Fall is officially here as the beautiful golden, orange, and red leaves fall to the ground and trees take on the eery look of gray sticks reaching up to the ever darkening skies. So while there's threats of snow by the weatherman everyday...we have to make the most of what is left of autumn!
Cut the top of a pumpkin, hollow it out, add a plastic liner and some fresh flowers. The liner can be a plastic bowl or bucket. Be sure to change the water daily, (or at least every other day,) to keep the flowers fresh. And once the pumpkin starts to show signs of mold.... throw it out! You might also want to place a small plate under the pumpkin to insure that it doesn't stain your table as it starts to deteriorate. Silk fall leaves can be hot-glued to the plate to hide it.
Canning jars filled with fall flowers is a great way to celebrate the fall harvest season. Grouping jars with flowers, indian corn kernals, or other harvest items can add a country-atmosphere to your table. Apples, pears, and wheat stalks can compliment the jars.
Mums, daisies, fall lilies, dahlias, celosia, miniature indian corn, cattails, yarrow, hypericum, and curly willow twigs offer many options for your fall flower arrangements. Consider miniature pumpkins, gourds, and fall leaves, to your tablescapes to add even more of a homey warmth to any room!
Flickering candles with beautiful aromas of hazelnut cream, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and cinnamon apple pie scattered among the flowers can also bring a welcome addition to your fall treasures. You can also add pillars or votives (in glass holders,) to seasoned birch logs. Simply cut a piece off the bottom so that the log sits flat. Drill holes so that the candles will fit snuggly into the logs. Do not use green/freshly cut logs as they will leak sap. Also, be sure to not leave burning candles unattended at any time!
The options are many... why are you sitting there reading when you could be bringing the warmth of fall into your home! Get up... get gathering... and make some autumn memories!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Plenty to do this month in the garden!
There's plenty to do in the garden this month!
While you’re enjoying your favorite beverage in the summer months, your garden will be extra thirsty, too. Gardens will explode this month with color and fruit as well as pests and weeds! You can help the garden grow by not allowing them to dry out!
Need a spot of color in a section of garden? Add annuals and jazz it up. They can go straight from the pot into the ground. Check all annuals for dryness as new plantings need to establish their roots. Deadhead spent blossoms by snapping or snipping them off, to reinvigorate flowering annuals and you will be rewarded by more flowers and root growth.
Perennials can be planted all this month, so you must keep up on deadheading tasks.
Roses should be fertilized once per month throughout the summer.
Weeds continue to grow with the flowers, so spare no time to pull them out!
Thin plants to give them better air circulation and exposure to the sun.
Continue to keep adding to and turning your compost pile. If it becomes too dry, the bacteria will die, so give you heap a shower whenever it starts to get crusty.
Consider planting vegertables for fall harvest. Plant potatoes early in the month and sow seeds of leafy green and red vegetables: spinach, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots, peas, bush beans, onions and scallions.
Keep tomatoes and peppers off the ground, and harvest them as soon as they ripen so deer, rabbits, and other pests don't enjoy them before you can. Keep mulch around tomato plants.
While you’re enjoying your favorite beverage in the summer months, your garden will be extra thirsty, too. Gardens will explode this month with color and fruit as well as pests and weeds! You can help the garden grow by not allowing them to dry out!
Need a spot of color in a section of garden? Add annuals and jazz it up. They can go straight from the pot into the ground. Check all annuals for dryness as new plantings need to establish their roots. Deadhead spent blossoms by snapping or snipping them off, to reinvigorate flowering annuals and you will be rewarded by more flowers and root growth.
Perennials can be planted all this month, so you must keep up on deadheading tasks.
Roses should be fertilized once per month throughout the summer.
Weeds continue to grow with the flowers, so spare no time to pull them out!
Thin plants to give them better air circulation and exposure to the sun.
Continue to keep adding to and turning your compost pile. If it becomes too dry, the bacteria will die, so give you heap a shower whenever it starts to get crusty.
Consider planting vegertables for fall harvest. Plant potatoes early in the month and sow seeds of leafy green and red vegetables: spinach, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots, peas, bush beans, onions and scallions.
Keep tomatoes and peppers off the ground, and harvest them as soon as they ripen so deer, rabbits, and other pests don't enjoy them before you can. Keep mulch around tomato plants.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Time to tidy up for Autumn
With the temperatures dipping below 40 at night, it's a hint that it's time to start tidying up for Autumn... and then the invariable 300 feet of winter snow!
Start with your potting shed. Remove any liquids that could freeze as the temps drop below 32 F. Transfer fertilizers from cardboard containers to plastic to prevent humidity damage and deterioration.
Plant those last bulbs for Spring blooming! Group at least 3 bulbs for maximum show effect. Consider hyacinths, crocus, tulips, and daffodils. You'll be happy you did when the last of the snow melts next Spring!
Clean your tools before hanging them up for the winter. Scrape off any excess mud or debris. Using a wire brush where necessary. Then wash with water and dry thoroughly.
If there's any rust on your tools, gently use steel wool. Don't forget your work gloves in this process!!!
Sharpen your tools that have a sharp edge with a file made especially for sharpening tools. Hold the tool steady against a solid object, such as a tool bench, and draw the file repeatedly across the edge at a 45-degree angle.
Sand wooden handles to remove any rough or splintery portions with sandpaper.
Spray metal parts with a penetrating lubricating oil or dip in your recycled oil to protect them from rust.
Store in a dry spot! And get out the seed catalogs to start dreaming of next year!
Start with your potting shed. Remove any liquids that could freeze as the temps drop below 32 F. Transfer fertilizers from cardboard containers to plastic to prevent humidity damage and deterioration.
Plant those last bulbs for Spring blooming! Group at least 3 bulbs for maximum show effect. Consider hyacinths, crocus, tulips, and daffodils. You'll be happy you did when the last of the snow melts next Spring!
Clean your tools before hanging them up for the winter. Scrape off any excess mud or debris. Using a wire brush where necessary. Then wash with water and dry thoroughly.
If there's any rust on your tools, gently use steel wool. Don't forget your work gloves in this process!!!
Sharpen your tools that have a sharp edge with a file made especially for sharpening tools. Hold the tool steady against a solid object, such as a tool bench, and draw the file repeatedly across the edge at a 45-degree angle.
Sand wooden handles to remove any rough or splintery portions with sandpaper.
Spray metal parts with a penetrating lubricating oil or dip in your recycled oil to protect them from rust.
Store in a dry spot! And get out the seed catalogs to start dreaming of next year!
Friday, August 15, 2008
August 15, 2008
It's hard to believe that it's the middle of August. Our summer is slipping by with fall right around the corner. We've not really had any "warm" nights that you could leave the windows open and sleep with no blankets! I'm still waiting for summer.
Weddings have been great to us this summer. Be sure to see our photos of some of the bouquets, cake toppers, etc. that we have created. We enjoy the opportunity to create "dream come true" bouquets that brides gush "It's just what I had imagined it'd be...it's perfect!"
Roses are on special all this month. Only $20 per dozen for all wrapped roses. Have a vase already at home? This is perfect for you! Think red-yellow-pink-white-orange and/or two-tone! Just remember when you get them home to cut the stems at an angle before putting in water. Every three days change the water and add 1/3 of the food packet we include with all vased arrangments!
Fall flowers are starting to come in - sunflowers, dahlias, and mums! Need a pick-me-up or some color to add warmth to a room? The reds, golds, oranges, and browns of late summer are waiting for you!
Weddings have been great to us this summer. Be sure to see our photos of some of the bouquets, cake toppers, etc. that we have created. We enjoy the opportunity to create "dream come true" bouquets that brides gush "It's just what I had imagined it'd be...it's perfect!"
Roses are on special all this month. Only $20 per dozen for all wrapped roses. Have a vase already at home? This is perfect for you! Think red-yellow-pink-white-orange and/or two-tone! Just remember when you get them home to cut the stems at an angle before putting in water. Every three days change the water and add 1/3 of the food packet we include with all vased arrangments!
Fall flowers are starting to come in - sunflowers, dahlias, and mums! Need a pick-me-up or some color to add warmth to a room? The reds, golds, oranges, and browns of late summer are waiting for you!
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