GARDEN PEONY CENTERPIECE
Our yards and meadows are filled with natural greens for arrangement. Florist ferns seem rather boring when you discover the options available in nature. Making a beautiful centerpiece is as easy as cutting backyard flowers and gathering wayside weeds around your neighborhood. In four simple steps I will show you how to create a table centerpiece without any expenses.
HOW TO CREATE TO GATHER: Garden Flowers:- 2 Blue Sage stems
- 1 White Peony bloom
- 6 Broom Scotch stems
Weeds: - 12 Pennycress stems
- 12 Peppergrass stems
Grain: - 12 Bearded Wheat stems
| MATERIALS: Tools:
Garden Scissors or clippers
Supplies:
Container ( height: 5 inches )
| ASSEMBLING THE CENTERPIECE | | STEP 1 Use a crock or antique dish to hold your flowers. Flea markets finds are great for this purpose. I found a perfect-sized pot for my garden centerpiece that is approximately five inches high with an opening of five inches across.
Fill the container with three inches of water.
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Left to Right: Blue Sage, White Peony
| STEP 2 Take a walk and clip Pennycress, Peppergrass and Wheat with eight inch stems (see third picture below).
Then cut garden flowers and design the arrangement immediately by clustering the Peony and Blue Sage stems together to form small bunch.
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Pink & Orange Scotch Broom
| STEP 3 Clip three to six branches of blooming Scotch Broom. If possible, mix several colors for more contrast and interest.
Add the Scotch Broom stems to the Peony and Blue Sage bunch.
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Left to Right: Pennycress, Wheat, Peppergrass
| STEP 4 Next, place Bearded Wheat around the bunch of flowers. Surround the bouquet with taller Pennycress behind the flowers and wheat. Place a few stems of shorter Peppergrass to the front of the arrangement.
Stand the bouquet in the crock. If the arrangement tilts to one side, cut the stems shorter and add more greens- either more Pennycress or Peppergrass to fill in space.
| Congratulations you have a designer arrangement for your table without the cost of purchasing one. Your friends will be calling you for your floral expertise.
Good Luck!
Sally
GROWING CHIVES & GARLIC  Chives Chives are a worthy addition to the garden. The plant returns every spring from the root and multiplies easily if the flower goes to seed. Cutting the onion-like stems makes them thrive and grow - meaning you can eat chives all summer and still have plenty to dry or freeze for winter. The mild onion taste is light on the digestive system. Freshly chopped chives are delicious on warm pizza.  Garlic Growing garlic requires no special soil or attention for a bumper crop. The biggest problem with growing garlic, for me, is remembering to plant it in the late fall. Amish ladies gave me some garlic bulbs to plant a few years ago with instructions to get them in the soil by Thanksgiving and put plenty of eggshells with them. By early spring the bulbs grew 6 inches of greens and continued growing 24 inches tall until a seed head formed. When the stems die back, around the 4th of July, the garlic is ready to dig....just in time for all the tomato canning recipes. The super-sized bulbs are used fresh and dried for winter storage. After the harvest in July, some bulbs are set aside again for planting in November. Give it a try. I think You will be pleasantly surprised how simple and rewarding it is to grow garlic.
APPLE TWIG BASKET Apple trees need trimmed every spring. A resourceful way to use the pruned branches is to make a twig basket. The sucker twigs are straight, flexible, and soft enough for cutting into short lengths with hand pruners. A tray style basket is quick and easy to make. This is a native craft that many children have achieved at summer camps! Give it a try and enjoy your success.
HOW TO CREATE MATERIALS: Twigs, hammer, small nails, jute Bottom Twigs: 4 twigs 8 inch long (1/2 inch diameter) 6 twigs 8 inch long (1/2 inch diameter) Sides Twigs: 4 twigs 8 inch long ( 1/2 diameter) 12 twigs 8 inch long & smaller than 1/2 diameter Handles Twigs: 2 twigs 18 inches long for the handle HOW TO MAKE AN APPLE TWIG BASKET: - Cut 4 twigs - 8 inches long & about 1/2 inch in diameter
- Nail the 4 pieces together forming a square - allow 1 inch overhand on each end.
- Make a bottom by nailing 6 small twigs (8 inches long) inside the square.
- Cut 4 twigs - 8 inches long (less than 1/2 inches in diameter) then nail into place to begin to make the sides. Repeat using a little smaller diameter piece for each layer.
- Cut flexible branch 18 inches to 24 inches long to form a handle. Bend it slowly to shape and nail it to the bottom rung with a nail, staple, or using string. You may want to wire the handle into shape and leave the wire in place until the twig handle dries. Wrap jute around the handles where the twigs overlap.
- Optional: Lace the corners and bottom twigs with jute to further secure the twigs if needed.
TRIMMING ORCHARD TREES The Amish orchardist called last week as a follow-up to his January visit and asked if I still wanted my trees pruned and grafted. We decided that my collection of ladders was sufficient for the job. I agreed to pick him up at 9:00 am on Saturday morning. After a quick stop at the only bank in town, we headed towards the "tight-end" of the valley through a misty drizzel of rain. The weather man said it would clear off by 10:00 am, and being people of faith we believed him, but that didn't seem to happen. The Amish orchardist, and his son worked steadily in spite of the damp weather trimming two pears, four apples, and one cherry tree.
They waited to trim the tallest cortland tree until last, extending the ladder 25 feet to reach the top (seen above). With chainsaw in hand, the orchardist proceeded to cut off every dying limb. He carefully selected four small branches for his grafted experiment at the very top of the tree (As I posted earlier, we are hoping to save this heirloom cortland by grafting it to a younger tree. Read about it here). The Amish orchardist said he would work on grafting the tree that afternoon, and then keep it in his nursery for a little while. He was hopeful that atleast one of the grafts would become a success.
I can learn from the trees.
A fruit tree without pruning bears little fruit.
I am learning to be thankful for the pruning in my life .
The Saga Continues,
We'll keep you posted!
PRESSED FLOWER EGGS  Assortment of Styles for Naturally Decorated Eggs Instead of painting eggs for Easter, I decoupage them with pressed flowers and feathers. Violets, ferns, and little buttercups press well and keep their vibrant colors over time. Use white and brown shells for added variety when blowing out natural eggs. Wooden eggs may be painted then applied with pressed flowers (this is a nice way to keep your creations longer, but I like the look and feel of real egg shells). Store them in regular egg cartons for next Easter's decorations.  Decoupage Guinea Feather Eggs HOW-TO CREATE Decoupage is an art form originating from Italy during the 18th century. It translates very well to Easter egg decorating and makes a beautiful finish for fresh egg shells. Blowing Out the Eggs- Begin the process by gathering several fresh eggs.
- To remove the yoke, poke a small hole at either end of the egg (be careful not to crack the shell, this is a very delicate process), then place your lips over one of ends and slowly blow through hole.
- Once the yoke is removed (this may take a little time), wash the eggs and let them dry. (TIP: You may need to take an Aspirin for your headache).
Decoupaging the Eggs- Now take a few tablespoons of Elmer's Glue and mix it with a few drops of water (This will be your adhesive to secure the pressed flowers to the eggs).
- Take an egg shell and place your flowers where you want them. Gently smear the glue over the flowers with a small painting brush being careful not to tear the petals.
- Dry the eggs in a warm-sunny location until the glue hardens.
S I M P L E D I S P L A Y I D E A S |  Pressed Larkspur Flower |  Eggs Displayed with Rye Grass |  Feather Eggs On Miniature Wreaths | |
Instead of using Plastic Easter Grass, try growing Living Grass for a natural centerpiece to accompany decorated eggs. I recommend using Annual Rye, available at farm and garden centers, because it germinates quickly. Plant the seeds in damp potting soil, and keep it moist. In just ten days the grass will grow several inches. Add a chocolate bunny to complete the centerpiece and just give the grass a haircut when needed.
Next week I'll show you how-to create Miniature Wreath Stands for Decorated Eggs!
Sally
CONTAINER GARDENS Container gardens are a popular way to enhance your outdoor living space. I have formulated a plan to keep these potted blooms growing from season to season. There are plenty of different styles for container gardens, but once the summer has ended, the wilted blooms are usually thrown away and the empty pots are shelved for winter storage. This "ready-made" garden is a delight to bring out every spring, and the best part is, you don't have re-plant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | A FEW SIMPLE STEPS Canna Lily Bulbs are the main component of this particular design, because they need to be brought indoors anyways to preserve the bulbs (atleast in my planting zone). By mid summer the lilies add a tropical appeal to a potted garden filled with simple greens and annual flowers. STEP ONE: When the plants are put to rest for winter, I'll cut the stalks of the Canna Lily, leaving about two inches at the base. You can tell when it's time to prune the lily because its leaves will turn a yellowish-brown color and begin to fade or droop. STEP TWO: I used annual Red Impatiens for a blast of color and texture around the base of the Canna Lily. This is the only flower that does not "winter over." So purchase them at the beginning of spring, or experiment with different flowers. These stems should be removed before storing for the next season. STEP THREE: In this picture (left), I'm pruning old growth and getting rid of the rest of the Red Impatiens by tilling the soil and turning under roots. Once that is finished, place the pot in a cool dark place like a basement, shed, or garage for keeping. Bring it out on a warm sunny day the following spring. How easy is that? | |
A TIME TO PLANT
The farmers are plowing the fields and taking advantage of the spring-like weather. I planted onion sets, radishes, spinach, and mustard seeds in cold frames the other day. It is early but the soil is soft and dry. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. Let the gardens begin!
NATURAL AIR FRESHENER The roses on my dining room table from Valentine's Day are beginning to wilt. Instead of tossing them into the compost bin, I gently plucked the petals off the stem and placed them on a wicker tray in hopes of preserving their beauty. By putting the wicker tray on a radiator, the petals dried within days to a deep rich color. For a natural air freshener that is both visually and aromatically calming, display petals in an antique dish and set in a sunny location. The warm sun will emit the natural oils and fragrance.
SIMPLE PLEASURES The best way to brighten a winter day is to surround yourself with a little flower. Instead of placing long-stem roses in a vase, float them in a bowl of water. It's a relaxed and intimate alternative to stuffy arrangements- don't you think? I used an antique rose-colored dish to showcase this luscious southern peach. There's nothing more romantic than awakening to a rose on your bed stand. It's the perfect way to greet your day.  Ahhhh, this color is so rich and vibrant you just want to bask in its warmth.
A LASTING ROSE This time of year roses abound in grocery stores and florist windows. Their beauty is easy to prolong by simply drying them. Once dried, roses have numerous uses beyond floral designing, such as healing tinctures and aromatherapy, not to mention the mere process of preserving them is an artful experience. A delicate Rose Water for linens or fragrant Rose Beads for necklaces can be made from dried roses. The options are endless with these fail-proof guidelines listed below.
| HOW TO DRY
LONG-LASTING ROSES SUPPLIES
~ Rubber Bands
~ Metal Clothes Hanger
~ Hairspray or Clear Varnish 1. Remove flowers from water - The key to preserving roses is removing the flower from water or oasis before it reaches maturity. Once the bud is fully opened or matured, the petals will drop during the drying process.
2. Bunch stems with rubber bands in clusters of three - Rubber bands are preferred over string because they contract as the stems dry.
3. Drape roses upside down over a clothes hanger by spreading open stems - It's unnecessary to fasten the bunch with extra string.
4. Place the clothes hanger in a warm place with good circulation away from direct sunlight - For best results hang above a warm radiator, wood stove, or furnace.
5. Monitor the drying progress weekly - Blooms will shrink and become darker in color within four to five weeks. Be sure the centers are dry so the roses do not mold or fall apart.
6. After roses are completely dry, spray with hairspray or clear varnish to protect them from breakage - Only spray roses that will be used in floral designs. |  Start with a Fresh Bouquet of Roses  Twisting Rubber Bands onto Bunches  Flowers Bundled and Ready for Drying  Flowers Attached to Drying Hanger | |
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