When you don’t have the space or the schedule to maintain a garden but you still want a bit of greenery to enjoy, then consider investing in a potted garden.  Below are some helpful tips on container gardening.  

What to Pot?

   Not all plants do well in pots.  Even with proper drainage, some plants are more susceptible to root rot.  A lot of gardening is trial and error.  If you find a plant in the garden nursery and want to pot it, go ahead.  There’s a fifty/fifty chance your plant will survive.  From my experience, herbs such as mint, chives, and thyme thrive in containers.  Perennial flowers like hydrangeas can survive the winter in pots.  You can plant flower bulbs of daffodils and tulips in the fall and watch them bloom in the springtime. 

    Evergreen shrubs and fruit trees need a container twice the size of the actual plant.  Citrus plants can be potted but will eventually need to be placed indoors during the winter months.  Lush florals like peonies and dahlias can be potted.  Unfortunately, roses do better when planted in the ground.

   If you have a small budget for flowers, then consider purchasing a hanging plant.  Pre-made container plants have been specifically curated to do well in their container.  Check your local grocery store before venturing off to Home Depot.  

Rule of Thumb

    When starting a container garden, use soil that is for potting and not the ground.  Potting soil contains perlite that provides oxygen to your plant.  Invest in containers with drain holes and a watering can when you don’t feel like dragging the hose to water.  Stick a garden flag or pinwheel for a bit of flare.  And most importantly have fun planting.

                       Happy Gardening! 

Whether you plan on using flowers from your garden for your wedding or any event, remember to have greenery to fill any gaps in your flower arrangement.  Silver dollar eucalyptus, myrtle, and Italian ruscus provide texture and fragrance to any floral design.  

Whimsical watering can as one of my centerpieces for my wedding.

The most important advice to share for brides is to have fun when choosing your florals.  If you prefer plants to flowers, go for it!  It’s your wedding.  Be creative!

Below I made a list of my favorite *clean perfumes that range from warm ambers to light florals.  

Ellis Brooklyn  SALT

This perfume comes in a pretty blue bottle and is the perfect scent for summer.  A fresh, beachy scent with key notes of Ylang Ylang, Tahitian Tiare, and Ambergris.
Sephora.com  $25-$155

PHLUR – Somebody Wood 

This fragrance is warm and cozy for fall and winter.  Key notes of sandalwood, amber, and musk provide a woodsy scent. 

Sephora.com $26-$96 

By Rosie Jane- James Perfume 

This earthy fragrance is my go-to perfume for every day.  Key notes are fig, amber, and gardenia.

Sephora.com $28-$70  

PHLUR in Not Your Baby 

This perfume is light and feminine.  If you like florals then you will enjoy the sweet notes of cardamom, mimosa, and vanilla milk.  

Sephora.com$26-$96

Finding a new perfume is an experience in itself.  Always test the fragrance on your skin, since your body chemistry may alter the fragrance.  And never commit to a big bottle of perfume unless it’s your “signature”, everyday scent.    

Have a favorite perfume?  Comment down below.        

* Clean perfumes are free of parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde, as well as other nasty chemicals.

**This article contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you use the links provided and purchase the recommended product.  You are not obligated to use the link.

Do you have a friend who is also a plant mom? Need a gift for a new mother-in-law who happens to have a green thumb? Below is a list of festive plants for this holiday season.

HOLIDAY PLANT GIFT GUIDE 

Snowdrop and Amaryllis bulbs– These perennial flowers are the perfect gift for avid gardeners or someone who simply just loves flowers.  Snowdrops bloom between January through March and can survive freezing temperatures.  Bulbs can be planted in the ground if not frozen or in a pot.  Note: Like daffodils, snowdrops can multiply, so it’s best to dig up the bulbs, separate them, and replant them. 

Amaryllis flowers come in shades of red, white, and pink.  You can grow the bulbs in water, but they will only bloom once.  Best to plant in a flowerpot so that you’ll have cheerful blooms every year.  Note: Amaryllis are toxic and cannot survive freezing temperatures.  

Herb Kit or Potted Herb Plant– Cooking enthusiasts will appreciate growing fresh herbs.  You can order herb-growing kits online.  Also, at your local grocery market, you can find fresh herb plants like rosemary, basil, and parsley.  Use a festive flowerpot or add a holiday ornament to your plant for some extra Bazaz.         

Venus Fly Trap– A plant that kids will enjoy, the Venus Fly Trap is a fun and educational gift.  A native plant found in North and South Carolina, the Venus Fly Trap requires full sun and moist soil.  Note: Use only distilled or rainwater when watering this plant.  Also, this carnivorous plant does eat insects but can survive months without eating. 

Include a children’s book with the plant.  My favorite is Elizabite- Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant, by H.A. Rey.    
 Book Link: barnesandnoble.com

Christmas Cactus – This perennial plant is a favorite of mine.  Part of the succulent family, Christmas Cactus blooms around December and thrives in cold temperature rooms, like a closed-in porch or sunroom.  The plant requires partial sun.  Allow soil to dry before watering. 

Poinsettias, mini holly, and miniature evergreen trees are also popular plants that are in season.  All are festive and inexpensive, but highly toxic to pets.  

Besides plants, practical gardening tools, gloves, and gardening planners make lovely gifts for loved ones who like to garden.  

Holiday shopping can be stressful.  Keep it simple and purchase gifts that are practical and meaningful.         

     Happy Holidays!!!

**This article contains an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you use the link and purchase the recommended product. You are not obligated to use the link.

   October is also the perfect month to start planting bulbs.  If you want an abundance of spring flowers in your yard or patio garden, look no further.  Below are some helpful tips for planting bulbs.  

The Layout

Before planting, you’ll need to plan.  It’s important to decide which bulbs to plant and where to plant them.  Typically, spring flowers like daffodils and crocuses are early spring bloomers.  You can expect tulips to pop up during May followed by irises.  And lilies, which always remind us of Easter, are late bloomers.

Roots

Bulbs may look intimidating to plants.  The trick is to know how to plant them.  Most bulbs will have roots which are located at the bottom end of the bulb.  When in doubt, the pointy end of the bulb faces upward.  The depth of the hole to dig is specific to the flower you are planting.  Follow packaged instructions.  Avoid digging too deep.  You want the bulbs to be nestled in the ground where it is protected from frost, but not too deep where they will struggle to reach the surface to flower. 

Patience

After planting, there is nothing left to do but water.  You may leave a marker of some kind to indicate where you planted your bulbs.  

Keep in mind that squirrels do like to eat bulbs, so be prepared to lose a few.  A beloved neighbor of mine would place mothballs in her garden to keep the squirrels away.  I don’t recommend this.  The odor is extremely potent and unpleasant.  Your neighbors will despise you and the squirrels will seek their revenge.

Finally, as your garden slumbers during winter, take comfort in knowing that you’re bulbs are eagerly waiting to bloom.  

What are your favorite spring flowers?  Comment down below. 
  

                         Happy Gardening! 

Ingredient List

Thin Spaghetti

2 or 3 garlic cloves (mince these babies)

Green Bell Pepper (Dice)

Tomatoes (whatever your preference: a handful of cherry, beefsteak, or plum tomatoes AND dice them)

Pasta sauce (just a cup of your favorite pasta sauce)

Seasoning: Salt, Pepper, Oregano 

Cream cheese

Mozzarella cheese

    Directions

1. Cook pasta.  Follow the package instructions.  

2. In a saucepan, drizzle olive oil and add your minced garlic, diced pepper, and diced tomatoes to the pan.  Sauté until fragrant.  

3. Add some tomato sauce.  Sprinkle oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for five minutes.  Add some pasta water (1/4 cup) and a big spoonful of cream cheese and stir.  The sauce should have a pinkish hue.  

4. By now your pasta should be cooked.  You can either drain the pasta or grab your tongs and transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the saucepan.  Evenly coat the pasta with the sauce.

5. Top off your spaghetti with some mozzarella and serve.  

   Bon Appetit!

Propagation 101

Propagating is simple.  All you need is a mason jar or some kind of vessel for your plant clipping, a pair of scissors, and water.  Cut a stem from the plant of your choosing that has at least two leaves on the stem (one leaf is totally fine) and place it in water.  You may want to change the water every three days.  When the stem starts to grow a decent amount of roots, you are ready to plant. 

*Tip:  If you notice your plant is taking a long time to grow roots, it might be due to the lack of sunlight.  

**You can keep your cuttings in water as long as you want.  Just remember to change the water periodically to prevent slime build-up.  

***When planting and repotting houseplants, use a container that has proper drainage to prevent soggy soil and root rot.

                 Happy Propagating!!!

The Power of Mulch    

I cannot stress the importance of using mulch in your garden.  Even with mild temperatures, the sun’s rays can dry out the soil, leaving your plants in distress.  To prevent this from happening, spread an even layer of mulch around your plants.  Mulch also acts as a safety barrier, as it prevents fallen leaves from touching the soil, thus avoiding contamination. 

Note:  The biggest mistake amateur landscapers make is “over-mulching.”   I see countless trees with volcano-shaped trunks of mulch piled on.  Trees need to spread out their roots and over-mulching prevents that from happening.     

Write it Down

Plan what you want to grow for the spring and summer months.  That way when you go shopping at the garden center, you’ll know exactly what plants/vegetables you need.  Set a budget for how much you want to spend on plants.  Keep in mind that seeds are inexpensive and are a great way for kids to see the growth of a seed to its maturity.   

Switch It Up

Avoid planting the same vegetables in the same garden bed.  This will deplete the soil over time.  Instead, try containers/flowerpots to plant your veggies.  It’s important to have good drainage when using flowerpots and only use potting soil.  Regular soil is too compact for containers.

This year, I plan to sow only flowers that are great for pollinators in my raised garden beds.   

         With gardening comes a lot of trial and error.  You’ll learn what areas in your yard or patio get the best sun and what plants will do best in the shade.  Container gardens are practical and easy to manage.  Not to mention fewer weeds to remove.  The best part of gardening is to watch your plants thrive.  Keep a garden journal documenting your plants’ journey, water schedule, time of harvest, any pests or unforeseen droughts, and plant loss.  Take pictures of your garden to use as a reference for next year’s planting.  And most of all, enjoy the beauty of what you grow.

                         Happy Gardening!

Why skip the bottle?

Most shampoos are filled with preservatives to extend the products shelf life. Essentially the chemicals are preventing bacteria and mold from growing inside the shampoo bottle. When you switch to shampoo bars, not only are they made with zero preservatives, but they also contain natural oils to help condition your hair.

Longevity

Shampoo bars typically last up to two months.

Less Space

You save shower space when you switch to shampoo bars. Also, they are great for traveling, so you won’t have to purchase travel size shampoo/ conditioner for your trip.

Storage

Storage is key to preserving the shampoo bar. Place the shampoo bar in a soap dish or small mesh bag. Avoid containers made of metal that can tarnish overtime.

When you make the switch to shampoo bars, you’re eliminating plastic from ending up in the landmine. Most importantly, you are not compromising the health of your hair because the quality of shampoo bars is just as good, if not better than regular liquid shampoo. Currently, I have been loving Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bar in Oat Delicacy for Fine to Normal Hair. (Amazon $7-$9)

So the next time you’re at the hair care aisle, skip the plastic bottles of shampoo and try a shampoo bar instead.

** This article contains an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you use the link and purchase the recommended product. You are not obligated to use the link.

-The mums that I meticulously placed in the front of the house, can be planted in the ground.

-Clean the bird feeder and purchase bird seeds.

-Stock up on paper leaf bags.

-Clean and store away gardening tools.  

-Bring outdoor plants that won’t survive the winter inside the home.  

    Despite the colder autumn temperature, don’t be surprised to find roses still in bloom.  Enjoy your flowers by making an arrangement.  Personalize your cornucopia centerpiece by adding fall leaves and pine cones from the outside. (make sure to clean the leaves first)  Rummage through a thrift shop or yard sale, where you can find unique dishware to be used for Thanksgiving dinner.  Be adventurous and bake instead of buying store-made desserts.  And purchase a few bottles of wine so you’ll always have a gift for a hostess at a party.   
                           

   However you spend the holidays, be sure to sit back and enjoy the festivities. 

                         Happy Holidays!