Author: Joseph Greenfinger

Dried flowers are a simple and easy way to preserve the beauty of blooms, whether they are picked from the garden, purchased from the farmers market, or in a bouquet for a special occasion. Knowing how to store dried flowers is essential to preserving their color and texture. Here’s how to keep them fresh and looking great for years to come. How to preserve dried flowers Once you’ve dried your flowers by air-drying, dehydrating, or pressing, you have a few options. You can choose to display them like fresh flowers (minus the water, of course), turn them into crafts like…

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The winter months are when potted bay trees really come into their own.A noble laurel wreath) is an evergreen, so it continues to produce glossy leaves throughout the year. They make a lovely festive touch in the run-up to Christmas, when you can decorate them with string lights and perhaps a red ribbon bow or two to welcome guests to your home.However, like all potted plants, potted bay trees are completely dependent on you for what they need to thrive: water and nutrients, once the initial compost has been used up. So make sure your plant continues to thrive by…

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Zinnias are easy-to-grow summer flowers that can shine in cut gardens, pots, and decorative flower beds. These colorful, versatile flowers come in a variety of shades, including shades of orange, yellow, red, purple, pink, and white. But what happens when those flowers die? Should you cut back your Zinnia flowers or leave the spent flowers on the plant? Here’s how to deadhead Zinnias to keep your garden tidy and blooming all summer long. Should You Prune Zinnia Flowers? Short Answer: Yes, deadheading your Zinnia is a good idea. Removing spent flowers from your Zinnia can help promote reblooming and extend…

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Out of respect for privacy, Modern Farmer will not disclose the last names of some community fridge users. In less than 10 minutes, no less than five people opened the refrigerator door and the bright yellow community pantry just outside. Medlock Park Neighborhood in Decatur, Georgia. Most people come here for fresh food and produce, or personal products like toothpaste or diapers donated by the community. “I come here about three times a week,” Anne said. She relies on food, especially fresh produce, to supplement her diet. “Without this fridge, I definitely wouldn’t be able to eat as healthily as…

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Fungus gnats—tiny pests that plague houseplants—can be difficult to control once they’ve taken hold. To combat them, home gardeners have tried everything from bottom watering to sticky traps to home remedies that have gone viral on social media. We wondered about one such viral remedy: Can you really kill fungus gnats with cinnamon? We found out what the experts have to say about this seemingly good houseplant tip. Meet the expert Justin Hancock is a horticulturist at Costa Farms. He has 25 years of experience working in plant nurseries and writing for gardening publications. Where do fungus gnats come from?…

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Knowing when and how to harvest different fruits and vegetables – and especially how to treat different crops so they can be stored and kept longer – is an important way to preserve your garden’s yield. Follow our harvesting guide and don’t let a single bean, pumpkin or pepper go to waste.Most crops fall into one of three groups. The first group is winter-hardy vegetables that can be left in the garden bed through the coldest weather. Harvest as needed (some even taste better after frost).Brussels sprouts come to mind, as do beets and leeks, another difficult crop that can…

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Buying secondhand has become popular in recent years as a popular way to find unique items to decorate your home. It gives people a unique opportunity to mix old and new items and create their own design style. “Adding old pieces brings warmth and soul to a home that not all new pieces can achieve,” Cynthia Harper, a DIY content creator known for her thrifted items, told The Spruce. “It creates rooms that feel collected over time, not like a page from a catalog.” When shopping at thrift stores, it can be difficult to know exactly where to start, how…

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Few flowers herald summer like the beautiful and versatile dahlia. Whether large or small, orange or purple, single-petaled or multi-petaled, their vigour and luxuriance make them a stunning addition to the summer garden. Here are seven gardens to see dahlias across the UK. Image credit: National Trust Images / Mike SelbyDahlias bring a brilliant burst of colour in late summer to Cambridgeshire’s Anglesey Abbey right up to the first frost. What’s more, the extensive borders are filled with over 70 varieties of dahlias, complementing the Jacobean style house.Visit nationaltrust.org.ukPerch Hill’s pruning garden. Dahlias ‘Thomas Eddison’, Con Amore’ and ‘Jescot Julie’…

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When friends visit the garden in the summer, they are treated to a treat for the eyes and the taste buds when I pour a glass of iced butterfly pea flower tea. The dried flowers may not look like much when they come from the herb shop, but these beautiful blue flowers are soul food in the garden and in the cup. Learn how to make a cup of butterfly pea flower tea, all the amazing health benefits, and why I can’t stop enjoying this truly blue flower. You may have seen this word on some trendy bar and eatery…

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Whether large or small, with one flower or so many petals that they defy gravity, their gem-like colors and lush, luxuriant growth make them a must-see flower.Forget the football-sized blooms at garden shows and think more of Christopher Lloyd and his vibrant dahlia bouquets at Great Dixter or of Sarah Raven and the creative colour combinations that characterised her floral arrangements.There are thousands of varieties of dahlias, with enthusiastic breeders, many of them amateurs, bringing out new beautiful varieties every year. Many varieties are sold as cuttings, bulbs and young plants and are very affordable, so you can experiment until…

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