Posted 11:10 AM by Steve   (3) comments

You, Too, Can be a Salesperson
C.J. Hayden, MCC

I am not a sales and marketing guru. I've written two books
on marketing and taught thousands of people how to sell
themselves, but really, I don't know more about sales and
marketing than most of you. 

What I know how to do is talk to people, all kinds of people
-- restaurant owners and waiters, CEO's and receptionists,
entrepreneurs and kindergarten teachers. I don't try to sell
these people anything; we just have a conversation. But
sales happen as a result.

In my book "Get Clients Now!" I define marketing as telling
people what you do over and over. That's part of the secret
right there. I've seen too many business owners fail because
they simply don't speak up about their business. Or else
they tell someone once what they do for a living, and then
think they never need to mention it again.

But there's another piece of the sales and marketing puzzle
that often gets left out. When you talk to someone about
your business, you need to be direct, authentic, and
unattached to the outcome.

Clients and students often ask me questions like, "What do I
say when I call Mr. Big to find out if he's ready to buy?"
They're shocked when they hear my answer: "Hello, Mr. Big,
have you decided to purchase our product?"

Or maybe the question is how to follow up with someone you
met at last night's event who expressed some interest in
your service. My suggestion is to say: "When we spoke last
night, you seemed interested in my services, and I'd like to
continue our conversation."

What do you do when you fear that the client doubts your
qualifications? How about: "You seem a bit unsure of my
qualifications to do the job, and I'd like to address that.
What are your concerns?"

These are all conversations. You ask a question; they
answer. They ask a question; you answer. It's like a
friendly tennis match -- all you have to do is keep the ball
in the air, and nothing is at stake.

But that's the catch, isn't it? You think there's a lot at
stake. What if you don't get the contract, the client, the
money? So you make the conversation overly significant, put
on your marketing face and your selling voice, speak someone
else's words... and the result is anything but direct and
authentic.

What impact does this have on the person you're speaking
with? The opposite of a direct approach is an indirect one:
devious, underhanded, sneaky (check your thesaurus). The
opposite of authentic is inauthentic: phony, fraudulent,
insincere. Isn't this exactly what you have always been
afraid of -- sounding like a used car salesman or
telemarketer reading a script?

Scripts are for rehearsals. In a meeting or on the phone,
keep some talking points in front of you, but don't read.
Every word should be one you would use in normal
conversation -- use instead of utilize; fix instead of
rectify; help instead of facilitate. Get to the point
quickly, and tell the truth about it. "I'm just calling to
introduce myself," is not only an ineffective pproach, it's
a lie.

Show a sincere interest in people by asking questions about
their goals and problems. When you see a place where your
business can help, don't hesitate to say so. Be respectful
of people's time and really listen to what they say. Respond
to what you heard instead of continuing to the next item on
your agenda. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn while
staying true to who you are.

But these are just tips for changing your behavior. The real
key is in your attitude. If you can recognize that being
indirect, inauthentic, or attached to the outcome is causing
you to lose sales instead of make them, you'll have a
powerful incentive to do things differently.

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients NOW! Thousands of
business owners and salespeople have used her simple sales
and marketing system to double or triple their income. Get a
free copy of "Five Secrets to Finding All the Clients You'll
Ever Need" at http://www.getclientsnow.com

Posted 11:36 AM by Steve   (0) comments

The Plant Man
by Steve Jones
www.landsteward.org

Trees need water... but don’t overdo it!

Gardeners and landscapers have one thing in common with their “big
brother” the farmer: complaining about the weather. Ask any farmer
about rainfall and you’ll be told that it is nowhere near enough or it
is way too much. Unlike Goldilocks’ third bowl of porridge at the
three bears’ house, it is never “just right!”

At this time of year, we try to remind ourselves about the old adage
that April showers bring May flowers... not to mention shrubs, bushes
and trees. So with April finally behind us, we can assess whether or
not our landscapes are actually getting the “just right” amount of
water... for once.

Too much water can be as bad (or worse) than not enough water for your
trees and shrubs. After all, if your soil is turning dusty from a dry
spell, you can always turn to your trusty garden hose. But drying out
waterlogged soil is a whole lot harder!

Here are a few quick watering tips for you to bear in mind...

When you’re watering trees, remember that much of the water will be
absorbed by the roots at or beyond the drip line, not at the base of
the trunk. The root system of a mature tree can spread out 1 to 3
times the width of the canopy, so that’s the most efficient area to
give your trees a drink.

When it comes to newly planted or young trees that have yet to attain
much of a canopy, water needs to be applied closer to the trunk area.
New trees need more water than established trees. As the tree matures
and the canopy spreads, widen the watering area. Once a tree is
established, reduce the frequency of watering.

Best time to water: Early morning or evening, so that less of the water
will evaporate in the midday sunshine. If you’re watering in the
evening, avoid watering the foliage as this can promote the formation
of mildew and fungus.

Don’t flood ‘em! If you pour on too much water too fast, you’re only
adding to the problem. You can cause erosion and compact the soil, as
well as wasting valuable water. Never apply water faster than it can
be absorbed by the soil.

Allow the soil to dry somewhat between watering. This allows oxygen to
be absorbed more easily. Use a soil probe or your own version
consisting of a thin metal rod. If you can push the probe fairly easily
into the soil but meet resistance at a depth of about 4 to 6 inches,
it’s time to reapply the water. Bear in mind that this a rule of
(green) thumb. If your nursery gave you specific watering instructions,
be sure to follow those.

Applying a layer of mulch under the tree’s canopy will keep the soil
cool and help to avoid evaporation. It will also keep you from mowing
too close to the delicate roots and trunk where the whirling blades can
wreak serious havoc!

You can more comprehensive information about watering trees at
http://ag.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/wateringplants.htm and you can easily
click on a link to that site when you find this column archived under
the “Plant Man” heading at my Web site www.landsteward.org

Your specific needs can vary depending on your soil type, location and
weather conditions. I’ll be happy to provide some personal advice on
the kind of trees and shrubs that will work best for you and your
landscape. Send me a few details at steve@landsteward.org and I’ll
offer some ideas.

And now for a reader question...

QUESTION: “Last year I planted Red Sedum. What should I do this year to
prepare the plant for this growing season.” – Louise Kraybill

ANSWER: To prep your sedum for the new growing season, cut back to the
ground any old growth. Do not cut any new growth. At this time make a
light application of organic fertilizer and then put down fresh mulch
(up to 3 inches of organic compost is best) around, but not on the
plants. Water until the soil is totally moist and water weekly during
summer if there is little/no rainfall. This should get your plants off
to a great start.

The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs
and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and
additional information, or to subscribe to Steve’s free e-mailed
newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org

Posted 11:30 AM by Steve   (2) comments

Are You Ready to Own and Operate a Business?
By Kathleen Gage

How often has someone thought of starting a business based solely on
the fact they think it will be easier than working for someone else.
Fact is, owning and operating a business can be one of the most
grueling experiences you will have. Granted, there are many
advantages, but unless someone has actually run a business there is
much to consider before you make that decision.

The following information will help you operate a business more
professionally. With today's technology there is no reason you
cannot
have the look of a large company even if you are working off your
kitchen table. If you have a home based business it is suggested you
have a room dedicated to your business. This helps you to stay
focused and there are some major tax benefits in doing this.

PROFESSIONALISM
-Choose voicemail rather than an answering machine. There is a major
difference in the perception to the caller.
-Toll free number. Check with your local telephone company to find
out if this is available to you if you will have a lot of
clients/customers from outside your calling area.
-Have a separate business phone line. You do not appear very
professional if your children answer the phone.
-Email. Avoid using free services due to limitations and perceptions.
-Dedicated fax line. A small business will appear as such if the fax
number and phone number are the same.

RUNNING AN OFFICE
-Stay organized. The more you can keep yourself organized the easier
it will be to respond to customer's requests in a timely fashion.
-Color file folders. A great way to organize your file system. Each
color indicates a category.
-Dedicated file cabinets. Separate personal papers from business.
-Form letters. Don't reinvent the wheel with every letter you
write.
Keep form letters on a disc or your hard drive.

FINANCIAL END of running the business. There will be many costs to
running a business. The following are some of the investments you
will need to consider.
-Medical insurance
-Separate phone lines
-Taxes
-Marketing material
-Office supplies
-Products
-Service fees
-Accountant
-Financial Planner
-Bookkeeper
-Keep excellent records
-Keep all receipts

-Advertising

THINGS YOU WILL NEED IF YOU WANT TO STAY COMPETATIVE
-Business license
-Incorporate
-Bookkeeper
-Financial planner
-Marketing material
-Business cards
-Letterhead
-Envelopes
-Folders
-Letters of referral
-Bio sheet
-Product or service sheet
-Web site


PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
-Which ones are most beneficial for you to join? To get the biggest
benefit from any organizations you need to get involved. Use the
monthly meetings to network.
-Dues and fees. How much are the annual dues and cost for monthly
meetings?. Figure that in your budget.
-Conventions. Are there any conventions you need to go to? What is
the time and cost investment? Talk to others who have gone to find
out if it will be worth the investment.
-Network. Most of your business will come from referrals.

QUALIFYING THE BUYER
-Who is my customer?
-Do they have a budget for my product or service their budget?
-Do I want to work with them?

PAPERWORK
-Invoices
-Contracts
-Service agreements
-Letters

MANAGE PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
-Responding to requests by providing what the customer needs. If you
are not the person for the job, who can you refer (that's why
networking is so important)
-Follow-up. Do your follow-up in a timely fashion
-Develop a good relationship with the client
-Return calls as soon as possible
-Send information in a timely fashion
-Priority mail is often less expensive than first class. And it can
be more impressive to your client.
-Keep in touch after the fact. A mistake a lot of people make in
doing business is they do a job for a client and then seem to forget
the client. It is easier to get repeat business than it is to find
new business, and yet, so often business owners and salespeople
(which is what you are if you own a business) will look for the new
customer and forget about their existing clientele

Kathleen Gage is a keynote speaker, author and business advisor
specializing in marketing and promotions. Access Gage's's
FREE eBook
Street Smarts Marketing On the Internet at
http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm

Posted 7:56 AM by Steve   (1) comments

Green Thumb Gifts: Beyond Gardening Gloves
by A. Heath

Ahh, spring! It has sprung! Gardeners (and budding gardeners -
no pun intended) have begun the quest for a weedless lawn, or a
bountiful garden. But if you're looking for gifts for someone with
a green thumb (or someone with green thumb envy), consider the
situation first.

Some people think of gardening as a chore. Others see it as
relaxing. Some will see it as exercise, and still others consider
it art. Some people have the magic touch in the garden, while
others couldn't grow mold if they tried! This is important when
considering gardening gifts. You need to know if you should give
something to make gardening easier, more fulfilling, more
challenging, or more fun.

For those people who see it as a chore, gardening just adds more
items onto the never-ending to-do list. In this case, you need to
consider gardening gifts that will make these outdoor chores easier,
faster, and less of a hassle.

Power tools and storage & organization aids usually fall into this
category, along with the ever popular lawn tractor. A leaf
blower/vacuum can make clean-up a breeze (again - no pun intended).
The same can be said for a pressure washer. Heavy jobs are made
easier with a wheelbarrow or yard cart. And organizing a collection
of garden tools is simple with a storage bench or shed. Other ideas
include a convenient watering timer.

If your gift recipient enjoys gardening as a hobby, you'll want to
take a look at gardening gifts that can bring more fulfillment or
enjoyment to the outdoors. They would benefit from a magazine
subscription like "Garden Design", or a gardening book ("Front Yard
Gardens: Growing More Than Grass") to help cultivate their ideas.
Garden enthusiasts like to sit back and enjoy their hard work,
so patio furniture and accessories would also be a great gift.

And let's not forget the gardener wanna-be: those whom we love that
just can't seem to keep that plant alive - whose thumb isn't really
green at all! Start off with a how-to book like "Lawn Care For
Dummies" or "Taylor's Encyclopedia of Garden Plants", and complement
that with some basic gardening tools or accessories. These types of
gifts would also be great for first-time home buyers.

For the gardener who already "has it all", you might want to consider
something a little more unique, like an indoor grow light, solar
stepping stones, or a cascading fountain. And if you're just not
sure what to get, there's always a gift certificate or gift card.

For more gardening gift ideas, visit
http://www.the-gift-wizard.com/gardening-gifts.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A. Heath is a gift researcher for http://www.the-gift-wizard.com

Posted 2:42 PM by Steve   (0) comments

Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway

The key to installing a Brick or Paver Walkway is to first
properly prepare the area where the bricks/pavers are to be
installed. The area should be dug out at least a foot down,
removing all topsoil and clay soil.

Once the area has been dug down, 3/4" gravel stone should be
laid in and tamped down tightly. Then sand, or stone dust
should be spread over the gravel. Again the sand/stone dust
should be tamped down. Stone dust is preferred.

Now that you have a stable base, place a 1" pipe or ledger
board the length of the walkway on either side of the
walkway. Then using a flatedge, e.g. a 2"x4" slide it over
the two lengths of the pipe/ledger board. In doing this you
will create a level surface area to lay the bricks/pavers.

Now place on the level sand/stone dust strips of plastic
brick borders. Install a run on both sides of the prepared
area. These strips will act as your walkway border and help
to maintain the integrity and shape of the walkway. You can
get these plastic strip borders at most Home Improvement
stores such as Home Depot or Lowes. The strips should be
anchored down with 12" galvinized nails. You should sink
these nails into the ground and through the strips every
foot.

Once this is done, you can then begin to lay the
bricks/pavers. There are many patterns you can lay. I
particularly like the Herring Bone pattern. The key to
laying the bricks/pavers is to ensure that they interlock
with each other. Always stagger adjacent rows of bricks by
1/2 of a brick to interlock them. This will again help
maintain the integrity of the walkway.

Inevitably bricks/pavers will need to be cut or split when
building the walkway. Unless you want to buy or rent an
expensive wetsaw, I would suggest purchasing a simple
brick/paver splitter. It is basically a chisel with a wide
end that is the width of the bricks/pavers. To actually
cut/split the brick/paver, lay it in a bed of sand and place
the chisel at a 75% angle over the spot where you want to
break the brick. Then using a hammer strike the butt end of
the chisel firmly. You may need to do this a couple of
times. You may also want to flip the brick/paver over and
strike the other side of the brick using the hammer and
chisle. Within one or two strikes the brick/paver should
break cleanly. If your walkway has curves you will need to
buy/rent a wetsaw.

After installing the bricks, build up the outside edges with
additional sand, and then shovel in the topsoil and pack
down firmly.

Finally, spread stone dust over the new walkway and sweep
into the cracks. Repeat this process a couple of times to
ensure the cracks are fully filled. This will complete the
interlocking of the bricks and help to eliminate any weed
growth. Just add grass seed to the outside edges and you
should have a beautiful entrance to your home within a
couple of weeks.

About the Author:

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with
building homes and additions to homes. His projects have
included: building a vacation home, building additions and
garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished
homes. Mr. Donovan's formal education and profession have
been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager. Email
Mr. Donovan at me_donovan@comcast.net or visit either his
website http://www.homeadditionplus.com or blog site
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Mark J. Donovan
www.homeadditionplus.com
www.HomeAddition.blogspot.com

Posted 3:16 PM by Steve   (3) comments

April Gardening Tips

One of the nicest months in the southwest. (if the wind is not blowing)
You may plant just about anything such as tomato plants, fruit trees
shade trees, evergreen shrubs, flowering shrubs, bulbs etc. It is also
the month that garden centers usually are fully stocked, at least in
the southwest.

Fertilize your bermuda or warm season grasses at this time if you have
not done so in late March. You may also fertilize your fescue, rye, or
bluegrass (cool season) lawns if it has been more than 6 weeks since
you've last fertilized. 16-8-8 with iron, zinc, and sulphur works well
if you do not have a problem with weeds. This can be used on both warm
season and cool season grasses at this time of year.

If you have oleander, now is the time to cut back any winter damaged
leaves or stems it may have suffered from the cold. Shear oleander if
you want them to look full and bushy or you may selectively prune
branches to give it a more open and air look. You may also prune them
into multi-trunked trees, which look quite picturesque when mature.

Lantana plants may be just coming out of their dormant period at this
time. It is best to pull away any mulch that may be around the base of
the crown, to allow the sun to heat up the soil and allow it to "wake
up" from it's winter sleep. Don't let these plants fool you, they may
look dead, but 9 times out of 10 they are just dormant. They need quite
a bit of heat to start growing. Be patient!

Roses may should still be in stock at this time and take well to being
planted at this time. For existing roses, fertilizing is key. I
recommend a water soluable fertizier such as Peters Tm 20-20-20 every
other week, for healthy foliage and multiple blooms. In addition to
this use a soil acidifier such as Ironite Tm or Grow More Tm organic
chelated iron. These products help keep foliage dark green and give
flowers more vibrant colors.

Feed all trees, and shrubs at this time. There are many product to
choose from. It is best to look for a product that is easiest for you
to use. Most plant will respond to just about any kind of fertilizer as
long as it is applied correctly. Stop by and we can help take any
confusion out of this situation, or you can e-mail or call.
505-523-1520

Thanks from

Gary Guzman

Lots of new stuff at: guzmansgreenhouse.com

Posted 6:00 PM by Steve   (0) comments

Can you recommend specific honing or sharpening tools for keeping the
blades of pruners, loppers, and scuffle hoes sharp? I have seen
Arkansas oilstones, synthetic sharpening "stones", pruner sharpeners,
etc. What is the best all-purpose tool and do you recommend coarse,
medium or fine stones or a combination of stones?

**********************

To briefly answer your question, use a whetstone to sharpen pruners and
fine gardening knives (such as Japanese gardening knives). Large-bladed
shears and loppers, shovels, hoes, etc., can be sharpened with a
medium-grit mill bastard file, and finshed with a finer grit file or
whetstone.

Posted 5:55 PM by Steve   (0) comments

The Benefits Of Incorporating Your Business

Connecticut Secretary
http://www.connecticutsecretary.com/

What do General Motors, Microsoft, AT&T and many other major
businesses in America have in common? They?re corporations.

A corporation is a separate legal entity that functions separate
and apart from its shareholders or owners. You can incorporate
on your own without an attorney, although it wouldn?t hurt to
seek legal advice. And you can incorporate in your home state
or any other state of your choosing.

More than half a million business entities have their legal home
in business-friendly Delaware, including more than 50 percent of
all U.S. publicly-traded companies and 58 percent of the Fortune
500. Nevada, New York, California, Arizona and Florida are also
magnets for businesses wanting to incorporate.

Protection Against Personal Liability

Incorporating offers a variety of legal and tax advantages. For
one, it?s one of the best ways a business owner can protect his
or her personal assets. As a separate legal entity, a corporation
is responsible for its own debts. Shareholders of a corporation
are generally not liable for the obligations of the corporation.
Therefore, creditors of a corporation can seek payment from the
assets of a corporation, but not the assets of its shareholders.
This means that business owners can conduct business without
risking their homes or other personal property.

Tax Advantages

Many businesses choose to incorporate for tax advantages.
Corporate profits aren?t subject to Social Security, Medicare,
workers compensation and other taxes, which adds up to 15.3
percent in taxes. An individual proprietor would need to pay all
of these taxes, commonly referred to as ?self-employment taxes?
on all income earned by the business. But with a corporation,
only salaries are subject to these taxes.

C-corporations provide even greater tax flexibility when it comes
to profits. By simply dividing income between the corporation and
the shareholders, businesses can save thousands of dollars each
year on taxes. With a C-corporation, the first $50,000 in profits
is taxed at only 15 percent -- plus, there are no Social Security
or Medicare taxes.

If you incorporate in a tax-free state like Nevada or Delaware,
there are no state income taxes. Therefore, if you?re in the
28-percent tax bracket and shift $50,000 of your personal income
into a corporation, you could save about $14,000 per year. (This
figure includes the money saved by not paying social security
and Medicare taxes).

Corporations also enjoy the ability to deduct business operating
losses. In fact, they have very few restrictions on operating
and capital losses. You can generally carry losses back three
years forward for 15 years. But sole proprietorships have
stricter rules. They?re also subject to a higher probability
of a tax audit if there are losses.

Speaking of audits, that brings us to another benefit of
incorporating. Corporate returns have fewer "red flags" than
individual returns. Consequently, the IRS conducts fewer audits
on corporations than individuals.

Fringe Benefits and Other Deductions

Corporations also enjoy a variety of fringe benefits and other
deductions. A corporation can set up a 401(k), for example,
that would allow you to exclude a higher amount of income than
a regular IRA. And employee savings may also be doubled with a
corporate matching program. Corporations also can deduct 100
percent of the health insurance premiums paid on behalf of an
owner-employee.

Additionally, a corporation can deduct other expenses like
automobile insurance, education benefits and life insurance.
But for sole proprietors, these expenses are subject to strict
limitations (if deductible at all) and can be "red flags" that
trigger an audit.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005
Kate Smalley, Connecticut Secretary
Freelance Secretarial and Transcription Services
http://www.connecticutsecretary.com
mailto:kms@connecticutsecretary.com

Posted 9:30 AM by Steve   (0) comments
Gardening in Our Communities and Schools

By: Yvonne Savio

Great things happen when a community or school garden gets started. Neighbors and passers-by exclaim joy and relief that "something's finally happening" to a blighted or underused plot of land. Order comes out of chaos. Weeds are displaced by fragrant and rich-brown, newly turned soil. Plots of tiny plants in neat rows or groupings take the place of the jumble of wild things. Colorful flowering vines and roses climb unattractive chain-link fencing.

Camaraderie
From inside the fence, even more wonderful changes are happening. Individual, isolated gardeners share their techniques and concerns and joys, learning from one another. Exhilaration from exercise and fresh air and jokes floating across garden pathways invigorate everyone's spirits. Everyday frustrations evaporate or are worked out subconsciously as the soil is tilled, amendments incorporated, pests hand-plucked, and seedlings nurtured. Harvest parties become potlucks of different cultures and cooking flavors. Excess broccoli or lettuce or zucchini is put to use in a multitude of recipes, literally from appetizer to dessert, all shared.

Lessons Learned
In school gardens, math is used in counting seeds, forming raised beds, and planting seedlings. Science is part of caterpillar-to-butterfly transformation, geography is introduced in microclimates and soil texture. Social sciences and communication are involved in communal decisions about what to plant, where, and dealing with problems. Language is involved in learning different terms for plants and insects. Ethnic interaction results from growing different ethnic crops and preparing and tasting potluck dishes.

Exercise is a benefit of digging and bending and hauling. Art is explored in the scarecrows built and posters painted. Poetry and personal self-expression is explored in the journals written and observations made. People talk, people listen. They observe what's happening in their world, and they participate in its development. They determine its future by creating its present. What better way to "grow" our current and upcoming generations of citizen gardeners!

Growing Bulb Onions

Feed bulb onions with a 10-10-10 fertilizer to encourage bulbing. Sets that send up seed stalks instead of forming large bulbs were perhaps not sufficiently dormant when they were planted, or they were larger than dime-size and going to bolt soon anyway. To delay bolting, snap off the stalk at the base.

Pluck Strawberry Blooms

Pluck off strawberry blossoms through May, or whenever the warm weather has settled in for good, to concentrate the plant's first real burst of fruiting energy into large, sweet berries rather than small tart ones. Unless, of course, you're desperately waiting for that very first berry, even if it is tart.

Start Herbs From Seed

Herbs to start from seed include anise, basil, chervil, chives, cilantro (coriander), dill, fennel, lavender, marjoram, oregano, parsley, and savory. Transplant mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme (these don't come true from seed). Herbs make great landscaping plants, as well. Chives add attractive, spear-like foliage among blooming plants. Rosemary and wooly thyme make attractive, drought-tolerant, trouble-free ground covers.

Plant Citrus and Avocado Trees

Citrus and avocado trees do best when they're planted from late this month through May, as the weather warms up. For the best protection from cold weather and frost, choose a southwest exposure that's protected from the wind. Plant them on a mound or in a raised bed so water drains away from the roots. Rub suckers off trunks as they appear. Tape together or remove broken branches. Paint trunks and large limbs with a matte-finish, off-white interior latex paint mixed half and half with water to prevent sunscald.

Plant Summer-Blooming Bulbs

Plant summer-blooming bulbs, corms, and tubers, including acidanthera, agapanthus, tuberous begonias, caladiums, calla lilies, canna lilies, dahlias, gladiolus, hemerocallis, tuberous iris, ixias, tigridias, tuberoses, and watsonias. Repeat plantings through May for continuous bloom through the summer. If you still have some unplanted spring-blooming bulbs that are firm and solid, plant them immediately in rich soil. They'll probably not bloom this year, but they'll develop further and bloom next year. If not planted, they'll shrivel away to nothing. These leftover bulbs also can be potted up for forcing. Place them in the refrigerator for eight to ten weeks, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. They should bloom after another three weeks in a brightly lit area.

Web Finds - Common Ground Garden Program

The University of California Cooperative Extension Los Angeles County Common Ground Garden Program has two online publications to help people develop thriving community and school gardens. Other articles include monthly garden tips.

Books - A Guide for Starting Children's Gardens

Children's Gardens: A Field Guide for Teachers, Parents, and Volunteers is a book that helps teach all the academic subjects through hands-on activities in the garden. It's published by the University of California Cooperative Extension Los Angeles County Common Ground Garden Program, which has 20 years of experience establishing gardens on school campuses. It covers gardening basics, specific instructional activities, and lots of resources to help make school gardening easy, even for the non-gardener. The book costs $12 plus $3.50 shipping. To order, call (323) 260-3348, fax (323) 881-0067, e-mail gjmitche@ucdavis.edu, or visit: http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/garden/

Content provided by the National Gardening Association