Homes: Cuttings

Home & Garden

Special report

Last mission to repair the Hubble telescope
Hubble space telescope discoveries have enriched our understanding of the cosmos. In this special report, you will see facts about the Hubble space telescope, discoveries it has made and what the last mission's goals are.
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Video report

For their own good
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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Multimedia report

Rays fan guide to the Trop
Here are some insider tips to Tropicana Field and area information.
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Cuttings

News for the gardener.

By JUDY STARK
Published August 26, 2006

Nature's trellis

The leaf trellis here is from Ancient Graffiti, a Vermont retailer of garden gifts and home accessories. It's made of steel wire with a UV coating, but will weather over time if exposed to the elements. See more and order online at www.ancientgraffiti.com, or call toll-free 1-888-725-6632.

More green, please

Landscaping improves home values (90 percent say yes); green spaces and parks improve property values (70 percent agree); and professionally maintained public parks and sports fields are good for the economy (75 percent agree). Those results come from a survey conducted for Project EverGreen, a Minnesota nonprofit that represents "green industry" service providers, suppliers and distributors. Respondents were split 50-50 over whether public officials give adequate attention to preserving green space. Seventy percent don't think developers do a good job of including green spaces.

Layer the gloves

Gardeners, let's get dressed. First, sprinkle your hands with powder. Then pull on a pair of latex surgical or food-handling gloves, the Buffalo (N.Y.) News suggests. Now don your serious gardening gloves: fabric, leather or a mix. The heavy gloves protect against thorns and sharp stalks. Pull them off to deadhead or perform other delicate tasks. The latex gloves (buy them by the boxful at drug and discount stores) protect your hands but offer the flexibility you need.