March 26 , 2005

South Bend Journal

AT HOME

Clean up in contest on pet odors

Ah yes, the scents of spring. Blooming flowers, wet dogs. Revel in one, run from the other. The maker of the Petrotech Odor Eliminator offers options. It says a squirt on the pooch, dog bed, cat box, carpet, trunk, baby seat, gym shoes or sports equipment will eliminate odors on contact. Meanwhile, the company is looking for the Stinkiest Pet in America. The contest began March 1 and runs through July 31. You must submit your smelly story online at www.sea-yu.com/ with a description of pet odors limited to 200 words each. Prizes run from $300 for first place to a can of the odor eliminator to 25 runners-up.

New cast iron comes in colors

Lodge Manufacturing, maker of cast-iron cookware, has introduced a new product line, Lodge Enamel. Two Dutch ovens -- a 5-quart and a 7-quart -- and a 2-quart oval casserole are available in three colors: patriot red, liberty blue and apple green. The enamel finish resists chips, scratches, stains and rust and is dishwasher-safe. Prices range from $95.95 for the 2-quart casseroles to $197.95 for the 7-quart Dutch ovens. For more information or to purchase, visit www.lodgemfg.com.

Tired of waiting? Speed up spring

For a jump-start on spring, cut branches of quince, forsythia, Japanese flowering cherry, redbud and crab apple for forcing indoors. Keep the stems hydrated -- make fresh cuts once a week -- and change water before it gets cloudy. A little hydrogen peroxide or floral preservative will keep water clean. Blooms should appear in two to four weeks.

Put your stamp on spring with these flowers

Spring flowers adorn four 37-cent definitives that were issued Tuesday by the U.S. Postal Service at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show. Check with your local post office branch.

Delphiniums now in elegant black

You already know how black can add elegance to an outfit or a room. How about a garden? Jackson & Perkins has introduced the world's first black delphinium, Delphinium elatum "Darkness Visible." It produces 1- to 1 1/2-inch black blooms on 2-foot flower spikes from spring to early summer and blooms again in the fall. The perennial performs well in zones 3 to 10. Darkness Visible can be ordered from Jackson & Perkins at (800) 292-4769 or www.jacksonandperkins.com. The plants sell for $26.95 for two and $49.95 for four.

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