Miracle-Gro Boosts Flower Gardens

Gazing at the flower gardens is a wonderful way to decompress after a busy summer day. Yet the flowers don't just grow by themselves -- they are given a boost each week with Scott's Miracle-Gro, a product that promotes healthy growth, gorgeous blooms and a feast for one's eyes. With the aptly named product applied every 7 to 14 days, blooms are actually larger and have deeper colors. While this may sound like a commercial, it is based on facts from this gardener. Without weekly applications of Miracle-Gro, the flowers are wimpy, small, and deprived looking. See for yourself just how beautiful blooming plants can be with weekly applications of Miracle-Gro. Plants are taller, seem to spread more and are visually more impressive, thanks to Scott's Miracle-Gro. Available at Home Depot, Menards, and even Ace Hardware stores, be sure to purchase the hose applicator to make your life easier and your plants prettier.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Vase+Ornaments= Christmas Decoration

Holiday decorations need to be big, bold, colorful and sophisticated. Here's a great inexpensive way to take a large footed vase, previously used to hold a hand tied bouquet of flowers and greenery, discussed here, and use it with the holiday.

Start with a sparkling clean vase. Place a sprig of fresh greenery on the bottom of the vase, then lay a large round Christmas ornament in the vase. Over sized ornaments are available at Ornament Heaven, Nancy Thomas, as well as locally at Target or other sites which promote holiday decorating. The ornaments in the photo were purchased at a Home Depot for very little, are made of plastic for outdoor use, and look great in the vase. While various colors are available, the balls in the vase are gold and deep red. Silver and blue ornaments are available for Hanukkah.

After three balls are placed in the vase, add more fresh greenery and place in a prominent location for all to see. Sit back and wait for the "ohhh's and ahhh's," as holiday guests are impressed with your creative side. When time is of the essence, a large footed vase, available at Pottery Barn, Target, or Restoration Hardware, filled with over sized ornaments fills the bill.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus