Florist Supplies Guide

Growing a bountiful garden is easier than you think. In fact, nearly half of the households in the United States grow vegetables and fruits for their dinner table. Growing fresh fruit and vegetables for your family is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature, while providing you with a healthy diet high in vitamins and minerals.

Soil Test
Before you plant anything it is always a good idea to do a soil test. Most farmers test their soil every few years to see what levels of nutrients are available for the plants. Home gardeners should do the same thing. It is the best way to make sure you have the proper nutrients to help the plants grow, while at the same time not over supplying unneeded nutrients.
While most home gardeners do not have the equipment to do soil test, you can contact you local Cooperative extension office. They can provide you with how to take the soil test and where to send it. Do not be shy about asking for their help. This is a public service you are already paying for with you tax dollars. They will be happy to help you; it’s their job. Look in you phone book under your county extension office.

The best time to take a soil test is about 6-8 weeks before you plan to plant. Keep in mind; some soil labs will get very busy in the spring because everyone is getting their soil tested at the same time. Once you get the soil test results, your extension agent can help you understand what is the best way to fertilize your garden.

NOURISH YOUR GARDEN
Just as humans need vitamins to supplement their diet, soil needs fertilizer to help plants grow to make nutrient rich vegetables and fruit. Fertilizers enrich the soil with naturally occurring elements. Choosing the best fertilizer will depend on your soil test.

Organic matter, such as animal manure, contains many nutrients that plants need. However, organics alone seldom provide the proper balance of nutrients. Also, some organics have high levels of carbon, which can temporarily tie up nitrogen in the soil, causing leaves to turn yellow.
With organic compounds you cannot always tell the amount of nutrients the plants are getting. With a commercial fertilizer it is much easier. Commercial fertilizers are labeled with three numbers, which provide the proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium - the three essential elements for plant growth. For example, a bag of 10-10-10 contains 10% Nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potassium. The first number of the three is nitrogen. Nitrogen is the nutrient that gives the plant energy to grow. The second number is phosphorus. Phosphorus is needed for root development. The third number of the three is potassium. Potassium, or potash is needed for the translocation of sugar and strong cell development to resist diseases.

When using organic fertilizers, higher amounts are needed since the concentration of nutrients in organics is far lower. For example, a typical organic fertilizer may be only 3% nitrogen, while a commercial fertilizer may be as high as 21% nitrogen. You would need to apply 7 times more organic material to give the plant the same nutrition with the organics. If you do use organic materials, keep in mind that it will take time for the materials to mineralize and be available for plants to uptake these nutrients. But don’t be discouraged by the limitations of using organic material. In most areas of the US, adding organic matter to the soil is always helpful to the soil structure. It provides a good nutrient foundation for plants, which will limit the amount of commercial fertilizer you need.

PLANT THERAPY
Select a garden location that gets plenty of sunlight - a healthy garden need six hours of direct sunlight everyday. The garden should be large enough to accommodate spreading of plants. Avoid low or wet spots that have standing water for days after rainfall.

Apply fertilizer to the garden one week before planting, by spreading the recommended amount of fertilizer evenly over the garden. This is another situation where the old saying “If a little bit is good, a lot is better” is not correct. Over-fertilizing will lead to excessive growth and limiting fruiting. Over fertilizing in many cases is worse than not fertilizing at all.

Water-soluble fertilizers should be applied about every three to six weeks after planting or according to the label directions. Fertilizer should be applied more often when plants are rapidly growing. This is the time when plants have the highest demand for nutrients. Buy a good quality water-soluble fertilizer. Just because it has a flashy label doesn’t make it the best. Avoid water-soluble fertilizers that list muriate of potash or potassium chloride on the label. Look at the label and if you see either of the listed under the derived from listing, do not use then on fruits or vegetable. These two items contain high levels of chloride, it will not hurt you but it will limit you plants growth.

Growing healthy nutritious fruit and vegetables is not difficult. It is a great way for you and you family to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature. Feed your plants well and they will feed you well. For more information on soil and other subjects, please visit the articles section of http://aperfectgarden.net

Earl Chipman has worked with plant nutrition for over 20 years. For more of his articles on gardening and landscaping, please visit http://aperfectgarden.net.

Arizona BlueGunfighter
Wild Flower

[Episode Two: Tombstone - 1882]

[Tombstone, Arizona1882] Arizona-Blue wiped the dust off his pants as he dismounted his horse, Dan. Another town he said to himself. He hadn’t been back in Arizona going on four-years. It was nice to be back in Tombstone, it was a place he usually avoided though, because of the gunfighters and he loved them dearly, but when they got together in a town like Tombstone, or Deadwood, the law was never orderly. But why look for them, they’d find him if need be. He was like an alcoholic when it came to shoot outs, or show downs. He knew it. He couldn’t avoid a fight. So like a good alcoholic, he was a loner, it was best to be alone he’d tell himself: ‘better to be alone than be caught in the grips of your fancy.’ But Tombstone was on his way to Wyoming. He had just left New Mexico. Things were pretty hot for him down there; after a shootout in a saloon that is. The bartender started a fight where four-men had lost their lives, he had shot one. They hung the saloonkeeper. It was best to get going before too many minds got together and thought of lynching him.

Tombstone sprawled across a treeless plateau in the southeastern part of Arizona. And Blue, remembering the cockfights held in a roped-off area on the outskirts of town from years back, and needing to make a few bucks, some spending money, it would be more favorable on him for reentering the town, broke. Maybe he could make a few more bucks. And maybe some of his old friends were around. He also needed to land a job for a season, and often times there was need for a man with his skills, and talents.

He remembered a few years back in l879, how the fever of the silver mines was in every ones conversations, and money was but a hand shake awaylike in Deadwood. Many mine owners needed guards, gunmen to protect them. In the surrounding hills there were many mines, and miners back then. But now he had heard of some mines that were yielding ore, and making the town even richer.

Blue pulled up to a wooden post in town, he tied his reigns to it, and started heading to a saloon but a few feet away. Three men were standing on the wooden sidewalk, one tall with a derby hat, long beard, white shirt and old suit jacket. The one in the middle wore kind of a conductors hat, and the one on his left, a bit taller than the one in the middle, mustache, and a small rounded hat, standing with his right hand in his pocket, like a chair ready to fall back at the least bit of wind. He stood with a hand in his pocket as if he it was frozen as he stared at Blue walking toward him on the wooden sidewalk.

Blue was close to five food nine inches tall; a rugged looking fellow, especially when unshaven, with dusty close and hat. His gun hung heave on his side, and low. He wore his colt pistol tight against his body though, especially before he’d go into a down like this, so there’d be no flopping of his holster; cleaned shaved for most occasions, except for now, as he had just arrived in townwith his bushy auburn sideburns, natural waves to his hair; square chin, a good looking fellow most woman would say.

The saloon was next-door to a pawnshoptwo, stories high. Blue looked up and down Allen Street, sizing up everything. A man with a tie and dressed in black was making his way across the muddy street to the other side, from Macalister & Company, not far from a shoe store. He was a natural for details. Maybe that was why he lived so long he thought. Thirty-four men he killed since he left home at the age of eighteen. He was considered the fastest gun alive. No exceptions to the past either.

The saloon had three windows in front. One on the right hand side and one above the door and another one on the left hand side of the building. He often liked not to be too close to windows. Too many people new his face in Arizona; and outside of Arizona, too many knew his name. And too many people would like to shoot him in the back, as they had done to Wild Bill Hickok, back in l876, in Deadwood. Blue remembered that well. He was in Deadwood that day, but missed the action, he had already been shot. Matter-of-fact, he hadn’t been back there for a spell; he never liked the narrow streets, but he was thinking of heading on down there, or up there, he knew Lola, an old girlfriend.

Blue walked past the three men, slowly. The tall one whispered:

“Looks like one of the Masterson Brothers except for the mustache.”

The middle man turned to look, he caught Arizona’s eyes, then quickly turned away:

“It’s Arizona-Blue, just look at his eyes, they’re as blue as the sky.”

The third man noted also, saying:

“Yaw, could be, could be, I saw him in town some years backa loner, a mean kind of loner.”

Arizona swung the door to the saloon open, a few eyes from within turned towards him. He checked the place out as a matador would prior to entering a bullring; or a prize fighter checking out his prey, just before the bell rang. The bartender stood behind the bar squint-eyed, trying to see if who the stranger was: cleaned shaved, white shirt, hair groomed with axel grease, about 5′9″, a vest of white and black silk, and a gun in a glass case behind him, as to imply he was ready in case of trouble.

To the right, a man was smoking a cigar, leaning in a chair with only two legs of the chair supporting him, as he laid his right hand on the table, the other dangling to his side. He was playing with some silver dollars, by himself. To his right, a card game was going on. Five fellows were playing, not paying much attention to the breeze coming through the door. Standing not too far from the card game another man watched the players; as if checking out a few of the fellow’s hands.

Just then the tall man from outside looked in with another fellow, pointing at Blue:

“Yaw,” said the tall man’s friend, “that’s Blue all right.”

The words echoed into every ones ears in the bar. Even the card game stopped. Silence filled the long slim barroom. You could tell they had all heard of his reputation, and Tombstone was just a place where a crazy gunslinger could practice his trade with out too much trouble. It was just a year ago [1881] the gunfight took place at the OK Corral. Blue had met the Earp’s some years back. He was more of a shrewd business man he had thought than a gunfighter. He thought it funny Wyatt made it out of the OK Corral alive.

Pulling his hat off, Arizona commented: “I’m just here for a drink, fellows, not looking for trouble.”

Blue starred at the bottles of whiskey across from him, scotch to be exact.

“The names Jake, Mr. Blue,” said the saloonkeeper.

“Glad to meet you Jake,” replied Blue, “give me a double shot of the scotch, and beer to chase it down.”

From the backdoor, an Indian woman came in. She was caring some wood for the cast-iron stove that stood against the wall of the left side of the room. She was tall, taller thought Blue, taller than the average Indian woman. And he knew most of the tribes in the area.

She couldn’t be Sioux, or Chippewa, they were too far to the north. She didn’t look like a Comanche he told himself, because she wore buckskin. She had tinsel and beads as ornaments around her nick. She was very pretty, strong looking, and warrior like. There was grace in her movements, and pride he told himself, in her face. He liked looking at her, and he liked her make up.

As he stared at the Indian woman putting the fire wood down, it brought him back to memories of his childhood. His father had beaten his first wife to death while drinking one night, he was a drunkhis mother was his third wife; and on a number of occasions swung at him, but missed most of the time, he was fast in the ducking. It was hard to keep your head up he remembered, after being hit a few times, but he died when Blue was fourteen, too much booze or something. His heart just stopped one day, and that was it. They were tough times then and after; he then went into the Civil War, he was 25-years old then. He was kinder to his mother than he was to his previous wives, he thought. He drank on occasions, but not like he had prior to meeting his mother. The love he wanted, he probably never got, but then he’d think, he could had been worse, he could had been born to one of his other wives and beat to death as a child, although he never beat his daughter Sarah, his step-sister.

It seemed to Blue, as he watched her every move; she was trying hard to get that respect also. She tried to keep her chin level with her shoulders, to show at one time she possessed dignity. But Blue noticed it fell short of what she wanted, as she glanced at his starring.

“Say Jake, who’s the Indian woman?”

“The squaw belongs to Todd Lukas, the gentleman sitting down over there.”

Blue looked. It was the man playing with the silver dollars, a checkered suit coat, vest, and timepiece with a golden chain hanging so everyone could see it: a big cigar in his mouth.

“A big shot, haw!” Blue mentioned lightly-loud, somewhat under his breath, but enough to make a little echo. Todd looked towards the bar, not sure if he was or was-not, part of Blues conversation.

“Curiosity Mr. Blue,” said the bartender.

“You could say that. Can’t figure out what tribe she’s from.”

“Save you some time, she’s Osages,” said Todd Lukas. From afar, as if he had ears as sharp as Blue’s eyes.

“She does odd jobs around here” said Jake the bartender, almost reluctantly, yet hoping there wouldn’t be any trouble; as if he helped with the conversation so Blue’s mind would be off Lukas.

He added: “I pay” Jake hesitated, then commented: “Mr. Lukas for it.”

“I thought slavery went out in ‘65,” commented Blue.

“Well, if you must know mister,” replied Todd, “I own her, heart and soul. Ok!”

“How’s that?” asked Blue.

“That’s none of your business, even to you, gunslinger,” said Lukas as he stood up from his chair.

Blue look about, he noticed there wasn’t much room in the bar, and right by Jake was his cash register, and right by that his gun and rifle in the glass box; mirrors on each side. Blue took a quick look into Jakes eyes, made a little smile, almost a sneer, and Jake moved closer to the cash resister, and away from the guns. Blue then shifted his focus to Todd, although Jake knew Blue could still see him with his peripheral vision.

“I don’t, like your attitude, Mr. Lukas.”

Blue’s hand was already lowered to his holster. His double shot of whiskey was already finished. Blue added with a calm vice, as steady as a cats purr: “You better be fast mister,” adding, “I love to shoot, I’m like an alcoholic, can’t help taking the next stepearlyeee.” and he slurred the early part of the word, like a cat.

Blue looked about the room. Everyone remained silent. No one moved. They knew the game. Any movements would be taken for assistance on Mr. Lukas’ behalf. And it looked to Blue, he didn’t have a lot of friends in the bar. Plus out of the several people in the bar, only a few had guns on anyway; and they looked more like farmers and ranchers than gunfighters. And he knew by the looks of things, they were not going to protect a vulture, not with their lives anyhow.

“You know how to use that Smith & Wesson Schofield .45?” asked Blue.

Todd was silent. And he did know how to use the gun. Todd was somewhat known throughout the area as not being afraid of Wyatt Earp, or for that matter Bat Masterson, but then Blue wasn’t either. Blue new the name Lukas, although he didn’t let on. To him he was simply another cowhand who thought he was quick with skinning his gun.

Todd looked at his gun on his hip took a step away from the table.

“You know Todd,” said Blue “Jesse James’s choice.” Todd looked dumfounded, not knowing what Blue was saying. “The gun mister,” said Blue as if insulting his knowledge about guns. Now Todd knew, Jesse hand the same kind of gun.

“So what,” said Todd with irritation? Than looked at Blue with burning eyes.

“Let’s get down to business, Mr. Lukas, go for it, and skin that gun. Go oooooooo!”

“Listen Blue,” said Todd with a shaky voice, “the sheriff in town is a good friend of mine”

“He can die just as fast as you can,” responded Blue with a low voice, calm as still-water.

“So walk away big man, but leave the girl behind, she’s free.”

“I can do that,” replied Todd.”

“Mr. Lukas,” commented Blue, “it’s only money, and a woman. She’s not worth your life is she?”

“Maybe I can beat you,” said Todd.

Blue shock his head, said to himself: he took my grace as weakness.

Just about this time Todd got more confidence, and took another two steps to position himself according to his aim to be.

The woman looked sharp at Lukas, almost wanting him to start shooting. At that moment, the woman ran to Jakes guns behind the bar, broke the glass with her hands, cutting them, and pulling a gun out, and dropped the pistil on the floor. She was full of tears, yelling:

“I want to kill him, let me!!”

The whole saloon was on edge now; the bartender still standing by the cash resister, the Indian woman bleeding at the end of the bar, looking at the gun on the floor. The card players looking at their hands, and making sure no one switched cards, as they watched the gunfight about to take place. And the two from outside the bar gawking through the crack of the door.

“Let’s go Mister Lukas, were loosing time, I need another shot, and some food, I had a long ride.”

“Answer question Mr. Blue,” asked Todd Lukas, “listen, there is really no need to fight. I’m not a gunfighter, although I’m not bad with a gun. I won the Indian down in a card game in Arkansas. She was married to a drunken Indian; I gave him $100, for her. She’s simply working the money off.”

“How long she was working the money off, Mr. Lukas?”

“That’s none of your business again,” said Mr. Lukas with a smirk.

“So she’s a married woman?” inferred Blue getting more irritated and about to push Lukas to shoot.

Now the whole bar was looking at Todd and Blue’s hands, as if one would surprise the other with a quick draw; perhaps thinking, Todd was talking to Blue to distract him, for they had seen him do that before.

Said the woman (with a crying voice):

“He killed my husbandhe, he gave money to drink to my husband, he do, he-e drank much, he swell tongue in night. He took me then. My husband and I went to get supplies, Fort Gibson.”

“I saved you from that drunken bum, bitch!!” Said Todd, with a roaring voice.

“You save-me for yofor wh-ore. My husband bad but not ba-a like yu.” She stopped and wiped her eyes, kicked the gun away from her feet, as if to tell Blue, she was over her emotional hate. That she would not get in the way.

Blue looked into her deep black eyes. She had lovely features; long black hair. But she was tired. Worn to the point she looked ten years older then her 20’s, an unhealthy looking skin color, but strong features. There was now a little hope in the glitter of her eyes. She held herself up by the end of the wooden bar, as her legs seem to be like noodles fighting to gain strength, and tighten the elasticity.

She was all of five foot seven inches tall; large bosom, and a shapely figure beyond that, if one looked beyond her silted clothing, and scabbed legs, and cut feet that is, she was lovely. Her hair touched her waist, uneven, and with some snarls. She had strong looking hands; veins perturbing from her reddish-brown skin, coffee colored check bones.

“What’s your name?” asked Blue, as he pretended not to notice Todd, making him quite insufficient for the moment, and posing as being off guard; two could play the game he thought.

“It is Wild-flower,” she responded with a half smile, as if it took all her energy to talk.

“And where is your tribe. I’ve heard of your band. Though they became extinct years ago, I thought?”

Responded Wild Flower, calmly, after catching her voice from all that was happening:

“Yes, we are not many; all that is left is one-hundred or so, maybe less. But many years ago, there were 5000-of us; maybe more, so many I could not count them all.” She coughed a little, got some more air into her lungs, and continued, “small-pox killed many. War and the tribe split, years ago. I was just a kid then. We were mighty warriors.” She ended proudly, pushing her chin back with the little strength she had left.

Blue had heard many things about her tribe, and what she had said was mostly true he thought. It is too bad he thought how a mighty tribe passes with the wind, as if time ate it up. As if it never was. Who would know?

“Well,” Blue said with a confirming voice: “you are free to go wherever you want, back to wherever, go Wild Flowerwhile you can.”

She looked at Todd. His face was as red as her lips. His eyes were filled with anger, hate, and revenge. Todd stared at Wild Flower as if his prize was being taken away. Blue could see all his movements from his peripheral vision, as he centered in the middle of his chest. Every twitch he made with his leg movements were caught by Blue.

Continued in Part Two…

Written 1990, revised 12/2001, originally
Published 2002; revised August, 2005

Dennis Siluk’s web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Valentine’s Day…the day of love right? Many years ago, 22 to be exact, I was a senior in high school. Just prior to Valentine’s Day our student council representative got on the intercom during morning announcements and told us about an upcoming fundraiser. Student council was going to sell carnations for an entire week.

It was further explained that there would be three colors available: red, pink, and white. Red was to signify love, pink said, “I really like you” and white was for friendship. The carnations could be ordered ahead of time but wouldn’t be delivered until Valentine’s Day during homeroom.

The whole school buzzed with excitement over the prospect of it. Everyone discussed it but the girls couldn’t contain themselves as they wondered which lucky girl would get the most red ones. Little snippets of conversations could be heard floating through the hallways:

“I bet she will send some to him!”

“I am going to send her six red ones!”

“Do you think he will send one to me?”

“I am going to get a white one for each of my friends.”

“Do you think he will send her a pink one or a red one?”

“I wonder who will get the most?”

The conversations continued in this manner until the first day of sales. On that particular day a certain group of girls started gossiping and acting cruel. I am sure you might be able to imagine the kind of girls I am talking about as they can be found in every high school across America.

They view themselves as pretty, perfect and popular but in truth are very shallow and unhappy individuals. I had a feeling you would know what I meant! Anyway, these girls aimed their barbs towards another girl in our class. This girl was neither homely, nor attractive but she had such non-distinctive looks that she kind of just blended into her surroundings. In fact when I really think about it, nothing about her looks nor the way she acted warranted much attention. She was quiet and to my knowledge never said anything unkind about anyone. I knew she was a good student because I sat close enough to her in a few of my classes to notice that her papers were always branded with A’s when they were handed back to her.

In voices just loud enough to be heard, they mentioned this girl by name and joked that they knew for sure she wouldn’t get a single flower. The girl just lowered her head and pretended not to hear but I knew she did. It broke my heart to witness their gross display of humor as they mocked her over and over that day and in fact, for the rest of the week. I toyed with the idea of sending the girl a white carnation but I must admit that I wasn’t brave enough. I knew what they were doing was wrong but I didn’t know what to do, so like everyone else, I did nothing.

The big day finally arrived and I was excited as everyone else but a little nervous too. What if I didn’t have a single carnation delivered to me during homeroom. I knew if that happened, I would die of embarrassment! I had ordered a white carnation for each of my friends and I was secretly hoping that they at least did the same for me. Of course there was a certain boy I was hoping to get one from too!

That day we were told that the fundraiser was a huge success and that homeroom would need to be extended so all of the flowers could be delivered. Each member of the student council was armed with carnations and they roamed from room to room delivering the blooms.

I chatted with my friend for what seemed like an eternity before our door was opened for the first time. We held a collective breath and exhaled in unison as only one flower was delivered, a white one for my homeroom teacher! The student council members continued to come in and out of our room.

Our first big flower delivery was 4 carnations for a boy sitting to my right. I couldn’t believe a boy was the first one in the room to get red! The carnations continued to trickle in.

After receiving 3 white carnations and realizing I wouldn’t have to die from embarrassment of not getting any, my attention was drawn to the girl next to me. You know the one I mean, the smart one that the other girls had harassed all week. She sat perfectly still with her hands folded in front of her on her desk. I wondered if I should lean over and give her one of my flowers but I didn’t want to embarrass her.

It was during these musings when I saw three red carnations being placed on her desk. She looked up and smiled but just continued to sit there; she didn’t even reach out and touch them! I wasn’t the only one that had noticed either; people were starting to whisper and point in her direction.

I could tell the other girls were a bit jealous because not a single girl in the class had received more than one red carnation at this point. Then things really started to get wild. Each time a student council member came in, at least one of the carnations in their stack was for her and they were all red!

At this point as best as I could tell, she had 7 red carnations stacked neatly on her desk. The class started getting a little rowdy and each time a red carnation was placed on her desk, we all cheered. OK, the boys cheered, the girls mostly just glared.

I knew I was witnessing something great and I tried to seek out the “gossip girls” just to see their reactions to this unexpected twist of events. There were three of them in our class and two of them had a few pink and white carnations on their desk and the third had a handful of white ones. I was thrilled by what was happening but I had to also wonder who had sent her all of the carnations….did she have a secret admirer?

My thoughts were interrupted by the crackle of the intercom and the voice of our principal wishing us a Happy Valentine’s Day. He went on to explain that all of the carnations had been distributed and then in his long-winded manner, thanked the Student Council for a job well done.

I heard a commotion behind me as one of the “gossip girls” got up out of her chair and ran out of the room. I heard later that one of the boys teased her about not getting any red carnations which made her start to cry. I didn’t even feel bad for her as my attention was focused on the pile of red carnations sitting on the desk next to me. What I noticed next was the smile on the girl’s face. It truly was a great day!

I don’t know for sure but I heard she was given 24 red carnations that day. We don’t know who gave them to her but I am glad someone did. I will never forget her nor will I forget that day. Oh, I did fairly well too. I received a handful of white carnations and I got a special pink one. Yes, it was from a guy, not the guy I was secretly hoping to get one from but from a great friend of mine that was hoping to make my day special. And you know what? It was special!

If you have been inspired by my story and would like to send flowers to a loved one this Valentine’s day, please visit me at Valentine’s Day Flowers

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Candee Stark is a Reading Specialist in a local elementary school and has spent the last two and a half years earning her masters degree. Her new passion is her indoor herb garden. Visit her at Flowers & Garden if you would like to read more flower gardening articles.

Every year you plan that THIS will be the year you have pots and pots of lush plants on your balcony or deck. Then you visit your local nursery in the spring and reality hits — the cost for your fantasy is just outrageous! Sound familiar?

But you can have the planters of your dreams at a fraction of the cost and with a choice of varieties far beyond what the local garden center offers. How? Start your own flower seeds now.

If you’ve never grown from seeds indoors before, it’s best to begin with just a few types. Easy starters: Trailing lobelia and petunias make a bright and simple garden for sunny spots. Licorice plant and dwarf nasturtiums are also attractive.

Once you’ve decided on your plants, you must know two things to determine when the seeds should be started: the last frost date for your area, and the time required before transplanting.

• The last frost date is the date beyond which there is a low chance (usually about 10%) of temperatures at or below the freezing mark. This is important because many traditional plants for hanging baskets are tender, that is, they will not survive when frozen. You may already know what the frost date is for your area. If not ask gardening neighbors or your local gardening center. If you are in the USA, visit http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/documentlibrary/freezefrost/Spring32F_hires.jpg for information from the national Climatic Data Center.

• The time required before transplanting is different for each type of flower. You’ll see this listed in seed catalogs or on the seed packet. For example, a packet might tell you to “start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date.” Some seeds such as nasturtiums, zinnias, or cosmos may be sown directly outside but if you have to wait after the danger of a frost has passed, you may want to get a jump on spring by starting those inside too.

  Licorice plants and geraniums need 12 weeks to sprout from seed. So if my last frost date is May 15th, I’ll want to start them around the last week of February. Petunias, impatiens and lobelia require 10-12 weeks, so I would start them around the first of March. Morning glories, which make a beautiful privacy fence from a plain piece of latticework, need six weeks from start to transplant, but can’t be put outside until two weeks after the last frost date. This would mean starting them indoors about mid-April. I’d start nasturtiums and zinnias about then too.

  Your goal is to promote germination (with heat and water) and seedling growth (with light) while preventing your seedlings’ chief enemy, “damping-off” (with air circulation and proper drainage). Here are some tips for successful seed growing.

• Use plastic containers, about 2″ deep, fairly wide and with multiple drainage holes. Growers’ cell packs are ideal but you can also use yogurt or cottage cheese containers as long as you sanitize them with a mild bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) for 15 minutes and then punch several holes in the bottoms.

• Use commercial seed-starting mix. It’s sterilized and contains the necessary food to aid germination. You might also want to try using a product specially formulated to prevent damping-off.

• Plant seeds sparingly. You’ll have to thin them anyway. Some growers plant only two seeds per cell pot. If you’re planting in flat trays, place seeds 1/2″ to 1″ (1 to 2.5 cm) apart, depending on the seed size, and space the rows 1 1/2″ to 2″ (3-5 cm) apart. Make a depression in the soil with your finger or a pencil and plant the seed about three times as deep as its diameter. If the packet says the seed requires light to germinate, then put it just on the surface of the soil.

• Set the containers in a water-filled tray. This allows the pots to draw water from the bottom without disturbing the seeds. Cover tray and pots with plastic to help hold moisture and heat.

• Place the entire set-up on a heat source between 75 - 85? F (24 - 29? C). Although a heat mat designed for this purpose is ideal, you can also use the top of a fridge, or a spot near a radiator or space heater.

• Once the seeds have germinated, remove the plastic and put the pots (with the water tray) near a light source at a reduced temperature. Good light is crucial at this point to ensure good growth. Fluorescent shop lights within a few inches of the tops of the seedlings are perfectly suited. You can also try a sunny south window but ideally the light should be on the plants for 16 hours out of each 24-hour period. In my climate, we just don’t have 16 hours of daylight this time of year! Seedlings respond best to daytime temperatures of 60 - 70? F (16 - 21?C) and night temperatures of 50 - 60? F (10 - 16?C).

• Here’s where it becomes critical to prevent damping-off. One way to do this is to let an electric fan blow gently across the surface of the soil during daylight hours. There are also specially formulated products on the market that can be applied to the surface of the soil when you are planting seeds that will help stop damping-off from developing.

• When the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves (not the round little germination leaves), pull all but one plant per cell. It’s hard, I know, to pull up living plants but it’s necessary to prevent overcrowding that will kill all of them.

• When the seedlings have developed their second set of true leaves, start watering them (from the bottom) with fertilizer diluted to quarter strength.

• A week or 10 days before you plan to plant them outside, start “hardening off” the tender seedlings. Stop fertilizing, and cut the amount of water in half. If possible, keep them in a cooler space inside and start introducing them to the direct sun and fluctuating temperatures of the outdoors. Begin by setting the trays outside for an hour in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon ad gradually lengthen the time to several hours. Don’t put them out in heavy rain or cold, strong wind and be sure to bring them indoors at night.

Follow these steps and you’ll have a bounty of young, strong plants to fill your hanging baskets and pots. This year, you’ll have the planters of your dreams!

About The Author

Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com

debbie@paradiseporch.com

For the aesthete, there’s almost nothing worse than seeing a nubile young beauty in ill-suited couture. Nothing, except perhaps a bouquet of flowers in a mismatched vase. The horror indeed!
While most people would just avert their eyes from such instances of floral injustice, we’re going to take the proactive measure of offering some top tips for choosing the right vase.

Tip 1: Size matters
Thousands would argue differently, but we’re digging our heels in on this one. Trust us, you don’t want your flowers to look as if they’ve borrowed their chubby cousin’s glad rags; neither should you attempt to rewrite the tale of Cinderella and her sisters by forcing a chunky stem into a glass slip of a vase that’s clearly designed for more petite flowers. One slightly tired gerbera pouting from a slinky Coke bottle will look far more glamorous than a healthy bunch of freesias drowning in a giant crystal trumpet.

Tip 2: It’s what you’ve got and what you do with it that counts
Whether you’ve been given a gift-wrap of a dozen or so stems that you’ll be arranging yourself, a sumptuous hand-tied bouquet ready to plop straight into a vase, an assortment of tropical flowers or a single rose, you’ll need to consider your flowers carefully if you’re hoping to create a maximum-impact display.

Start by looking at the shape of the flowers, and don’t be shy of leaping to logical conclusions. Tall stems such as gladioli really do like taller vases, and flowers with bare stems and an abundance of flower heads do well in trumpet-shaped containers that offer a supporting collar to lean on at the neck.

Tip 3: Shape up or ship out
Slender, curvaceous or perfectly plump - you can tell a lot about the character of your vase from its shape. Make sure you work with the whimsy of each vessel, or your arrangement may run aground.

The column vase - Twiggy: This is the no-nonsense tomboy of vases: straight up and down, literally as well as metaphorically. Like the 60s supermodel, the Twiggy vase is well admired for its versatility. It can model almost anything, but is best suited to modern, geometrical shapes and clean verticals. The long, straight lines of the vase accentuate the height of taller, more architectural flowers, which look particularly remarkable if the stems are spiraled around the base.

We recommend using some tall flowers in bright colours offset with greenery, such as citrus-fresh roses and antirrhinums and deep-blue delphiniums. Those shades and silhouettes definitely reveal a stylish swingin’ sixties influence, making it a perfect match for the Twiggy column vase.

If you’re going to be displaying your arrangement in a high-ceilinged room, place the vase on a mantelpiece or windowsill to emphasise the height of both the room and the flowers. You can also let the vase of flowers stand seductively in your entrance hall for a great welcoming effect - a bit like those pretty girls hanging at the doorway of Studio 54.

The hourglass vase - Marilyn: It’s not just film stars who look great with waspish waists. The Marilyn vase has a subtle curve in the middle, giving it a most voluptuous profile. Because it has a fairly narrow neck and isn’t as tall as the Twiggy, this vase is particularly suited to holding fewer stems without the flowers looking as if they’re lolling drunkenly on the sides.

You can create a floral tribute to Ms Monroe with a dozen peroxide-blonde roses in a white Marilyn hourglass vase. In that famous billowing dress, the American icon caused a stir wherever she went - stealing the limelight at dinner parties, lounging gracefully beside a sofa, reclining in the bedroom, and always looking fantastic. You’ll be pleased to learn that the same is true of the Marilyn vase.

The globe vase - Ella: This jazzy not-so-little lady of glass takes on the world by assuming its shape: a sturdy yet graceful sphere. Like Ms Fitzgerald, the Ella globe vase boasts soft curves and melodious proportions that go down a treat anywhere that kicking back and relaxing are a priority.
As any jazz great will tell you, there are better things to do than preening and pampering; they want to get straight to enjoying the music. The same goes for the Ella globe vase, making it perfectly suited to ready-made hand-tied bouquets that can be lowered in without fuss to provide instant delight.

Coffee tables, dining tables and any deeply dippy lowdown surfaces work for Ella - this vase is best to smile on from on over the rainbow, way up high. Our favourite freestyle combination is the a hand-tie of yellow calla lilies and safari sunset; the curve of the vase finishes off the sphere of the bouquet, with the narrow neck holding the flowers perfectly in place. Too marvelous for words…

But once you’ve chosen your vase, what next? Choosing a vessel that accentuates the beauty of your flowers is probably the hardest part, but that doesn’t mean the next step is as easy as throwing the flowers straight in.

Tip 4: Keep your flower heads above water
First off, you’ll need to add some fresh water (room temperature works best, but use your discretion if there’s a heatwave and your air-con is broken) and pour in some flower food. The amount of water you use is up to you. Most flowers need to be in up to their ankles rather than their necks, but adding more water adds weight and stability to your arrangement. Too little water can also make your arrangement look unfinished or neglected.

Tip 5: Make sure your flowers are a cut above
This is where it can all go horribly wrong if you start acting on a whim. Pulling off any stray leaves that will be below the waterline is easy enough; it’s when it comes to cutting the stems that trouble can happen. One snip too high can be the downfall of all your careful planning this far.

We recommend placing your vase on the edge of a table and then holding each flower against its side, so that the bottom of the stem extends below the table edge. Move the flower up or down according to how much of it you’d like protruding from the top of the vase, and then make the cut. A good trick is to apply the 1/3 vase to 2/3 flowers ratio rule for column or hourglass vases, and use a 50:50 ratio with spherical vases.

This technique not only prevents disaster, but also saves time - you won’t be repeatedly placing each stem in just the right position in the vase only to pull it out again because it’s not the right length.

Tip 6: Take it and leaf it
If you’re new to flower arranging, start with the greenery. Put the heavier, leafy stems in first and then add the flowers, one at a time. Foliage is great for adding texture; try some heart-shaped monsteria, broad aspidistra or willowy twigs.

You can also curl fatter leaves inside a clear glass vase, but this could get messy with frequent water changes (every three or four days is a good habit), and clean stems neatly placed are quite beautiful au naturel, especially if they have been hand tied.

If you’re stuck for inspiration, remember that you can’t really fail with a symmetrical arrangement. You could even mirror the flowers you’ve got by creating a zygomorphic or actinomorphic pattern. Which is just a fancy way of saying you can make your display radially or bilaterally symmetrical.

Tip 7: Reach for the mood
Shape is as important as colour for creating a specific floral ambience. Lofty tropicals in a Twiggy vase look dramatic and modern while slinky gerbera stems in Marilyn’s curves are the secret to a display that’s the exact opposite of fuddy-duddy. If it’s romance you’re after, try armfuls of sumptuous pink lilies and roses in a giant Ella, or kick back with boho-style blossoms reclining in a smaller glass orb.

Tip 8: The last rule in vaseology
You’ll like this one - unless you’re a pedant: once you know the rules, break them. Play around, have some fun and see what you can come up with.

This article was written by flower enthusiast Ivy Wood who contributes to the official blog for online flower delivery boutique Serenata Flowers. Article reproductions must include a link to http://blog.serenataflowers.com

Festive flowers, wreaths and garlands can add a touch of holiday warmth to any home or business. They’re a wonderful way to welcome friends and family. And, with the right special touches, they can transform a room into something really special. What’s hot and what’s not? You don’t have to be a fashion expert. Consult your florist, check out your favorite decorating magazines, and use your common sense. Here’s what you should know:

Ordinary is Out

Thinking about a plain pine wreath or skimpy garland with some little red bows? Think again. Plain is definitely taboo. “This year, floral fashion is all about rich textures, new accent colors, and lots of detail,” says Don Phillip of Phillip’s Flowers in Chicago. “It’s about stretching the boundaries of traditional themes by layering on fresh new perspectives and a touch of personal flair. It’s about luxury, ornamentation, and opulence. It’s about more, not less.” So, let yourself go. You can turn “ordinary” into “extraordinary” with the right materials, colors, and accessories.

Textures are In

Look for a variety of rich textures and natural elements in your holiday decorations, like mixed West Coast evergreens, pine cones of all shapes and sizes, berry sprays, flowers, fruit, branches and other botanicals. Today’s choices are almost endless. Don’t be surprised by hydrangeas, peonies, and tulips in this year’s cutting edge floral designs, as well as poinsettias and roses. “The more varied the textures, the better,” says Phillip, “to create a natural sense of depth and visual interest.” So, look for more than just the “plain old, same old.” Look for textures upon textures.

Color Palettes are Expanding

While traditional red is still the most popular holiday color, a variety of newer fashion colors are being welcomed as accents, and other color palettes are gaining ground, too. You’ll see darker reds, crimsons, burgundy, and Bordeaux, as well as combinations of reds and wines. You’ll also see greens of almost every shade, from celadon to sage to basil. Browns and black are back as accents. Cinnamon, copper, platinum, and gold are strong, too. Rich reds with fashion color accents will give a fresh new look to this year’s holiday decorations. Watch for non-traditional combinations, as well, such as vivid jewel tones, turquoise and copper, reds and black, or gold and platinum combined. “Almost anything goes, when it’s tasteful, stylish, and builds on a theme,” says Phillip.

According to FTD Design Instructor Tina Stoecker, AIFD, “Another trend we may start to see from Europe this year is black trees highlighted with fashion colors like teals, vibrant blues, and coppers. It’s definitely unusual but can really be striking.” On the other end of the spectrum, the “Lodge Look” is being reinvented. “It’s outdoorsy elegance with very natural looking trees tastefully trimmed with miniature trout, antlers, birds, bears, and the like,” says Stoecker. “Baroque themes combining golds, ivories, birds, and pheasant feathers will also be in vogue,” she explains. Blues and creams are back, too. Look for seashells combined with blues, ivories, and aqua or metallics accented with pearl and warm blues.

Glitz, Gilding, and Sparkles, Oh My!

Natural looks will always be appropriate at Christmas, but there’s definitely a trend toward glitz, gilding, sparkles, and frosting of all kinds. So, look for gilded blossoms, frosted branches, sparkling ornaments, and much more. All that glitters definitely belongs in this year’s fashion-forward holiday designs, and there are plenty of choices for everyone’s taste and budget.

Setting the Table with Style

When it’s time to gather around the table, the focal point should definitely be fresh flowers. But, just like other holiday decorations this season, the textures, colors, and accents will be what makes your Christmas centerpiece really shine. So, don’t settle for ordinary. Look for something that reflects your style. And, remember, more is more, this season. Whether velvety red roses, snow-white lilies, or a profusion of mixed fresh blooms, a tasteful design of beautiful flowers with the right textures and accents makes everyone around it feel special and says something very special about you, too.

Make It Beautiful and Make It Your Own

The trend in home decorating and home improvements is carrying over into Christmas flowers and holiday decorations. People are spending more time with family and friends in their own homes. Naturally, they want to decorate for the holidays accordingly. Gone are the days of a single poinsettia. You’ll find poinsettias of various sizes and colors in groupings or displayed throughout multiple rooms. There’s also a clear trend toward multiple Christmas trees — such as a whimsical tree in the family room or perhaps a tabletop tree with a different theme in each child’s bedroom, as well as a larger, more formal tree in the living room. Ornaments will be everywhere — on trees, clustered in glass bowls, in centerpieces, and spilling over onto garlands and wreaths, making everything more personal and meaningful.

After all, it’s your home and your holiday. So, you should make it beautiful and make it your own. Start with rich textures, add some fresh accent colors, and remember lots of ornaments, accents, or glitz. They’re the perfect combination this holiday season for all your Christmas flowers, garlands, wreaths, and decorations to help you celebrate the season with real style.

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By John E. Williams with special thanks to Phillip’s Flowers Chicago, FTD, and Tina Stoecker.

This article may be reprinted in its entirety as long as the authorship credit and link above are included.

Keeping cut flowers fresh is simple: just add water. And a little pampering, perhaps. Oh yes, and a brass penny, some bleach, some lemonade and some vinegar, but perhaps not all at once - or perhaps not at all if you’ve any sense.

If you’re overwhelmed by the numerous old wives’ tales, urban legends and internet myths purporting to prolong the longevity of flowers, read on.

Caring for fresh flowers really just requires a bit of role play. How do you feel when you arrive somewhere after a journey? Chances are your flowers feel much the same, so welcome them to their new environment as you’d like to be welcomed (give or take a suffocatingly tight hug and several slobbery kisses).

1. Just as you like to take off your coat and put down your bag on arrival, your flowers want to get rid of any excess baggage. Carefully peel off any outer guard petals that look a little rugged (these would have been left on by the florist to protect against potential pre-arrival stresses). Likewise, remove any leaves that will be below the waterline of the vase, and untie any bits of string that are holding the stems together (unless, of course, your bouquet is a hand-tie, in which case those bits of string are essential to its good looks).
2. While relaxation is important, you need to keep your flowers on their toes. Cut about 3cm off the stems, ensuring you make the incision at a 45-degree angle. If you can perform this task while holding each stem under water, all the better.
3. Drinks and snacks all ’round! Empty the sachet of plant food into a spotlessly clean vase and fill it with fresh water. Not ice cold water, mind you. Water is the red wine of flowers, so they prefer it served at room temperature.
4. Arrange the flowers in a vase and then settle your guests somewhere they’ll feel welcome - away from bright light and drafts, and somewhere you’ll enjoy their company and remember to take care of them.

Easy as 1 to 4, yes? Not if your florist didn’t think to pack some snacks for your flowers. As much as you might fancy yourself as a dab hand in the kitchen, don’t think about concocting your own special flower cocktail without making sure it’s a recipe that gets the florists’ nod or order from this menu at your peril:

Sugary Sling
The rumour:
Sweetening the water with sugar or lemonade gives the flowers a boost that keeps them going for days longer.

The truth:
Au contraire, sugar can reduce the lifespan of flowers (think what would happen if you sat in a Jacuzzi with an infinite supply of chocolates). Flowers do need sugar to keep them sustained, but it’s simple sugars they prefer (on growing plants, the leaves produce this special sustaining elixir). Raw sugar and sweet sodas are ultimately just a big drawcard for bacteria and fungi, which shouldn’t be encouraged because they block the stems and prevent the flowers from taking in sufficient water.

Success rating: 3

Caipir-Vinegar
The rumour:
You can keep cut flowers fresher for longer by adding vinegar to the vase.

The truth:
Vinegar is mildly acidic, so it will help to lower the pH balance of the water slightly - a good thing, as it makes it easier for the stems to absorb water. The acidity may also help to keep the stem-blocking fungi at bay. Unfortunately, vinegar has the nutritional value of a Turkey Twizzler, so it’s not going to provide the sustenance a flower needs to live for longer.

Success rating: 2

Harvey Headbanger
The rumour:
Dissolving an aspirin in the water helps keep flower heads from drooping.

The truth:
There’s probably not enough sugar in aspirin for it to be an effective pick-me-up, but the aspirin does slightly lower the pH balance of the water, helping water absorption and inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Success rating: 3

Bleach Bellini
The rumour:
A capful of bleach a day keeps the germs away from your flowers

The truth:
Bleach is very acidic, so it will dramatically lower the pH balance of the water, encouraging absorption and preventing the growth of bacteria. The trouble is that it could also burn the flower stem - and there’s nothing in the white stuff for the flower to feed on.

Success rating: 2

Rusty Coin
The rumour:
Dropping a penny in a vase will increase the lifespan of flowers.

The truth:
Wishful thinking. Pennies used to have a high copper content, which would lower the acidity of the water, but nowadays they’re so thinly coated they’re about as much use to your flowers as they are to you.

Success rating: 1

Store-cupboard Sidecar
The rumour:
1 teaspoon of bleach, 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a litre of room-temperature water is a favourite treat of fresh-cut flowers.

The truth:
Will the limitations and negative effect of each ingredient be balanced by the positive effect of another? Well, yes, perhaps, but not enough to make this concoction a viable replacement for commercial flower food. And you’d probably be better off leaving out the bleach.

Success rating: 4

So what’s in commercial flower foods that make them so successful? Quite simply, a combination of the correct nutrients (sucrose or glucose sugars) to sustain the flowers, biocides to kill the germs, and an acidity that lowers the pH balance of the water and helps the flowers to drink more easily.

Commercial plant food manufacturers are very cagy about revealing their secret recipes, but some smart folks in Suffolk have decided that if you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em. On 19 June 2006, it was announced that a small company had developed an environmentally friendly product to combat MRSA: Bio-Shield. Not only is their product non-toxic to humans, but, diluted in water, can keep a cut-flower bouquet alive for up to 10 times longer than garden-variety florists’ food.

Scientific advances will indubitably prove a great boon to flower lovers, but they’ll never be able to outdo what flowers like best: a little bit of TLC. Tips and tricks abound, but if you really want your flowers to last longer, simply play the perfect host to your floral guests by changing the water, resnipping the stems and pulling off any wilted leaves every few days. You can also perk up heat-exhausted blossoms by soaking the entire flower in a sink of cold water for about an hour.

And feel free to talk to your flowers, but be careful not to cause unease amongst any other guests who may be visiting.

This article was written by flower enthusiast Ivy Wood who contributes to the official blog for online flower delivery boutique Serenata Flowers. Article reproductions must include a link to http://blog.serenataflowers.com

We’ve finally reached the end of this 3-part series on drying flowers. If you’ve gotten this far, you probably already know that small, home-style, do-it-yourself flower presses can be purchased in places like craft stores, well-stocked gift shops, and even some of the big ol’ box stores have been known to carry a few now and again. I’ve seen the lot…mostly made in some far-distant third-world country, then shipped over here to be sold for a good deal more than they should.

A flower press is really a handy gadget for the craftsperson. It is not only fun to dry and press your own…it can be profitable as well. Our daughter, for example, earned a tidy after-school-spare-time sum making perfectly charming pressed-flower bookmarks that were accepted and marketed in a very nice craft shop. Imagine making your own personalized, laminated and delightfully-charming bookmarks for gifts to friends and relatives. Leaded-glass crafters also employ pressed flowers with good effect in their often jewel-like creations.

Quite literally, anyone with the most basic hand toolsor who has a friend or neighbor with a hand-saw and light-duty drill. The one detailed throughout this article cost a grand total of 88-cents (for the four bolts with wing-nuts and washers) so, you see, this is not an expensive project! A link to pictures of the process appears at the end of this article.

First, locate some scrap pieces of quarter-inch plywood, Masonite or paneling. You’ll need three pieces. Color, wood type or finish really doesn’t matter. Old, no-longer-used clipboards would be a perfect source. Most basements, attics, garages or barns have stashes of too-nice-to-throw-away wood scraps. Poke around.

Your finished product can be practically any reasonable sizethis one will be 5-1/2″ by 7″ when it’s done, but that could vary according to your needs. Don’t be fussy about precise measurements-as long as all three pieces are the same size and shape. Most of the flowers you’ll be pressing will be fairly small, so there’s no point in making one that’s jumbo-size.

Cut (or have them cut) to what you think is an appropriate size, then carefullythoroughlysand with medium- and then fine-grit sandpaper to remove all rough edges. Splinters can be an uncomfortable reminder if you skip this step. Smooth edges and surfaces will be much better to paint or decorate later on. Now stack all three pieces together and snap 4 or 5 rubber bands around them to hold them in place. Using either a hand or electric drill, drill a 1/4-inch hole about 1/2-inch in from each corner. Hold the drill as close to perpendicular as possible, and drill through all three pieces at the same time, making certain that nothing “slips” in the process, so all the holes line up. I like to file or sand a notch along one edge of all three boards at this point so it’s easier to line up the holes when it comes time to actually pressing some blossoms.

Once the holes are done, go back with your sandpaper and smooth-up the rough edges of each hole to remove slivers and “hanging-chads” (sorry, I just had to get that in!). So much for the fun part.

Somewhere in that basement, garage or barn must be some cardboard boxes just waiting for a need to arise. If not, try your local grocery, hardware or appliance storethey’ll be happy to let you poke through their recyclables. Use one of the wooden pieces to measure out and mark about a dozen same-size pieces of cardboard and, with either a stout pair of scissors, a yard stick and a craft-knife (being careful not to slice a chunk out of your knee or thumb), or a paper cutter, cut them out. Neatness counts…and be careful you don’t slice into the carpet or dining room table.

Do the same thing with about 25 or 30 same-size sheets of newsprint. “Newsprint” is what the daily paper is printed on. Most craft or art supply stores have tablets of blank newsprint that artists sometimes use as sketch pads. You might check with your local daily or weekly newspaper print shop… quite often they’ll have what they call butt-endsleftovers from once-massive rolls of paper that’re now too short to put back onto the press. Shouldn’t cost more than a dollar or so a pound - and a pound will go a long way. They might even just give you a handful. Most newspaper pressmen will run a few blank-and-folded copies before they begin applying ink, just to make sure everything’s lined up. Those blank newspapers all go into a really big recycling bin. No harm in asking!

I prefer newsprint because fragile dried flowers aren’t likely to stick to it because the modern type has a hard surface. Copier paper, on the other hand, is more porous - rough - and delicate petals can hang up in the texture.

Now comes an important step. Remember the holes you drilled in the corners for the bolts? The corners of both the cardboard and newsprint need to be trimmed off to accommodate the hardware. Of course, it should go without saying, but here it comes anyway: be real careful with those scissors! Yes, surgeons can sew fingertips back on, but the process leaves quite a scarmore than a few of us know that from personal experience.

All that’s left is to make a trip to your local hardware store and purchase four 4-inch-long, 1/8″ bolts (a little smaller or a bit larger doesn’t matter - as long as they’re long enough), 4 wing-nuts (you can tighten them with your fingers instead of having to use a wrench or pliers) and 8 appropriately-sized washers.

Now What? Easy as pie! The ideal flower to press is one that has very little lumpy-bulk. You wouldn’t have much luck, for example, with a rose, daffodil, begonia or cluster of geranium flowers. On the other hand, among the very best are the pansies and violas. Violets, individual florets of geranium and hydrangea seem to be made for pressing. There are many others equally suited to the technique… and don’t forget little bits of grass seed heads, small ferns and colorful or interestingly shaped leaves. Let your imagination soar.

Here’s how:

* Slip a washer on each of the four bolts, and slide them through the four holes of one piece of wood. Lay it on a table with the threaded ends of the bolts point up toward the ceiling.

* Place one sheet of trimmed cardboard, followed by one sheet of newsprint flat on that piece of wood…between the bolts.

* Now position your flowers so they don’t touch each other…watch for bent petals or anything that looks unnatural.

* Gently place a sheet of newsprint on top of them, followed by another piece of cardboard. Drop in another sheet of newsprint…ready for your next layer of flowers.

* Continue building up-cardboard, newsprint, flowers, newsprint, cardboard, etc., until you’ve reached about half-way.

* Now gently slide a second piece of wood down over the bolts as a rigid, central reinforcement, and continue building layer upon layer until all 12 pieces of cardboard have been used.

* Finally, slide the last piece of wood over the bolts, slip a washer on each, and spin on the wing nuts until they’re snug. It might help at this point to press down on the center of the stack with the heel of your hand while continuing to tighten the nuts.

The purpose here is to gently flatten the flowers…but not crush all the corrugations out of the cardboard. Done? Ok. Mow it’s time for patienceand dreaming about what you’re going to do with your pressed flowers. Place your press with its precious cargo in a dry, room-temperature spot with some air circulation. Keep it away from excessive heat and high humidity…and keep your shirt on.

Because the cardboard has corrugations, air is allowed to move through each of those little “tunnels”, evaporating any moisture that’s drawn from the flowers by the dry spacing materials. And because the process is really quite rapid, very nearly all of the original flower color is retained.

How long? For very small or light-weight flowers with little moisture, 2 or 3 days is usually sufficient. Thicker petals may take a bit longer. Gently loosen all four wing nuts, remove the first layer of wood and very carefully lift the newsprint by the corner and “peek” at the flowers. If they’re dry, you’ll know it immediatelythey’ll lift off easily and, if you’re not careful, may blow of the table with the slightest breeze. If they seem to “stick” to the paper, gently put the whole thing back together and wait another couple of days.

So, what do you do now? We started out using clear, adhesive vinyl sold as shelf-paper. Later, we purchased a plastic laminator at Staples for just under $100. Most copy-shops (”Quick-Prints”) have laminators and will be happy to seal just about anything you bring in that’ll fit into their machine. Some of these big machines use a hot-process…some cold. I personally don’t think it matters. I know some industrious crafters who use the same plastic-sealing pouches (Staples, again) and a dry clothing iron set just a little shy of the hottest setting. A very flat surface and a sheet of stiff, smooth paper on either side should do the trick. If it were me, I’d try it a couple of times before wading in with my very nicest pressed flower specimens!

Finally, don’t forget to look at photos of this process using the link, below. When you get there, click on each photo to see a closer view. Enjoy! And why not share your pressed-flower bookmarks with a book-lover or shut-in. They will be appreciated!

You’ll find pictures of flower press parts and assembly at http://www.hillgardens.com/dry-photos.htm, and view the list of Fred’s other articles at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Fred_Davis

Fred Davis is a Master Gardener, Master Composter, lecturer, and long-time nurseryman. He and his wife, Linda, own and operate a popular perennial nursery in Palermo, Maine, and maintain a no-frills gardening information website at: http://www.HillGardens.com/ where you’ll find answers to your gardening questions.

What does one need to do to get the perfect close-up of a wild flower? Set up a tripod, clip on camera, then snap, snap it’s in the bag, camera, chip.. whatever? Maybe… but consider a few unexpected impediments first.

Finding the perfect clump of subjects (mostly the easy part), stopping suddenly or rather screeching to a halt (sometimes interesting along a busy highway)…parking and gathering up the necessary gear (easy) - then my least favourite part, lugging everything over hill and dale. Tripod, camera bag with several lenses which never seem to get any lighter and then fun, fun, fun…It seems, seemed a short distance across three fences to where the wild, gorgeous yellow number (nothing exotic - a simple daisy but a beauty!), nods in the gentle breeze..but…

Have you ever tried to climb over a fence with tripod in hand and weighty camera bag over shoulder? “Just pass them through the fence and follow”, you say! In theory perfect but as is often the case when I’m out ready to shoot I have tripod ready, camera clipped in, slung over right shoulder legs extended, spread ready to go (the fact that I look like a giraffe with ungainly neck protrusions goes unnoticed) and my camera bag is old, slightly smelly and large!. So, how do I climb through the first fence, let alone the second or third in pursuit of the perfect daisy without a lot of folding of legs pushing and shoving, and unclipping of my precious digital genius first? Simple answer - I don’t, I try to get through regardless. Result? The air rapidly turns blue around my head and expletives neither original nor inventive start erupting unbidden from my person. And then the final indignity as at least one part of my favourite jumper gets snagged by an ever vigilant barb! My alternative solutions: throw the gear over and hope for the best, find a gate (how many miles to the nearest?), or simply leave it all in the SUV…barring the digital genius and one’s favourite 1:1 lens of course!

My final decision? Leave tripod and bag in the SUV, take the necessary, and hope that the ravages of the previous night haven’t wrought havoc with traditionally rock steady hands. So then leaping like a gazelle over fences one, two and three, I stride toward the perfect clump of yellow. It’s late in the season, so all the white daisies are pretty much done - rich, golden yellow it is.

Selecting the perfect specimen is next. I need to decide what I’m trying to say in the pic. Perfection with clarity - nature’s form, sublime in its attention to detail or organic soft colour merging into more colour with shadowy bits - a bit of both perhaps. The magic of digital, the freedom of digital - the ability to try everything because one can! I love it. It’s a revelation, a deepening of the creative urge to explore new realms without cost …or end sometimes.

Sure, one can always argue that it leads to lack of direction, lack of planning but one can also argue in return that it extends one’s vision, increases one’s output and ability to see the world from different perspectives. I relish the challenge!

Back to the world of yellow! Perfection…mmmm. Unable to settle on which of the perfect choices is THE perfect choice I decide to shoot anyway, putting pen to paper or rather index finger to shutter button in order to get the creative juices flowing. As always seems to happen, I relax into it and my mind opens up to the possibilities: depth of field, front edge of a petal in focus back edge out and vice versa but mostly my mind is consumed by warm yellow. Kneeling on the ground head down intensely focused - the butt in the air angle would not be an attractive sight for any passing observer but I don’t need to worry about such considerations as this mild obsession most often leads to splendid isolation.

A bit of advice - bracket everything (1 either side in ? stops or thirds if you have the choice), shoot at the highest resolution you can achieve with whichever model of digital genius you possess and take at least half a dozen shots per chosen angle. Give yourself the best chance of capturing the one you really wanted - the perfect image, beautiful enough to grace your wall, a wall anywhere. One feels such an idiot when one has to declare it didn’t quite happen because of trigger finger meanness! Digital genius is defined by trigger finger generosity or put another way - repetition is the basis of professionalism. Whatever it takes I say. Get the shot! The satisfaction is immense.

More advice - check the first few images carefully on the preview screen just to make sure everything is working as it should. Don’t end up taking twenty splendid black and white shots of a gorgeous yellow daisy - do the greyscale thing in Photoshop! Slow down, check the first few brackets. Check that the ISO is set to 100 not to 1600 from last night’s fun and that all the exposure compensation overrides are back to normal (or leave the settings at 1600 over by two if weird and whacky is what you’re after). Little things but in my twenty years as a photographer these little things become mortifyingly large things if ignored!

So perfection captured, 0 and 1’s secured in the land of Flash wizardry it’s back across the three fences leaping not quite so enthusiastically now, the gazelle’s knees are a little creaky from kneeling on the damp ground - back to the ever patient, ever reliable SUV. Gear stowed, key in the ignition, we’re off …A glow of anticipation washes over me!

But never forget the first things to do on your return? Download and backup!!! Forget at your peril. DOWNLOAD AND BACKUP just in case you didn’t get it the first time.

Copyright 2005 Patrick Heathcock - See my flower pictures and gorgeous yellow number at A Flower Gallery.com.

About the Author: Sometime commercial photographer London, fulltime flower art photographer and web designer living in the southern semisphere, soaking up the sun. Visit A Flower Gallery.com to view the yellow daisy and more!

So a gorgeous yellow daisy mesmerises me, swaying elegantly in the light afternoon breeze, bathed in the warm light. Mmmm…emotions gently bubble to the surface, excitement foremost, followed by the deep satisfaction that I’ve been able to make time to return to this spot to revisit my yellow daisy. I’ve already shot her once…but…now another chance to create another feel, another image worthy of my wall.

As before I dispense with my tripod. An odd decision? Perhaps… but here’s my thinking on the subject. Firstly this is a decision which individual photographers need to make for themselves and secondly, and please understand this clearly, there are no rights or wrongs when the intent is artistic creation.

A tripod slows the process down (a good thing), it allows for greater reflection on composition and it creates the freedom necessary to style the shot without losing the angle of view one has chosen. It also has the added benefit of helping to steady the camera considerably so that camera shake is avoided. Actually in practise that bonus can rapidly become nullified - add a little spring zephyr to the mix and suddenly movement becomes an artistic must have, with or without the tripod!

Easing swiftly on to my preference…

Shooting fashion was my world for a number of years and even though I used a tripod a lot in the studio, more often than not on location I preferred to hand hold my monster of a medium format camera (GX680). Luckily it has an autowind so cranking to the next frame wasn’t a bore, but the freedom to be able to approach all shots by circling the subject to see how the world looked from that perspective was hugely stimulating. Good stuff! And oddly now that I’m shooting my mostly inanimate gorgeous yellow daisy and the like, I feel incredibly fettered when using a tripod. Don’t ever let anyone dictate that there is only one proper way (ironically almost always their way - strange…). Discipline is in your approach and consistency of approach rather than just the tools.

There is another factor in the mix - DIGITAL…A little rant last time, a repeat now…Freedom! To me digital spells freedom - access, creativity, lack of stress about mundane matters like money i.e. cost per frame “wasted”. If you like to shoot a lot of each view as I do, this would get prohibitive real quick on film. I urge you as a budding or even a relatively experienced photographer to shoot lots - life is too short to stuff a mushroom (if you get that you get my point), and shoot at the highest res possible. I cringe at sad sack stories of the one that got away.

Be disciplined, shoot smart. Make yourself a checklist, mental or written, of things to check and use it every time you go out to shoot. It’s the little things…you try explaining to a client that you forgot the charged batteries at the studio or even worse, a whispered aside to assistant “Herm where’s the film?” And then even worse the reply “I thought you packed it….” Checklists rule okay!

So to the gorgeous yellow number…Another decision, another choice. Shoot the natural view or create an instant outdoor studio background with flags, fills and scrim. Me, I like the control of creating my own environment as far as possible. I like the deep orange fuzzy card in the background with my model languishing, exotically garbed in yellow organza, in the foreground. Daisy perfection!

Now for some forward planning…don’t ever restrict your ability to shoot by not planning ahead. Take a few extras with you…

I grabbed a series of different colored cards before I left, A4 sheets as the work is close and my subjects mostly small, and I cut a slit down the vertical centre line to 1/3 into the page, then carved out a small round hole (a keyhole in effect),a perfect fit around the stem of most flowers, without doing any real damage. Don’t worry about the slit, Photoshop will clean that up! For the purists out there sorry if that’s cheating in your book, but hey if you’ve got it, use it, is my feeling.

I also stuck a bit of foil, white card and black card in for good measure. A tiny mobile studio - flag and fill! Do it properly if you’re going to do it at all. The foil can be well used to create pattern or glitter on an otherwise dull surface, the white card to fill in the shadow areas and the black card to define edges on white/light subjects. On really bright, sunny days it’s worth adding a sheet of scrim to the mix to soften the light over the subject. Diffuse light created by a cloudy day or by a decent piece of scrim is so much easier to work with - color saturation is deep and satisfying without huge loss in shadows or highlights. Be prepared!

BUT…

Do not rule out the harsh directness of full-on sun. It can be awesome to work in direct sun - huge drama, brilliant glitter. Give yourself a break - luxuriate in choice. Never loose site of the point…GET THE SHOT…the shot that’s beautiful enough to grace the wall…any wall!

See the beauty!

Copyright 2005 Patrick Heathcock

Sometime commercial photographer London, fulltime flower art photographer and web designer living in the southern semisphere, soaking up the sun. Visit A FLower Gallery to view the yellow daisy and more!