Rose Cottage Ltd

I noticed a lot of people searching this blog for “ketchup mustard rose.” I figured since I wrote an article on the preferences of most people for either ketchup or mustard on National Mustard Day 2010, combined with the title of the blog – “Rose Cottage Ltd,” that Google was just confused.

Apparently not.

Here is an image of the 2012 “Ketchup and Mustard Rose” – photo from Regan Nursery:

I guess if you look at this image and squint a bit, this pile of color could be found sitting on a hamburger – somewhere…but I’d need more mustard!

I noticed about a 50/50 split between those searching for “Ketchup Mustard Rose” versus those searching for “Mustard Ketchup Rose.” The initial condiment controversy apparently continues…

For those times when all else in the garden either seems to be failing or needs water. Take a little gardening luck from wherever you can find it!

This garden Leprechaun Planter has an empty pot of gold that is just the right size to hold your favorite plant.

Richly detailed weather resistant resin. Height – 17 inches.

Or try your luck with Irish and Celtic favorites at Shopirish.com

I’ll let these little low-maintenance plants speak for themselves…

Hosta – Patriot	Hosta – Flavocircinalis
Hosta – Minuteman	Hosta – Paradigm
Hosta – T-Rex	Hosta – T-Rex
Hosta – Albomarginata	Hosta – Big Daddy
Hosta – Francee	Hosta – Golden tiara
Hosta – Guacamole	Hosta – Liberty
Hosta – Patriot	Hosta – Revolution

Are you still using a heavy, unwieldy saw to trim branches and limbs? Replace that relic with the ultimate quick-cutting, portable, compact hand saw available.

The 21-inch Unbelievable Saw works faster and more easily than any standard chain saw, cutting through a 3-inch diameter limb in 20 seconds! You’ll cut down your yard work time significantly with this handy, sharp cutting tool.

The Unbelievable Saw stays sharp almost indefinitely, and its ultra-sharp teeth are coated for rust resistance. Use it to trim branches and limbs or cut fallen limbs for trash removal. Uses are almost unlimited!

And it’s a beauty! Smells better than it looks!

Every once in awhile gardening efforts really pay off – and prove they are always worth it…

Notice that the new wisteria is getting to prime-time growth season:

The way this thing is growing, it may be wrapped around the entire house by Fall 2011!

And fortunately one is available!

After a nasty little incident here at the lake yesterday, I know I am in the market for something to divert wasps away from at least one human!

The Waspinator works very much like a scarecrow by frightening wasps away from the protected area. Yellow Jackets and wasps are visual insects and depend on a keen sense of sight to catch moving prey. Wasps and Yellow Jackets are also very territorial and will never enter into an area where another colony’s hive or nest is located.

The Waspinator creates the appearance of a foreign nest and if a yellow jacket or wasp enters the area in search of food, as soon as they spot the foreign nest, they immediately leave the area for fear that the wasps from the artificial nest (Waspinator) will attack them.

Since they apparently are NOT living in fear of me, I believe this little $10 item will greatly enhance my ability to work outside without fear of additional stings. One per season is all I am willing to allow….

This will be the next issue to confront since the roses are beginning their march towards blooming…

Japanese Beetle Control

Or two, or three…

It will be interesting to take another picture of this in about a week….TGIF!

If you are looking for a safe way to deal with bugs and other creepy-crawlers in your yard and garden, give Diatomaceous Earth a try…

I’ve found this to be one of the best products to use – particularly in areas where water is the big draw for bugs. For those who don’t want to use Sevin Dust, this is the best alternative available.

15% Off coupon good until April 20,2011…

At least that’s what it seems like sometimes.

As soon as the first few warm days show up, so do the squirrels. As soon as the first bulbs start to peek out of the soil, so do the little tunnels built to grab any that haven’t broken ground as yet. And if you’ve seen them chasing up and down trees, you’ll know why humans use the term “squirrely” to denote weird or spastic behavior.

Although I have a bird feeder squirrel baffle on my main bird feeder, I’m looking for some additional options for the 2011 Summer season…

The Squirrel Proof Bouncer

Simple & Effective, the Bouncer has a design that keeps squirrels, grackles, jays and starlings out of your seed supply.

The four counter-weighted perches will support all of the smaller songbirds and even most cardinals but the weight of squirrels and larger birds will cause the perch to collapse to an inaccessible position underneath the feeder.

Fully assembled and easy to fill, this Hanging Feeder holds 9 lbs of seed.

Squirrel Buster Plus

Squirrel Buster 100% Squirrel Proof!

The Squirrel Buster Classic is a value-priced, high quality bird feeder that is guaranteed 100% squirrel proof. It provides both a perching and clinging environment, disassembles easily for cleaning and features seed tube ventilation to keep seed fresher.

Birdwatchers will Enjoy Viewing Unique and Entertaining Behaviors.

Sizes from 1.4 quart to 3 quarts capacity.

Squirrel Be Gone III Bird Feeder

At first glance, the Squirrel Be Gone looks like a beautifully designed feeder. But look more closely and you’ll soon discover that this very design is what causes the feeder to be completely squirrel-proof.

The interior seed tower is surrounded by rustic metalwork. Six feeding ports have sturdy metal perches that allow birds to feed comfortably; but, when the squirrels perch on them, their weight causes the entire metal casing to slip down, completely blocking the feeding ports and their access to the seed.

In addition, this feeder is easy to clean.

My contact at Southern States suggested putting
Corn On The Cob somewhere on the main path squirrels use to get to your bird feeder will have them so happily distracted, they will not feel the need to head in for birdseed.

Get all your spring and summer birding (and squirrel) supplies at once and get free shipping!