Thursday, February 18, 2010
Choosing Your Seeds
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Start Your 2010 Garden Soon With Seeds...
If you're thinking about growing your own vegetables or perennials this year, you should try planning your garden by starting your own seeds. It's not as hard as you think. I tried my luck with some vegetables last year and surprisingly had tremendous luck. The hardest part is keeping critters from eating them, and keeping them bug free and fungus free throughout the season!! Now that Valentine's Day is over, I will be concentrating on starting my seeds....follow along with me as we go step by step through the process and learn together what works, and what doesn't.
The first thing you need to do is choose which plants or veggies you want to grow. Be sure to choose plants that are compatible to your growing zones. You must read the instructions on the packages as to when you should start the seeds because all germination times vary according to the plant. Some seeds you can sow directly into the garden...others you start weeks before the frost-free date in your area. Just read the entire package!
How do you find the Frost-Free Date (the last date for which you can expect to receive frost) for your area? Check the Farmer's Almanac Website . In Cincinnati, our Frost-Free Date is April 13th. However, in reality, I was always taught that you don't ever plant before Mother's Day! Well, you can, but be prepared to cover tender plants or annuals with sheets (not plastic) if the temperature drops below the 38 degree mark, and it probably will!
I purchased a lot of unusual herbs last year that I am excited to try. Valerian root and Ginseng are two I'm anxious to plant...along with cumin, angelica, dill, basil, and lots of other goodies. So get out your garden gloves and get ready to get your hands in the dirt!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Is Your "Local" Florist Really Local?

- $50.00 Flowers
- 15.00 Service Fee
- 4.24 Tax
- -------
- $69.24 Total
- $50.00 Flowers
- -7.00 Delivery Allowance (Many florist's delivery fees are $10 or more)
- - 13.50 Wire Fees
- --------
- $29.50 What your order is really worth.

As florists, it IS necessary to be members of a wire service in order to offer worldwide delivery to our customers. There are fees associated with this service, but many florists such as myself, will waive the service fee if possible. Your results will be much better if you order through an actual florist, one who has an actual storefront with flowers in it, and is not sitting in a cubicle waiting for your call.
I tell you all this because I think it is absolutely necessary to educate consumers on how their money is being spent, especially in our economy, and how important it is to use your LOCAL businesses who can provide you with the personal service and the quality products you deserve.
Thanks for listening!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
How To Have A "GREEN" Christmas This Year!
As the fall is upon us, we in the retail industry turn our thoughts to the upcoming Christmas season. I, for one, HATE to walk in a store in September and see Christmas displays everywhere!However........when you're the "Little Guy" amongst the "Big Stores", if you don't jump on the boat when they do, you miss it!
Now, you won't walk in to my store, Hyde Park Floral and Garden, in September and see Christmas displays everywhere - I refuse to put them out too soon! But you can bet that it's in the works!
First on the agenda, is letting everyone know that we are only purchasing FRESH trees, wreaths, garlands and greens this year in an effort to contribute to the best Environmental Choice for our customers. (Not to say that you won't find artificial decorations, because we do have lots left over from last year, so we have to try to discount them to try to deplete that inventory.)
Here's some facts I discovered at the National Christmas Tree Association website that brings me to this choice:
Real Christmas Trees ... The Environmental Choice
During the 2005 holiday season, 32.8 million Real Christmas Trees were purchased for display
in homes nationwide. These consumers made the choice of a Real Tree for a variety of reasons
– the fresh scent, the beauty of the evergreen, the traditions of the holidays – but what
they may not have known is that a Real Tree is also a wise environmental choice.
Here are some facts to consider:
# Around 98% of Real Christmas Trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. These trees are planted to be harvested, just as corn is cultivated for harvest.
# The Christmas Tree industry in the United States employs more than 100,000 Americans
(part- and full-time). Meanwhile, 85% of fake trees are made by factory workers in China.
# Every acre of Christmas Trees grown produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people.
With approximately 500,000 million acres of trees, 9 million people a day are supplied with oxygen thanks to these trees.
# Real Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases; they also stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide a refuge for wildlife.
# For each Real Christmas Tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place.
In 2006, more than 42 million new seedlings will be planted by Christmas Tree farmers all
over the United States. And after the holidays, a Real Christmas Tree is the only choice that is completely recyclable. Artificial trees typically end up in landfills, where they will remain for centuries after disposal.
# In a national survey, 69% of consumers who used a Real Tree said they recycled theirs in a
community program.
# Real Christmas Trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest
trees. These are:
1) Chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
2) Beachfront erosion prevention
3) Lake and river shoreline stabilization
4) Fish habitat
5) River delta sedimentation management
OUR CHRISTMAS TREES AND GREENS WILL BE IN THE WEEKEND BEFORE THANKSGIVING. SIZES FROM 6' UP TO 11'.
YOU CAN PRE-ORDER YOUR TREE BY GOING TO OUR "CHRISTMAS TREES & GREENS" PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE, http://www.hydeparkfloral.com/
OR JUST CALL OUR SHOP AT 871-9888.
WE WILL OFFER DELIVERY, SET-UP AND REMOVAL
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Lazy Days Of Summer....

it is Green Prints. Its a wonderful collection of short stories by gardeners, and beautiful illustrations by various artists. The best thing about this little book is, you don't have to hunt for the content in between the advertisements. Please check out their website and read some of the sample stories there. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Please Support Your Local Small Businesses!

As one of those small businesses, I urge everyone to stand up and take part in The 3/50 Project. If you do, you will be part of a new movement aimed at keeping money and jobs in your local communities.
Please take time to check out the website: http://www.the350project.net/ and make the simple commitment to shop at your favorite small businesses.

