And now a word from Mark Cullen...

Excerpted from Mark Cullen's Monthly newsletter, which can be found at www.markcullen.com

“All gardeners live in beautiful places

Because they made them so.”

~ Joseph Joubert

It is the month of May. Time to get serious about the garden.

I don’t quite mean this the way that it sounds: serious is not a word that we should ever attach to the gardening experience. After all, you got into this thing for the fun of it right? May is the month that we really dig in, if a great looking garden is in the plan for this year at all. That is what I mean.

As I travel the country talking with gardeners it is becoming clear to me that the emerging generation of gardeners have some lessons to teach those of us who have been doing this for a time: #1 “There are no rules”

We now mix up vegetable plants with perennials – in the same container! And most every plant that goes in the garden also goes into containers… and most everything that can hold some soil is a container for planting most everything else. No rules.

Where to start: THAT is the question!

Vegetables to plant:

For most of us Canadian gardeners it helps to look at May as two months – early (when frost can still occur) and late (when the threat of frost is much less likely).

Plant in the first half: all ‘frost hardy’ vegetable seeds. There are many that thrive in cool soil and will tolerate some frost once out of the ground.

Radish, carrots, all members of the onion family including spring sets, Spanish onions, leeks and multipliers. Plant peas now, both the ‘snow’ peas and the podded peas, (plus, for the record Sweat Peas), lettuce – leaf, head and bib varieties, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts (providing you can find someone to eat them). In fact virtually all of the ‘gassy' vegetables can be planted early –like now.

Later, when the threat of frost is no longer a consideration plant out your tomato plants and peppers, seed potatoes, squash, pumpkins and beans. Corn should be planted when the leaves of your oak trees are the size of a squirrel’s ear. If you lack squirrels, come over to my place and help yourself.

Containers.

I have a way to cut your watering down by up to one half this summer. Water Wicks are a new product in the Mark’s Choice line up that I am very excited about. Each ‘Water Wick’ tea bag absorbs up to 400 times its’ weight in water.

When you prepare a hole for planting, drop a pre-moistened Water Wick tea bag into the bottom of the hole and place the plant directly on top of it. Firm the soil around the plant as per usual. Now, as the soil dries out the plant will draw moisture from the Water Wick. When you water your plants the Water Wick is automatically recharged with water.

The results are that you will water much less and your plants will become deeply rooted in their search for water at the bottom of the planting hole.

How do we know these work? We tested them ourselves. But not until the Ontario Flower Growers applied them to over one million potted plants that were shipped to retailers across the country. The Water Wick concept was such a hit that reforestation projects are now using them when planting tree seedlings. We (Home Hardware and I) have the exclusive use of the product in the retail market.

Give them a try and let me know what you think. I have used them in the veggie garden, under newly planted perennials and in containers with great success.

Water Wicks are made in Canada and are a 100% Canadian concept!

The BEST Wheel Barrow. Ever. It took us a while to perfect this one, but the new Mark’s Choice wheel barrow is a winner. I know this because my wife has claimed mine as her own.

It has a generous 5 cubic foot capacity, a low centre of gravity (so it will not tip unless you really try), it is perfectly balanced (the part that we worked on the longest), it has two heavy duty wheels, a thick gage high impact plastic hopper and a comfortable wrap around handle for ‘one handled’ work (so you can hold a beer in one hand and walk a load around the yard with the other!).

Mark's Choice Product of the Month

Mark’s Choice garden soils – at last ! We have been working for 3 years on the perfect formulation of soils for the 3 main jobs that you have around the garden.

Container mix for planting in hanging baskets, window boxes and all other containers. Home Hardware item# 5053-500

Weed Free Lawn Soil for getting grass seed and sod off to a great and fast start. Home Hardware item# 5053-686

Flower and Vegetable Soil , which also contains the very best ingredients for growing all vegetables and flowers in the garden. Home Hardware item# 5053-695

Welcome Elyssa!

Congratulations to staff member Cristy and husband Tim Van Staden

on the arrival of their daughter

Elyssa Alida Elizabeth Van Staden.

Born May 4 at 11:57 AM.

Mother and daughter are doing fine and we wish the new

happy family the best of luck! We can't wait to meet her!

Giftcard & Gift for Mom

This Thursday, Friday & Saturday
buy at giftcard valued at $50 or more and receive a
FREE Miniature Rose
to go with your gift for Mom!

How sweet!

Add color to your condo

Check out this great article on adding color to your condo with hanging baskets

Spring Purge

In today's Edmonton Journal there were some great articles in the condos section, one called
Spring Purge--say adieu to those aerosol air fresheners.

An excerpt:

When tackling spring cleaning duties, there are some environmentally dubious household items that you might want to give a second look. And when I say "give a second look" I mean you should reconsider using and/or replace them with a more eco-sensible alternative.

Don't get me wrong -- I love fragrantly scented air. In fact, I have a bit of a purchase-problem when it comes to scented soy candles. But if you're the type who grabs for a can of Freesia Fiesta or Melon Madness aerosol air freshener to combat the stench of last night's fish fry or this morning's wet dog, I'm here to convince you to spritz your last spritz.

As you might be aware, the alluring fragrance housed in that aerosol can isn't derived from freesia or melons but from a complex chemical brew that can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and pollute the indoor air.

The four basic ingredients, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p-dichlorobenzene and aerosol propellants. And unsurprisingly, air fresheners of all varieties, not just ones in aerosol cans, contain those nefarious volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a source of health woes and ground-level ozone.

And here's something to consider before you say adios to that half-empty aerosol air freshener: The contents are considered as hazardous waste and should be taken to an eco-station. Yep, that Freesia Fiesta is hazardous (not to mention ineffective since it masks odours instead of removing them).

The author recommends opening some windows and placing bowls of baking soda around the house to absorb odors. And a vase or two of spring flowers not only brighten the place up but offer a beautiful, natural, safe aroma.

You have to keep in mind that these things you are inhaling are chemicals. The commercials of people spraying air fresheners all over everything in house and then inhaling the scents...good grief. You would never take the can and inhale it's contents, but somehow we feel like it is OK, (or like we SHOULD) scent the air (and invariably inhale it that way).

The reason this is especially timely for me is because I went to our local farmer's market this Thursday where I was fed a sales pitch by a sell-from-your-home candle company, initials MB. While this company's candles are in fact made from soy, the salesperson proceeded to tell me that they were the only "green" candle in North America, were 100% natural and non-toxic. I asked, "What about the fragrance?" I was told "Everything is all-natural."

It is not, in fact, all natural, and the company's own website says they use synthetic fragrance because the scent lasts longer. And it is not a "green" candle, let alone the only "green" candle in North America.

This really made me angry because a) it's not true, b) it's misleading (known as "greenwashing" where a person or company misrepresents a product as natural/good for the environment/organic/safe) and c) it is being spread around and shared through at-home parties and women's shows (like the one in Lloyd this weekend). Consumers should not be lied to--if your fragrance is fake but the base is real, just be honest with us.

We offer all kinds of things at the store--just in our candle lines, some are, indeed, all-natural (soy or beeswax) and fragranced with essential oils. Some are soy, but fragranced with synthetic (man-made) scents. Some are old-school paraffin (what most candles are made of).

When making choices, as the author above indicated, consider all the information you receive. Does "sticky cinnamon raisin bun" or "birthday cake" scents exist in nature? No. So how can it be natural? Plain old cinnamon or vanilla, yes, go for it. If you don't care if it is natural, burn whatever you like. But if you do care, and you are buying the product because you think it is all-natural or safe, then you might have to do a little extra research if you hear something that sounds fishy.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Wishing a very happy 60th birthday to one of the hippest 60 year olds we know, our Dad, Richard!

Young At Heart

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you're young at heart
For it's hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on its way

Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on Earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are it's much better by far
To be young at heart

And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you'll derive out of being alive
Then here is the best part
You have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart

One more update!

Coming this fall/winter--Sesame Street paint colors! Sesame Street actually approached Home Hardware to develop the colors and program. What's great about Sesame Street is that all of their products support Sesame Workshop which works around the world to teach and inspire children in 140 countries around the world, many of whom have no other access to preschool education.

In honor of this new partnership, why not enjoy an old-school Sesame video called Wet Paint, here.

Update from the Market

Well, we just returned from the Home Hardware Market and have lots to share!

First up, we met Anna Olson! (This photo is from Sarah's blackberry.) I have some excellent BBQ tips from her to share with you in a later post. We are hoping she will come to our store for a visit someday soon! She also gave us an insider tip--in the Summer edition of Home at Home magazine she will be providing some recipes for preserving (something a lot of you have been requesting lately!)

We also met up with Kevin O'Leary from CBC's Dragon's Den. He was there to promote one of the products he pitched the Dig It Garden Glove. In case you haven't heard of it, the glove has an interior reinforced pillow top protector built on the inside that prevents the nail from direct contact with the glove, thereby protecting your manicure (and/or also preventing dirt from sneaking in the seems and under your nails!) We will have a more detailed post on it in the future. We are also bringing in the Eye Dig It sunglasses, which combine revolutionary technology that allows you to protect your eyes from UV rays while incorporating the highest impact resistance lenses of any safety glasses (so you're safe from flying rocks while mowing the lawn, but still look stylish--they are made from a Prada mold!) Sarah and I were their first customers of the day!

We also met up with Mark Cullen and are really excited for the new Water Wicks this year! (See earlier post).

Hmm.. what else. Well, we were ordering Christmas at the show, and while it is the LAST thing from your minds right now, I will give you one update--we have some new self-forming trees this year that come out of the box fluffed, formed and ready for decorations!

For toys this Christmas we have the COOLEST new thing, Paper Jamz! These puppies are affordable, lightweight, paper-thin guitars that actually play music! The creative blend of technology and play is made possible with Active Graphics Technology which allows for circuit-embedded paper, enabling you to play like a pro by simply touching the paper surface! Here is a video of some actual kids playing at the Home Hardware market and here is another one showing you how it actually works.

In Kitchen news, Kitchenaid is coming back Home! Look forward this fall to a new assortment of totally redesigned coffee pots, toasters and more! Pyrex also has a new line of kitchen accessories, including measuring spoons and cups that are magnetized. LOVE THIS. You can take one spoon off, use it, wash it, and stick it back with the rest. No annoying rings or lost spoons again!

And, last but not least, Anti Monkey Butt.
I won't explain it, I will just let you go to the site and read all about it.

A greener way to control bugs

Mark Cullen’s Greener Way to Control Garden Bugs

Dealing with lawn and garden bugs can be difficult, but more than 95 per cent of the insects in our yards, such as earthworms, ladybugs and praying mantis, are actually helpful to the home gardener.

“I believe we can garden successfully without the use of toxic chemicals, and that includes insect control,” says Mark Cullen, Home Hardware’s Gardening Expert and author of The Canadian Garden Primer. Here are some of the most common pest problems, with Mark’s natural and organic solutions.

Beetles usually attack plants by eating their leaves and laying eggs that hatch in late fall or early spring. Applying dormant spray early in the spring can help kill off eggs before they hatch. Green Earth Dormant Spray is a safe, organically based product.

Aphids are sucking insects common in many gardens. They cause damage such as wilting and growth deformity, but they can easily be controlled with Green Earth insecticidal soap, a natural organic spray with no harmful effects on humans or pets. One spray application should do the trick.

Mark’s Most-Requested Recipe for Ant Control

Mix one litre of water, one teaspoon of Borax and a cup of sugar. Soak cotton balls in the solution and place them in an old margarine container. Punch holes in the lid so ants can get in. Place the containers in locations where you’ve seen ants (out of reach of pets and children). The ants will gather the poison sugar, take it back to the nest and eventually kill the entire colony.

Tasha's Note:

We have lots of customers coming in asking for ant control. Our question is always WHY? People will answer, "Well, I have ants in my yard." Of course you do! That's where ants live! Pesticide commercials have trained us to think that ants are bad and we must get rid of them.

In our opinion, the only reason you should have to get rid of ants are if they are in your home, or if they have built a large nest in your lawn or garden. Otherwise, don't worry about them. A few ants living in your garden ecosystem won't hurt. :)

Mixed Green Salad

Mixed Green Salad with Raw Yellow Pepper Vinaigrette

Serves 4

• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, dandelion, mustard, mizuna), washed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 tablespoons Raw Yellow Pepper Vinaigrette

Directions

1. Place the greens in a large bowl.
2. Stir the dressing well, pour over the greens, and toss well to coat.

Raw Yellow Pepper Vinaigrette Makes 1 cup

• 1 large yellow bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons warm water
• Pinch of sugar

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until combined well. The vinaigrette will keep, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

Recipe from Whole Living

Turn Organic Waste into a resource

From Mark Cullen:

I can think of many excellent reasons why every Canadian would want to compost: the environment, education, economy, convenience, usefulness and downright rewarding. Composting is a simple way to capture valuable organic resources and recycle them back into the garden. Adding finished compost to garden soil helps to improve soil quality and productivity. Do-it-yourself composting grows in popularity each year as homeowners discover this easy and rewarding process. As we begin a new growing season I encourage you to start your own compost.

Together, you and the kids will learn that great compost begins with many of the raw, organic materials that we eat and enjoy around the yard and ends with the miracle of a valuable resource that is good for everything that you grow in your garden.

Many municipalities in Canada now provide waste disposal for organics. I encourage you to keep the compostable organics for yourself. You will save money by not having to buy quite so much garden soil, you will help the environment by not having the raw material trucked away and you will have fun. So will the kids!

Composters range in styles from containers on rotating stands to large fenced-in areas of the yard. There are a few basic rules to follow when establishing a compost pile:

• - The more sun your composter receives, the faster the raw material in it will break down.
• - It is important to locate your composter near a reliable water source. The organic mixture needs a thorough soaking every couple of weeks during the heat of summer.
• - The best way to accelerate the decomposition of the organic material in your composter is to turn it every couple of weeks throughout the gardening season. Rotating units are great for this. Stationary compost piles will require turning with a garden fork or compost turner. Turning the organic mixture introduces oxygen into the centre of the pile. This recharges the microbial activity of the beneficial bacteria in the compost.

For more website information on composting, please visit compost.org and markcullen.com

Compost

What should be added to the mix for successful composting?

• - Leaves - Chopped leaves break down faster than whole leaves.
• - Grass clippings - Allow clippings to dry before adding to the composter or they just become a mucky mess.
• - Plants and weeds - Add only those plants without ripe seeds to avoid future problems.
• - Old potting soil - The plants and soil from last year that may still be in containers.
• - Kitchen scraps - Fruit and vegetable trimmings, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds.

Some things do not belong in your composter.

• - Meat - Not only will left-over meat attract animals but as it rots it risks turning your compost rancid.
• - Dairy products - Cheese and milk, etc. can go sour and make your compost smell.
• - Wood, bark, metal, plastic - Anything that will either not break down in a reasonable period of time or is not organic in the first place.
• - Weeds gone to seed - A great way to infest your garden with the plants you hate is to spread them everywhere in your finished compost. Don't count on your compost to heat up enough to kill these seeds. Few home gardeners have the critical mass or the discipline to turn their compost frequently enough to make the raw material heat up to this degree.
• - Dog and cat waste - Heavy metals are the biggest problem here - not to mention the smell. Stick with the manure of vegetarian animals such as cattle, sheep and horses. Don't overdo it though. Too much of the raw stuff can create an odour that will not endear you to your neighbours, especially in an urban situation.

MORE IN STORE

• composter 5010-500/953/962
• rotating composter 5010-506/508
• Green Earth^® Compost Accelerator 5010-908
• terra garden composter 5010-510
• compost aid 5011-532

Myths of Green Gardening

Garden Guru, Mark Cullen, Battles the Myths of Green Gardening with Mark Cullen

With Mark Cullen

Coast-to-coast Canadians are searching for new ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Springtime provides an opportunity to extend environmentally-friendly practices to the outdoors, but many homeowners question whether they can achieve lush results without pest-fighting chemicals.

"There's a myth that eco-friendly gardening equals sparse lawns and feeble plants," said Mark Cullen, Home Hardware's gardening expert and author of The Canadian Garden Primer. "Homeowners can create a healthy and natural environment by focusing on eliminating toxins through pesticide-free solutions and incorporating robust native and indigenous plants that do not need an abundance of water to survive the summer heat."

Mark Cullen gives gardeners the facts when it comes to gardening:

Myth #1 - It is impossible to conserve water in the summer months.

False. Conserve water by using mulch to keep soil moist, capturing rain fall in water barrels and placing soaking hoses in your garden to uniformly soak the soil. For best results, install hoses beneath a layer of mulch to further reduce moisture loss.

Myth #2 - Exotic plants are better-equipped to handle the summer heat.

False. Think local and cultivate native and indigenous plants to increase natural biodiversity cycles. Best suited to survive local weather conditions, native plants also have a greater tolerance towards local pests.

Myth #3 - It is difficult to grow vegetables and herbs in a standard garden.

False. Cultivate an organic food source and grow vegetables and herbs in your garden or in a container. Not only is this a practical approach, but the plants will complement your overall garden and ease the pressure on your bottom line.

Myth #4 - Pesticides are vital to keep grass green, plants lush and flowers blooming.

False. Use compost materials to help cultivate your garden by naturally enriching the soil with nutrients that will enable your plants to thrive.

Lloydminster Baby

Did you know Home Hardware in Lloydminster offers a large selection of baby and maternity products?

We are proud to offer a great selection of baby items in Lloyd, including:

Robeez
Bumbo
Lamaze Toys
Baby Gund
Babywrappers
Bella Bands
Hooter Hiders
Booby Trapper Nursing Covers
Bebe Au Lait
Sophie the Giraffe
Natural and Organic Baby Products
Stonz
Mimitens
Tee Pee for Me
Bearington Bear
Bearington Baby
Little Scholastic Books
Ore and Sugar Booger Baby Dish Sets
Bunnykins by Royal Doulton
Snacktrap
Baby Books & Music
Swaddling Blankets
Melissa and Doug
Little Soles Squeaky Shoes
grobag Egg
2 chix maternity t shirts
Baby Bee by Burts Bees
Druide Baby
cloud b Sleep Sheep, Twilight Turtle and Friends
My Little Seat
Nursing Pillows
Ergo Baby Carriers
Preggie Pops
Dapper Snappers
Cookie Safe
Raz Teethers
Bug a lug and Snuggle bug baby Bows
Soother Clips
PeePee TeePee
aden & anaais swaddling blankets
Miracle Milk Bib
Ringley
Dwink Box
Tinkle Time Stickers
Bumbo Toilet Trainer
Fruits & Passion bebe products
Baby Safe Feeder
Baby Cubes
BabyLegs and Babylegs socks
Banz Sunglasses for Baby
Manhattan Toy
Baby Bjorn
Kiddopotamus Bibs and Placemats
Skip Hop
Momzelle Nursing Clothing
Scwibbles and Crayoleez Crayons
Keep it Clean Pacifier


And More! Visit our website to see our Mommy and Baby Wishlists, or search this blog under the label "baby" and see some of our write ups on our favorite products! Visit our Facebook page and see photos of our Baby and Maternity items!

Gardenomical: Gardening on a Budget

Gardennomical: Gardening on a Budget with Tips from Mark Cullen

This spring, economic uncertainty is the prevailing theme as homeowners decide how to maximize limited budgets for home improvement projects.

"Trends this year reflect the need for cost-efficient gardening that makes the most of hard-earned dollars," said Mark Cullen, Home Hardware's gardening expert and author of The Canadian Garden Primer. "The focus will be on integrating native and indigenous plants into gardens as homeowners look for robust plants that do not need a lot of maintenance. Water conservation will also be a top priority as homeowners search for ways to save money while keeping the environment top of mind."

By following Mark Cullen's top five tips for economical gardening, you can create a flourishing garden without breaking the bank:

• Save on water bills by using mulch to keep soil moist, capturing rain fall in water barrels and placing soaker hoses in your garden to uniformly soak the soil. For best results, place hoses beneath a layer of mulch to further reduce moisture loss.
• Focus on native plants to increase natural biodiversity cycles. Native plants are typically less expensive, survive local weather conditions and reduce maintenance fees due to a tolerance to insects.
• Cultivate seeds to grow your own annuals, vegetables and herbs for a decorative flair and a practical approach.
• Invest wisely and improve your yard and garden so you can relax in your own outdoor retreat instead of spending on costly summer vacations.
• Select multi-purpose garden tools that work and protect your tools from the elements so that you don't have to buy new tools each year.

Anna Olson's Grilled Pizza

Grilled Pizza with pesto, asparagus, smoked salmon & chevre

Makes 2 pizzas
Serves 4 as an appetizer

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) tepid water 105˚F (40˚C)
• 2 1/4 tsp (11 mL) instant dry yeast
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil

Toppings:

• cornmeal, for sprinkling
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) basil pesto
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) sour cream (not low-fat)
• 12 spears cooked fresh asparagus
• 8 slices smoked salmon
• 4 oz (120 g) fresh chèvre (goat cheese)
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped chives
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

To make the dough, stir water and yeast together then stir in flours, salt and olive oil until dough becomes hard to work with a wooden spoon. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for just one minute, until dough feels elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.

Stir pesto and sour cream together and set aside. Preheat grill to high heat. Divide dough in two and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece as thinly as possible, to about 9-inches (23 cm) across. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray. Place rolled crust on pan or stone and cover the rolled out crust with a thin layer of the pesto mixture. Arrange asparagus and smoked salmon on top, crumble chèvre over top and grill with the lid open for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden at the edges. Sprinkle with chives and chopped egg immediately before slicing and serving.

Get a jump on garden planning

By Kate Forgach, Ottawa Citizen; Canwest News Service

Pardon the pun, but gardening is rapidly growing into the No. 1 North American hobby. Maybe we're trying to save money by growing our own veggies or maybe gardeners are returning to the soil as a means of working off stress. Whatever the reason, gardening is one of the most "fruitful" returns on investment one can make.

Unfortunately, novice gardeners can end up spending more on seeds, tools and the other doodads required for a startup patch.

The good news is there are a few tricks that can save you money while still turning out a good crop. Here are 10 tips to get you going.

1. PLAN EARLY

Plot out your garden before turning the first spade of earth. Several websites make it easy to plan your garden either at no cost or free for the first 30 days. I'm particularly partial to GrowVeg.com,which helps you plot out the amount of space you'll need for each plant and where each should go in relation to other plants.

The Farmers' Almanac is still one of your best guides to when you should start planting and what kind of weather you can anticipate for the growing year.

2. UNDERSTAND YOUR LAND

Before you shell out a ton of cash for new plants, ask your neighbours what plants thrive in the soil of your region. Keep in mind plants appropriate for your growing zone might not work in your garden due to variations in soil composition, microclimate, pests, sunlight exposure and water availability. Visit your local nursery or call your municipality to learn how to get an analysis of your soil and recommendations for suitable plants.

3. DIG DEEP

Digging a deep garden bed can increase the number of plants you grow and ensure roots have plenty of room to thrive.

4. MULCH

Mulching your garden -- or covering the surface layer with plastic, wood chips, etc. -- will feed the soil, keep the soil and plant roots cool, retain moisture to reduce watering and prevent weeds. Also, mulching will reduce the amount of time you spend watering and weeding.

5. PLANT FROM SEEDS

Bedding plants are 10 times more expensive than seeds and often are sold long after the plant should have been unpotted. (Never buy plants with roots growing through the bottom of the pot.) Starting seeds indoors is cheaper and will give you a jump on the season. Save even more money by creating your own seed-starting pots.

6. SAVE AND SWAP SEEDS

Seed packets often contain far more seeds than you actually need, so consider starting or joining a seed exchange in your area. You can also harvest and store seeds for use the following year.

7. PROFIT FROM YOUR PLANTS

If you have limited space, consider planting produce that costs the most in a store or at a farmers market. You get the best bang for your buck by growing cilantro, salad greens, chives, tomatoes and squash.

8. BE SUN SAVVY

You'd be surprised how often experienced gardeners put a shade-loving plant in full sun or a sun-loving plant in the shade. Daylight is a moving target, so it can be difficult to ascertain the best location for each plant. Before plotting out your garden, spend time studying the movement of the sun over that patch of land, paying particular attention to heavily shadowed areas.

9. BE SMART ABOUT WATERING

Consider installing an evapotranspiration (ET) controller, if you have an in-ground sprinkler system. These systems use real-time weather data sent by satellite to control when your sprinklers turn on and off. This can cut your water usage by up to 30 per cent. Controllers cost between $300 and $400, depending on system size, but some municipal water agencies offer rebates, particularly in arid regions.

10. INSTALL DRIP IRRIGATION

If you don't have an in-ground sprinkler system, consider installing a drip-irrigation system. You'll save on water bills because the water won't evaporate as quickly and plant roots will receive a more thorough soaking.

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

Tips for Growing your own Food

Take these tips before growing your own food

By Steve Whysall, Vancouver Sun; Canwest News Service

Food gardening is still the biggest trend in gardening as more and more people, especially young families, try their hand at growing vegetables and fruit in their backyards.

Those who don't have backyards are growing food in tubs and containers -- call them "crops in pots" -- on a deck, balcony or patio, or renting a plot at a nearby community garden.

Where there's a will, there's a way. But if you are a newcomer to the world of food gardening, here are a few helpful tips, plus some recommendations about the best varieties to try growing, either from seed or from seedlings.

- You need sunshine and good soil.

To get a bumper crop, you need to grow your veggies and fruit in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunshine a day. You need healthy, crumbly, loamy, well-drained soil. Vegetables grow best in soil that is "sweet" or slightly more alkaline than acidic. Adding lime will help raise your soil's pH, the measure of acidity or alkalinity.

- Don't start too soon.

This is the most common mistake vegetable gardeners make. They sow seed into ground that is still too cold and wet. Find out when the soil in your area is workable. A simple test is to squeeze a handful of soil: if water runs out of it or it feels excessively moist and squishes into a hard ball, it is still too early to be in the garden.

- Start by growing easy crops.

Broad beans, pole beans, bush beans, peas, green onions, potatoes, spinach, radishes, beets, chard, kohlrabi and lettuce are all pretty much foolproof. Leeks, parsnips, garlic, zucchini and carrots take a little longer, but are also easy to grow. You can sow the seed for these or plant seedlings in the garden through May and June. Think twice about cabbage because it can be prone to pests and diseases. Broccoli and cauliflower take a little more skill.

- Start warm-season crops indoors.

Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants can be started from seed indoors, then moved into the garden in June. You'll find seedlings for all these at garden centres in May if you don't want to nurse plants indoors. These do best grown in containers or raised beds or greenhouses.

- Always rotate crops.

This is no folksy theory; it's an important rule of vegetable gardening to reduce pests and diseases. Don't grow a crop in the same location two years running.

For instance, beans pump nitrogen into the soil and broccoli thrives on nitrogen-rich soil, so it's smart to grow broccoli where beans were grown the previous year. Onions like weed-free soil, so it's good to grow them after potatoes because the foliage of potatoes suppresses weeds.

The British have a way of remembering how to rotate crops every three years by using the mnemonic British Rail Late: B for brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi), followed by R for root vegetables (beets, carrots, parsnips), followed by L for legumes (peas, broad and runner beans.) Leeks, onions, chives and garlic go with legumes, which are followed by brassicas to complete the cycle.

- Put in the effort.

Food gardening requires time, commitment and effort. This may be a reality that eventually causes some time-starved gardeners to reconsider their initial enthusiasm.

- - -

GARDENING LEGWORK

The following practices will lead to greater success:

- -Grow a range of plants. This creates a healthier, more balanced environment where pests and diseases are less likely to get out of control.

- -Monitor your crops regularly. Hand-pick greenfly and blackfly, slugs and cutworms. This is also the way to stay on top of weeds.

- -When you thin rows of radishes and carrots, always clear away your thinnings. Leaving them to rot on the ground next to healthy plants opens the door to disease.

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

And now a word from Mark Cullen

This is a big one because Spring is on the way! Check out these excerpts from Mark's April Newsletter, and sign up for your own copy at www.markcullen.com. Do it before April 15th and you will be entered into a draw to win a collection of Mark's Choice tools, accessories and autographed gardening books!


It is April – the month of renewal.

Easter falls early in the month, appropriately, and thoughts turn to cleaning up, what to plant and where to plant it and new garden projects. Let me help you get organized with all of this.

Your Lawn Needs Attention.

Rake your lawn lightly with a fan rake (check out the new ‘Mark’s Choice Worlds’ Best Fan Rake’ at Home Hardware. It is unbelievable! And I am really excited about it).

Fertilize your lawn with CIL Golfgreen. Why? Because it contains the most sophisticated form of slow release nitrogen on the market, it contains 28% nitrogen in the first place (the element that lawns crave most this time of year) and it is made in Canada. Pay a penny or two more and get the best results possible and apply fertilizer less often – Golfgreen lasts up to 10 weeks.

Aerate your lawn if you have a solid clay base under the root zone of the grass plants. If you are growing your lawn on 12 to 15 cm of topsoil or otherwise reasonable quality soil, no worries. Skip this step.

Cut your lawn at least 7 to 8 cm high (2 ½ or 3 inches) but you won’t likely have to do that until I am in touch with the May newsletter.

Mark's Choice Product of the Month

Mark's Choice Water Wicks are new for Spring 2010 and exclusively available at Home Hardware.

Imagine a tea bag that will reduce the watering of newly planted plants by up to 70%.

Pre-soak the new Mark’s Choice water wicks tea bag for 10 minutes in tap water and place at the bottom of the planting hole, making sure that the roots of the new plant make contact with the wet bag. Voila! The water in the pre-soaked bag will release to the root zone as the plant requires it.

Each ‘tea bag’ retains up to 400 times its’ original weight in water.

It is a remarkable thing that will revolutionize the way that you plant and water. It was developed right here in Canada by professional flower growers and has been tested over the past 3 years on over one million plants. It works! And it is a Mark’s Choice exclusive.

Home Hardware item# 5012-622

More info at www.waterwicks.ca.

Speaking of Mark’s Choice at Home Hardware: we have several new products to tell you about this spring, one of which is the very exciting ‘ Worlds’ best rake’. It is wonderful.

This rake will ‘throw’ leaves, grass clippings and winter debris up to 5 meters or 22 feet. I know, I torture tested this one for a season in my own garden (as I do all Mark’s Choice products before we introduce them) and I am so impressed.

It is super flexible – returning to its original position every time.

It is light weight – easy to use and easy on the shoulders.

It is fun. Fun raking? Yes – try it and you will see.

The new Mark’s Choice ‘Worlds’ Best Rake’ is available only at Home Hardware and is worth every penny. Yes – there are cheaper rakes out there. There is cheaper ‘everything’ out there – this one is worth a premium.

When you use it for a while, you will know.

To view the newsletter in it's entirety, visit this page and click on the link on the right.

And now a word from Mark Cullen

Anna Olson's Rhubarb Ricotta Muffins

Rhubarb Ricotta Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

• 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon
• 1 1/3 cups (330 mL) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) creamy ricotta
• 1/2 cup (25 mL) canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups (330 mL) chopped rhubarb (fresh or frozen) turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C). In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a separate large bowl, blend together brown sugar, ricotta cheese, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add flour to brown sugar mixture and blend just until incorporated. Stir in rhubarb and spoon into a greased muffin tin. Sprinkle tops generously with turbinado sugar. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until tops are golden brown and a tester inserted in the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from muffin pan.

Find more recipes in the Spring edition of Home at Home magazine.

Grab your FREE copy at Front Cash!

Booby Trapper

The Booby Trapper is a nursing canopy developed by a Regina Mom.
Its ingenious design keeps the material from covering baby’s face, allowing for continuous air flow, eye contact, and a better overall public nursing experience. Its generous size provides great coverage for Mom, but folds up compactly enough to fit in any purse or diaper bag.

Not only is it perfect for covering up while nursing in public, it’s also a great way to shade your baby from the sun, or create a soothing, distraction-free space for napping. See some news coverage here or check out a you tube video on usage here.

The main difference with this nursing cover is an additional rim, positioned around where baby's face would be, which keeps the fabric from touching baby's face. The cover is also larger overall, providing additional coverage, especially as baby gets bigger and likes to swat at or kick the cover during nursing.

Fun new ways to color your days

Scwibbles Natural Soy Wax Crayons provide vibrant colours and beautiful textures. These 'crayons' are made from renewable soybeans and coloured with natural mineral powders.

They're designed to strengthen the tripod muscles,preparing fingers and hands for writing skills. And they're specially shaped to allow small fingers to colour in large, wide strokes, promoting confidence in creating children's art. What's more, the bag they come in is special. Made of environmentally friendly burlap, it has a weave which lets light through. So when small hands dive in beneath the wide flap, the pleasing array of colours is easily seen. And the more the crayons are used, the more - jewel-like - they shine. No wonder the young artists enjoy using them!


Also on the way, Crayoleez!

Kids can look outside the box with these large, colorful shaped crayons. Take one or two crayons in your bag for kids to color at the restaurant or out at coffee. The multi-colored crayon is, in my opinion, especially nice for drawing, or for your little scribbler. Why scribble in only one color?

New Patio Furniture!

Click here to view some of the new patio sets available from Home this Spring!

THe 3 Nasties

We wrote about the 3 Nasties--BPA, Phthalates, and Parabens, back in March of 2009 when we first started this blog. Check it out by clicking here.

Yesterday I was watching Dr Oz and he was discussing these chemicals, and what they are doing to us. Frankly, it was disturbing. Check out the article and video clip here.

An excerpt:Phthalates

These difficult-to-pronounce ingredients help fragrance linger on the body
after you have applied a lotion or body cream to your skin. They’re also found
in toys, floor coverings, detergent, soaps, nail polish, and shampoos.
Unfortunately, they mimic
the hormone estrogen and have been linked to reproductive problems in
rodents, such as lower
testosterone and fetal malformation. Often they are not listed on beauty
products, so the best rule of thumb is to avoid any products with fragrance.

Parabens

Found in moisturizing shampoos and body lotions, parabens are the most widely
used preservatives in the beauty product industry, and they also act similar to
estrogen in our bodies. One study found parabens in the breast
cancer tissue of 19 out of 20 women studied; experts worry there could be
a connection.

Use these chemicals as a litmus test for a healthy product. If you see them
listed on the label (often as methylparaben, butylparaben, or propylparaben), it
shows that the manufacturer is not concerned about limiting exposure to
potentially harmful chemicals.

What Can You Do?

• Drink water from stainless steel bottles
• Avoid plastics with the numbers 3, 6, and 7 on the bottom
• Never heat plastic in the microwave (even if it says it is microwave
  safe)
• Choose frozen and fresh produce over canned
• Use BPA-free baby bottles
• Avoid any products that contain fragrances; opt for those that get their
  scent from essential oils
• Stay away from parabens
• Choose products that are paraben- and phthalate-free

Dispose of leftover medication by throwing it in the trash with coffee grinds or cat litter (to keep harmful medications from being picked from the trash), return the unused portion to your pharmacy, or go online to find your local hazardous waste disposal facility.

We carry a large assortment of glass food containers, stainless steel water bottles and travel mugs, personal care products (such as Druide) and home products (like simplicity candles) that are naturally fragranced and free of the nasties.

2010 Catalog now in!

The 2010 Home Hardware Buying Guide Catalog is now in store. With 344 pages plus almost 100 pages of building supplies, this baby is chock full of new finds! And it's free!

Some highlights:
-Page 54 features some of the new Mark Cullen products exclusive to Home, such as the new Water Wicks, little tea-bag like pouches that absorb and release water as the plant needs it, reducing watering by up to 50%!

-Starting on page 1, check out our beautiful new patio furniture. These collections are really nice this year, with great colors and different set-ups and styles. Some of the tables are even extendable to accommodate extra guests.

-Page 73A features CrossTimbers decking, "the better building boards." These puppies resist sagging, splintering, warping, rotting, insects and span farther than most composites available. They contain no toxic chemicals and are covered by a 20-year limited warranty.

- Page 83 contains our line-up of Natura natural cleaning products, including laundry and dish soap. The glass and surface cleaner is fragrance and VOC free, and does not contain phosphates, solvents or ammonia.

Get your copy at Front Cash.

PS--If you need something to make your day, check out the new update on our website. It's AWESOME.

Anna Olson's Grilled Shrimp Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

Serves 6

• 1 cup (250 mL) mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) buttermilk
• 2/3 cup (160 mL) chopped flat leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped green onion
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil salt and pepper

Shrimp & salad:

• 1 lb (450 g) peeled and de-veined 21/25 raw shrimp
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil salt & pepper juice of 1 lemon
• 9 cups (2.25 L) mixed salad green
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) sliced radishes

For dressing, purée mayonnaise, buttermilk, green onion, herbs and mustard in a food processor or blender until smooth. Slowly pour in oil while blending and season to taste. Chill until ready to serve.

For shrimp and salad, preheat gas grill on high. Toss shrimp with oil and season lightly. Grill shrimp in a grilling basket or skewered until pink. Toss shrimp in a bowl with lemon juice.

To serve, toss greens with half of the prepared dressing and arrange on plates. Toss the remaining dressing with shrimp and arrange over greens. Sprinkle salads with radishes and serve.

Find more recipes in the Spring edition of Home at Home magazine

Happy Birthday Shaheer!

Happy Birthday to our friend Shaheer!

Coming Soon...Sippy Straw Cleaner!

This, I have been waiting my whole parenting life for. As a parent of a sippy-cup drinking child, there is nothing harder to clean then the straws for said cup (aside from anything that manages somehow to harden onto the highchair tray). Rinse, soak, dishwasher, power washer (just kidding) nothing gets into that teeny, tiny tube. It is especially hard to clean out things like chocolate milk or fruit smoothie.

Enter The Sippy Straw Cleaner. This handy little guy can get in there and get the gunk out. And the inventor, a mom, naturally, has tested it on every make and model of cup and found it to work in all, including thermos and sports bottle straws. Find more FAQ's here.

The package comes with 2 brushes, as some people find the small brush is also perfect for their keyboard or jewelery. I can't wait to test it out on the inside of the spout of Hannah's cups as well AND the valves! Those are another pain to clean.

Keep your eye out for them.

03/14/10

Welcome to the World

Little Molly Marie Ross

You are going to have a beautiful life!

Weekend Update

Just got back from a buying show in Edmonton, found a few fun new things for spring. If all goes well we should be getting Sanuk yoga mat sandals in, super comfy. Also some new designs of Babylegs, Soother clips, Miracle Milk Bibs and Plush Pocket Blankets.

We're doing some painting around the store to freshen things up a bit. Check out the reception area by Mark's office--so slick! I will have to take pictures to show you--a really nice spring green with black trim. I'll have to get the paint names from Carol also! The Plumbing display units are next, we've got the colors all lined up.

All the new spring and garden merchandise is starting to roll in, including our new Spring glossy flyer, available in store. Same goes for the spring Home at Home magazine, get them while they're hot!

Random musings from Edmonton:

-Barista at Starbucks calling out orders, pronoucing latte as LATT-eh? and misto as MISSED-oh.
-Earls serving a man next to us a rum and coke, with the rum on the rocks in a glass, and the coke in a mini side carafe (like they serve wine in). Everyone was thoroughly confused... is that supposed to make it more classy or something?
-NO WINS on Roll up the rim yet!
-Took my Gido (grandpa) a Dark Cherry Mocha for a surprise and EVERYONE in his senior's complex said "Oh, you brought me my coffee!" I guess next time we should bring enough for everyone!
-Sarah and I are born grazers. We can barely finish one meal we split, but yet are starving an hour later. Enter Yogen Fruz. So good, so glad it's back and upped it's game.
-I'm excited for daylight savings time to begin because Hannah has been waking up too early, thus, I will once again be able to wake up at a semi-normal hour when we spring forward one hour tonight.

St Patty's Day Treats

Yum. For St Patrick's Day, as a kid, another favorite treat was when my Mom made green Rice Krispie Squares. As an adult, it looks a little .. well.. green, but as a kid it was totally cool. This isn't my picture (it's a little TOO green, ours were more pale) but it is something you can try for fun. Even if you are all grown up, EVERYONE loves Rice Krispie Squares.

Worx Hand Cleaner

A simple way to stay healthy - A simple way to contribute to a clean environment.

Most cost-effective and powerful industrial hand cleaner, plus consumer- and environmentally-safer!

WORX^TM revolutionary All-Natural hand cleaner removes stubborn stains, dirt, grease, and grime from the dirtiest hands. Simply wet one hand, apply WORX^TM powder, wet the other hand, scrub, and rinse thoroughly. WORX^TM concentrated powder comes in a variety of easy-to-use containers. Use WORX^TM All-Natural hand cleaner and notice an immediate difference.

Conditions While It Cleans!

WORX^TM revolutionary hand cleaners condition the skin while biodegradable cleaning agents are at work. WORX^TM reduces or completely eliminates rashes and skin irritations associated with solvent based cleaners. As WORX^TM does not contain harmful or abrasive ingredients that damage the skin, the need for additional conditioning products is eliminated.

To Use: Simply wet hands completely without shaking off the excess water. Apply a small amount (our dispensers will give the correct amount) and rub hands to form a lather. After vigorous washing, rinse hands thoroughly to ensure that all excess product has been removed.

Cleans and Conditions Removes Odors Easy-to-use Will not Clog Drains

WORX^TM Effectively Removes:

Printer's Ink Agricultural Dirt Fresh Paint Carbon

Mechanic's Grease Oil Primers Soot

Industrial Grease & Grime Pine Tar Wood Stains Foul Odors

and Much More..

Shamrock Shakes

As a kid, I used to LOVE Shamrock Shakes at McDonald's. However, in my adulthood they have come and gone, sometimes here, sometimes not.

I love MINT. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is my favorite (it has to be green, with mini chocolate chips, not chocolate shavings and NOT white) and I love Tasty Mints--my Dad always used to make me feel bad by saying they taste like toothpaste.

Well, now my daughter, at the tender age of 20 months, loves mint too, go figure.

If you, too, are nostalgic for Shamrock Shakes, here is a homemade version. Maybe my Dad will make it for me ;)

McDonald's Shamrock Shakes

2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 teaspoon MINT extract (not peppermint)
8 drops green food coloring

Mix all ingredients on high speed until smooth. Stop blender, stir and blend
again, if necessary to combine ingredients. Makes 2 − 12 oz. shakes.

These knives are amazing

My Mom had a reputation for having the dullest knives around. I am not really sure why, they all were just really awful. We make most of our holiday meals at her place so all the slicing and dicing was slow and painful.

Finally she upgraded to these knives, and fell so in love she got a set for all of us. They are FANTASTIC. I have Henkels knives, and I now regularly reach over those for one of these, particularly the chef knife which is a dream. They are so sharp, and are weighted perfectly. Even my Aunt and Uncle, who have uber-expensive knives they brought back from Europe, love these knives. You simply must try them.

You don't even realize how dull and lifeless your knives are until you use a good knife. Have I convinced you yet? ;)

Knife Set With Block

• - Set contains the following knives:
  One 3.5" paring knife (2.0mm blade thickness)
  One 6" utility knife (2.5mm blade thickness)
  One 7" santoku knife (2.5mm blade thickness)
• - All the knives have NSF certificate
• - Blade material is German steel
• - Stone grinding finish
• - Half tang design
• - Black Santoprene ergonomic handles
• - Wooden block is 6.5" diameter x 2.5" wide x 7.5"
  high in size for a sleek elegant presentation
• - Black paint on wooden block provides water
  resistance

• $ 59.97

PVR

Can you believe TVs used to have knobs?! We will tell our children, they used to be black and white (yes, I had a black and white when we were kids!) and have round knobs and tall ears sticking up!

Ok, I think the PVR is the greatest invention ever. The ability to pause, rewind, skip commercials has changed my life.

I was looking at what we have recorded and it was quite a funny selection. I thought I would share. Granted, these are the shows I am not caught up on (or some that are permanently saved) not all the shows I watch. Some are watched and deleted already, but this isn't a game about what I watch, just what is currently sitting on there.

In order:

Parenthood (new, just debuted tonight. Has Nate from Six Feet Under in it, so I hope it will be good)
16 and Pregnant (I love this series, and the "sequel," Teen Mom.)
American Idol
Access Hollywood
Dr. Oz
Jimmy Kimmel Live (because they were announcing something on it I wanted to hear, don't normally catch that show)
Project Runway (kind of getting boring now, I just skip to the end to see the fashion show)
How I Met Your Mother (love it, one of the few shows Jeff will watch with me)
Marriage Ref (also new)
The Good Wife (new this year, really intriguing)
Undercover Boss (haven't watched it yet, heard about it on Oprah)
Helicopter Wars
Deadliest Catch
Sesame Street
Family Guy
30 Rock
House
Shark Tank
Lidia's Italy (Italian cooking show)
Oprah (the one with Micheal Pollan)
Nature of Things (about honey bees, which I love)
The Wiggles (in case Hannah likes the music. So far, not so much)
My Friends Tigger and Pooh
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Two and a Half Men (haven't watched it in a long time, but have them saved in case I am sick one day and need something to entertain me)
Fight Quest (? Something of Jeff's, I have no idea)
Padma Yoga
Breathing Space Yoga (I taped a bunch of episodes of each, so I don't have to get up at 6am and also it is like having 30 dvds!)
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (PBS Special, haven't watched it yet)
The Bachelor (1 minute, because my sister's commercial is on it)
The Doctors (same thing)

What is on your PVR? Do you have one? If not you MUST! It is a life saver!

Now Hiring!

We are currently accepting applications for several positions. Please fill out an application form at front cash (attach a resume if you have one, but please complete the application form in full. You can print out an application form here.)

*All jobs require that you work Saturdays.*

We offer a positive, exciting, family working environment with excellent co-workers and great customers. You receive on-going training, comprehensive benefits (full-time staff) and a generous 20% staff discount. No early mornings, late nights, Sundays or holidays.

We are looking for candidates with a positive, professional attitude to assist our customers with their purchases. Join a great team and work in one of these exciting departments, with room to move up within the company.

Gingersnaps Coffee Shop
When this little shop is busy, it's busy! Job includes preparing and serving specialty coffees, snacks and light lunch items, and occasionally helping on the sales floor. Must be comfortable with computer use. Please ask to speak with Heather or Sarah

Cashiers
If you love people, than this is the job for you! Work with an excellent team of cashiers doing one of the most important jobs in the store. We are looking for positive, enthusiastic people to join this team. As a cashier, you are the first and last impression for our great customers. One of the bonuses of being a cashier at HH is that you aren't chained to the cash desk--oftentimes our cashiers venture out onto the floor to help with various projects, or even do them at their stations. We guarantee you won't be bored!


Contract Salesperson
We are currently looking for a salesman that will focus and work with our contractors to help them with design take offs, estimates, and general sales inquires. Applicants must have a strong knowledge in the lumber industry and have experience with computers. If you’re looking for a exciting job with our Lumber and Building Materials Team come and apply today and speak with David.

Positions also available in lumber, yard and Garden!

If the position you are interested in is not listed, apply anyway! We are always looking for great new people to join our award-winning team!

Happy Birthday Lori & David!

Happy Birthday to twins Lori & David Rurka who turn 24 today! Have a great birthday you two!

March Tea of the Month

Vanilla Cream

An Exotic Dessert Tea for Special Occasions, indeed a decadent as well as a synergistic tea! Must be the top quality Ceylon Tea that is used! This tea is designed for special occasions as well as being a dessert tea – but most drink it all the time because its taste is so delectable. We know that vanilla is reported to have the ability to calm the nerves and lift the spirit as well as allegedly improving the romantic aspect of one's life.


Not only is vanilla a flavor that is full of mystery and elusiveness, but it is also highly prized. Combine the exotic character of vanilla with a velvet cream taste and you end up with the 'Cadillac' of flavored teas!

Enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea brewed just for you! Special Tea of the Month Price 1.68