Abstract: A rain gauge that is resistant to damage from freezing water. The gauge includes a collector defining an open top vessel with a closed bottom for collecting water. The collector includes a plurality of tapered and curved sidewalls with curved corners connecting the sidewalls, the curved sidewalls having a direction of curvature and the curved corners having a direction of curvature opposite the direction of curvature of the curved sidewalls. The curved sidewalls tend to flex sufficiently when water collected therein freezes and expands, and thereby resists breakage from freezing of collected water.

Abstract: A liquid filtration system, including an inclined filter support and a chimney, the chimney having an entrance adjacent an upper portion of the filter support; and a sheet filter supported in an inclined orientation by the inclined filter support. Air trapped by the sheet filter during use of the filtration system travels along a path corresponding to the inclined orientation sheet filter and into the entrance of the chimney for escape.

Abstract: A slow/intermittent sand filter that purifies polluted water by flowing through sand in a manner that achieves greater purity and permits simpler and more effective maintenance than existing filters.

Abstract: A slow/intermittent sand filter that purifies polluted water by flowing through sand in a manner that achieves greater purity and permits simpler and more effective maintenance than existing filters.

Abstract: A slow/intermittent sand filter that purifies polluted water by flowing through sand in a manner that achieves greater purity and permits simpler and more effective maintenance than existing filters.

Abstract: An owl replica for deterring pests, having a plastic owl body; a plastic owl head; an unstable mount disposed between the body and head for free movement of the head relative to the body; and a powered assembly supported by the mount and operable to move with the mount relative to the body and enable intermittent powered movement of the head relative to the body without interfering with free movement of the head.

Abstract: A slow/intermittent sand filter that purifies polluted water by flowing through sand in a manner that achieves greater purity and permits simpler and more effective maintenance than existing filters.

Abstract: An owl replica for deterring pests, having a plastic owl body; a plastic owl head; an unstable mount disposed between the body and head for free movement of the head relative to the body; and a powered assembly supported by the mount and operable to move with the mount relative to the body and enable intermittent powered movement of the head relative to the body without interfering with free movement of the head.

Abstract: A landscaping film, including a film sheet having a plurality of perforations defined therethough and discrete deposits of a weed control agent at locations on the film corresponding to the locations of the perforations.

Abstract: Mating first and second landscape edging segments having improved end-to-end connection are provided which include an open-ended slot defined either adjacent an open end of the first edging segment or adjacent a received end of the second edging segment, the open-ended slot being configured for receiving a portion of one of the first or second edging segments so that the first and second edging segments may be mated by the open end of the first edging segment receiving the received end of the second edging segment, with the first and second edging segments partially overlapping.

Abstract: A replica of an owl for use in a garden for deterring pests, the replica having a first body portion corresponding generally in shape to the body of a live owl and a second body portion corresponding generally in shape to the head of a live owl, the second body portion being rotatably mounted adjacent an upper portion of the first body portion for rotational movement relative to the first body portion.

Abstract: A landscaping system for minimizing downward penetration of weed roots. A polymer film having upper and lower surfaces and a selected porosity is positioned such that soil is disposed below and contacting the lower surface of the film. Mulch is disposed above the film, and contacts the upper surface of the film. There are projections formed in the film that extend away from the upper surface of the film and toward the mulch. The projections have a frustro-conical shape, or in other words are shaped like frustra, with sidewalls configured for deflecting roots growing along the film in an upward direction away from the film. The projections terminate at an apex, and are formed on the film at a selected density per unit area of the film. Apertures are formed in the film at the apex of the projections. The apertures have a selected diameter which is sufficiently large to allow passage of liquid water through the film.