (Keep away from children and pets.)
Ant killer: Use chili powder to hinder entry.
Start an organic garden! - Start with Espoma Organic Products

And Finally a word about Summer Vacations:

Think a road trip is not exactly eco-friendly? Well it may not be perfect, but according to Terrapass, a family of four heading from NYC to LA in their gas-guzzling 2007 Ford Explorer (4WD) would save 20,462 tons of CO2 over that same trip by air. Of course they may not be sane when they get there, but they’ll certainly have done their part to help cool the planet!

Great Gifts Ideas for Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (PetMaster) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Did you know that in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made an official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday and that it would be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.

Mother's Day is May 11 and it is time to buy a Mother's Day gift NOW! If you mom is like me, she will love having a gift that will make her think about you every time she uses or sees it. Spring is here, the sun is shining and the birds are out. You cannot go wrong with a bird feeder for a present.

Why not get your mom a beautiful Triple Tube Copper Bird Feeder? This 12 port feeder has a lifetime warranty. There are three separate seed tubes so your mom can attract a mix of species by varying the seed mixes. Best of all - an integrated guard keeps squirrels at bay, built in seed funnels make for easy filling, and a quick-release feed tray to make cleaning a snap. A huge 10 lb. capacity reduces time spent refilling.

I love the Spiral Seed Bird Feeders that are 17 inches tall. The patented spirals allow more birds to feed as the birds like to perch on the spiral. There are 7 seed ports and it is delightful to watch the birds "run the spiral". The Spiral Seed Bird Feeder is great for large songbirds, like cardinals. I have the black Spiral Seed Bird Feeder and the red cardinals look awesome running up and down the spiral. This feeder is easy to clean with its "Twist & Clean" easy-clean bottom that twists completely off for easy cleaning and it has a lifetime warranty. The feeder is available in copper, silver, green, red, and black.

If you mom is a hands on gardener, then the Garden Rocker Stool is a perfect gift. This is a totally unique gardening seat that allows you to “rock” in any direction to reach your garden work, at the same time reducing strain on your knees and lower back. This can be used while sitting or kneeling. The Garden Rocker Stool is ergonomically designed to reduce strain and stress on the lower back and has an comfortable contoured over-sized seat. The curved base provides a full range of motion and lets you move comfortably in any direction. If you get the stool, you really should get the Garden Rocker Cushion which is the perfect compliment to

the Garden Rocker. A great cushion for the rocker and it has an easy to carry handle for moving around the yard and pouches to carry tools or a favorite beverage.

Doesn't you mom deserve something special for Mother's Day? The time is now to send her a great gift.