Flower gardening tips
Flower gardening tips to assure your flower garden continues to bloom from spring until fall through the use of seeds, flowering bulbs, and other plants.
Blooming flowers burst upon us almost the moment the sun begins to melt the snow. A warm, welcome burst of colour usually is provided by the vivacious crocus, which gets the show started by pushing up their bright yellow and purple heads through the last remnants of snow, heralding the onset of spring.
From there, bulbs such as the daffodil, narcissi and tulip begin to dot flowerbeds with scarlet's and pinks, and a multitude of yellow and orange shades. Then come peonies, painted daisies, day lilies, Shasta daisies, lavender, pansies, and hollyhock. Finally, phlox, dragon’s teeth, globe thistle, sunflowers, moonflower, and hostas will bring forth their perspective blossoms.
The sight of all this beauty is breathtaking. However, there are times when a garden showcases various shades of green, brown, and grey...and nothing else.
To ensure flowerbeds continue to prosper with colourful, healthy blooms, try mixing a few perennials with annuals. Gardening with annuals like snapdragon, alyssum, marigold, petunia and salvia will keep the bloom from early spring until the first frost, but only if the plants are kept healthy.
A healthy garden means that plants have adequate water, fertilizer if needed, and enough sunlight. They also need to be planted deep enough in soil that’s been worked up sufficiently to provide growing room for the plant’s roots.
Dead-heading the flowers after the bloom fades will keep the plants in flower. To dead-head a plant, simply snip the dead or dying bloom off the mother plant. Snipping the flower-head off keeps the plant from focusing its attention on the creation of seeds, which will form in the dead flower-head. Without seeds to produce, the plant will work extra hard at pushing out another bloom, which will eventually produce seeds, and making seeds is the reason for creating a blossom in the first place. Since disease and mildew may form in the de-headed bloom, as well as seeds, don’t discard them in the garden.
Planting gladiola bulbs every two weeks, beginning as soon as the frost as lifted and ending in mid-August, will ensure tall, flowering stalks all summer long. Other bulbs should be planted in the fall. Most bulbed plants bloom in the spring, but can be forced in pots indoors. Calla lilies can be potted and set on the patio for beautiful blooms, or as a cutting plant in the garden. Fertilizer regularly.
The daisy is another carefree, easy to grow flower that is a must in the garden. If kept in tip-top shape, daisies will bloom all summer long. Cutting the daisy only makes the plant work harder to produce more blossoms. Once the daisies have reached their peak, cut the plant down to just a few inches above the ground, and watch them send out shoots a second time. The second time around, the plant doesn’t produce as many blooms, but composting and fertilization efforts will pay off with a bountiful crop of blossoms.
Roses are another flower that will bloom from spring until fall. Their blossoms should be snipped just before they begin to wilt. Snip the bloom near the closest fork. The plant should sprout two branches from where it was cut, and hopefully each will push out another bud.
Planting flowers from seeds, also has its merits. Seed flowers, such as zinnia, come in various sizes and colors. Planting several packages in the same area, mixing all heights and varieties together, will give your garden a meadow look, or one that is haphazard. This type of gardening, sometimes called wildflower style, can be very appealing. If you want the flowers to grow in a stepping stone method, plant the shorter varieties in the front and continue backward adding the next height until you have reached the back row where the seeds from the tallest flowers should be planted. Either way, zinnias are beautiful. They also can be dried for use in wreaths later in the year.
Several things to remember includes deadheading for continued growth, and cutting flowers back for inside arrangements. These two techniques help keep the plant from going into seed mode. Enjoy your plants inside and out, and don’t be afraid to cut a plant down to size if it needs it. The object to have a flower garden is to have blossoms, so keep fertilizer on hand, dispel bugs as soon as you see them, and water frequently during dry spells.
Valentines Day gift ideas
Valentines Day gift ideas are here! Great gifts for wives abound, here are some terrific ones.
Valentine's Day is coming and you're wrestling with what to get your wife. You want something as special as your feelings for her, yet as tangible as the ring you placed on her finger when you were married. Following are some gift ideas any wife would love.
1. Private retreat. If your wife is like most, she would appreciate some extra time spent alone with you, especially if she's also a mom and has had little personal time for herself lately. Why not consider splurging for a weekend away. Can't afford that this year? Then consider hiring a baby sitter and spending the weekend all alone doing some of your favorite activities. Little things mean a lot, by taking the step to spend more time with your wife, you will give the greatest gift any wife would love -- her husband.
2. Spa special. Any wife would appreciate being pampered with a trip to her favourite hair salon. Throw in a manicure and pedicure, and enjoy watching her twirl in delight as she shows off the results. One great spa special is a make-over, including a facial and image consultation to help your wife choose colours that would flatter her most. Many larger departments stores have ongoing and special make-overs for free with or without a make-up purchase. Stop by your local store and ask whether they offer gift certificates. If they do, don't forget to add enough cash to the certificate so that she can purchase some of the new make-up she tries. Warning: If you wife does not wear makeup often, this may nto be the gift for her.
3. Sparkling gems. Consider buying your wife a piece of jewellery to replace something she has always wanted, or desperately need. Earrings (make sure you check to see if she prefers clipped or pierced), watches, necklaces, pendants may fall in this category. Based on your budget, you can choose from precious, semi-precious or custom jewellery in styles and designs that flatter you wife's personality and unique image. One idea, could be to replace a stone that she has lost from a favourite piece of jewellery, bringing new life to an old favourite.
4. Perfect picture. Surprise your wife with a new family portrait. There are two ways you can do this. The first is to get a professional portrait with just yourself, and if you have them, your children. The second, is to set an appointment that includes your wife post-spa special. In the latter, the portrait will remind her of the special spa treatment you gave her this year.
5. Money, honey. Your wife will love money as a valentine's gift. The pitfalls of this, however, is that she may consider it a "no-brainier" gift that you gave her as an afterthought. Or worse, she'll take the money and run and spend it on you and the kids. The alternative? Give her a gift certificate, gift card, or e-certificate (online gift certificate) to one of her favourite stores. This could include a store that sells clothing, perfume, jewellery, handbags, shoes or any other things for women only! Put a deadline on it (say 30 days), and that'll force her to think and buy quickly.
Home business ideas: making and selling gift baskets
Gift baskets are very popular. While there is competition in this field, you can make a name for yourself by offering unique products.
Designing and making gift baskets can be a lot of fun, especially if you have some creative flair. You can make standard or special occasion baskets, and you can also create custom baskets for specific customers. Gifts do not technically have to come in a basket; you can find unusual or distinctive containers to package things in that will make your offerings more unique. Filler such as moss, tissue paper, raffia, or other creative substances can be used to help keep items in place and fill in baskets. Baskets and other containers can be wrapped in cellophane, or you can try tulle for a more unique look. Add ribbons and bows to taste, or use interesting little gifts or candy to decorate.
Here are some ideas:
STANDARD BASKETS– for most any occasion
Get Well Basket
In a medium basket, place a mug (a personalized mug would make a nice touch) and fill it with assorted, flavoured tea bags. Add a delicate spoon, a small jar of honey, a lemon, a handkerchief, a crossword puzzle book, a paperback, or any other items that are appropriate for a sick friend.
Baking Basket
Here’s an opportunity to use something unique. Rather than using a basket, fill a cookie jar with ingredients for baking chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies. Throw in a new set of measuring spoons, a measuring cup, a mixing spoon, and a bottle of vanilla extract. Don’t forget a nicely printed card with the cookie recipe. Or, fill a bundt cake pan with ingredients for a luscious cake, or a loaf pan with ingredients for a special bread recipe.
For the Cook
Gather several unusual kitchen gadgets and display them in a basket, or perhaps a colander or a gelatin mold for a creative touch. Add a cute apron, some recipe cards or a recipe booklet, and a few jars of interesting spices.
For the Wine Lover
Place a nice bottle or two or wine, perhaps one red and one white, in a large basket. Add a pair of appropriate wine glasses for each bottle, and a corkscrew. Print out a wine guide that details which wines go best with which foods. Perhaps add a cheese board and knife.
For the Coffee Lover
Use a large mug or two, or stemmed glass coffee cups and fill them with packets of flavored creamers. Add a couple of packages of premium coffee beans and a small coffee grinder. A cup warmer (looks like a very small hot plate) would make a nice touch. You can make a similar basket with different kinds of cocoa instead of coffee.
Aromatherapy Basket
Fill a basket with scented soaps and candles in different shapes and sizes. Include votive holders, candlesticks or candle plates, and a candle snuffer. Use potpourri, in the same scent as the candles, for filler. You can also make up baskets filled with friuts, nuts, candies, body lotions and gels, that can be used for any occasion. These along with many of the items above make great house warming gifts.
SPECIAL OCCASION BASKETS
Baby Shower Basket
These baskets are fun to make and as cute as can be. Instead of a regular basket, you might fill a baby bathtub with lotion, powder, baby shampoo and bath gel, baby washcloths and hooded towels, tiny nail clippers, and a soft brush. Or, fill a basket with bottles, bibs, a feeding set, baby spoons, wipes, and some fluffy stuffed animals.
Wedding Shower Basket
A nice bottle of champagne or sparkling wine, two fluted glasses, and some beautiful candles will make a nice, romantic gift. For the more practical gift giver, fill an extra large basket, perhaps a wicker laundry basket, with an inexpensive iron, an electric can opener, and a toaster or other small appliances (these can often be purchased on sale for less than twenty dollars). Add cooking utensils, measuring cups, potholders, etc.
Holiday Baskets
Fill a basket with items exclusive to the particular holiday. Christmas baskets can contain fruitcake, candy canes, miniature stockings or trees, and small wrapped gifts. Valentine’s Day gifts can be arranged in a heart shaped basket. A nice idea is to include items needed for a romantic dinner for two – long taper candles, candlesticks, a rose with bud vase, sparkling wine or cider, glasses, and maybe a jar of caviar or a beautifully wrapped package of fine chocolates. For Mother ’s Day, you might include lotions, gels, and bubble bath to pamper Mom, along with a gift certificate for her favourite restaurant, or for maid service, a manicure, or to have her hair done. For Father’s Day, add golf balls and a golf glove, tennis balls and sweat bands, tickets to a ball game, or a gift certificate for a nice massage along with some of Dad’s favourite snacks.
CUSTOM BASKETS
Anniversary Basket
The contents of an anniversary basket will usually be determined by which anniversary the couple is celebrating. A standard basket could contain a new photo album, the couple’s wedding picture, and any items that suit the particular anniversary.
Birthday Basket
Include items that represent the recipient’s hobbies, livelihood, birthstone, or anything else unique to that person. Print out a page of things that happened in history on the day the person was born, and add several of their favourite treats. Wooden numbers, often used for house numbers, can be painted and added to the basket to denote which birthday is being celebrated.
I’m Sorry Basket
This basket can include a replacement item of something that was lost or broken by the gift giver, or any item that could make up for whatever was done to offend the recipient. For example, if a man got a parking ticket in his sister’s car, you could create a basket that includes the receipt for the paid ticket, along with some special treats and a card. Or, this basket can simply include treats, flowers, or small gifts.
Just because basket
This basket should be overflowing with the recipient’s favourite items. The customer will have to let you know what those items are. If the recipient collects Teddy Bears, there should be lots of different sizes, shapes, colours, and textures of bears along with some special treats.
Retirement Basket
For a man: Golf balls, golf glove, golf magazine, etc.
For a woman: Gardening gloves, books, seeds, and gardening utensils.
This list is by no means exhaustive. The possibilities for gift baskets are endless, and that’s half the fun. You will soon be coming up with your own ideas, and finding ways to make every day a gift-giving occasion. You can create fabulous baskets to give your own friends and loved ones as well.
THE BUSINESS END
It doesn’t take a lot of money to start this business since you can start out small. You can make up a few baskets and place them in a local craft store or consignment shop, and you can place ads in the classified section of the local paper.
Make sure your baskets are unique, filled with quality items, packaged beautifully, and are a good value for the price. Many gift baskets are quite pricey, but they contain more filler than useable items. Some filler is necessary to make the basket attractive and to help keep items in place, but the consumer should receive enough useable products to make it worthwhile. When a customer orders a basket, ask for half of the purchase price as a deposit, and collect the rest upon completion. This way you should have enough money to purchase the items you need, and you won’t be out any money if the customer changes her mind.
Obviously, then you should attempt to at least double the money you expend in creating a basket. What you decide to charge for a particular gift basket will depend on the type and cost of the basket, the cost of the items needed to fill it, the time spent and level of difficulty in putting it all together, and the cost of filler, wrap, cards, etc. Don’t forget to include additional charges if you are asked to deliver the basket. As you begin to sell more baskets, put your profits back into the business and purchase more supplies. Most of the things you need will probably be cheaper if you buy in bulk, so increasing your inventory will save you money in the long term.
As business grows, and actually becomes a business, don’t neglect to secure any required licenses or permits. You may also need to speak to an accountant about tax issues involved with owning your own business. If you eventually decide to build a web site, remember that “going live” means you could draw customers from all over the world. Make sure you have the resources to keep up with the orders. At first, you may only want to offer custom baskets on your web site if your resources are limited.
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