Wasabi Media Group (WMG) announces our largest contest ever.  Almost $2,000 in prizes and everyone that enters is guaranteed to get at least $50 in free advertising!!

The Prize Packs

Prize Pack 1 ($1,000 value) - A Free Business Edition Wiki for 1 Year at PBWiki - http://www.pbwiki.com

Prize Pack 2 ($100 value) – Permanent Featured Links in:

• WNPay http://www.wnpay.com
• Select Index http://www.selectindex.com
• Arctic Development http://www.arcticdevelopment.org
• Traffic4Us http://www.traffic4.us
• Wincyclopedia http://www.wincyclopedia.com

Prize Pack 3 ($100 Value) - $100 Sphere at AdSpheres - http://www.adspheres.com

Prize Pack 4 ($20 Value) - $20 Bidded Link at BountyWorld

Prize Pack 5 ($100 Value) - 5 Seats of Targeted Software at Aatmani - http://www.aatmani.com

Prize Pack 6 ($20 Value) - Site Review Package at Select Index Blog - http://www.selectindex.com/blog

Prize Pack 7 ($60 Value) -  1 Year Text Link at PageRankr - http://www.pagerankr.com

Prize Pack 8 ($50 Value) - 3 Months of a 160 x 600 Banner Ad on Tutorial Area - http://www.tutorialarea.com

Prize Pack 9 ($30 Value) - 5,000 visitors via Win Free Candy - http://www.winfreecandy.com

Prize Pack 10 ($120 Value) - 20,000 EntreCard Points

How To Enter

To take part in this drawing you need to sign up for the Wasabi Media Group Advertiser Newsletter by using the form here: http://www.wasabimediagroup.com/advertiser_subscribe1.php. By signing up and confirming your email, you will receive 5 tickets.  As a bonus, everyone that enters gets an automatic $50 in free advertising on our network!

You also can get five additional entries by writing about this contest in your blog.   An entrant only needs to mention the contest and link to Wasabi Media Group or the contest in his or her blog.  An entrant will get the additional entries only if he or she signs up for the newsletter.

Just comment on this thread once you have entered the contest, and we will approve your entrance prize of $50 in advertising and add your tickets to the pool.  If you have blogged about this contest, please include a link to the blog post in your comment thread also.

When Does The Contest End?

The contest runs from now until November 26th at midnight EST.  Prizes will be awarded on November 27th.

Organic gardening is gardening that takes place without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Those who choose to participate in organic gardening are helping out the environment because they are using materials on their plants that come from living things. Examples of these include compost and manure.

But organic gardening is not just about refraining from using dangerous chemicals on your lawn and garden. Organic gardeners think of the role that their plants play in relation to nature and the entire ecosystem. Organic gardeners consider nature as a whole, as well as the soil, the water supply, people, animals and even the insects that inhabit the ground. An organic gardener seeks to create balance and harmony in the soil.

For this reason, if you wish to garden organically, you must pay close attention to the soil you use. It is the foundation for your plants after all. As often as possible, add locally available resources to your soil in order for the soil to be replenished. This, in turn, supports the soil in yielding healthier and stronger plants.

This is also where things such as compost come in. The raw ingredients of organic matter are something that you encounter every day in your yard and home, especially in your kitchen. The building blocks for compost, which can enrich the quality of your lawn, include common substances like vegetable scraps, leaves from the yard and decaying plant waste, such as grass clippings. To you these items may be useless, but to your garden they are a rich source of nourishment.

Another important aspect of growing a beautiful and healthy organic garden is to pick plants that are well suited to the soil and the climate of your area. If you live in an area where it gets cold more often than not, then you want to steer clear of plants that prefer the toasty temperatures of a tropical locale.

If you select plants that are well suited to your climate, soil and weather conditions, then they will not have to work as hard to adapt. This means that they will require less of your attention.

The answer to this question is a resounding yes!

But what is compost exactly? To define the term, compost is a “dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling form of decomposing organic matter”. If this sounds kind of icky to you, then read on to learn more …

There are many reasons why composting is a good idea. It has been estimated that approximately 35% of the waste in any given residential area is made up of materials that easily could be composted, such as waste from the kitchen and yard. Composting in your backyard is one of the most practical, convenient and simplest means of taking care of wastes around your home and reducing the waste that gets carted off to landfills.

Composting helps to decrease the disposal cost for waste, and it saves energy. Not only that but composting reduces both water and air pollution. When you compost you are able to conserve resources. All of the organic resources from your kitchen and yard contain plenty of essential nutrients, and these can then be returned to the earth. This will improve your soil and keep it in top notch shape. This also will enrich the soil and make it healthier for the plants and flowers you have growing in it. If you are growing food, your yield will be greater thanks to the nutrient rich soil.

Another way that resources are conserved is that less fossil fuels are used in delivering organic waste to landfills because there is less to transport. Think about it.

Building the healthiest soil possible should be a goal of every gardener, regardless of what you are growing. Compost is excellent for improving air circulation, water retention and the texture of soil. It does this by breaking down the heavy soils.

Did you know that compost provides a natural slow release type of fertilizer? It does. It is also very mild and will not burn your plants in any way. The other good point that should never be overlooked is that composting won’t cost you a thing!

Organic material in landfills produces methane gas that contributes to an unnatural change in the climate. Prevent this from happening by composting. Do your part to help sustain the planet.

Choosing lawn decorations that are appropriate for your yard can seem a very difficult task when you consider the variety of styles and choices that are available. You want to complement your yard and make it look as pleasing to the eye as possible while not crowding it and making it look, well… over done! There is such a thing as too many animal figures or gnomes.

You easily can have an attractive and well kept lawn that has some lovely decorations without looking like you are trying too hard! Read on for some hints.

The first thing you should do is find out what is available in terms of lawn ornamentation. Check the stores, the flyers you get in the mail and magazines and also visit websites online for ideas. Find out what is in style for lawn decorations this year. Then look for decorations that can communicate your unique taste and personality to the world around you!

Statues

Statues come in a multitude of styles and sizes and are becoming more popular all of the time. The concept of statues for decorating purposes in the yard is heavily influenced by the Asian culture where statues are very commonplace.

Stones

Stones also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. You can create a stone path or use stones to create borders around flower beds and pine straw islands. Stones are very becoming when used as lawn decorations. They are earthy and fitting for the environment in which you place them.

Flags

Some people like to use small flags to decorate their lawns because they come in any number of styles, colors and designs. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and end up with a lawn that looks like a 4^th of July celebration!

Bridges

Depending on the size of your lawn, a stone or wooden bridge might be a welcome addition to your lawn and might fit in well with the other lawn decorations you decide upon. In particular bridges are often used wherever there are pine straw beds.

Always buy lawn decorations that are of good quality and will stand the test of time. For example, clay, metal and stone decorations are more durable than are the cheaper plastic decorations. These types of materials also can handle the effects of not-so-nice weather, such as heavy rains or battering winds much better.

When it comes to your lawn, there is still work to do in the autumn season before winter reaches out its icy fingers to envelope it. Read on for some helpful hints to winter-proof your yard.

To maintain a healthy lawn, you need to prepare your lawn for its winter’s sleep and also for its optimum health in the coming spring. It is never too early to plan ahead. Continue to mow your lawn until you can  see that there has been no growth in at least two weeks time. Grass should be left at least two inches high (but no taller than three inches) in preparation for winter.

If grass is cut too short, this makes it vulnerable to the winter winds which can have a terrible drying effect. This can make it vulnerable to the sun during the winter months, especially if there is no snow in places on the lawn.

On the other hand, if your leave your grass too long, this can cause it to become bent by the snow and winter winds. In this instance, it will hold onto too high a percentage of moisture which can give rise to fungus diseases. One example of this is snow mold. Too much sun and wind can wreak havoc on your lawn during the winter months, however the lawn continues to require exposure to both air and light over the colder months of the year.

Autumn is a good time of the year to fertilize your lawn as well as to reseed it. This will help energize the roots, especially if you do this early in the fall. Feeding your lawn again in late October is also a good idea. This will help winter-proof it to the best of its capabilities and will make it strong enough to endure whatever winter has in store.

If your lawn has some bare patches where there is no grass, early in the autumn season is an excellent time to sod or reseed. When putting in new sod make sure you do everything you possibly can to keep it moist for the first week after it has been put down. Once the first week has passed, the new sod can be watered as it requires it. Do not put down new sod on a day that is hot and dry.

I have long been in adoration of lovely peonies. They are big flowers when in full bloom, and they are beautiful to behold. The peony plays an important role in Chinese culture. Often thought of as the “queen of flowers” the Chinese call them Sho-yo which translates to “the beautiful”. The peony is the flower of prosperity and fidelity.

There are different types of peonies. According to Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials, most varieties of garden peonies are hybrids of P. lactifora and Paeonia officinalis. The flowers can be categorized by the shape of their petals. There are single peonies, Japanese peonies, semidouble peonies and double peonies.

Single peonies- This kind has a ring of five or more petals, as well as a central ring of stamens.

Japanese peonies- This type of peony has a ring of petals that surround a central cluster of flat and narrow stamens. This kind has no pollen at all.

Semidouble peonies- This kind has a number of rings of petals that are set around stamens.

Double peonies- This kind of peonies has numerous concentric rings of petals and has no obvious stamens.

Peonies blossom at different times of the year, depending on their variety, however the majority of peonies bloom in the spring, generally in May. Peonies are big plants that are easy to cultivate and come in a multitude of colors, including white, cream, pink, peach, lavender, rose, bright scarlet and yellow. The scent of a peony has been described in a number of different ways. It has been called honey, lemon, musk and rose.

These kinds of flowers should be planted near the back of the flower garden because of their size. If you plan to plant peonies near a wall, make sure that they are at least two feet away to give them room to grow to the best of their ability. Peonies can be excellent plants to accent a shrub border. If planted close together, peonies can be used to create a hedge that can separate a driveway from a yard.

Peonies have one of the longest life spans of all of the perennials. In fact many can live as long as 50 years if they are well cared for. Peonies are very hardy plants that are low maintenance, as well as drought tolerant and deer-resistant. Their bloom season has been known to last as long as six to eight weeks.

Feng shui (pronounced phung-schway) is an ancient Chinese philosophy that has been around for centuries. Often called “the art of placement”, Feng Shui can be used to bring more Chi (or positive energy) into your garden in order to encourage health, beauty and abundance.

Curves and proportions are an integral aspect of your Feng Shui garden. The Chinese talk about the Yin and the Yang. Your house would be the Yin while your garden would provide the Yang. The Yang needs plenty of space and light to thrive. It also requires the five elements of the practice. Include in your garden a pond, water fountain or pool of water of some sort; a bronze statue or sun dial for the metal element; lots of earth; trees and/or shrubs for the wood element; vibrant orange and red colors for the fire element.

The best shape for your Feng Shui garden is circular or octagonal. Red is a particularly good color choice as it stimulates the flow of the life force (or positive energy, also known as Chi).

Choose plants for your garden that are also lucky. Some examples of these include bamboo, orchid, magnolia, jade, peony, pine, gardenia and hibiscus. Avoid weeping plants, thorny plants and plants that are stunted. Cactus or spiked plants lend themselves to tension and aggression, which is not good. The same goes for any trees or plants that are overbearing. Aim for lots of vibrancy and color!

Whatever you choose to put into your garden for the water element should be integrated in the best way possible with the rest of the garden, and it should be maintained on a consistent basis. Never neglect any aspect of your garden!

Ponds and water features need to be kept clean and need to show movement as opposed to stagnation. Water fountains are an excellent choice, as are round fish ponds that contain goldfish. Green plants around the water element make for plenty of positive Chi.

Planting herbs in your garden is beneficial to attract good health, prosperity and to encourage longevity. Herbs add color and life to a garden and contain their fair share of medicinal properties to benefit your whole family. Some herbs to plant include basil, jasmine, lavender and rosemary.

The lighting in your garden should be soft. Pathways and stepping stones are a good idea but refrain from placing them in a straight line.

If you are looking to add more beauty and more color to your flower garden, then one suggestion is to add wildflowers to it to give it that little something extra. Wildflowers are defined as “flowering plants native to a specific geographic area or habitat.” They are flowers that grow wild and do not have to intentionally be seeded or planted but that does not mean that they cannot be.

Wildflowers are known to be low maintenance and easy to tend to, although some species do require a certain type of soil to grow in, as well as a particular type of temperature in order to thrive. If you give plenty of attention and tender loving care to your wildflowers when they are first planted, then you pave the way for a beautiful garden.

Mistakes to Avoid

-Find out what time of year is best to plant each species. For example, some seeds need to overwinter and therefore should be planted during the autumn.

-Location is extremely important to the success of your wildflower garden. Research the species before you plant it. Make sure that wildflowers that require plenty of sunshine are placed in a location where they will get what they need. The same goes for flowers that require plenty of shade. If lack of information has you scratching your head, then follow this general guideline regarding wildflowers- most species require eight hours of sunlight on a daily basis.

-Drainage is essential for the growth of your flowers. Soggy roots are the kiss of death for wildflowers.

-Do not go overboard when it comes to preparing the soil for your wildflowers. If you plant them in more than one inch (2.54 cm) of soil, this could encourage the growth of weeds that were previously dormant to dwarf the flowers.

-The seeds you plant should not be covered with soil. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and then walk on the soil or roll it gently.

-Overwatering can damage and destroy the wildflower seeds. For the best results possible, make sure that the seeds are kept moist for the first four to six weeks after they are planted, and then just leave them be. Wildflower seeds can adapt easily to most climates and will be fine until the next rain. However if it has not rained in a long span of time, give them some water.

Who could not love the look and sweet smell of a rose? Roses are one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. Roses are also very fragile flowers that have a short life span. They are also time consuming flowers that are prone to any number of diseases.

The key to growing roses, even if you are new to gardening, is to choose the species that is best suited to you. Being educated about roses helps, as does being willing to give your roses as much TLC as possible!

Did you know that there are hundreds of kinds of roses? There are. That is why you need to get informed in order to select wisely. Read on for some important tips to make the selection process much easier:

-Color matters when it comes to roses. Personal preference plays a role in which roses you choose. If you like yellow roses then choose yellow and not pink, and vice versa. Do not downplay the significance of color.

-The height that your roses will grow to be is important in relation to the size of your overall garden. Some roses grow to be as tall as 20 feet. Do not choose rose bushes that will tower over all of your other flowers.

-If you live in an area where you have very cold, blustery winters, then choose a hardy plant that can survive the off season.

-Different roses have different fragrances. If you have allergies or do not want to be overpowered by a really strong scent, then choose roses with a softer more understated fragrance to them.

-Research the different varieties of roses available to you. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

-Consider how much space is available in your garden to grow roses. This is important in terms of how much exposure the flowers will get to air, rain, the sun, etc.

-If having rose bouquets is what interests you, then you need to know ahead of time if the roses you choose can be cut or not. Some types will cause the petals to fall apart if you attempt to cut them.

-Create a healthy ecosystem for your roses and not a damaging one by carefully considering the other flowers that will be planted in the same vicinity.

One thing that can enhance a patio tremendously is the right type of lighting. This is the case, especially if you enjoy sitting out on your patio in the evening after the sun goes down or if you are inclined to have social gatherings and want others to enjoy your patio as well.

One option that is budget friendly and is very ecologically friendly is to let the sun work with you to create lighting and ambiance. Solar lights require no wires and are very easy to install. Another excellent point about solar lights is that they will not cause your electricity bill to soar.

How do solar lights work?

Solar lights contain small batteries that charge up throughout the day when the sun shines on them. By so doing, in the evening they come on nice and bright, thanks to the solar energy they have stored up when the sun was out. This gives you many hours of solar light throughout the course of the evening and night.

You can find low cost solar lights at most hardware or gardening stores. The low cost lights are very reliable. However, if you prefer the more expensive solar lights, these are a little more sophisticated, as they are constructed with an on/off switch and automatic sensors.

There are different types of solar lights from which you can choose. Choose the appropriate style of light based on where you would like to place the lights. Keep in mind that the solar lights need to be placed where they can get enough sunlight to recharge themselves on a regular basis.

Hanging solar lights

These types of lights can add atmosphere to any patio, as well as an air of sophistication. They come in a variety of styles, from cylindrical Chinese lanterns to the classic carriage style lanterns to paper lights.

Stake lights

These are a permanent type of light that cannot be moved about too much. They come in a multitude of shapes and materials. Look for stake lights in wood, stainless steel finish, metal and durable plastic.

Strings of solar lights

These are very attractive and create a festive touch. Shop for strings of lights that are made with stakes or clips that contain low-energy LED lights. Colored LED lights are a nice touch when the holidays roll around.