Yardiac.com Outdoor Living and Gardening Blog

Feed Up To 20 Birds at One Time

2009-11-11T16:40:00.000-05:00

This "NO-NO" Bird Feeder was developed and constructed with No wood and No plastic. It is an all metal collapsible wire basket sunflower seed feeder that is similar in design to fish baskets you may have seen. The large "clinging mesh area" allows many birds to feed at one time. It met all of the requirements that we felt were important and a few more. It will not rot or fall apart like wooden feeders, and the squirrels cannot tear them apart like other feeders. Feed finches, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, and many others! You will have a wider variety of birds eating from this feeder than from any other you could buy. You usually will see perching birds and clinging birds, and even those that eat upside down. The hole size in the wire mesh is designed to hold black oil sunflower seeds, the most popular feed for wild birds. Mixtures of black oil sunflower seeds, stripped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and peanut pieces can be added as well.

Handy "See-Thru" Propane Tank

2009-11-09T04:24:00.000-05:00

See how much propane is left in your tank with this propane cylinder - No more gauges. No more guessing. This revolutionary "see through" propane tank ensures you will never run out of propane again. The translucent material allows you to see how much propane you have left and eliminates the problem of running out during use. See Thru Propane Tank Features: Visible Propane Level Designed to fit 98% of all gas grills Easy to Refill and Stackable Withstands a temps from -40 F to 140 degrees F 30% Lighter than Steel Corrosion Free - Constant Tare Weight Built to Last up for 15 Years Perfect for Gas Grills, Patio Heaters, Boating, Camping, Tailgating and RVs Stand Color is White - please call to order blue

Tidy Potting Mesh Sieve

2009-11-07T15:13:00.001-05:00

This is a surefire tool for sifting finished compost from larger, unfinshed matter. It can help you 'clean' good soil from debris, coarse materials,clumps, rocks, dead roots, weeds, stones and leaves. It can also help to spread compost, fertilizer, potting soil, and other soil amendments evenly on your garden or lawn. This fine mesh plastic sieve featuring integral tough steel diamond mesh. Ideal for sifting compost to give the ideal base for successful seed or cutting raising. Mesh holes are 9mm wide by 5mm high.

Floating or Submersible Pond De-Icer

2009-11-05T15:56:00.005-05:00

Having an area free of ice is crucial for koi ponds or ponds with fish to allow proper gas exchange. Without an opening in the ice the supply of dissolved oxygen is depleted. Use our de-icer comparison chart to chose the right de-icer for your pond. The new "Perfect Climate Pond DeIcer" has "reinvented the wheel" when it comes to keeping ice free water available in winter ponds. This de-icer is safe in all ponds, and will not harm pond liners. It can be used as a floating de-icer out of the box or in seconds converts to a submersible de-icer with the click of a button!

Tidy Gardener's Potting Tray

2009-11-02T15:07:00.003-05:00

This tough one piece potting tray should be established as an essential garden accessory. Mess and dirt are confined within the tray, while the low front allows easy access to the work space. Light, yet durable and easy to handle. Made from recycled polypropylene. Avoid the clean up mess when potting or repotting plants or seedlings into larger containers. This rigid plastic tray is a great portable work station.

Halloween in the Garden

2009-10-31T11:00:00.001-05:00

Spend An Evening At the Lodge

2009-10-30T10:37:00.004-05:00

Looking for a home away from home - this new Lodge Pergola provides just that. The price tag may alarm you at first - however when you look a little closer one realizes the Lodge is actually quite a good value. Having a contractor build a Pergola of this magnitude would cost three times as much. A perfect way to spend a cool fall evening could be sitting outdoors underneath a pergola, next to a warm fire pit. One of the great new looks for this season is the Lodge Pergola, which has a realistic wooden design, and a maintenance free upkeep. With its fiberglass beams and easy assembly it's a perfect addition for your backyard and is a great look for a cabin or by the lake. The Montana Pergola is a perfect place to sit and enjoy a few cold ones with friends all night long! To receive the entire outdoor living room collection, simply speak with a Yardiac.com Customer Support Specialist.

ShrubGuard Installation Steps

2009-10-29T07:01:00.003-05:00

We received an overwhelming response yesterdays blog about the new shrubguard protection product. Most of the questions were about installation so we developed the following image:

An Attractive Winter Jacket For Your Plants

2009-10-28T07:01:00.000-05:00

Burlapping your plants has been a long standing tradion for many northern gardeners. For those who don't care to fiddle with these DIY mechanics might find the new Shrub Guard winter jacket, the perfect answer for winter shrub protection. Made from a non-woven material in a subtle sage green print, ShrubGuard protects buds and branches from drying winds, winter sun, hungry animals, road salt and frost. The sage green color and leaf print is quite subtle and attractive in the landscape. Shrub Guard is simple to use; opens at the side and has a drawstring at both the top and bottom so the top may be kept open to allow snow to fall through, which helps insulate and hydrate the plant. This also prevents snow from crushing the plant. ShrubGuard is also perfect to extend the season by providing protection from early and late frosts. It will also protect from a sudden drop in temperature, keeping the plant warm during a temporary cold spell by as much as 5 to 10 degrees

Yardiac Overstock Yard Sale

2009-10-27T11:28:00.000-05:00

Yardiac has limited Supply on some really super deals - when they are gone they are gone. Our Warehouse Manager must make room for our new shipments. To accomplish this he needs to reduce inventory in our warehouse, we are offering huge savings on all of the many items - click here to Vist the Overstock Sale.

Protect Your Hydrangeas From Over-Wintering

2009-10-23T12:13:00.003-05:00

This time of year there's always a lot of conversation about over-wintering of your precious Hydrangeas. Left unprotected, these tender morsels often dry up and die, preventing the shrub from flowering the following summer. This group of hydrangeas includes lacecaps, mopheads and the popular "Endless Summer." We have had good success getting his "Nikko Blue" Hydrangea macrophylla to bloom by using the anti-transpirant Wilt Pruf to protect the tender flower buds over the winter. The secret is timing. Wait until the shrub has gone dormant to apply the Wilt Pruf protective spray. When the leaves shrivel and drop apply the spray. Just be sure the temperature reaches at least 40 degrees for a minimum of 4 hours when the application is made. To take winter protection a step further, wrap the shrubs in burlap.

Innovative New Post Hole Digger!

2009-10-21T20:18:00.003-05:00

Digs Faster, Easier and Deeper! We love when we find a better mouse trap! This post hole digger is just that - it solves many of the problems that traditional post hole diggers present. This commercial-grade posthole digger is superior to all others because it has a hinged leverage point that allows you to open and close the digger with minimal hand movement. Its unique design allows you to dig straight-sided holes of any diameter as deep as 5 feet. Requires much less effort to operate and needs a lot less clearance above or near the hole.

Worlds Largest Weathervane Unveiled

2009-10-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

Erected near the shores of White Lake, Michigan, just a few short blocks from the Whitehall Products' manufacturing plant, is the world's largest weathervane. Built by the employees of Whitehall Products, the weathervane stands 48 feet tall, with a 26 foot long arrow that will point into the wind with the slightest breeze. The schooner ornament was chosen to symbolize the lumbering and shipping heritage of the area. Yardiac is proud to stock the full line of Whitehall Weathervanes.

Porcelain - A Worthy Bird House

2009-10-13T07:32:00.001-05:00

At first glance, they are beautiful and unique, but a more inquisitive look reveals that these Bird Feeders are very functional as well. They are designed to attract a number of secondary cavity nesters such as Wrens, Chickadees, smaller Flycatchers and even some Warblers. The porcelain is an excellent material to help regulate the extremes of temperature and provide a durable, beautiful home for birds. The porcelain is durable enough to handle the elements from summer heat to rain and the subfreezing temperatures of a cold spring night. Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin. The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain arise mainly from the formation of glass and the mineral mullite within the fired body at these high temperatures. It can informally be referred to as "china" in some English-speaking countries, as China was the birth place of porcelain making. Properties associated with porcelain include low permeability and elasticity; considerable strength, hardness, glassiness, brittleness, whiteness, translucence, and resonance; and a high resistance to chemical attack and thermal shock which makes this a perfect "bird home".

Heated Hose - Why Do You Need One?

2009-10-11T20:15:00.000-05:00

Freezing temperatures are right around the corner and now is the time to prepare. For years we have recommend removing and storing your outdoor hose – check out our new “heated hose”. Heated hoses solve the problem of delivering water outdoors in temperatures below freezing. Yardiac’s thermostatically controlled hose has a 92" 120-volt electrical cord set attached, which activates a heating element built into the hose. Plug in hose when needed and unplug when finished. Thermostatically controlled heating element turns on if the ambient temperature is below 95°F and shuts off at 105°F. The heating element heats whenever the hose is plugged in. Frozen water in the hose thaws within 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the temperature) when plugged back in. • Ideal for watering animals once per day. • Excellent choice for promoting seed germination • Radiant Heating makes it idea melting ice and snow.

Bouy Bells - Offer The Sounds of The Bay

2009-10-09T07:00:00.002-05:00

For many years Jim, like his neighbors, worked as a lobsterman. He spent countless hours on the water listening to pounding surf and the constant warning of bell buoys. After a time, it occurred to him that others might also enjoy the reassuring sound of bell buoys. He began recording the sounds of bell and gong buoys where he hauled lobster traps, and then eagerly sought other bells in the region. After hours of listening to these tapes and painstakingly working pieces of steel to match the tones, he produced his first set of bells. Wind Bells of Maine is the "original" company to design wind bells (chimes) that recreate the sounds of these famous Atlantic coast harbor bells. Also known as "buoy" bells, "harbor" bells or "lighthouse" bells. The actual buoy bells have a single, distinct, unique tone. The bouy wind catched comes standard as shown - however customer wind catchers are available upon request.

2009-10-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

We have tested a lot of gadgets and gimmicks over years that “claim to be” the rack/leaf picker up tool. I’m proud to report that this Hokie looking tool actually works. The Amazing Rake’s primary benefit is eliminating the bending and stooping that comes with yard work. This lightweight rake is ergonomically designed rake and turns leaf collection into three easy steps: 1. Sweep and rake up any garden debris. 2. Push the slide grip down to close the rake head and collect the debris. 3. Slide the grip down again to deposit your pile into a trash bag or container

Water Retention For Coconut Fiber Planters

2009-10-05T10:36:00.007-05:00

Many Yardiac’s tell us how much they love their coco-fiber hanging planters but hate how much water is wasted through the material. The coconut inability to hold excess water does prevent root rot and healthy flowers, however you will waste water. In order to prevent this problem we have been lining our hanging baskets with a thin plastic liner with holes punched through (a kitchen waste liner will do). This allows more water to be retained by the plants roots while still providing adequate draining. Recentely we discovered a better product called Soil Moist Mats. The easy to apply product is designed to reduce plant waterings by 50%. Soil Moist Mats absorb similar to a sponge and hold it in the plant container. Non-toxic crystals are woven into the degradable cloth material. As the soil begins to dry, the mat slowly releases stored water to the soil and the plant's roots over an extended period of time. They reduce plant waterings with less worry and save time and labor. The mats last for several seasons in the soil and are environmentally friendly. The easy to apply mat is ideal for containers, hanging baskets and potted plants for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Something You Won't Find At Yardiac.com

2009-09-29T09:59:00.000-05:00

We love this new terrarium - but at $9,999 you will have to purchase this item directly from the designer. Lindsey Taylor, a garden designer and former editor at Martha Stewart Living, has collaborated with Atlas Industries, the inventive furniture makers in Brooklyn, to produce a minimalist terrarium — the ultimate in no-fuss gardening. http://atlaseast.com/

Lawn Striping Patterns

2009-09-28T07:02:00.001-05:00

We had soo many inquiries on yesterdays Post "Creating Baseball Field Stripes in Your Lawn", that we decided to post a few images of the patterns you can create with the Lawn Stryper.

Creating Baseball Field Lawn Stripes

2009-09-27T07:50:00.000-05:00

Ever wondered how baseball fields, golf courses, and professional groomed lawns get that "striping" effect. They use industrial mowers with rollers attached to the back. This creates a striping effect by bending the grass over. Now your lawn can look like this too, with the Lawn Stryper, which attaches easily to most walk behind lawn mower. Prior to creating an eye-popping lawn of art, it is important to have a healthy lawn. Please find below a few general lawn care tips and patterns that will help ensure that your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood. Keep Lawn Mower Blade Sharp Use the “1/3 Rule” - Do not cut Grass too short Keep Lawn Well Watered There are various common designs and lawn patterns that are easy to try. A few examples include straight line patterns, wave patterns, circle patterns, and checkerboard patterns. Other more complex patterns such as star patterns, logo patterns and double-up patterns are also possible. Included with every LAWN STRYPER systempurchase is a full color Lawn Patterning User’s Guide. This guide offers up some general lawn care advice, great tips on patterning and a ‘how to’ guide on several common patterns.

Organic Fungicides - Safe, Effective Solutions

2009-09-26T11:22:00.001-05:00

We often talk about organic fertilizers and organic insect control but we have not devoted much space to organic disease solutions. You can effectively treat disease in your garden without worrying about the safety of your family and pets or the effects of harsh pesticides in your yard and garden. Organic Disease Controls offers you the same effective control used by 1000s of farmers to grow beautiful, disease-free fruits, vegetables and flowers - without chemicals that can be harmful to people or the environment. Effective use of organic fungicides requires a solid strategy of integrated plant management. The backbone of integrated plant management includes carefully matching the plant to the soil type, sunlight levels and watering conditions; proper sanitation; appropriate fertilization and pruning, when necessary.

Riga Greenhouse - Looks Like an Onion - Smells Like Rose

2009-09-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

Yardiac sells more greenhouses than anyone else - so it takes a lot to impress us - we'll we are more than impressed by the Riga Greenhouse and here is why: The RIGA is truly a greenhouse by the European definition of a greenhouse - designed to be used to grow fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers in the middle of winter. While other so called "greenhouses" using less than 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate, are considered to be Season Extenders, to be used when only a slight night frost might be expected during the spring or fall season. At best they can only be used to house established plants during the winter season. With a combination of strong materials and durable hardware, the Riga is by far the strongest greenhouses on the market. The Riga hobby greenhouse is constructed with an attractive rustproof aluminum frame. Heavy duty 10mm twin wall polycarbonate on the end walls. Sturdy 8mm twin wall polycarbonate on the roof and side walls. German engineered slide-together assembly. The "onion" shape helps shed heavy snow loads.

Electrocute Your Weeds!

2009-09-22T06:22:00.002-05:00

We tested this innovative weed killer recently and are pleased to report positive results. It's called the Nature Zap Electric Weed Killer and it uses thermogenic (heat) energy to stop normal plant functions and kill the weed at the root. The Nature Zap applies the right amount of heat (400 Degrees Fareinheight ) into the weed's root, root crown, and leaves, setting off a chain of events that kills the weed. The "thermo-eradicating" process stimulates the fungus in the ground around the weed. The heat cuts off the water supply to the bottom of the root and ruptures the cells. The naturally occurring fungus in the soil then eats the root, which in turn eliminates the weed, not just the weed's leaves. Our tests delivered positive results, showing instant kill and no re-growth after six weeks. The major advantage the Nature Zap has over chemical killers is the the ability to selectively kill the weeds we did not want and avoided the plants you want thrive. Never Pick Weeds Again - Just Zap 'em!

Pallina Gardening GLoves

2009-09-20T10:51:00.001-05:00

One summer evening, a group of friends, all avid gardeners and horticulturists, were enjoying the back yard garden, when the conversation turned to gardening gloves. Our friends, who devoted hours to their gardens, were frustrated by cheap, ill-fitting gardening garments. Inspired by people who wanted to love what they wear in the garden, The Pallina Glove Company was born. With a lot of garden testing by our friends, we created products to the highest standards of fit, form and function. When we tested these gloves, we loved the soft goatskin leather, reinforced palms and the great fit. It isn't often that something this tough is so comfortable to wear!