Briefs: Fertilizer recall affects four products

fertilizer recall affects four products

Scotts has recalled four fertilizers. Two of them were not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, and two were registered but not properly labeled. Consumers should stop using the products and contact Scotts for refunds and coupons good for future purchases. (Go to scotts.com or call toll-free 1-888-295-0671.) Do not return the products to stores. Affected products:

• Miracle Gro Shake 'n Feed with Weed Preventer All Purpose Plant Food (EPA Reg. No. 62355-4.

• Scotts Bonus S MAX (EPA Reg. No. 538-301).

• Scotts Turf Builder MAX (EPA Reg. No. 538-299).

• SLS Fertilizer with .28 Halts (EPA Reg. No. 538-304).

This rose is a rose is a humdinger

A huge ruby red hybrid tea rose has been selected by Oprah Winfrey as the Legends rose, to pay tribute to outstanding African-American women honored during Winfrey's recent Legends weekend. A single petal can cover a child's hand, and one gigantic bloom can create an entire bouquet. The Legends rose, from Weeks Roses, will be available in December. It's budded onto Dr. Huey rootstock, so it should do well in the South. Details and orders: legendsrose.com.

Dig up some fun at a green getaway

Even gardeners need the occasional getaway, and what would be better than a weekend at a bed and breakfast where you can do a little gardening? Tour local gardens and museums, visit regional garden festivals, sip herbal tea made from what the garden grows, tour sugarcane fields, or learn about vermiculture. For a list of bed and breakfast inns participating in these green getaways, visit www.bedandbreakfast.com, then click on the Gardening Getaways icon.

Create a sunny spot in your office

Create this easy "paperweight" flower arrangement to brighten your desk. Put a handful of decorative rocks in the bottom of a juice glass. Add water treated with floral preservative. Cut the stem off a sunflower the diameter of the bottom of the glass and allow it to float.

New turf is tough and undemanding

Empire Turf, an improved zoysiagrass, has been certified to meet the Florida Green Building Coalition's green building standards. Empire received the green designation because of its pest resistance, minimal fertilizer needs and drought tolerance. It has high wear tolerance and resists chinch bugs. More than 20,000 Florida homes already use Empire turf.

Compiled by Times homes and garden editor Judy Stark