Some of the best gifts you can give to a bird lover are those that have to do with birds! Here are a few favorites of all bird lovers:* Bird HousesYou can find a wide variety of bird house designs and styles. Usually anyone that really loves birds also really loves different types of bird houses too. Also, when shopping for a bird house, keep in mind that some bird houses are made for specific types of birds, and others can be used by multiple types and sizes.* Bird Baths and FountainsThese also make wonderful gifts for bird lovers because they tend to attract more birds to the yard. Birds love to play in water as well as drink and bathe in it. So these make fantastic gifts for bird lovers. Something to know when buying bird baths and fountains though: Birds are easily scared. So try to avoid any bright colors - especially red - and try to avoid shiny things that reflect the sun.* Bird FeedersAnother nice gift for bird lovers because this also tends to draw birds in from miles around. Birds also remember their feeding spots over the winter... and when they come back to their feeding spot the following spring they're likely to bring more birds with them.

Mole control is one of the most complicated problems that
can face a gardening enthusiast.It is not from lack of information. Plenty of information is
available. University research and white papers, government
brochures, and plenty of expert opinions.It is not from a lack of products either. At any time there
are 10 or more different varieties of mole trap on sale,
plus various poisons and repellants.The experts, university professors and even the government,
when they express an opinion, even come close to a
concensus. Mole traps are probably the most effective method
of mole control, if set correctly, checked on a regular
basis etc.Most reports however take a very simplistic view:-A single plot of land

No regard to whether neighbouring plots are residential, farmland or wooded.
No recommendations on how to co-ordinate efforts with
neighbours.
If one neighbour has a huge infestation of moles, but
refuses to take action, can they be force to do so? If you
used fumigation in such a case, could they hold you liable
for killing their moles?

Rules apply to specific localityThere are states in the US where the use of mole traps are
restricted. There are areas of Canada where both the Eastern
Mole and the Townsend mole are a protected species. The
bordering states in the US have no restrictions, yet species
conservation is meant to be a global concern.Lethal methods of mole control can only be used in Germany where the moles are a confirmed hazard.
The use of traps in many US States currently falls under
hunting regulations which can require a license, and
specific measures to be taken. This is often not enforced.To research solutions to your mole problem, don't just grab the first offer with a guaranteed solution. Factor in the time administering the solution will consume on a daily basis, heed local legislation, and be aware of environmental issues.Andy Beard is researching mole control to combat the moles
in his garden. More information can be found at
Getting Rid of Ground Moles

Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist) is a genus of over 100 species of shrubs and small trees. Although there are four New Zealand native species (colensoi, excorticata, perscandens and procumbens) and one from Tahiti, the vast bulk of the genus occurs in Central and South America.
Think of fuchsias and chances are the fancy garden hybrids come to mind first. Showy as they are, it is not difficult to see they are related to wild species such as Fuchsia magellanica, Fuchsia denticulata and Fuchsia triphylla.
Some species, however, are less easy to distinguish. Our common native tree fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) has fuchsia-like flowers, though it can be hard to see the connection with the garden plants when it is not in bloom. But the likes of Fuchsia arborescens from Central America, with its panicles of tiny flowers, scarcely matches the common idea of a fuchsia.
The most widely grown of New Zealand's native species is Fuchsia procumbens and it too is quite unlike the garden cultivars. It is a low spreading plant with small rounded leaves and can be very hard to pick as a fuchsia until it flowers. Indeed, my initial experience of the plant was with cultivated specimens and I have to admit that I didn't immediately recognise wild plants when I first saw them.
This species was discovered in Northland in 1834 by Richard Cunningham. (some authorities call him Robert; in any case he should not be confused with his better known brother Allan.) However, it wasn't introduced into Europe until 40 years later in 1874. It has at times also been known as Fuchsia prostrata and Fuchsia kirkii.
The species occurs naturally in the north of the North Island down to northern Coromandel, often in coastal areas, and is now endangered in the wild. Though wild specimens can spread to several metres wide, cultivated plants are usually quite compact.
The flowers, which appear from mid to late spring are sometimes hard to see among the dense, sprawling foliage. The blooms are not the usual fuchsia colours - green and yellow, not red and purple

Did you know that you can send flowers many different ways on the internet? With a few different options of delivering and ordering flowers online, you must be aware of security and safety of your personal information. Not only that, but you could be left with disappointing flowers for your event if you choose the wrong online florist. Many florists online have created websites that lead consumers to believe that they are "local florists." Although you believe they are located in your area, many of them work in call centers far away from you or your flower recipient. With the following tips to sending your flowers online, you can be sure your flowers will get to your destination from a reliable and real professional florist group.Sending flowers online can be a fast and convenient way for on-the-go families to give a quick gift to the ones they love. Same day or next day delivery can get your flowers there on time. Another option is to place your flower order in ahead of time. Reminder services are also available to allow people to remember that important date or occasion.Although each other these options are great for any type of flower you are sending online, you must keep a few things in mind. With many "scam" websites on the net, you may feel worried about ordering anything online. Most well-known flower companies business depends on trust of their customers. Before putting your full reliance in a flower delivery service online, look for a privacy policy. This way you can be positive that they will not sell your e-mail address or phone number. Many companies will offer refunds or an exchange offer if you are unsatisfied with your products.With hundreds and maybe thousands of flower delivery companies on the web, you many be hesitant to choose just one. Local flower delivery seems like the obvious choice to most people. But, some florists online may not always be who they say they are. These "order collectors" will process your flower order to a local florist for almost half the price that you paid. While being untruthful and confusing, they also like to grab some of your extra money left over. Always make sure you are dealing with a real florist or floral company in your area. Look at where their physical address is located. Send an e-mail if you are unsure. Checking into their information can save you a lot of money!There are always many benefits if you do find a real and reliable florist in your area. You get a better value for what you paid for, professional advice, more sales information, specific details of your flowers and you are helping out a local company.Flowers are a great gift for any occasion. Nobody wants to pay more for a flower product that has been over-valued. If you find a good flower shop online, go for it. Flower delivery online really can be useful in saving time and hopefully, money.Janna Hagan is the webmaster for http://www.flower-delivery-service-online.com Reliable flower delivery and florists online make this website one of the best in the flower industry. For more information, please visit http://www.flower-delivery-service-online.com

To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or trellises looking their best, consider using a wood finishing product such as sealer, stain, or outdoor paint. Wood finishing protects exposed wood from sun, water, insect, and fungal damage.Here's a list of some common wood finishing products:Wood Sealer: Wood sealer blocks the pores of the wood, while still allowing natural fading and weathering.Stain: Stain penetrates the wood, and unlike paint, it does not trap moisture and cause blistering or peeling. Stains come in many colors, and in transparent or solid applications. Reapply the stain every other year to keep the color fresh.Paint: Exterior paint protects the wood surface and is available in every conceivable color. The garden shed or arbor must be sanded and primed before application. Remember that aging paint flakes and cracks, so you'll need to scrape and sand again to refinish the wood down the road.If none of those appeal to you, there are some other low maintenance wood finishing options:Vinyl Siding: For wood garden sheds, you can use vinyl siding instead of wood siding. Vinyl siding is ultra low maintenance, comes in many colors, and only requires periodic cleaning (once a year) with water to keep its fresh appearance.Unfinished Cedar: If your wood garden shed or arbor is made from cedar, (such as Western Red Cedar), you can choose to leave it unfinished. Cedar does not warp, and it contains natural preservatives that prevent rot. Natural weathering over time turns unfinished cedar a lovely sliver-gray color.Applying wood finishing products is easy with the right tools
Stains and sealers can be applied with a brush roller, pad, or spray gun. Check the wood finishing manufacturer instructions. Apply two coats and expect to reapply every two the five years.Leanne Tremblay is the author and publisher of http://www.gardensheds.greenhouses.arbors.learnabout.info where you can find great ideas on garden sheds, shed plans and shed kits, greenhouse kits, arbors, and trellises.

Solar lights are very popular for lighting yards and gardens. They are virtually maintenance free, easy to install, and cost almost nothing to run. Once you have bought solar lights, the only future maintenance costs are for replacement batteries.The only drawback for solar lighting is that they must be placed in an area which receives a lot of sunlight during the day. If your garden or a pathway is shaded, solar lighting is not going to work very well.If you are intent on having solar lighting for a shaded area, you can install a solar panel on your roof or other spot which receives a lot of sunlight. This is a bit more expensive than regular solar path lights or solar spotlights and you need to run a wire from the solar panel to the lights.Depending on the amount of sunlight received during the day, solar garden lights can provide six to 12 hours of lighting in the evening. They have a built in photosensor which turns the lights on when it becomes dark. They remain lit until the battery is depleted or the sun rises -- whichever comes first.Regular solar garden lights are easy to install. Simply pushed him into the ground, adjust the photocell so that it is aiming towards the sun most of the day, and that's it! Instant lighting! Unfortunately, this same ease of installation also makes solar garden lights and easy target for thieves and vandals. They simply pull them out of the ground and it's goodbye to your solar path lights.Solar lights which are permanently installed on a deck or patio are more difficult to swipe. These kinds of lights require a screwdriver to install and also to remove. They are still vulnerable to theft but a little more difficult to steal.Solar garden lights are available in a variety of styles. You can buy hanging solar lights, solar spotlights, and even specialty solar lights such as colored lights and swimming pool lights. They are available at quite a reasonable cost but it's worthwhile shelling out a few extra bucks to get a good set of lights. Cheaper lights have been known to break during the storm conditions and high winds.Hans is editor of Patio HeatersRoss is one of the authors of
http://www.patio-furniture-ideas.com

Summertime provides the best time of the year to water garden ? and also to be on the alert for high-temperature problems.To remain healthy and continue growing, fish need to get all the nutrients available from their food, so feed them food they can easily assimilate in their systems. If fish seem hungry, feed them once to three times daily.Feeding small amounts guarantees all the food gets eaten, preventing leftover food from spoiling in high, summertime temperatures and dirtying the water. Don't feed fish that aren't hungry ? it only wastes money and soils their environment.Oxygen dissolves easier in winter, when water temperatures are low. Warmer temperatures mean harder-to-acquire oxygen in water.In summer, therefore, fish sometimes find it difficult to get enough dissolved oxygen ? particularly in severe summer heat. Even when fish eat, the motion caused by their feeding further depletes oxygen supplies.Avoid stressing your fish in the summer by feeding them in the cool, morning hours of the day. And to increase oxygen in the water, add a fountain or other aeration method to circulate and add air to your pond water. Submergible plants also help to increase the amount of soluble oxygen.So, pay attention to your fish. The best rule of thumb is to never give them more than they'll eat in five minutes. Unlike people (!), fish eat only what they need to survive, and as water warms past 77 degrees Fahrenheit, your fish will eat less.About The AuthorBrett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several pond-related websites including macarthurwatergardens.com and pond-filters-online.com. He also publishes a free monthly newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over 9,000 pond owners. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive a complimentary 'New Pond Owners Guide' for joining, just visit MacArthur Water Gardens at our website.brett@macarthurwatergardens.com

Get ready for some gut-wrenching, laugh out loud hilarious pond
stories from all over the world...(Continued from May Issue of PondStuff!)We had some hilarious, truly gut wrenching, laugh out-loud
stories sent in by some of you. Here we're going to highlight
some of the funniest stories for you to read.We had entries from all over the place (Inluding one all the way
from THAILAND!) The competition was fierce, and to be honest - I
had a really hard time deciding on one 'funniest' story, but
here's a brief rundown of our entries: cats, dogs, and bunnies
(?) all taking the Nestea plunge right into the water, a hungry
KOI nibbling in dangerous territory, a missing flip flop, an
electrifying experience for grandma, fun for the whole family,
fish frape, and flying fish to boot!First, let's start with this very funny story about 'Smokey' -
who apparently thinks he can walk on water. This was sent in by
Mike Lachance from Maryland:Funny Pond Story #1"I wish I had a photo to share of this very true story but any
ponder with cats has likely had the same experience at some time
or another. Several years ago, when I was enjoying the second
season of my first pond (I have now built four as I've moved
around), one of our cats, "Smokey", who was a natural hunter in
her prime, saw a mockingbird alight on a lilly pad to get a drink
of water. Well, old "Smokester" slowly crept out from under some
day lillies and made a spectacular jump with all four paws
majestically carrying her like a flying squirrel, right for that
intruding bird.It is not as though she had not already had a couple of
encounters with the water but that day the feathered treat must
have been too much for her to pass up. Well, both my wife and I
were there to see her make a wonderful belly flop into the pond.Of course, the bird was out of the way in plenty of time and I
swear that that cat walked on her toes the five feet it took her
to get out of the water! And of course, after removing herself
from the water, in a very nonchalant manner, proceeded to lift
each leg, shake off the water and as much as say "I meant to do
that, you know".Smokey often spent time at the pond later, using her tail to
attract the fish (she would put it in the water and swish it
around and the fish would come up to explore it. She never did
catch one). She also loved to sit at the waterfall and enjoy the
water moving past her. So that is my funny pond story.=== Funny Pond Story #2"Dear all at McArthur,My funniest pond story is about my late aunt, who introduced me
to the joy of backyard ponds. Donna had a large koi pond in her
backyard that she devoted endless amounts of love and attention
to. As happens with most ponds, spring brought some uninvited
guests...in this case frogs. One evening Donna was working on the
pond, checking the cantankerous pump and filter system, and using
her net to skim out leaves and what not that had blown in.My 80+ plus year old grandmother was supervising the work and
offering her expert opinion on how to proceed. They were amazed
at the number of frogs that had taken up residence, and not too
happy about it. Donna noticed a frog swimming at the far side of
the pond that she wanted to get out...something was not quite
right about the way he was swimming, and she pointed him out to
Grandma. "Mom, look at that frog swimming on his back!" Grandma
was a bit skeptical...frogs doing the back stroke were a
phenomenon that she was unfamiliar with.She advised that this misfit should be removed immediately. Don't
want to give the other little froggies strange ideas. Donna made
several attempts at scooping the miscreant up with her net, but
he was just out of reach. Only one thing left to do. Roll up your
shorts and wade in after him. The answer to Mr. Frogs strange
swimming technique became painfully obvious as soon as Donna
reached his immediate vacinity....a faulty under water light had
shorted and electrocuted him! Donna didn't need her electric
rollers for a few days after that!"Enecia SabroffFunny Pond Story #3"Hello----My husband recently bought a beagle puppy, at this time
he was 8 weeks old. My husband also bought two almost, semi-tame
rabbits to help train the puppy to track rabbits. At this time I
only had one pond that was preformed 550 gallons, my husband put
one of the rabbits out to platy with the puppy, the rabbit was
teasing the puppy, running a little ways then jumping over his
head, then the rabbit decided he didn't want to play anymore so
he started to run from Bear (the puppy), and he dove into the
pond. We were thinking that Bear would go around the pond to
the other side and continue chasing the bunny, but Bear just dove
right in, he was so little though that he had to be rescued from
the small backyard pond. My husband's only response was "he's
going to be a good rabbit dog!" Well, thanks for listening to
my story. Sincerely, Roberta Collins Toledo, OhioFunny Pond Story #4"A story to share...Two years ago I started with the crazy idea of building a small
pond with koi fishes. After a lot of working I finally built it,
and decorated it with all sort of plants. One day... mi female
cat "Manchita" went to the pond to examine this new
construction. She went to the border, jumped on a flat stone and
starter to drink water. To her big surprise one of the fishes ,
possibly thinking that the white nose of my cat was food, jumped
out of the water, trying to eat it.. Can you imagine the
surprise of the cat ? I believe that the fish was also quite
impressed with the experience. My cat almost fell into the pond ,
.. and from then on she never went around the pond again. She
used to watch the pond from my dorm, located in the second floor
and just across the pond. Unfortunately I did not take a picture
of this "accident". I am sending you a pictute of this first
pond; in the meantime I did build another, larger one.
Unfortunately "Manchita" is not around any more, she passed away
a few month ago, from old age.. This story happened in Valdivia,
a city located in the south of Chile. In this country winter is
approaching, with lots of leaves falling from the trees an the
plants in my pond preparing themselves to sleep for a while..."
Maria Fresard==Funny Pond Story #5"I have two ponds. An upper and lower pond. The upper pond is fed
by a waterfall with the source being the lower pond (driven by a
pump). The lower pond is fed by an overflow of the upper pond
that flows underground for about 70 feet (12 in drain pipe). Last
summer I rescued some trout fingerlings from a seasonal stream
going dry near my home. I put them in the lower pond. This spring
I was sitting in my kitchen and could see something flopping on
my water fall. The trout had migrated up the overflow tube and
were trying to swim further upstream via the water falls. No so
funny but does show the strength of nature. Just a few weeks ago,
Egrets found the pond and the fish.There is nothing left to migrate at this time. Not so funny but
does an Egret taste anything like a turkey when cooked?"Tom Gegenheimer==Funny Pond Story #6"We have only had a pond for a short time ... details can be seen
at http://thailand4life.net/smithgarden/The funny story must include the workmen (in Thailand) who took
zero safety precautions when constructing the pond.Watching guys shovelling concrete from a lorry and spreading it
across the bottom of the pond ... when the footwear they had was
just 'flip-flops' resulted in great entertainment .... especially
when. several times, the flip flops came off and were lost in the
cement somewhere (eventually found while they walked around bare
footed) .... pictures athttp://thailand4life.net/smithgarden/images/large/DSC03062.jpg
http://thailand4life.net/smithgarden/images/large/DSC03070.jpg
http://thailand4life.net/smithgarden/images/large/DSC03060.jpgStrangely it was only the guys .... the women laborers all wore
Wellington boots .... maybe this reflects on which of the sexes
is really the most sensible?" Regards, Chris==Funny Pond Story #7"I am building a pond at this time and I was in the process of
building a waterfall in the corner of a fence. The waterfall is
about 3 feet high and 7 feet wide. I thought I was finishing up
the waterfall with some flat rock on the very top. So I
straddeled thewaterfall with my knees on the second ledge and set
the flat rock on top. When I did this the whole waterfall fell
down because I build it on blocks and not a pile of dirt.When it fell one big rock caught my foot and I slide down the
fall and fell backwards into the pond going all the way under and
had a couple of big rocks come down on me. Meanwhile my wife is
laughing her butt of at me and I asked her to help me out she
slipped on the flat wet rock that surounded the ponds edge and
half way fell in with me.Now my two boys were playing in the yard they are 5 and 3 and saw
this happen to us and they thought it was time to got swimming so
guess who jumped into the pond with us, the boys. Nothing like
having the whole family in on the pond. We laughed for awhile but
then I had to rebuild the whole waterfall again and this time I
put the top rocks on from the side."Robert H Coppa Jr.==Funny Pond Story #8I decided 300 gallons would be perfect. I did all the math and
spent a great deal of time working with more experienced
ponders. Somehow when it was all said and done my little 300
gallon pond ended up being 810 gallons and come to find out it
was yet another one of my mathematical errors. Guess I should
have paid more attention in that college level math class
required for my Associates, right.We got the pond all up and running but because of the
miscalculation we now needed a bigger pump to feed the waterfall
so I went to our local water garden supplier and asked which one
to get. Budget was a concern so it was recommended that we got a

"I am a sundial, and I make a botch
Of what is done far better by a watch"So wrote Hilaire Belloc, but is this really fair? Sundials are the earliest known form of time-keeping having been used for some five thousand years. The Greek historian Herodotus stated that sundials were first used by the Chaldeans and Sumerians in Babylonia which was part of the modern Iraq. They used vertical rods on their buildings and noted the position of the shadow to record the passing of the hours. The concept was developed by the Greeks and Romans who constructed various different shapes of dial to enable them to tell the time and the season of the year. Usually these were bowl-shaped dials with vertical or horizontal gnomons (shadow-casters) and hour lines marked in the hollow of the bowl. Over the years more elaborate designs were produced until the advent of accurate clocks when the function of the sundial became more decorative than as a reliable means of telling the time.The question is often asked "Can a sundial really tell the correct time?" to which you will receive the Alice in Wonderland reply that it depends upon what you mean by "the correct time". Our clocks and watches work on the basis of there being exactly twenty-four hours between one day and the next but, because of the eliptical nature of the earth's orbit around the sun, the time shown on the sundial will vary according to the seasons. In February by the clock the sun is almost fifteen minutes slow, whereas during the spring and summer months it gains and loses between four and six minutes in two cycles. At the other extreme in November the sundial appears to be some seventeen minutes fast. In fact the sundial is accurate on only four days of the year, about April 15, June 14, September 2 and December 25. Some sundials include a table showing the deviation from "clock time" according to the date.The time indicated by the sun will also vary with the location of the dial. The sun travels across the sky at the rate of fifteen degrees per hour so every degree of longditude represents a difference of four minutes from the standard meridian for the region. The angle of the gnomon also depends on the situation, so to set up your sundial correctly you need to know both the latitude and longditude of its location. For the United States and the United Kingdom this site can provide the information. The gnomon should be set at the angle in degrees which is equal to the latitude of your location. The sundial can then be fixed with the gnomon pointing to the Pole Star. There are various ways of achieving this, the easiest of which, is to use a compass adjusted for the magnetic variation. Further details are beyond the scope of this article, but for those interested look at this site.If you have read this far you will have discovered that there is a great deal more to the sundial than a mere item of garden decoration. If this has piqued your interest in the subject, then you are not alone. There are Sundial Societies in countries around the world. The North American Sundial Society has details of its objects and activities on its website.A number of sundial trails have been established. A good example is the Thames Sundial Trail in London, England. This site lists a number of other trails in countries all over the world but only two in the United States. However the North American Sundial Society has a complete list on its website.Two rather different designs are shown here. The first, which is commonly referred to as a Human Sundial, uses the person's shadow to indicate the time. By standing in the appropriate box for the date the shadow will show the correct time. The second is a

Perennials are wonderful because, they bloom year after year. Sometimes, I forget that I even have them planted and then they spring up to my surprise and delight! I like to add some zip to my garden with flowers that are orange in color. They add a vibrant touch and the brilliant colors attract birds and insects.Here's some of my favorite orange perennials:Butterfly Weed ? This flowers in summer and can get as high as three feet. It has compact clusters of flowers and as the name implies, it does attract butterflies!Day Lily ? I see this beautiful flower growing wild all over the place here in New Hampshire. It blooms in summer and sits on 30" tall stalks. These perennials are virtually care free and will grow in most locations. Since 1 stalk can have over fourty flowers, you can have a bed of these that blooms for a month or more in the summer.Gaillardia ? This comes in a regular size that has 4" daisy like flowers and a dwarf size. The plant is short growing to about 2 feet and blooms in summer. These like to be planted in the full sun but are quite hardy and you can extend the bloom time if you cut off the fading flowers. And the best thing is that they also attract butterflies!Helianthemum - Blooms This is a good ground cover that blooms in summer It is easy to grow on rocky slopes and creates a border of color. If you are lucky it will bloom twice, once in early summer and then again in late summer.Oriental Poppy ? Beautiful orange flowers that bloom in spring and grow to 24". These beautiful perennials like a sunny spot with well drained soil.Torch lily - This interesting perennial blooms in summer and produces spikes of orange cone shaped flowers that can grow to 6 feet. It likes to be planted in a sunny location and is great for zones 5 ? 10. This plant attracts hummingbirds!Trumpet Creeper ? I had one of these beautiful vines growing wild up my chimney. It blooms in mid to late summer and has trumpet shaped flowers that hang from it's lush vines. It will cling to anything and can grow up to 30 feet. It can also grow as a shrub when it has nothing to cling to. It grows quickly and also attracts hummingbirds.Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of Backyard Garden And Patio where you can learn how to turn your backyard into an oasis and find out more about garden flowers