Costa Blanca Dried Floral Arrangement Bow Basket
Posted on Apr 20, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Add a Touch of Springtime to Any Room with this Dried Floral Arrangement
- Made of Dried Foliage
- Container Made of Metal
- 16 x 14 x 4 “
Archives for dried foliage category
Lavender and Citrus Square-Shaped Wreath
Posted on Apr 19, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Lend Charm to Any Room with this Dried Floral Arrangement
- Made of Dried Foliage
- 17 x 17.5 x 4 “
Hydrangeas and Viburnum Faux Floral Arrangement in Vase
Posted on Apr 18, 2010 under dried foliage | 1 Comment
- Premium Quality Silk Reproduction
- Elegant life-like design
- So realistic you will want to water it!
Product Description
At 24″ tall, this classic summer collection is gathered in an elegant stemmed glass vase, filled with vibrant hydrangeas and snowball viburnum. This fresh cut beauty is a wonderful statement centerpiece on any sideboard or table. (L)27″(W)22″(H)24″… More >>
Cymbidium Faux Floral Arrangement in Twig Pot
Posted on Apr 18, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Premium Quality Silk Reproduction
- Elegant life-like design
Product Description
A wonderful addition to any office or desk, this handcrafted twig and moss planter is perfect for this beautiful Cymbidium orchid plant designed in the natural garden style. (L)15″(W)9″(H)29″… More >>
Lotus Faux Floral Arrangement in Cylinder Vase – White
Posted on Apr 17, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Add a Touch of Springtime to Any Room with this Modern Faux Floral Arrangement
- Contains Faux Water, Faux Lotuses
- Made of Silk, Polyester
- 24H” Cylindrical
- White; Container Made of Glass
- Ideal for Any Room of the House, Indoor Use Only
- Do Not Store in Direct Sunlight, Clean with Feather Duster
- 42H x 16 Dia. “
Oval Firenze Faux Floral Centerpiece
Posted on Apr 15, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Brighten Any Space in Your Home with this Casual Faux Floral Arrangement
- Contains Faux Roses, Faux Magnolias
- Made of Polyester, Silk
- 12L” x 6W” Planter; Features Painted Design
- Pink; Container Made of Tin
- Ideal for Any Room of the House, Indoor Use Only
- Clean with Feather Duster, Do Not Store in Direct Sunlight
- 23 x 16 x 12 “
Lotus Faux Floral Arrangement in Nouveau Vase – White
Posted on Apr 14, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Add a Touch of Springtime to Any Room with this Modern Faux Floral Arrangement
- Contains Faux Lotuses
- Made of Polyester, Silk
- 6x2x10″ Rectangular
- White; Container Made of Glass
- Ideal for Any Room of the House, Indoor Use Only
- Do Not Store in Direct Sunlight, Clean with Feather Duster
- 20H x 12 Dia. “
Oncidium Mix Faux Floral Arrangement in Pot
Posted on Apr 12, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
- Enhance your Décor with this Designer Floral Arrangement
- Botanically Correct Reproduction
- So realistic you will want to water it!
Product Description
A potted yellow oncidium plant becomes more interesting with the addition of a birds nest and wild flowers placed at the base of this plant. A perfect addition to any room. (L)19″(W)16″(H)25″… More >>
Growing Garlic
Posted on Apr 10, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are offWhile we all know that garlic has many health benefits such as being a natural antibiotic, you may not know that they can also be healthy for your garden as well. As a companion plant, when they are planted near roses and raspberries, garlic will improve the growth and health of your plants. It has the added benefit of deterring Japanese beetles and aphids. Garlic is easy to grow and each planted clove will produce a full head of Garlic with between 8 to 20 cloves per head. To get started in with planting your garlic, first purchase your garlic of choice. Since the garlic from grocery stores has antisprouting chemicals added to it, be sure and buy your garlic from a reputable source rather than a grocery store. One variety that you may enjoy that is popular here in the Mid-South is the mild flavored ‘Elephant’ garlic which has large clusters.Planting Garlic
One half pound of garlic seed is a good start and will produce about 15 plants. Garlic is divided into hardnecks (Allium sativum var. ohioscorodon) and softnecks (Allium sativum var. sativum). First, check online catalogs or your local co-op for the variety that will suit your needs best.
Next, decide where you will plant your garlic. A raised bed is suggested if you do not have good soil or if you live in a wet climate. Good soil means loamy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Composted manure for essential nutrients incorporated into soil a few weeks before planting is helpful. If you are planting your garlic directly into your soil, plant in wide-rows 10 to 12 inches wide. Timing is important when planting garlic. Bigger bulbs will be produced if you plant in the fall and let it grow and mature until the following summer. If you find that it’s springtime already and you haven’t planted yours yet, go ahead and plant if you like, just realize you will get smaller bulbs. Since garlic bulbs like cool weather, the earlier you can plant it the better it will grow and the bigger the bulbs will be.
Garlic is not susceptible to disease, but as with any plant, having good air circulation is the key to a healthy plant. If your garlic develops thrips, apply insecticidal soap. In cold climates, add more mulch a month after planting to prevent extreme temperature fluctuations. When growth appears in late winter, pull back the mulch and begin monthly applications of an organic fertilizer such as blood meal or fish emulsion. Stop fertilizing in mid to late spring (depending on what type of garlic you have). Mulch again as summer approaches.Harvesting Garlic
It takes about 100 days for bulbs planted in the spring to mature. Harvest between late may in warm climates and mid-August in cooler areas. Stop watering two weeks before harvest. One tip that garlic is ready to harvest is when the leaves on the lower half of the plant turn brown. To harvest, dig the bulbs up rather than pulling them up, Being careful not to damage the outer skins.
Let them cure in a dry, shady, well ventilated location for three days. Don’t wash them yet. If you want to braid your garlic for a decorative touch, now is the time to braid the foliage of softnecks. Cure bulbs for 2 to 3 more weeks until foliage is completely dry. Once foliage is dry, clean the bulbs by wiping or peeling away the outer husk. Trim tops to 1 inch and roots to 1/2 inch.Storing Garlic Bulbs
To store your garlic bulbs, place them in mesh bags or braided strings in a dark, cool place. Garlic will keep up to three months if stored at between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and room temperature. Humidity level of 65 to 70 percent is best.
Don not refrigerate.Troubleshooting
Common causes of small or no bulbing include high temperatures, excessive watering, wrong cultivar for your climate, and weed competition. Your local extension service can advise you as to what varieties grow well in your area.
Both you and your garden can benefit from growing garlic. Checking online catalog sources, your local extension service, or with your local garden center will give you many varieties that are fun to try and that will grow well in your area.
Simple Steps for Preserving Herbs From Your Garden
Posted on Apr 09, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are offYou’ve nourished your herbs and lovingly watched as they developed from seeds and grew into beautiful plants. Your herbs have been a joy to grow and now your efforts will be rewarded by their many exceptional uses. Yes, your home herb garden has been a little work but it has been well worth it.
Now it’s time to harvest and recognizing when your herbs are ready is a very big key to maximizing their benefits. Elements such as the heat and the wind can rob important herb oils. So try to select a midsummer morning that is dry and calm to collect your bounty. Herbs do not produce as much oil on days that are very wet. On the harvesting morning wait till the dew dries from the herb leaves, and just prior to its flowers opening, to harvest your herbs. By the way, we’re not talking about digging up the whole plant at this stage. We just want to take the amount of herb leaves that we need, either for present use or to preserve them for a later use. It’s important to not remove greater than a third of the leaves during a single harvest. Your plants will continue their growth better by taking no more foliage than this. Also, before harvesting, be sure and check for insects and injured leaves prior to harvesting.
Generally, folks preserve their herbs in three ways: a salt or vinegar preservation medium, freezing, or drying.
Preserving Herbs Using a Medium
Herbs like basil, chopped mint, or tarragon can be preserved for several months just by covering with vinegar. You can also alternate layers of fresh herbs and flavored salt to preserve herbs. Once they’re totally dry, divide the herbs from the salt and place in an airtight container. Certainly, herbs are most frequently used fresh out of the garden. Just be sure to clean the herbs prior to use in your favorite recipes. A great way to clean herbs fresh from the garden is to put them in a sink or bowl containing cool water. The sink is definitely the way to go if you are cleaning a fair amount of herbs. You’ll also want to add about two tablespoons of salt into the water. This will drive away any insects without harming the herbs. Now you can dry your herbs in a salad spinner or a method of your choosing.
Freezing Herbs – A pretty easy process of preserving.
1. Cut into quarter inch sections.
2. Place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
3. Put them in the freezer
4. Once frozen, put the herbs in a freezer bag and return them to the freezer till needed.
Easy Steps for Drying Herbs
1. Take 6 -12 stems and group them together. Check the base of the stems and remove any foliage.
2. Tie the bundle with a string
3. Then hang them in a cool place apart from sunlight.
Drying Individual Leaves
1. Use a rack or screen to place the leaves on
2. Flip the leaves often so that they dry correctly
You can also use an appliance like a dehydrator, microwave, or oven for the drying process but many people have found this method to be less satisfying.
Freezing Herbs – A simple process for preserving.
1. Cut into quarter inch sections.
2. Place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
3. Put them in the freezer
4. Once frozen, put the herbs in a freezer bag and return them to the freezer till needed.
Remember, each herb is unique in its uses. Each herb has its own instructions in using, harvesting, and chopping as well. Learning about the herbs you are growing will help you to use them correctly and enjoy the maximum benefits your home herb garden is sure to provide.
