Handy hints for starting seeds – An easy DIY for any gardener

When you’re in a pinch, pardon the pun, and need some quick, inexpensive, yet effective labels for starting those seedlings, I’ve found clothes pins to be the way to go. Simply write the variety of seed in the container on the clothes pin and clip it on the pot.

When the time comes to plant your seedlings in the garden, the clothespin can be switched to a bamboo stake and stuck in the ground. Of course, they can be decorated too, and you’ll find a plethora of ideas on Pinterest, but to be honest, other than Martha Stewart, who actually has time for that?!

Also, I like to make my own newspaper pot containers to start my seeds in. Not only am I recycling, but the whole enchilada can be planted in the ground, when the time comes, which means those tender roots won’t be disturbed. Many plants do not appreciate being repotted or replanted.

Since the newspaper will break down in the garden, there’s not muss and no fuss. My kind of gardening.

Happy planting!

Blooming blues – Sharing floral hues and flower symbolism while waiting for spring

Centaurea cyanus

Veronica spicata

A blue flower, according to Wikipedia, “is a central symbol of inspiration“, standing for desire, love, and the metaphysical striving for the infinite and unreachable. It also symbolizes “hope and the beauty of things.”

Borage

That’s quite a mouthful. Obviously, the colour blue has much historical significance, and reverence!

Admittedly that’s easy to relate to right now, and this post has come about due to an infinite hope for spring’s seemingly unreachable arrival. You see, we had snow fall overnight here in cottage country, and it’s chilly outside to say the least. Like many of you, I am itching to get in the garden.

Myosotis

Feeling starved for colour, with a monochromatic landscape looming outside, I took to viewing some flower photos on my Flickr site.

In doing so, it dawned on me just how many blue flowers are in my garden.

Baptisia australis – False indigo

Of course, they don’t all bloom at the same time, (a bit of a shame considering the show they’d offer!), but on the other hand, it’s nice to have constant flow of colour throughout the season. In any case, Wikipedia’s description seems quite fitting, indeed. So, in honor of spring’s imminent arrival, I’d like to offer up some visual hope right here.

Feel free to share your favourite blue flower here with me. Happy Spring!

Omphalodes

Scilla siberica

Not quite blue, but I do love lavender.

Echinops

Blue cardinal flower

Morning glory

DIY floral apothecary tub soaks

I think most gardeners are somewhat crafty people, and if you grow herbs in your garden and if you like to dry and store them, why not make your own herbal tea bath bags?

I’ve been doing it for years, and thought maybe it would be something interesting to share with everyone.

My Grandma always used Epsom salts, speaking highly of their virtues. Being a bath person myself, I started adding Epsom salt, sea salt, and various dried herbs in muslin bags, tying the bag to the tap as the bath water runs through it.

Relax all your cares away in a hot bath with all the essential ingredients contained in these bags. It’s especially nice after a long day in the garden.

Dried lavender flowers release essential oil and fragrance into the bath. The sea salts dissolves and works to relax tired and sore muscles. Milk powder dissolves to condition skin.

The best thing is that rejuvenated feeling after a good soak. There is no mess of dried flowers to clean up – just pick the tea bag up to discard. I put mine in the composter.

You can buy empty tea bags, fill them with herbs and iron them shut! I love the fact that you can choose your own natural ingredients. Nothing harmful to the body or the environment.

Lavender, mint, sage, basil, chamomile, or anything that strikes your fancy, can be added, then ironed shut and tossed in the bath! It’s that easy.

Here’s a recipe I’ve used for many years. Hope you enjoy it too!

You’ll need…

~1 muslin bag (or) empty heat sealed tea bag or pretty jar with lid.

~ Some dried herbs: lavender, rosemary, rose hips, chamomile, rose petals, dried orange or lemon peels

~ 1/2 cup Epsom Salts

~ Blender

~ 1 tablespoon of Dried milk powder

~1/4 cup Dead Sea Salts

~ Essential oil of your choice (Just a couple of drops)

~ Olive Oil or Safflower oil (Just a couple drops)

Directions:

~Mix the dried flowers/herbs in the blender which helps to release their essential oils.

~Add a few drops of essential oil with a half cup of Epsom salts.

~Mix well and fill your muslin cotton sachet or tea bag and seal it.

~Hang the muslin bag from the spigot on your tub, or just float the bath tea bag in the tub for a few minutes before you get in. It’s that easy! Enjoy!

If you’d like to try some, but don’t have the ingredients or the time, please feel free to visit my Etsy shop where I have Bath Tea Spa bags available, and many other great gifts from the garden. Wall Flower Studio ships worldwide. Thank you!

Happy bathing! 🙂