Picking out fresh cut flowers for any social occasion

Even in allergy season, many kinfolk cannot resist the opportunity to dip their nose even when they know that they will redden their eyes or stimulate a sneezing fit. As you give the fresh flowers, however, there are a few thoughts that you may want to put behind them. These are small thoughts but thoughts that will make the effort that much more special. Find the right florist Giving fresh cut flowers in person is always the best way to go. Sending by internet is ok too but in person is better. If you are giving personally, however, spend a few extra minutes and stop by a few shops to scope out what they have got. Fresh cut flowers in America all come from the same place, South America. Around your region, they also come from the same place, the local flower consortium. This is where your local flower person will usually be several times per week at 4am. Different flower shops have different styles so their flower selecting may be a bit different. You are looking for the selection of flowers that matches the person or event you will be giving them to. Here’s the tip; go to the shop that has designers in the back and their flowers in a refrigerated case. What you want to do is pick out the individual flowers that you would like to give and have the designers put them together. If you have a design idea or two ask the designer to do it for you. This works great and you probably have a flower shop you’ll use regularly. Buying bulk flowers There is nothing that says you cannot go to the flower consortium at 4am yourself. If you need a bunch of flowers go for it. Look for what you like but remember that these guys do like to sell and they sell larger amounts so have an idea of what you really need plaus a bit extra. Remember to pick up some greens and spray like baby’s breath or some berries or whatever is there that you like. Design it yourself Fresh cut flowers can be on the expensive side. If you are having an event and need a few displays try and do them yourself. It isn’t as hard as you would think if you follow a few quick tips. The container is important. With a wide mouth container, make sure you have something to keep the flowers in place at the bottom. Marbles or a piece of Styrofoam will do. The container matters but can be something unique to the event. It doesn’t need to be fancy but it does need to be nice. Before you start lay out the flowers you’ve bought: greens, spray, flowers 1,2,3. As each piece goes in cut it to the desired height you want it to be, but remember that if somebody else takes it home they may cut a little off the end to to keep them fresh so leave a little for them. Put each piece in short to tall as you like and be sure to be simple enough so that you can do each exactly the same. Also remember that tall is not always better so make sure you have parameters under control. If they’re for a table display, people generally like to see the people on the other side of the table. Buy with a friend If you are going to buy a simple flower bouquet you can probably get away with whatever a decent florist comes up with, but if you are generally a klutz when it comes to colors and designs do yourself a favor and buy with a friend that has at least some idea of color and taste. The colors that fresh cut flowers provide are very vibrant and can easily clash. If you’re picking the ones you like and you pick wrong you can easily look the fool.

Easy fall plant propagation techniques

As a home gardener, fall should be a very special time for you. Fall is the best season of the year for plant propagation, especially for home gardeners who do not have the luxury of intermittent mist. The technique that I am going to describe here can be equally effective for evergreens as well as many deciduous plants. The old rule of thumb was to start doing hardwood cuttings of evergreens after you have experienced at least two hard freezes. After two hard freezes the plants are completely dormant. However, based on my experience it is beneficial to start doing your evergreen cuttings earlier than that. So instead of doing “by the book” hardwood cuttings you’re actually working with semi-hardwood cuttings. The down side to starting your cuttings early is that they will have to be watered daily unless you experience rain showers. The up side is that they will start rooting sooner, and therefore are better rooted when you pull them out to transplant them. To prepare an area in which to root cuttings you must first select a site. An area that is about 50% shaded will work great. Full sun will work, it just requires that you tend to the cuttings more often. Clear all grass or other vegetation from the area that you have selected. The size of the area is up to you. Realistically, you can fit about one cutting per square inch of bed area. You might need a little more area per cutting, it depends on how close you stick the cuttings in the sand. Once you have an area cleared off all you have to do is build a wooden frame and lay it on the ground in the area that you cleared. Your frame is a simple as four 2 by 4’s or four 2 by 6’s nailed together at each corner. It will be open on the top and open on the bottom. Just lay it on the ground in the cleared area, and fill it with a coarse grade of sand. This sand should be clean (no mud or weed seed), and much coarser than the sand used in a play box. Visit your local builders supply center and view each sand pile they have. They should have different grades varying from very fine to very coarse. You don’t want either. You want something a little more coarse than their medium grade. But then again it’s not rocket science, so don’t get all worked up trying to find just the right grade. Actually, bagged swimming pool filter sand also works and should be available at discount home centers. Once your wooden frame is on the ground and filled with sand, you’re ready to start sticking cuttings. Wet the sand the day before you start, that will make it possible for you to make a slit in the sand that won’t fill right in. In this propagation box you can do all kinds of cuttings, but I would start with the evergreens first. Taxus, Junipers, and Arborvitae. Make the cuttings about 4” long and remove the needles from the bottom two thirds of the cuttings. Dip them in a rooting compound and stick them in the sand about an inch or so. Most garden centers sell rooting compounds. Just tell them that you are rooting hardwood cuttings of evergreens. When you make the Arborvitae cuttings you can actually remove large branches from an Arborvitae and just tear them apart and get hundreds of cuttings from one branch. When you tear them apart that leaves a small heel on the bottom of the cutting. Leave this heel on. It represents a wounded area, and the cutting will produce more roots because of this wound. Once the weather gets colder and you have experienced at least one good hard freeze, the deciduous plants should be dormant and will have dropped their leaves, and you can now propagate them. Just make cuttings about 4” long, dip them in a rooting compound and stick them in the bed of sand. Not everything will root this way, but a lot of things will, and it takes little effort to find out what will work and what won’t. This is a short list of just some of the things that root fine this way. Taxus, Juniper, Arborvitae, Japanese Holly, Blue Boy/Girl Holly, Boxwood, Cypress, Forsythia, Rose of Sharon, Sandcherry, Weigela, Red Twig Dogwood, Variegated Euonymus, Cotoneaster, Privet, and Viburnum. Immediately after sticking the cuttings thoroughly soak the sand to make sure there are no air pockets around the cuttings. Keep the cuttings watered once or twice daily as long as the weather is warm. Once winter sets it you can stop watering, but if you get a warm dry spell, water during that time. Start watering again in the spring and throughout out the summer. The cuttings should be rooted by late spring and you can cut back on the water, but don’t let them dry out to the point that they burn up. By fall you can transplant them to a bed and grow them on for a year or two, or you can plant them in their permanent location. This technique takes 12 months, but it is simple and easy.

Patio design add awnings as a colorful finish for your patio design

Patio design, planned with care and creativity, not only becomes a value-adding asset to your home, but expands your living and entertainment areas substantially. Elements such as awnings will complement any patio design, adding both color and protection against the powers of nature. Your patio design will depend on the area you have available, the maintenance-level you prefer, and your lifestyle needs. You may need some serious landscaping, and choose complicated water features. Or you may have only a limited space, and an even more limited budget. A patio doesn't have to be oversized, in order to be functional. A competent landscaping designer will be able to present you with a patio design, perfect for your pocket and property. You can draw on a wealth of ideas while planning your patio design. Magazines are an excellent source of inspiration. The idea is to make the patio an extension of your home. To achieve this ideal, the patio design has to blend in with the design of your living space. This includes the architecture, as well as the interior dйcor. A number of paving possibilities are available. Concrete patio pavers or interlocking patio pavers are extremely popular, affordable, and durable. These come in sizes, shapes, and textures to fit from a simple patio design, to an elaborate landscaped outdoor area. Stone or brick patios are another viable option, especially if durability is a concern. If you choose a stone patio, make sure that the pavers have been fired in such a way that they are weather resistant. A wooden deck has its place in patio design, but also has limitations with respect to lifespan and maintenance. However, if the planned patio area is sloped, or has drainage problems, a deck may be a simple solution. The features you incorporate into your patio design, create atmosphere. A water feature facilitates a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. Another advantage is that it helps to mask noise, such as passing traffic. You may choose to add an herb garden, with lavender and other fragrant, calming plants. Flower beds or boxes can be a source of greenery and color. The patio furniture you choose, will depend on your personal taste and budget. Keep in mind that exposure to sun and showers necessitates quality materials. Colorful canvas awnings add an elegant finishing touch to your patio design. To use your extended 'living room' to the fullest, it is vital to have protection against the sun, wind, rain, and worrisome insects. Awnings made with quality fabric offer UV protection, are weather resistant, and waterproof. Look for models that can be retracted when you want to bask in a bit of sunshine, or when you want to enjoy the company of the moon and stars on a romantic evening out... Some awning designs make provision for an extra screen that can be added, which will give you an insect-free zone. You will be able to relax and enjoy visiting with guests, while nasties such as mosquitoes and flies are kept at bay. One of the best investments you can make in your property, is the addition of a harmonious patio, done within the guidelines of a well-planned patio design.

The horrors of hail

The Horrors of Hail One of the most hazardous things that can happen to your plants is weather. Many a garden has been demolished overnight because of this phenomenon. And seemingly, there is nothing we can do to prevent it. Of course, if weather didn’t exist at all then we wouldn’t have those nice sunny days that are beneficial to the growth of our plants. But then again, we wouldn’t have the tragic hailstorms that tear down everything we’ve worked for so many hours to grow. When rain starts to fall, usually the first reaction in a gardener is pure joy. After all, this means you don’t have to worry about going out and watering it manually. The natural rain fall can’t be anything but good for all your thirsty plants, can it? Well once that same gardener starts to see the gorgeous rain drops turn into small globules of ice, usually a complete emotional breakdown is in order. I know this from experience, because when I was a blooming gardener I had my garden completely demolished by about 10 minutes of severe hail. When I first learned my lesson on the damage hail can do, I quickly devised a method of coping. I began to keep large clay pots within 10 feet of my garden, so that at any sign of hail I could run outside and have the plants sheltered in a matter of seconds. This saved me from being forced to watch my plants be ripped to pieces on multiple occasions. I’ve never dealt with hail more than an inch in diameter, but I’m guessing that if there had been any baseball sized chunks then those pots would have been quickly demolished. However, as the number of fragile plants in my garden grew, it became slightly impractical to have a pot for each plant, and run outside to place each one before significant damage had already occurred. After much thought, I ended up building a horizontal, retractable screen mechanism made out of a strong but flexible wire mesh. At any sign of rain I could pull the screen out over my entire garden and have instant protection. Not only did it let the rain through, but the collected hail provided a steady drip of water for as much as a day afterwards. This project cost me several hundred dollars, and more blood, sweat, and tears than can be measured with earth dollars. Therefore I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. If it’s too late for you, and you’ve recently lost your precious plants to those wicked balls of ice, then you’re probably looking for some way to help the plants recover. Unfortunately there aren’t many choices for you. The best thing you can do is give them the tender care they deserve, and attempt to nurse them back to health over a long period of time. The several weeks after being severely damaged by hail are vital to whether the plant survives or not. If you expect more rain or wind, you should keep the plant covered. In this brittle stage, even raindrops or a strong breeze could cause more damage. So if you live in an area that experiences frequent hail, you should definitely have some emergency plan for protecting your plants. Sitting by and watching them be ripped to shreds should never be an option! (Word Count: 555)

Growing your own fruits and vegetables the keys to healthy living

Recent reports from the World Health Organization have demonstrated that obesity is becoming a serious problem in many parts of the globe. Indeed, the WHO noted that as far as worldwide health issues are concerned, obesity is on the verge of becoming a more widespread problem around the globe than is under-nourishment. The WHO further suggests that the trend towards obesity in an ever growing number of nations the world over is expected to continue upward during the next decade. Along with the increase in the number of people who are over-eating or not eating healthy foods, there has been an uptick in the number of men and women who have taken a keener interest in "watching what they eat," in developing a more healthy diet. One step that a significant number of people from around the world have taken in regard to ensuring a more healthy diet is growing their own fruits and vegetables. If you are a person interested in developing a healthy eating regimen, you will want to take a close look at the benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables. In point of fact, there are many significant health benefits to be derived from growing and using your own fruits and vegetables. At the outset, it is important to note that the process of planting and cultivating your own fruits and vegetables can have significant health benefits in and of itself. Too few people get enough proper exercise on a regular basis. The act and process of tending to a garden actually is good exercise. Additionally, gardening has been proven to be a significant stress reliever for a person, resulting in lower blood pressure and other demonstratable health benefits. Researchers have long noted that the average person (in most countries around the world) does not consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables. By planting and producing your own fruits and vegetables, you have a ready source of wholesome food that can be consumed on a more regular basis. Many gardeners have taken to using organic practices in the cultivation of their gardens. By utilizing organic gardening practices and techniques, you will be able to grow and consume fruits and vegetables that are free of chemical residue that can be found in many produce items for sale at a typical grocery market in the brick and mortar world. In the end, you can put yourself on the road to a more healthy life by incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet on a more regular basis. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you will be able to better integrate healthy eating into your overall lifestyle -- both now and into the future.

Fishponds and fountains in english pleasure gardens

As the cultivated ground of estates grew in size, it gradually came to be divided into compartments. These subdivisions were usually formed of latticework with square or diamond-shaped apertures, more or less ornamental as during the classic era. There were beds for plants raised several inches above the level of the path, retained by a stone coping, and fenced in with wattles, latticework, or open wooden railings. Fruit trees and herbs predominated, for as yet flowers were given no especial prominence in the garden. The main paths or alleys were covered with sand, and usually broad enough for two or three people to pace abreast. Narrower paths were intended to facilitate the weeding of the beds. Resting-places were provided for those who found walking or standing tiresome. Simple benches cushioned with turf were built into embrasures or against the wall. Earth banked up around the trunk of a tree, grassed over and held in place by wattled osiers, formed a circular seat. In the center of the garden a three-sided exedra constructed of stone or brick, covered with grass and flowers, often formed the most important feature. Arbors or bowers were wooden structures covered by shrubs and vines and usually shading a comfortable seat. Water in various forms was always, if possible, introduced into the garden. Fishponds, bathing pools, and fountains were common. Usually the central and most ornamental architectural feature of the pleasure garden was a fountain. The earliest of an ornamental appearance were apparently of Oriental design. A maze or labyrinth was frequently laid out in or near the garden. An early form seems to have consisted of a network of underground passages, making the approach to a hidden bower almost impossible to the uninitiated. Several of these mysterious subterranean labyrinths existed in England, the most celebrated one being that constructed by Henry II to conceal fair Rosamond's bower at Woodstock. The bower, in her case, was a small stone building enclosing a well, a large enough dwelling-place for one or two people. Other features of the garden, also constructed at a later date, were menageries, aviaries, apiaries, and dovecotes. Birds and bees everywhere added much to the charm of the garden. Swans swam in the basins and moat, peacocks strutted along the alleys and perched on top of the walls, and doves flew to and from their spacious homes. All these were served up as delicacies at meals.

Bw importance of gardening gloves

Healthy hands are the Gardener's Best Tools Here are the major reasons why one should consider getting a pair of trusty gardening gloves: Gloves protect your hands from blisters, thorns and cuts while doing rough work like digging or pruning in the garden. Investing in one or more pairs of quality gloves is a good decision. Here are some tips on how to choose the pair that will suit you best: 1. Look for quality leather gloves with a cloth back; this will let the gloves breathe and keep your hands dry, cool and comfortable. 2. If mud bothers you, select rubber gloves with cotton lining. 3. When spraying pesticides or chemicals choose gloves that are made from neoprene. Gloves made from latex or any type of plastic may not offer the best protection. 4. When pruning roses, use gloves that reach up to the arms. 5. If you usually operate large garden machinery, buy gloves in brown instead of red as the latter may dye your hands. 6. Light cotton or even fingerless gloves may be useful for transplanting seedlings. They will allow more dexterity and so help to prevent the tiny roots from being crushed. 7. And of course, make sure that the gloves you buy actually fit your hands. If you have small hands, try the children's gardening section. there's nothing worse than trying to garden is gloves that are too big. Your gloves must be comfortable as well as give protection to best serve your gardening needs.