Ways to protect your garden from spring frost

Are you starting notice bits of frost on your flowers and foliage? While chilly nights are the norm in spring, you may have started gardening a bit too soon. If you don’t know how to properly tend to your garden and protect your plants from frost, this could pose a serious threat. A freeze occurs when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Water inside the plant freezes and causes the cells to burst.

There is an array of vulnerable plants that will be vastly affected by a freeze. These include both house and tropical plants, spring-blooming shrubs, trees, tender bulbs, warm-season vegetables like tomato, corn and pepper, and warm-season annuals like impatiens, petunia and geranium

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Here are three ways to protect your garden from spring frost:

1. Bring them indoors

If your plants are in a container like Teleflora’s Orchid & Tropical Plants, simply bring them inside until the weather starts to warm up. If they’re bulbed plants like tulips, consider digging them up and storing them in a cool, dry place. Check out all the latest Teleflora coupon codes, promo codes & discounts for 2016 http://coupon4share.com/store/teleflora.com

2. Hydrate before a frost
Check the weather daily, and be sure to thoroughly water your plants before the cold comes. You should be watering your soil about 6 inches deep. Damp soil traps more heat than dry soil, so hydrating your plants will add insulation and help prevent desiccation in your flowers.

3. Cover them up overnight
Before you turn in for the night, be sure to tuck your plants in – they’re your babies, too! Uncover all plants in the morning if the weather is above 40 degrees.

Sprouts
For your tender sprouts, place an upside down bucket or flower pot on top of them.

Shrubs and trees
For larger pants like your shrubs and trees, layer and cover them with bedding, burlap or frost cloths – steer clear of plastic. Completely drape the cover over the foliage, making sure it goes all the way to the ground.

Garden flowers
Submerge stakes into the ground around your flowers to prop the bedsheets or lightweight blankets up. This will help prevent squishing your beautiful blooms.

Don’t make the mistake of leaving the covering over your plants for multiple days in a row – especially when the weather doesn’t call for more than one day of frost.  Take the protection off as soon as those sunny rays are shining bright. The reason being is because plants cannot breathe under heavy containers or layers of fabric. The quick removal of any protective covering will eliminate the creation of another stress factor for your plants.

Tips to organize your home for spring

With spring comes crisp air, blooming flowers, singing birds and of course, cleaning and reorganization after a long winter. This year, start the season off right, and bring the fresh vibes of spring into your home. It’s time to get rid of all those items that are collecting dust, and make some changes in your current organization methods.

Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry – Teleflora created an easy spring cleaning guide for you to have your home organized in no time. 

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Here are four tips to get you started:

1. For notes, cards and important papers
If you find yourself at a garage sale or antique shop, be on the look out for wooden shutters – extra points if they’re distressed. Hang the piece in your entryway, kitchen or common room so the whole family has access to it. The shutter’s louvers are the perfect spot for invitations, lists, artwork, important messages, bills, etc. This is a great alternative to just piling up papers all throughout your home. Add a spring touch to the shutters and scatter foliage like airplants and succulents throughout the crevices.

2. For your broom closet
Are you sick of having a broom, feather duster or vacuum topple over or fall on you every time you open the closet door? Well, there’s an easy fix for that! Tidy up your closet by purchasing sturdy hooks from your local hardware store. Nail them onto the walls and door, and hang all your cleaning utensils and tools up on the hooks. Get even more organized, and tape a label about each item so you know exactly what to reach for and where to put it back when you’re done. Place all your cleaning supplies in a bucket and store that in the closet as well.

3. For your keys
Finding your keys in the morning may be a struggle, especially if you’re already running late. If you are the type of person who often forgets where you place your keys the second you put them down, a key organizer is a must have. If you’re feeling crafty, create a custom-made key rack. Purchase a large picture frame and place a piece of cork behind the frame. Insert thin hooks into the cork board, create labels and you’re done! The labels could be what the specific key is for or, if you have a large family, create a hook for each member. This will help declutter your counter space and significantly reduce the amount of time everyone spends searching for their keys.

If you have a couple of extra hooks, adorn the key organizer with blooms that are starting to deteriorate. Simply hang the flowers upside down and let them dry out. For your reference, hydrangeas dry beautifully. While their coloring does start to fade, the dry flowers can last between 9 months to a year.

4. For your bathroom toiletries
It’s hard keeping the bathroom organized, especially with all those hair tools and products, lotions and other essentials. It’s time to clear the windowsill, tackle the medicine cabinet, and rid the area around the sink of all those toothbrushes. Need more room for storage? Transform the unused wall space above the toilet and install shelving. Consider assigning a shelf for each member of the family so everyone has their own designated area in the bathroom. You could even hang some shelving on other unused wall space and place bucket or bins on top for everyone to store their bathroom necessities in.

Now that the extra space in the bathroom is free of random items, add some life by placing couple of potted arrangements like these Blooming Plants or Zen Florals & Plants onto the windowsill. This is a great way to brighten up the room for spring.

Teleflora Blog: How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh

Everyone loves having fresh flowers in their home, but it can be a real bummer when that bouquet you received from your significant other begins drooping after just three days. It’s even more difficult to keep your flowers looking perky and healthy when the weather is hot – especially without central air conditioning. However, there are a few ways to preserve those flowers for a few extra days:

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Put Cut Flowers in the Refrigerator

Nobody is marveling at the beauty of your bouquets overnight, so stick them in the refrigerator! Like putting your fruits and veggies in the fridge keeps them fresher longer, the same goes for your flowers. Think about it – florists tend to store their flowers in large fridges, so why wouldn’t the same concept work for you? Clean out an area of your fridge and keep your bouquet fresh for up to four days longer than a non-treated bouquet!

Drop A Penny in the Flower Vase

Copper is a known antibacterial agent, and the bacteria that multiplies in the water is a contributor to the breakdown of cut flowers. Simply putting a penny in the vase protects the flowers from some of the bacteria, keeping them fresh for longer. Pairing this method with the refrigerator, your flowers will stay fresher for days.

Don’t Place Cut Flowers in Direct Sunlight

While your flowers need a little bit of sunlight, we tend to overestimate how much is necessary. They aren’t actively growing anymore, so sunlight isn’t as beneficial as it is when the flowers are still rooted in the ground. When you have cut flowers, their needs change – with temperature being a much bigger factor. For example, putting your flowers on a windowsill with direct sunlight tends to be hot. As you can deduce from the fact that your fridge keeps your flowers fresh, supplying them with extra heat won’t. Not only will this sun make the water deplete quicker, but it can even cause the vibrant colors on the petals fade as well. You should keep your bouquet away from heating vents too and away from the fruit that you keep on the counter – the gases released from the fruit can cause some flowers to wilt quicker.

Maintain Your Cut Flowers

Something as simple as trimming the stems every couple of days can go a long way. This takes off the dying ends of the flowers, so they can absorb more water. Be sure to cut them diagonally. In addition, you should also change the water daily or every other day, depending on the state of the flowers. Use lukewarm water for regular flowers, but cold water for bulb flowers. Sterilize the vase between fills as well. If you have a variety bouquet, like A Little Pink Me Up, there’s a good chance that some of the flowers will die earlier than others. If this is the case, remove the dead ones and pick out the leaves that have fallen into the water. Eliminating these from the bouquet will limit the amount of bacteria in the water.

Don’t Use the Entire Flower Food Packet

If your bouquet came with a packet of food, don’t use it all at once. Every time you change the water, sprinkle a little bit more in. This flower food typically consists of sugar, an acidifier, and bleach. If your bouquet didn’t come with flower food, never fear! You can make your own with a little sugar, citrus juice, and bleach.

Just a little maintenance will keep your flowers looking brand new, letting you enjoy them for more days that you could have imagined!

Romantic Bouquets for a Date Night

Ahh, those dog days of summer. There doesn’t seem to be a more romantic time of year than those hazy last few weeks before the seasons change. This could be because August is Romance Awareness Month. What better way to celebrate the month of love than taking your beloved out on a date? The classic way to take someone out is to present him or her with a romantic flower bouquet before you leave, so it’s a good idea to know what flowers properly convey your feelings:

• Roses: There’s a reason that roses are the most commonly gifted flowers for people in love. Roses – especially red ones – symbolize romance and beauty, making them the perfect present for someone you’ve long been in love with, or someone you’re just falling for. Your Sweet Smile and Citrus Kissed are pretty choices in fun summer hues.
• Forget-Me-Nots: Forget-me-nots have their meanings right in the name. These little blue wildflowers are the perfect addition to any bouquet, or are adorable on their own. If you want to take the name literally, they’re a good gift for couples who may be separating at the end of the summer. For example, going to different colleges.
• Orchids: Orchids are exotic and beautiful and though they share meanings with the more traditional rose, they’re a great gift for someone who’s a little more wild, and likes to march to the beat of his or her own drum.
• Gardenia: These fragrant flowers are less common in bouquets, but the white blooms are a gorgeous option. Gardenias signify purity and joy, and are a symbol of old fashioned love.
• Jasmine: Jasmine flowers are a beautiful and classic bouquet choice. They represent love and sensuality, so they’re a great option for couples that both have a history or had a summer whirlwind romance.
• Tulips:Red tulips mean “perfect love” with the black center of the flower represent a passionate lover’s heart. Tulips are a popular summertime bloom and make a perfect addition to a romantic night.

  

How to Choose the Perfect Romantic Bouquet

A flower for one person may not be the ultimate pick for someone else. When choosing love flowers to present to your beloved, it’s important to take many things into account to ensure that the blooms you choose are the perfect ones for your date. While there’s no doubt that any flowers will make your date smile, considering these few factors will show how much you care:

• Your date’s favorite colors or flowers: Nothing impresses someone more than when their significant other remembers little details like his or her favorite color. Even if your beloved’s favorite flowers don’t symbolize love, choosing daffodils because you know she loves them will mean more than going for classic red roses.
• Where they’ll be stored: If you know your date’s home has a large foyer, an extravagant bouquet would be a good choice. However, if your date just has a bedroom in a home full of roommates or animals, a single gorgeous flower would make an impact on her dresser.
• What he or she can care for: If your date doesn’t spend a lot of time at home, consider a gift of flowers that don’t require a lot of care, rather than a bouquet that requires daily water choice.

Summer flings aren’t the only couples who should be exchanging love flowers for Romance Awareness Month. Your husband, wife or long-term partner would also appreciate the thoughts behind a gifted floral arrangement. If your anniversary falls in the month of August, consider thoughtful anniversary flowers for your love. Sign Up for a chance to get FREE Flowers at Teleflora.com. Click here

Your Fall Flower Guide to Mums

One of the defining flowers of fall is the chrysanthemum, also simply known as the mum. With so many varieties of this gorgeous flower, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of ways to enjoy them, from planting the blooms yourself or decorating your home and landscape with them. Mums symbolize optimism and joy, making them a fabulous choice for your decor. Here’s all you need to know about these elegant seasonal blooms.

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Here Are A Few Varieties 
Many people think of mums as simple and one-dimensional, coming in just a few autumnal shades. However, there are actually multiple varieties of mums, in a rainbow of colors! Since these flowers are so sturdy, they’re great for decorating and last quite a while in a vase!

• Apricot Alexis: These flowers tend to grow in an obvious apricot color. Once the blooms fully open, they’re quite large and can easily be the center of attention in autumnal flower bouquets.
• Candid: Candid mums are a usually a deep red with lighter ends on their petals. Like Alexises, when the blooms open, they’re one of the larger varieties of mum.
• Seatons ruby: These mums are also two-toned, with their red petals typically tipped with a golden hue. When fully bloomed, seatons rubies have traditional mum petals around the outer edge, but a large, raised cushiony center.
• Honeyglow: If you’re thinking of mums, you’re probably thinking of the honeyglow. The typical mum tends to grow in red, oranges and golds. It’s a classic choice that’s sure to add some bright color to your decor.

While these are the colloquial terms for these blooms, you can also tell your local nursery that you’re looking for spider, quill, button, cushion or anemone mums.

Growing Mums
Mums are very hearty flowers with a long life in the ground and in a vase. However, when growing your own mums, you need to make sure you take proper care of them to ensure they reach their peak. These flowers need at least six hours of sun per day, so try not to plant them alongside your house or garage if that area is typically shaded.

Plant your mums in August so they’ll hit their peak as the leaves begin to change, giving your yard a gorgeous autumnal vibe. When you’re growing baby mums, you’ll want to make sure they’re watered very frequently. Once they begin to grow, you can cut back a bit, but still make sure the soil is always moist. If they’re taken care of properly and they’re in an optimal location, your mums will grow year after year! They don’t have to grow directly in the ground, though. A deep flower pot is a great option for your fall flower arrangements, indoors or outdoors.

Decorating with Mums
The great thing about growing mums is that you can easily trim them and put the blooms in vases in your home. You get to enjoy them everywhere! They also have a long lifespan when they’re cut, lasting between a week and two if you care for them properly. Be sure to change the water in the vase every day and keep them in a cool area of your home.

Just because you’re not growing your own mums doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy their beauty in your home. Bouquets like It’s My Party and Teleflora’s Country Pumpkin to bring the magic of these fall flowersinto your home.

September Birth Flower 2016

The aster is the September birth flower. Part of the daisy family, it is a composite flower, which means  that it is made of a central core of tiny flowerheads surrounded by long petals. The aster is a wildflower with more than 600 species, with colors range from white to red and orange. However, the aster is known best for its striking bluish-purple color. This September flower is also one of the most colorful flowers of fall. 

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According to the ancient Greeks, the aster flower came to be when the Greek god, Astraea, was saddened by how few stars were in the sky. One night, she was so upset that she began to cry. As the tears streamed down her face and hit the ground, they turned into beautiful star-shaped aster flowers. In Greek, aster means “star.”

Aster Meanings and Symbolism

As the September birth flower, asters are known to symbolize wisdom, valor and faith. Different aster colors can also carry different meanings:

• Purple asters symbolize wisdom and royalty. Historically within European civilizations, members of the royal family wore purple to signify their nobility. Purple asters are the most popular color.
• White asters symbolize purity and innocence, as well as new beginnings.
• Red and pink asters symbolize undying devotion.

September Birthstone

The sapphire is the official birthstone of September. Named for its rich blue color, sapphire means “blue” in Greek. It is a classic stone that symbolizes trust and honesty, making it one of the most popular engagement gemstones — second only to diamonds.

Blue is the classic color of the sapphire, the more rich and pure the blue color, the more valuable the gem. Few people know that there are other colors that sapphires have, including: pink, coral, yellow, orange and violet.

The most valuable sapphires come from Burma, where the gemstone is prized for its symbolism of faithfulness. According to Burmese legend, there was a monk who visited the temple of Lao-Tsun everyday, where Tsun-Kyan-Kse, a sapphire-eyed goddess presided. Every day, the monk was accompanied by his green-eyed Siamese cat, Sinh.

One day, the temple was attacked by thieves, and Sinh jumped on the monk’s chest to protect him, saving the day by scaring away the attackers. As a gift, the goddess Tsun-Kyan-Kse offered the green-eyed cat her sapphire blue eyes. To this day, blue-eyed Siamese cats still protect the temple — a phenomenon since the original eye color of this cat species is actually green.

September Zodiac Horoscope

According to the zodiac horoscope, both Virgos and Libras are born in September.

Virgos are characterized as loving, sympathetic, sensual, faithful, moody, and instinctive. Virgos born between September 1st and the 22nd will carry on the tendencies of the preceding astrological sign, the Leo. Therefore, those born on the Virgo-Leo cusp are known to be intellectual with a bright outlook on life. September Virgos require validation and recognition for their hard work and are not shy to step out and take full credit for it. Their introverted and extroverted qualities allow them to easily associate with many types of people.

Libras are characterized by as refined, social, artistic, and communicative. Libras born between September 23rd and the 30th fall on the Libra-Virgo cusp. The September Libra will exhibit the analytical qualities of the Virgo, making it difficult to form relationships with others. Additionally, the Libra is a sign of health, and Virgo is a sign of sociability so juggling between these two disciplines is a challenge.

Famous Birthdays In September

• Beyonce, Grammy-award winning artist, September 4th.
• Adam Sandler, famous comedian, September 9th.
• Will Smith, Oscar-nominated actor, September 25th.
• Malcolm Gladwell, economist and author of The Tipping Point, September 3rd.

 

Tip: How to Preserve and Repurpose Flowers

Fresh flowers hold special memories. They remind you of the time you spent choosing your wedding flowers to create that perfect centerpiece. They take you back to prom when pinning on a boutonniere seemed like the most daunting task. They signify favorite holidays, exotic travel destinations, and people close to your heart. Because flowers are so sentimental, you always wish you could do something to make them last a little bit longer. Well, you can! Pressing and drying flowers is a great way to preserve them. If you’re not sure how, here’s a quick reminder on how to press and dry flowers.

1. Press Flowers With Books

The most basic way to press flowers is by using books. First, arrange your flowers on a white piece of paper, making sure that they don’t touch. Flowers that touch will stick together after pressing. Then, cover your flowers with another white sheet of paper and place them in a book. Stack more books on top for added weight, and wait two to four weeks for the flowers to press.

2. Press Flowers in the Microwave

If you want to speed up the pressing process, you can also press flowers in the microwave. To do this, cut out two pieces of cardboard. Place three paper towels on the first piece of cardboard and arrange your flowers. Cover the flowers with three more paper towels and the remaining piece of cardboard and rubber band the entire thing together. Microwave for one to two minutes and then let cool for fifteen minutes. Repeat this process until the flowers are pressed and dry.

3. Press Flowers with an Iron

You can also press flowers in about five minutes by using an iron. Place flowers in parchment paper, and place this parchment paper between two paper towels. Then, make sure your iron is free of water and set it to medium heat. Press flowers with iron for ten to fifteen seconds and then let up. Do this continually for about three minutes.

For more information on this process, check out this post on how to press flowers.

4. Air Dry Flowers

If you want to dry flowers instead of pressing them, air drying is the most common method. You should start drying your flowers right after they begin to open. Clean the stems of leaves and then rubber band flowers of the same species together. Each bundle should have about ten flowers. Hang them upside down for two to four weeks, and then they’re ready to use! To better preserve them, you can lightly mist them with hairspray.

5. Dry Flowers in the Microwave

Like with pressing, you can speed up the drying process by using a microwave. For this, you need a desiccant like silica gel or cat litter to absorb moisture. Add some of your desiccant to a microwave-safe bowl, then put your flowers in and add more desiccant until they are covered. Heat in microwave for two minutes and check. If the flowers are not dry, heat in one minute intervals until they are completely dry.

After you’ve preserved flowers, what do you do with them? We’ve put together a visual to show you the variety of ways that pressed and dried flowers can be used to freshen up your beauty routine and decorate your home. Whether you want to maintain the shape of the flowers to create a lasting piece of art or bring out their scent in bath bombs or potpourri, the possibilities are endless. Plus, most of these suggestions are fast, easy, and perfect if your friends are the type that appreciate thoughtful homemade gifts.

Now that you know all of the things that you can do with flowers, maybe you’re next time you’ll get a mixed bouquet with blooms that are good for pressing and drying. Remember, flat flowers like violets, pansies, and geraniums can be pressed best, while more robust flowers like roses are best dried. 

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If you’re not the crafty type, don’t worry, there are other ways that you can repurpose bouquets, like donating them! From Flower Angels USA to Random Acts of Flowers, there are programs all across the country that facilitate flower donations to brighten hospital rooms and cheer up patients, and many will even come and pick them up from your doorstep.

Fall Decor Ideas Inspired By Pantone Colors

100+ Fall Decor Ideas Inspired By Pantone Colors (P1)

Every fall, Pantone announces their fall color report which showcases exciting new colors that will set the trend for the season. This year, the Pantone 2016 Fall Color Report includes classic fall colors that are earthy, organic and warm, along with trendy and exciting colors meant to brighten up the fall palette. Featuring a mix of burnt oranges, bright reds, dusty neutrals, and exotic pinks and yellows, the colors that define this fall season create a luxuriously eclectic, yet classically trusted combination.

To help you decorate your home for fall, we’ve created seven color palettes filled with fall decor ideas that are inspired by this season’s fall Pantone colors including: Aurora Red, Warm Taupe, Dusty Cedar, Lush Meadow, Spicy Mustard, Potter’s Clay and Bodacious. Use these color palettes as a guide to choose everything you need for your fall decor, from fall accent pieces to colorful rugs, and from exciting new wall colors to floral arrangements. We also created a quick guide featuring our favorite fall Pantone colors along with creative ways to incorporate them into your home decor. 

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To help you decorate your home for fall, we’ve created seven color palettes filled with fall decor ideas that are inspired by this season’s fall Pantone colors including: Aurora Red, Warm Taupe, Dusty Cedar, Lush Meadow, Spicy Mustard, Potter’s Clay and Bodacious. Use these color palettes as a guide to choose everything you need for your fall decor, from fall accent pieces to colorful rugs, and from exciting new wall colors to floral arrangements. We also created a quick guide featuring our favorite fall Pantone colors along with creative ways to incorporate them into your home decor.

Aurora Red offers a pop of passionate color against the muted tones of fall. Exciting and dynamic yet sensual, this color screams confidence in any room. It’s the perfect accent color for your fall decor and can be used in floral arrangements, bohemian rugs, decorative throw pillows, and more. If you’re daring, try it as a base color by painting it on your walls for a dramatic effect.

FTD FlowersAurora Red Fall Decor IdeasTheo dõi trên

Spicy Mustard is decidedly the most exotic addition to this season’s fall color palette. Uplifting and vibrant, this season’s yellow is luxuriously zesty. When shopping for fall decorations, look for this color in geometric shapes and abstract designs, and feel free to try varying textures to truly show off this unique color.

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Potter’s Clay is a rusty burnt orange that is this season’s adaptation of fall’s orange pumpkins and changing leaves. Rustic and earthy, this rustic color can serve as a bold accent or as a grounded neutral base for your fall decor. This classic yet trendy color is popular in both bohemian and modern styles.

FTD FlowersPotter's Clay Fall Decor IdeasTheo dõi trên

Warm Taupe is a warm and inviting color that evokes feelings of comfort and stability. Timeless and classic, it is a reliable color that will never steer you wrong when it comes to your fall decorating. Use Warm Taupe as an earthy base color, or as an accent against a white backdrop.

FTD FlowersWarm Taupe Fall Decor IdeasTheo dõi trên

Bodacious is the most vibrant color in the palette, and is probably the most unexpected. Although it has a huge personality, and may seem to want to stand alone, it is actually quite versatile and pairs well with pinks and reds. This bright purple with notes of sophisticated pink is capable of turning fashion accents into fashion statements. Make a statement in your fall decor by using Bodacious to mix things up and add an element of surprise and excitement.