Organic lawns turn into battlefront
The organic gardening movement is spurring neighborhood and even community battles, The Wall Street Journal reported last week. Homeowners who have successfully converted their lawns to pesticide-free zones are raising concerns about neighbors. The argument is similar to the one made against secondhand smoke from cigarettes and has reached community-level campaigns. Is this the 1st sign that U.S. cities and towns will soon be passing Canadian-style pesticide bans?

Bamboo makes headlines
The New York Times recently reported on the challenges of bamboo cultivation. The plant is being hailed for its resilience, versatility and environment-cleansing capabilities. Jackie Heinricher of Boo-Shoot Gardens, a nursery and research lab, said advances in tissue culture have made bamboo more readily available. Read more about Fargesia robusta here.

'Larry King Live' features grower
Matthew Freund, dairy farmer and owner of Freund's Farm Market in East Canaan, Conn., appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" earlier this month. Freund chatted with King and Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs." Freund produces CowPots, degradable pots made from cow manure. The pots' production process was featured on "Dirty Jobs" last year.

Poison ivy packs more of a punch
Gardeners beware! Poison ivy is becoming more virulent, Akron Beacon Journal reported. USDA researchers discovered that rising carbon dioxide levels are likely to both stimulate growth of poison ivy and increase its toxicity.

P. Allen Smith partners with Stihl
Outdoor power equipment manufacturer Stihl has signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with P. Allen Smith. "It was a mutual choice, and we are looking forward to a long relationship," said Peter Burton, Stihl v.p. of sales and marketing. Smith said he appreciates Stihl's support for educational programs and environmentally conscious products. The company offers several products with low-emission and non-petroleum-based engines as well as electric power tools.

Workplace bullies cause problems
Bullying at work prompted some spirited discussion on RetailWire recently. John Challenger, CEO of HR consulting firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, said bullying is more prevalent than sexual harassment, workplace violence or racial discrimination. The Workplace Bullying Institute defines bullying as verbal abuse, threatening, humiliating or offensive behavior/actions, and work interference.

AARS extends deadline for design competition
All-America Rose Selections is extending the deadline for its 2007 Designing with Roses Competition. AARS will accept entries until July 31. Entries must feature roses as a core design element. Winners will be featured in the AARS newsletter and Web site.

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Worth a visit
Carol Miller, Garden Center editor, shares the highlights of the ANLA Retail Roadshow in the Seattle area. Only on GreenBeam.com.