Trends: Networking
I say, "YEA!," you say, "Yea!" "YEA!" ... For those keeping score at home, the Yalester's first yardwork-related blister of 2007 was wrought at 5:18 p.m. on Sunday, March 18. Yes, after some 20 shovel thrusts into the rock-laden soil that envelopes Youngblood Manor, I officially christened the new planting season by creating a hole in the garden and bump on the skin.

At which point … The lovely Mrs. Y decided that she really wanted the Spirea planted about 12 inches farther toward the street. Don't you just love gardening?

Of course, you do. That's why you're here, virtually perusing the world of the colorful and the decorative. It's why you watch everything you can on television about the subject. It's why you read each page of every magazine devoted to the greening of America. It's why your yard is better than your neighbor's yard (and almost as good as my wife's).

Gardeners aren't hobbyists; they're lifestylists. And — thank goodness, from my perspective — their thirst for knowledge never seems to wane. To that end, I hope you get a chance to become part of a new online community devoted to your favorite endeavor. It's called Yard Enthusiasts of America!, a lively Internet clan created to provide information for and interaction among yard enthusiasts nationwide. Appropriately, the YEA! Web site was launched on the first day of spring and is sponsored by Project EverGreen, a national non-profit organization that promotes the benefits of well-maintained green space.

Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, describes YEA! as "a gathering place for anyone who wants to learn about and talk about what's happening in yards nationwide." He says the new Web site will provide a wealth of opportunities to learn and share information, including:

* Lawn and garden tips
* Forums in which yard enthusiasts can share their favorite methods for beautifying green space
* Blogs about lawn and garden experience/techniques
* Opportunities to share photos
* Contests to win valuable lawn and garden equipment and supplies

In addition, Gardner notes that visitors who access Yardenthusiasts.com can sign-up for a free newsletter which will be e-mailed every two months.

I would recommend the site to anyone who has ever treated a blister in the name of a prettier yard. And now that I've treated mine, I've got to get back to the garden. The lovely Mrs. Y has decided that the Spirea actually looked better in the original excavation site.

Puzzling pictures
What goes where — and why... One of the pictures below is a puzzle. Find the correct one and then piece the product together again. Do it in a rapid and accurate manner and all manner of rapid and accurate praise will be accorded you.

"Free wedding at Wal-Mart?"
Check the *BLOG*

Pick 'n Click
Chic seek... Would you like quick access to garden or gift items? These suppliers are ready to route you the information you seek. Click the company for e-reader service.

Achla Designs Allsop, Inc. Alpine Corporation Atlantic Pottery Bamboo Accents Bar Harbor Cedar Bartlett Bench & Wire, Inc. Benchmaster by Structural Plastics Black River Nursery Braun Horticulture Ceramo Co. Charlie Cook Associates, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Company Clean Air Gardening Collier Metal Specialties, Inc. Crescent Trading Group, LLC Danove Corporation Deer Out Discount Pond Supplies, Inc. EasyPro Pond Products Ecological Laboratories, Inc. Fabriscape Featherock, Inc. Firestone Specialty Products Gardenware Gifts That Bloom Hines Pottery Horticopia, Inc.

Inca Imports Isabel Bloom Jackson Pottery Macore Co. Maine Bucket Company, Inc., The Michael Gordon LTD National Lawn & Garden Show Novelty Manufacturing Co. Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Assoc. Parker Davis Company, Inc. Pharm Solutions, Inc. Plant Revolution, Inc. Plastair Poly-Tex, Inc. Red Carpet Studios Riverside Enterprises Ruibal's Topiary Systems & Ironworks Sherman Nursery Company T-Mate-O Topiary Art Works & Greenhouses Trunk Mat Company, The Two Dogs Designs Wellmaster Carts Winston Company Woodstream

 

"Free wedding at Wal-Mart?"
Check the *BLOG*

Oh, yeah, the riddle answer...
The horse is named "Friday."

 
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