Home & Garden Blog

Logic tells us that fall is harvest time, mostly because if you don’t harvest before the ground freezes then everything you’ve put into the garden, flowers, backyard, etc has been lost to the elements. Maybe the beginning of this summer, you were a little overwhelmed by other responsibilities (bank accounts, credit, bills, family obligations, etc) that you didn’t have time to enjoy the simpler side of life, or even the outdoors. As you look out on your bare garden plot with dismay, don’t lose heart! There are still options for planting for the season, plants and flowers with a quick turn-around life that you can have a fully functioning, flourishing garden come fall. Here are some of your options:

Black-Eyed Susans, Daisies, Forget-Me-Nots, and Viola’s can all be planted as late as 2 months before the first frost in your area, and they will survive in the gradually dropping temperatures until then! You will still want to keep the soil well-ventilated, with constant watering and breaking up of the soil to keep it from getting too hard for the roots to grow. GardenGuides.com provides a whole list of late-summer planting options, plus additional tips and tricks for how to make the most of your gardening in the future. Take a look and find out what’s right for you; if you’re from a warmer climate where the frost is extremely late (or rarely, if ever) kicks in, then there are plenty more options for you too!

House plants are a whole different option. Of course, the most important thing you can provide your plant with is extensive, natural lighting. Aloe plants or palms are my favorite for kitchen and living room decor. Apparently, Cacti and Peace Lilies absorb EMF emissions from computers or electronic devices–maybe healthy to put in the computer or television room?

Good luck and happy planting! You can still make things grow, even if it’s not your bank account.

Shop Smarter.com for plants & seeds.

While our ancestors threw off the influence of Great Britain in favor of a more democratic and anti-imperialist government, they were thinking in terms of money and politics.  This is important to keep in mind for all those Yanks who still hold the revolutionary American spirit close to heart: taking garden tips from the British is not the same as being ruled by them!  And once you get a whiff of the styles these Brits are sporting, you will never look back.

Designer Spotlights, brought to you from the BBC Garden section, is as aesthetically pleasing as a website as it is with garden tips.  The Designer Spotlights feature many up and coming and highly regarded garden designers from Great and Greater Britain:

The first featured artist is Sarah Eberle, who has a degree in landscape architecture and was awarded an honorary degree from Greenwich University for her designs just last year.  She drew early influences from the Modernist Art period and was classically trained, at first, as an architecture proper student.  She claims she is more of a farmer than a gardener, so her designs reflect this attitude as well.  Her top plants to have in a garden are: Euphorbia wulfenii, cow parsley, hawthorn beech trees in autumn.

Here is a photo of Sarah Eberle’s submission to the 2007 Ellerslie Flower Show

To recreate her look, check out some of these products:
Heronswood.com for “unusually great plants”: Euphorbia ‘Jessie’ for sale for $13.95.

Modernist furniture at a modest price: Ellis 3-Piece Sitting Group for $449.00, a total of $180.00 knocked off the original kist price.

On to the second favorite designer of the BBC Gardening Section: John Brookes, a legendary designer with over 50 years experience in landscape designing!  While Sarah Eberle brings a fresh, modernist approach to landscaping, John can help build your knowledge of the basics of landscaping.  Interesting enough, when John first started out he was considered ahead of his time and labeled–a Modernist!  To him, that means using concrete skillfully in your designs.  His designs are often described as “handsome” rather than “cute” or “pretty”.  Understandable, when you observe his hearty, large plant life, sleek pathway and furniture design, such in the Denmans, one of his favorite gardens:

To channel John Brookes’ classic, handsome designs, here are some garden products and plants to consider:

Lavender buds for your garden, sold by the pound or in bulk by the San Francisco Herb Company

Ranging between $8-15 a pound, the San Francisco Herb Company gives you several different options of Lavender plants to customize the product for your garden needs. You can’t resist the smell of Lavender in the summertime!

The other product I would recommend to emulate John Brookes’ design would be concrete.  While I can’t exactly recommend exact places to buy concrete since it is a very localized process and unfortunately not conducive to the Internet, I do want to say that concrete for pathways or walls is not as disgusting and stark as you might think.

Some tips:

1. Always draw out a map of the landscaping plan beforehand, and make sure it is to scale and you have the measurements of your land and the projected width/ height of any plants, walls, fountains, etc you plan on putting into the garden.
2. Think about how you will water the garden and keep it healthy: will there be an underground watering system? Hoses?    Do you have the adequate soil and water supply to support the type of garden you want to create?
3. Think about the aesthetic of your home and how you can compliment it with a garden.  Old colonial?  Do some brick pathways.  Modern bungalow?  Concrete paths and maybe some bamboo.

Best of luck with your designer tip of the week!  Don’t forget to check out the BBC Gardening page itself, there are plenty of other designers to discover!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for garden decor and flowers.

Valentine’s Day has arrived! The special day to spend with your special person, and since LOVE is in the air, why not give some love to your house with some Valentines Day  decor? Check out the following sweet deals that would look absolutely cute in your home.

I have to confess, I love flowers. Well, actually almost every woman does. There is no explanation why they look so romantic (especially the red roses) and why we like them so much. I particularly love this floral arrangement, which is quite classic and would definitely look amazing on the living room table. Not only do flowers bring charm, the Ruby Vase is really elegant and lovely itself. 12 Red Roses with Ruby Vase - For: $49.95

Are you throwing a Valentine’s Day Party? Are you gathering with some friends and couples? Or are you just spending the evening with that special one? Ok, I’m sure this cute (almost childish) wreath would look really nice on your front door. There is no doubt every woman looking at this wooden red and pink painted wreath would sigh saying a typical “Aww it’s so cute!”, and the best part is it could be hanged anywhere you want, like on a bedroom door, or even be used as a wall decoration! Painted Happy Valentine’s Day Wreath - For: $4.99

Last but not least, I want to show you these lovely little Tinplate Pails. They not only look really cute with their different Valentine designs, but can be used for whatever your imagination leads you to. For example to fill it with candies and place them all around the house, so that you guests can get some, or to line them up on some shelf so that the drawings on them can be appreciated. Another option would be hanging them wherever you want or just wrap them and give it to your friends like a Valentine’s souvenir. You have many choises, go for it! Tinplate Valentine Pails - For: $8.49

Decorate your house with cute stuff and have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

Read more about “The Step Chest” at Landfair Furniture Blog …their main claim to fame is that their contemporary pieces are made from reclaimed wood so as to be more environmentally friendly.

Given all the rain we have been receiving, read ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: Rain Power! at Inhabitat.

This week in Smarter Home and Garden Blog:

• Check out the wonderful craftsmanship on these artistic lighting fixtures, Hot Air Balloon Chandeliers!
• It’s just about game time folks! Whether your a Patriots fan or rooting for the underdog the New York Giants, make sure you throw the Super Bowl Party of the year. Find Super Bowl Party supplies and Super Bowl Ideas at Smarter Home and Garden Blog.
• Here comes the LOVE… shop for Valentine’s Best Discounts and save money on Valentine Flowers, Valentine Chocolates and assorted Heart Candies!
• The LOVE continues, read about unique Valentine Gift Ideas and shop for Heart Shaped Pancake Molds, Heart Cake Molds & Heart Jell-O Molds to spice up your Valentine’s day!
• Last but not least, see the Valentine Gifts Deal of the Day! Save 20% Off all Valentine Gift’s at Mikasa!

OK, OK so this year I promised myself that I would not wait until the last minute to do my Christmas shopping. And for the first time in maybe 3 years I am on top of things!

Honestly I can’t take full credit for this Holiday miracle, I owe it all to the magic of the internet! So far I have accomplished all my gift giving online and have been stress free because of it. I have used all the tricks; free shipping, free gift wrapping, coupon codes…

Plus, I love getting things in the mail so an added bonus has been receiving the packages in the mail, opening them and placing them under the tree, awaiting distribution.

That said I found this adorable floral bouquet that is supposedly for “Birthdays” but I wouldn’t mind receiving the arrangement for the Holidays. I would use it as the centerpiece of my Holiday dinner table or as the centerpiece of the dessert table. Either way I think its pretty and would make a wonderful gift.

“A Gift For You” floral arrangement is sold by Teleflora for $39.95! A pave arrangement of fresh flowers in shades of purple and green is designed in the shape of a gift box; then decorated with a green satin ribbon and a rose.

As an added bonus, save 15% Off your order by entering code: AFPX15 at checkout!

I hope your Holiday shopping is going well, I will do my best to keep you posted on good coupons and deals.

To purchase the “A Gift For You” floral arrangement, click here.

To shop for more Flowers, Roses, Bouquets & Floral arrangements, click here.

My backyard was a dried up wreck until recently.  For two years, we did everything we could to spur some grass growth, watering, planting and replanting, but to no avail.  Finally, we gave in to the climate realities of our corner of Southern California and installed a rock garden, cactus and some other drought resistant plants. It’s a vast improvement both visually and environmentally, but there’s just not enough color.  

That’s why I’m hoping this hanging basket from CobraCo will help the situation.  It’s only about $8, and if I place a couple of them in areas that get shade and sunshine, flowers should start blooming in no time, providing a colorful contrast to the rest of the yard.

Here’s how to make the most of a hanging basket:

• make sure the basket is secure and can hold all the contents
• use lightweight, high-quality non-soil mix that’s specifically made for potting
• add water-holding crystals if the potting mix doesn’t already have them
• make sure the lining is all natural, like the liner above which is made of coconut
• add plants to the basket in layers–fill it up a few inches of soils, place the root bulb atop the soil, then add another layer and more plants–and place them close together to get the effect of fullness
• water the basket, making sure that the non-soil mix is evenly moist
• keep your basket looking fresh by removing dead and dying flowers regularly