Flowers Florists Guide

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, two songwriters are sharing with the world their lyrics to a song that commemorates and celebrates a mother’s love.

Lyricists Neal R. Voron and Joseph F.M. Pokorny, of Philadelphia, PA, hope that children, both young and old, who read the words to “We Thought She’d Live Forever” will use the opportunity to re-connect with their feelings about and relationship with their mother and others who have been special to them throughout their lives.

The song, written primarily by Voron and modified and put to music by Pokorny, is a wistful reflection upon the loss of a mother for whom “time had cast… much too short a line”.

“We thought we were so clever, we thought she’d live forever,” the song laments the passing of time and of a loving mother who “seemed so grand and in command… But, suddenly, she left us quite in shock.”

In the song, the mother’s children realize, “All that’s left are memories, faded pictures, but still we see the love she gave to everyone she knew.”

Voron, 40, wrote the song in the late 1980’s while contemplating how fast time seems to go by and how we often do not quite show as much appreciation for our loved ones as we would perhaps wish to have done before they are gone.

The children and mother referred to in the song, he said, are symbolic representations he used to express his own feelings regarding his mother, Babs, to whom the song is dedicated. He said he feels fortunate to have been able to share his thoughts with his mother personally through the song — no one in specific actually died to inspire the lyrics.

Voron said he decided very recently to distribute the song’s lyrics because he had never previously aggressively promoted the song and because he believes the lyrics could positively impact a large audience.

Individuals can obtain a copy of the lyrics for free by sending e-mail to: forever@voron.com or by visiting: http://www.voron.com/forever.htm

Sheet music for the song will soon be available in electronic format at the web site for a suggested voluntary payment.

Voron and Pokorny say they may make a recorded version of “We Thought She’d Live Forever” available in the near future if sufficient interest is shown.

“We Thought She’d Live Forever”
Lyrics by Neal R. Voron & Joseph F.M. Pokorny

Song Lyrics & Music Copyright © 1989.

All Rights Reserved.

Web Site: http://www.voron.com/forever.htm

Autoresponder: forever@voron.com

We thought we were so clever,

We thought she’d live forever.

We knew that she would be there all the time.

We knew she would if she could.

Sometimes we felt she really should.

We thought she’d live forever, forever.

The tales of time, the trails of time,

We never watched the hands of time.

We believed she mastered the old clock.

She seemed so grand and in command,

A flower in a fertile land,

But, suddenly, she left us quite in shock.

We thought we were so clever,

We thought she’d live forever.

We knew that she would be there all the time

We knew she would if she could.

Sometimes we felt she really should.

We thought she’d live forever, forever.

A better woman no man could find.

A loving mother, no child’ leave behind,

But time had cast her much too short a line.

All that’s left are memories,

Faded pictures, but still we see,

The love she gave to everyone she knew.

We thought we were so clever,

We thought she’d live forever.

We knew that she would be there all the time.

We knew she would if she could.

Sometimes we felt she really should.

We thought she’d live forever, forever,

Forever, forever.

About The Author

Neal R. Voron is the author of a self-help/inspirational novel, “The Obstacle Course”. (Read the first 5 chapters for FREE… obstac@voron.com or visit: http://www.TheObstacleCourse.com). Neal seeks to “make a difference” in peoples’ lives via his Voron Communications web sites: http://www.voron.com; info@voron.com

The two most common complaints about networking are: 1) I never meet people I can do business with and 2) I am always so uncomfortable going to networking events. These two complaints are related and can be relieved with a three step approach to networking that helps even the most frustrated networking wallflowers.

The three steps are:

1. Know the right events to attend.
Business gatherings that typically provide networking opportunities are:

• Chambers of commerce or other organizations’ networking mixers; accelerated networking events; service organization meetings. There you will find people from many industries, and people at various levels of decision-making authority.
• Industry specific organizations’ activities, where all attendees are in the same industry; or provide services to that industry.
• Annual conference/conventions/trade shows that attract providers and vendors.

You’ll know the right events to attend when you are clear about your networking goals. The number one goal should be to meet people to whom you can provide solutions. If your product or service is perfect for a narrow niche, then you should only invest in networking events that attract people from that niche. If your product or service can benefit people in a broad range of industries, you should identify your top three and attend events that attract people from those top three.

2. Know exactly how to start and continue to conversation.
Craft a script for your networking activities. The script will set you free: once you have committed to memory what to say, you will be free to concentrate on the other person. When it’s your turn to speak, you’ll automatically say the right things.

Be the first to ask a question. Ask only this question: “John, I’m wondering, what’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your business today?”

• As John answers, give him cues that encourage him to keep talking. Cues include: nodding, smiling, and saying, “really, tell me more.”
• After two or three of John’s answers, you’ll know if you have anything that could help John meet his challenges. Don’t say anything about that yet!
• Option A - if you don’t offer a service/product that can help John, you move to the next step, which is gracefully ending the conversation.
• Option B - if you do offer a service/product that could help John, you can continue this conversation with a few more questions.

3. Know exactly when and how to end a conversation.
Ending the conversation depends on whether you have chosen Option A or Option B.

Option A - there’s no fit between John’s needs and your services.

• Say, “John, it’s been great talking to you. I don’t have anything to help you; however, as I go around and meet others, if I find someone who does, I’ll send them to you.” And then make eye contact, smile and shake hands and move to the next person.

Option B - you do have a service/product that could help John. Your next question should be, “how important is it that you do something about this now?” Now is the key word here. If it’s not important enough to fix now, go back to Option A, end the conversation and move to the next person.

• If it is important to fix now, you have the opening you need to ask for just one thing: that John will take a phone call from you in the next two days.
• Come to a specific agreement on when this phone call will take place.
• Make eye contact, smile, shake hands, and move on.

Repeat these three steps with other people in the room. Quality is more important than quantity. You want to build rapport with two or three people, then have meaningful exploratory phone calls with them immediately.

Get away from the wall and get into the crowd and you’ll find profit in every networking investment you make.

Susan G. Trivers is a Business Communication Consultant and Coach. In one-on-one or small group settings, she draws out the untapped skills and expertise of executives, managers, business owners and licensed professionals so they maximize their results from the 80% of their days spent commmunicating with others. Results: more business, more problems solved and greater confidence.http://www.susantrivers.com/

Susan is the author of 21st Century Presentation Magic! Become a Capitivating and Compelling Public Speaker which demystifies the 22 most common myths of public speaking, and shows business speakers how to find the kernel of magic within each myth. You will instantly improve your public speaking skills whether your audience is one, one dozen or one hundred. http://www.susantrivers.com/21stcentury.htm

If you haven’t already decided on when you’d like to get married, consider first the different months and seasons of the year. Each month has its own qualities that can give your wedding a special tone.

January-February

The late winter months of January and February are advantageous because many sites and services are readily available. This would be an optimal time to set a wedding at a quiet ski village or even a warmer vacation spot that isn’t so crowded during the winter months. The time of New Year’s resolutions is also the perfect time for marriage vows and new commitment. If you’re thinking February, don’t forget the most romantic wedding date of them all: Valentine’s Day!

March-May

Everyone knows that when spring comes, love is in the air. Weddings in March, April, or May all show that. In March, the weather bounces between winter and spring, resulting in unpredictable rains and wind depending on your region. April is a little less unpredictable, being a very romantic month while ushering in the year’s prettiest flowers. May is very similar to April but with better weather.

June

The most popular month to get married is June. In ancient Rome, the month of June was named Juno, goddess of women and marriage. Those who were married in her month she vowed to protect. Another advantage of June is that in many areas it is the first month of predictably nice weather. It is also the month of roses, the most romantic flower. June is a perfect time for honeymoons for college-age newlyweds since most schools end in June. One disadvantage of June weddings is that many services such as wedding and reception locations, musicians, florists, caterers, and clergy get booked quite early because of the volume of June weddings. Keep that in mind as you plan early. June weddings often require extra planning because of this, although it is worth it to get that beautiful wedding you have always dreamed of.

July-August

Although the humidity in July might be a problem in some areas, weddings in this month can be just as wonderful as June weddings. July brings long nights and beautiful outdoor weddings that will almost always have good weather. In July and August, it is easier for friends and family to get time off to travel to your wedding while children are out of school. Just remember to send out invitations earlier than usual for these months as many families plan their own vacations during this time.

September-October

September and October bring cooler weather, yet it is still mild in many regions. Also, many parts of the country boast these months as their most beautiful time of the year. The colors are bright and warm, and couples can use the autumn foliage or a harvest motif as part of their reception atmosphere. Travel plans are also easier to make and honeymoon destinations are less crowded this time of year than in the summer months as family vacations end and school starts.

November

As planning and services go, November is the easiest time to book wedding locations, musicians, caterers, and florists because so few couples marry during this month. Those who run these services will be happy to spend more time with you than in other busier months, helping you create a magnificent wedding and reception.

December

December is a favorite wedding month for obvious reasons. The beautiful white snow, the smells of cinnamon and pine, and of course, mistletoe are all romantic accents to a cozy winter wedding. If you’re thinking of having your reception in a hotel or restaurant, many are already decorated for the season, which can save you money if you like the look of it. It is also easier to get friends and family together during this time since many will already be gathering together for the holidays. One last plus, according to Irish folktales, December 31 is an especially lucky wedding day.

Caprice Pettit is a staff writer for Brides Club Weddings, the fastest growing directory of local wedding Professionals in over 50 cities. Register and download your Free Wedding Planner and browse categories of Wedding Receptions, Invitations, Wedding Cake, Favors, Wedding Photographers, Limousines, Wedding Dresses, Bridal Shows, and more.

Want your beautiful lawn and garden to be the envy of all your neighbors? Here are a few tricks to use that will “baby” your garden and entice it to do its very best!

1. Make sure you pull up weeds before they go to seed.

2. Remove faded flower blooms to lengthen the plant’s growing season.

3. Turning and dampening your compost often will ensure that flies will not breed in the pile.

4. When preparing for winter, be sure to remove all vegetation, turn over the soil and add any organic materials such as compost. Add fertilizer according to package details and use a
pitchfork to mix in all these elements. Rake your garden to even it out and you’ll have less work
to do in the spring.

5. Free mulch idea: use shredded newspapers (which decompose) held down with grass
clippings.

6. Planting a small flower bed around the base of a tree will keep animals and lawn mowers
away from the trunk.

7. Before buying grass seed, ask a professional at your garden center which grass types are
best for your growing area and type of soil (clay, sand, mix) as well as amount of sun and shade.

8. Wire mesh at the bottom and sides of the holes will keep rodents away from your
bulbs.

9. When you remove your bulbs for storing, make sure your storage area is cool. Keep them in
vermiculite, shredded paper or sand to keep them from drying out and to provide protection and
air circulation.

10. Prune roses just above a 5-leaflet leaf to encourage flowering.

11. Pinch off spent flowers to continue flowering of annuals and perennials. If the plants
are too tall, cut them back a bit farther on the stem if they start to look neglected to produce
new growth.

12. Cleaning up the area around fruit trees and fruit bushes, picking up fallen fruit and
weeds, will help to ward off any diseases before they start.

13. Digging your fingernails into a bar of soft soap before working on the garden will keep
most of the dirt out from accumulating under your nails and will wash out later.

14. Pour beer into a shallow container and position a few of these in your garden. Slugs will
be attracted to the scent and will crawl in to leave your veggies alone!

15. To avoid blossom end rot and cracked tomatoes make sure you water very often and avoid
fluctuations in watering during the first critical 5 to 6 weeks after transplanting your new
tomato plants, and also during the development of the tomatoes.

16. Plant sunflowers and climbing beans. The vines will latch onto the thick sunflower stems.
This old Indian trick was taught to settlers!

17. Use zip lock baggies to enclose your empty seed packets. Attach them to wooden stakes to
identify your rows of veggies and flowers.

18. Pinch the new growth in between two branches of tomato plants to encourage the plant to
grow stronger and bushier instead of tall.

19. Use old pantyhose cut in strips to tie up your tomato plants to avoid cutting into
delicate stems over time.

20. Never water plants from overhead during full sun to avoid burning delicate plant leaves
and flowers. Water droplets resting on leaves and flower petals act as little magnifying
glasses.

21. If you have only a few newly planted tomato plants and you want to make sure they’re
watered regularly, punch small holes in the bottom of a plastic one-gallon container and sink the
container several inches into the earth near the stem of the tomato plant. Keep water in the
container to ensure that the plant gets enough water as it needs it.

22. Mix bulbs, annuals and perennials in your garden to have three seasons of beautiful color.

23. Vary the direction in which you mow your lawn. Grass mowed always in the same direction
is pressed down and stressed the same way. Mow diagonally, then in a circular pattern the next
time and in a square pattern after that.

24. Leave short clippings on your grass to supply nutrients as they decompose. However, if
too thick a layer of clippings is left, this will prevent air and sun from reaching your live
grass and will choke it.

Want more of Heather Diodati’s articles and how-to’s? Visit http://www.whimsies-online.com/freecontent.htm. By the way, you are free to use these articles on your websites and ezines provided you include the author’s bylines. A courtesy copy or an email mentioning where the article was published would be much appreciated!

Everyone needs some form of flower guide to get the most out of their gardens, especially those who may not have time to garden every day. Flower gardening is all about stimulating the senses with a display of colors. So what should we plant, and when?

The buzz in gardening seems to be about whether to plant annual or perennial flowers. Some of these flowers give us textures, shapes and heights, while others just go blooming crazy all season long. Here’s a basic flower guide for these two kinds of flowers that will help you design a spectacular wash of color for your garden.

Annual Flower Guide:

Annuals do all of their growing in one season. The seeds germinate in the spring, the plants bloom and grow all season, and then they die. You will have to plant them each season, but the result is instant color. Also, if you make an error in your design about color or height, the wrong effect will only last a year.

Annuals produce an endless array of colors and sizes, and most are easy to plant and grow. They can be used for cuttings, in mass plantings, for edging, in rock gardens, in mixed beds, in containers, and in hanging baskets.

Indeed, most annuals are fabulous plants for the weekend gardener because they are so versatile and not too finicky. For all their glorious color, annuals are very inexpensive. You can start them indoors as seedlings, or buy bedding plants from your nursery or garden center. The majority of annuals bloom for most of the growing season.

Here’s a list of some great annual flowers that are easy to grow, show off spectacular colors, and are worth every dig of a trowel to plant:

Begonia - Grows 6 to 12 inches tall. Flowers are white, pink, red, rose and scarlet.

Tricolor Chrysanthemum - Grows 2 to 3 feet. Flowers are white, yellow, gold, red, or maroon, with contrasting color bands on the base of the petals. (This chrysanthemum is different from the perennial chrysanthemum called the “garden mum”.)

Dahlia - Grows 1 to 6 feet. Flowers are every color except blue and green.

Geranium - Grows up to 2 feet. Flowers are white, pink, scarlet, orangish-red, red, and salmon.

Impatiens - Grows to 1? feet. Flowers are white, pink, rose, scarlet, violet, salmon, and orange.

Marigold - Grows 6 inches to 4 feet. Flowers are yellow, gold, orange white, near red, and mahogany.

Zinnia - Grows 6 to 36 inches. Flowers are all colors except blue.

Perennial Flower Guide:

Basically speaking, perennial flowers live more than one growing season, returning year after year. When perennials finish blooming, their foliage provides wonderful background texture, form, and color for your garden.

Perennial flowers may only bloom for a short spell and at certain times of the growing season. This makes it more difficult to plant a garden limited only to perennials and still achieve the desired effect of constant color. For this reason, mixing perennials with annual flowers is the key to a fabulous garden of continual color.

Let’s look at some favorite perennial flowers that offer magnificent color and depth to any garden, and will grow just about anywhere:

Butterfly Weed - Grows 1? to 3 feet. Flowers are bright orange (great for attracting butterflies!) with pretty pods covering the plant once the flowering ends. Blooms all summer.

Chrysanthemum or “Garden Mum” - Grows 1 to 4 feet. Flowers are all colors but blue. Blooms in the fall.

Daylily - Grows 1? to 3? feet. Flowers are all colors except blue and white. Blooms from late spring to fall.

Felicia - Grows 1 to 2 feet; Flowers are blue-petalled with yellow centers. Blooms from early summer to fall.

Hosta - Grows up to 3 feet. Flowers are white, lavender or pale violet, often with colorful foliage. Blooms from summer to early fall.

Peony - Grows 2 to 4 feet; Flowers are white, pink, maroon or red. Blooms from late spring to early summer.

Shasta Daisy - Grows 1 to 4 feet. Flowers have white petals usually with a yellow center. Blooms all summer.

With a little experience and planning, you can create a flower garden that blooms from one end to the other, from spring through fall. Bring together a few of these annual and perennial flowers for a wonderful mixed garden.

Learn as you go, make your own improvements but most of all enjoy whatever time you do have in your garden. Soon you’ll be writing your own flower guide inspired by your garden creations!

Copyright 2006 Robert Mosse

Robert Mosse is a garden and lawn care specialist and author of the “Easy” Lawn and Gardening Book Series. Find out more about flower gardens … and get Robert’s free Guide for 101 Gardening Tips.

Creating no dig gardens on top of the soil gives you many immediate advantages over the usual garden.

Flowers can (and often do) make up a fascinating and beautiful aspect of our environment, both outdoors and indoors. Besides the dazzling (if not bewildering) assortment of different kinds of flowers available to spruce up your office or garden, some studies seem to suggest they even improve your health and mental outlook. In the hopes that you might receive some benefit or enjoyment from learning about them, I have done a bit of research online (and plenty of editing) to introduce my to you a favorite flower of mine. So here it is, in all its floral glory — the Carnation. It’s a wild thing.

The Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), say “die-AN-thus cari-OFF-ill-us” — is a flowering plant native to the Near East and has been cultivated for the last 2,000 years. So it might well have been familiar to Jesus and the apostles, though we do not know this for certain. Its original natural color was pinkish, but later, ancient botanical types developed red, white, yellow and green varieties.

Some scholars think the name “carnation” comes from “coronation” or “corone” (which were crowns made of flowers, called “garlands”), as the Greeks wove them into ceremonial crowns. Others think the name stems from the Latin “carnis” (flesh), which names the original color of the flower. Early Christians treated this flower as a symbol of the affection God has for his people — or that affection the saints are to show one another — consummately put on display in “The Incarnation,” meaning that God’s great love for His Church resulted in the Incarnation, The Word of God made flesh in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, the glorious King of kings.

For the most part, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction. Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red ones signify deep love and affection. White carnations indicate pure love; striped symbolize a regret that a love cannot be shared. Purple carnations indicate capriciousness, while Pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance.

What are called “perpetual-flowering” carnations — more commonly dubbed “florist” carnations — are the kind florists most often grow commercially (in greenhouses), and so these bloom year-around. You can also grow them outdoors in milder climates. Some varieties of florist carnations grow to a height of 4 feet. Their fragrant blossoms are often 3 inches wide in an assortment of colors including scarlet, white, pink, crimson, red, orange, purple, yellow, and many-splendored colors.

These carnations are widely used in floral arrangements for weddings, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, January birthdays, funerals, and a host of other occasions. As with border carnations, their flowers are long-lasting and can be easily preserved for dried flower arrangements. Some spectacular varieties of florist carnations are:

The Pink Calypso — Double flowers having lovely clear pink petals

The Dianthus Pierrot — Double flowers with pale rosy lavender blossoms edged with purple

The Dianthus Astor — Double flowers of deep scarlet and very fragrant

The Dianthus Nina — Double flowers with smooth-edged petals of crimson

On February 3, 1904, the Ohio General Assembly passed a joint resolution naming the scarlet carnation the official state flower. Fifty-five years later, on April 8, 1959, the Ohio Legislature named Alliance, Ohio the “Carnation City,” for truly it is the home of Ohio’s State flower. Another honor was bestowed on the pink carnation when it was officially chosen as the emblem of Mother’s Day in 1907. Carnations have also long been representative of the month of January, symbolizing “new beginnings,” which is just what mothers, weddings and the month of January have in common.

I tend to favor the last two listed, D. Astor and D. Nina, together with white carnations, for which I have given the suggested Bible verses as:

Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

AND 2 Corinthains 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Carson Day has written some 1.3 gazillion articles and essays on all manner of topics. These aim to glorify God and offer people real help to live wisely and well. You can visit Carson’s websites at http://ophirgold.blogspot.com (The Omniblog, where Carson blogs everything) or http://extremeprofit.blogspot.com (Carson’s Day Trading Outpost). Thanks for stopping by.

Finding the perfect Valentine gift for the woman in your life can be a daunting task. To help you out, we’ve searched the internet to find our top 10 picks for Valentine’s Day. From flowers to jewelry to a romantic weekend at a bed & breakfast, you can simply surf the internet to buy or find all the information you need to make this a perfect Valentine’s Day for the woman you love.

1) Fresh Flowers - Flowers are still the most popular gift at Valentine’s Day. Of course, it is also the most expensive time of the year to buy flowers, particularly roses. Still, flowers remain a classic option and one that is always well received. Try a local florist for guaranteed delivery, or one of the many online retailers if you will be apart this Valentine’s Day.

2) Chocolate - Chocolate is a close second to flowers, and for good reason. Many women crave chocolate, and Godiva (http://www.godiva.com) is the ultimate indulgence. When in doubt, buy a variety chocolate gift pack that will allow her to sample a different treat each time. She’ll enjoy the mystery of what’s inside each tasty treat, and be dreaming about the next one.

3) Perfume - Think of perfume as “flowers in a bottle.” A pleasing smell is a powerful aphrodisiac, and a carefully selected scent will make her feel special. Perfume is also nice because the gift lives on for several months, and she’ll think of you each time she sprays on your wonderful gift. Ask your female friends what scents are popular this year, or sneak a peek in her magazines to see what perfumes are being advertised.

4) Spa/Massage Gift Certificate - For a truly memorable experience, give her a trip to the spa. Woman love to feel pampered and a massage or spa treatment is a Valentine gift that will relax and elevate her mood.

5) Romantic Dinner At Home - If your wife or girlfriend normally does all the cooking, surprise her with a home-cooked meal. If you’re new to the kitchen, don’t try anything too ambitious. Pick some of her favorite foods and find some easy recipes to make. Don’t worry if your meal isn’t perfect, because for this gift the old adage, “it’s the thought that counts,” is definitely true.

6) Jewelry - Women love jewelry, especially when it’s received as a gift on a special occasion. Price is always a factor, but also consider getting something personal (e.g., a dolphin pendant for the ocean lover) or personalized (with your names and date) to make sure this Valentine gift is unforgettable.

7) Teddy Bear (http://www.vermonteddybear.com) - Nothing says cute and cuddly like a teddy bear. The teddy bear has changed a lot since you had one as a kid. Now, there are many different styles, varieties, and colors. Find one just right and she’ll thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Bouquet Of Heart Shaped Cookies (http://www.gourmet-cookie-bouquets.com) - Cookies are always a “sweet” gift, and heart-shaped gourmet cookies make a great Valentine gift. Personalize the cookies with your own special message to let her know how you feel.

9) Chocolate Covered Strawberries (http://www.aagiftsandbaskets.com) - Strawberries are the perfect Valentine’s Day fruit - red, heart-shaped and sweet. We already know how women feel about chocolate, so combine the two and you’ve got an unforgettable Valentine’s Day gift. Chocolate covered strawberries are normally shipped via overnight air for maximum freshness, so these delectable treats also make a great gift for the procrastinator.

10) Romantic Weekend Get-Away - Nothing rekindles romance like a little time away from it all with your Valentine. For a truly romantic weekend, try a bed-and-breakfast someplace special (http://www.bnbfinder.com to find a bed & breakfast). Many bed and breakfasts offer Valentine’s Day or romance packages, so it’s best to reserve this date far in advance. If you can’t get away during Valentine’s Day, you can always make the reservation by February 14 and give her a special card telling her about your future romantic escape.

Valentine’s Day gifts can be difficult, but with a little planning and insight in your wife or girlfriend’s preferences, you can find her a memorable gift this year. You could even chose a different Valentine gift from this list and be covered for the next 10 years!

Bill Smith is the owner of http://www.holiday-gifts-gift-baskets.com which offers a huge selection of Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your Valentine. Offering gourmet gift baskets, chocolate, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, flowers and more. Send them a memorable gift this Valentine’s Day from Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets.

Flower bouquets the button hole and centre pieces will always be one of the star attractions at weddings. Flower posy/bouquets denote a blossoming maiden which evidently helps reflect her feelings and emotions. The planning of the wedding bouquet takes just as much careful thought behind getting it right for on the day as that of the wedding gown.
Whatever race/religion, bouquets will still always be seen as a tradition to be kept. The more of natures natural beauties lining church pews/aisles will send out a lingering aromatic fragrance and a vast amount of colour to brighten up your day.

What to take into consideration when choosing your wedding bouquet:

1. By choosing seasonal flowers you will save time and money, if you insist on blooms out of season then you may find they have to be shipped in from another country.
Time is important when you order and receive the flowers, you will want them fresh therefore a stronger sweet smelling scent.

2. If you have silk flowers in mind then better still this way you are guaranteed your particular favourite flower no matter the time of year so no need to put the wedding on hold.

3. Do not make the mistake of letting the bouquet outshine or cover your figure if you are of petite frame the reason being is, your posture maybe affected thus giving off the wrong image of how your wedding gown should look. If the elegant style of the gown is to stay then make sure to choose pastels instead of strong vibrant colours.
(Depending on the wedding outfit of course)

4. Make sure that your flowers still hold up for late afternoon photo shoots should your wedding service take place in the morning.

A preferred method by brides to keep the flowers fresh while not posing in front of a camera or piling on the pounds at the wedding feast, (who cares now you got your man)only joking is to have a bouquet holder close at hand. Ask the florist for advice on which flowers wilt more quickly than others, by having this information under your garter you will at least know the ones to avoid.

5. On your first visit to the flower shop don’t let the florist conjure up what they think you have in mind, they are not mind readers, It is only you at this point knows what you are looking for. Make it easy on both yourself and the florist by taking a photo of the style and design of the bouquet, another good idea is to bring along a sample piece of gown fabric so that the wedding coordinator/florist can select the correct shade of flower to compliment the wedding dress. Additional touches to Bouquets include ribbons lace beads or pearls.

6. Say it with flowers and mean it, why not choose a flower that has special meaning? Take the Stephanotis which stands for happiness in marriage, then we have the Rose denoting love and being true, another fabulous flower is the Tulip with a meaning declaring perfect love, why not have them all if your betrothed means that much to you.

7. Bouquets are becoming more personalized these days so design yours to suit your personality, everyone else is so why not you. Clusters of flowers more widely known as nose gays can vary in sophistication and will fit any personality. Beauty prevails in the flower cascading bouquet which is seen a lot at traditional weddings.

Flowers where the stems are wrapped in ribbons are called Hand-tied bouquets. It is these bouquets that bring a casual aura more often to garden ceremonies. We also have the Contemporary bouquet where flowers are arranged tastefully in a style with no geometric form but still as gorgeous as any other hand held bridal piece, normally used in sophisticated weddings.

8. If your choice is Roses, Lilies, Orchids, Tulips, Stephanotis or Daisies for your bridal bouquet then you have just picked the top flowers that have dominated many a wedding in the past and in the future to come.

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Do you scour your seed catalogs or look at all the new varieties that have come out in your gardening magazines? You can’t wait to go to your local greenhouse and purchase them for your garden or flower bed. But when you get there, you find they don’t carry that variety.

Why not start them yourself?

So how do you start? First of all make a list of the varieties that look interesting to you. If you are a newbie at seed starting, try and pick some plants that would be easy to grow. There is no use getting discouraged with finicky plants your first time at it. Also keep your list to a minimum. You don’t want to overload yourself in the beginning.

Purchase seeds early enough in the season so that you can give them a good start if they need extra time. If seed companies haven’t been sending you catalogs, then go on the internet and search for seed catalogs and I’m sure you can find some sites that will be happy to send you a catalog.

Some plants need a long growing season, so you will need to start them early in the house if you live in the northern areas of the country. Vegetable plants like tomatoes and peppers or flowers such as impatiens and pansies.

What do you need if you are going to start your own seeds? Clean containers, good soilless seed starting mix, fertilizer, warmth, and plenty of light. You can buy special containers, re-use some from plants you have purchased, or some type of container you have around the house. I use empty milk cartons plenty of times. You can also use the milk cartons for making labels so you remember what seeds are in the container.

Do you happen to have some old seeds from past projects that were never used? See if they are still viable by pre-sprouting. Dampen paper towels, spread out the seeds, and put the folded towel in a bag. Place in a warm area and check every few days. If they haven’t sprouted in 10-14 days, I would give up and throw them out. You can also do this to speed up the germination of new seeds before you plant. Just handle very carefully when planting so you don’t damage the root. This is not good to do with very small seeds.

You are now ready to plant. If you are re-using cell packs or flats, wash first with a mild dish detergent and then dip in a mix of 1 part bleach to 9 parts hot water, let dry. In cell packs, place 2 seeds in each cell to be sure of getting at least one sprouted seed. If two sprout, snip out the weaker of the two with scissors. Very fine seeds could be spread onto a flat filled to the brim for good air flow.

Start at the right time. If started too early, seedlings will get weak and spindly without good lighting. If you don’t have a really good sunny windowsill you will need a special grow light to be sure of good growth.

When it is time to put your plants in the ground, you will want to harden them off for a few days to prepare them for the outdoor environment. One way is to hold off on the water a little and also place them outside for just a few hours a day, increasing the time gradually. In a week they should be able to handle the outside world without transplant shock.

Do you have a little experience starting your own seeds? Maybe you want to try something a little more challenging. How about tree, shrubs, or wildflower seeds? Generally, these seeds need stratification to germinate. That is, they need to go through some cold and moist temperatures plus warmth to break dormancy. Some will want darkness and some light. You need to know the specifics of the plant you want to start.

To stratify your seeds try this method. Sow seeds in moist soilless mix in a plastic container with a tight fitting lid or plastic wrap to hold the moisture and prevent spills. You don’t need a large amount of mix to get them to sprout. Place in the refrigerator for one week and then remove to let them warm up for a day or two. Place in the freezer for one week and then remove to let them warm up again. Alternate this method at least twice before keeping them in a warm environment to allow them to germinate.

If you have some really hard seeds, then you can try scarification by rubbing the seed with sandpaper or an emery board. You can also nick the seed with a knife but be sure not to damage the embryo.

Learning to start seeds can be fun and rewarding but it can also be frustrating if you don’t take time to learn the basics before moving on to the harder to start varieties.

Martha Bloom, owner of Bloom’s Nursery in Clearfield, PA. loves to garden and grow a variety of plants. Martha took correspondance courses in plants and landscape, provided by the Pennsylvania State University.

She also took the Master Gardeners course with Clearfield County’s cooperative extension program and has studied numerous books and magazines on gardening. As the years have gone by, practical knowledge has been accumulated along with the book learning.
http://bloomsnurserypa.com