Your Garden, Your Home

As seen in the February issue of MSM

Proudly Canadian, ISSN: 1920-4299

Make a Flower Garden Basket in February

From Coral Nafie

Are you ready for the sight of beautiful spring flowers? Perhaps it is partly because of winter that so many of us look forward to March and April. After all, that is when the weather begins to warm, grass turns green, and trees begin to leaf out.

In anticipation of the sweet days of spring, here is a project you can create any time your winter-weary spirit calls for a lift.

Materials List for the Spring Flower Basket Project

Here is what you will need to make a basket of potted flowers that will be perfect for spring, summer, or any time of year.

• Materials:
• Basket, about 5 inches high, in any width or shape
• Plastic liner for bottom of basket
• Pots of flowering plants or greenery such as ivy
• Moss, Spanish moss, or wood shaving shred
• 1-2 yards of ribbon for bow

Make this Spring Flower Basket

How to Make This Spring Flower Basket

1. Insert plastic liner into the bottom of the basket. If no liner is available, line the basket with two layers of heavy plastic, trimming edges to fit. Turn edges under so no plastic shows above the edge of the basket.
2. Remove the plants from their foil or floral paper cover. Or, if you prefer to leave the cover intact, turn the pot over and cut out the bottom of the paper so water can drain freely out of the pots. Water plants well in the sink and let drain thoroughly.
3. Arrange plants in the basket. A mix of high, medium, and low plant heights is pleasing, but several pots of one variety of flowering plant can also be closely spaced to create an even mass of flowers.
4. Next, take handfuls of moss or wood shaving shred (shown here), and insert it into any spaces between the pots. It can also be used to cover any dirt that shows. Using handfuls of moss or shred will allow you to remove pieces here and there when the plants need to be watered.
5. Make a beautiful bow and set it on the side of the basket. Using wired ribbon will allow you to arrange the bow as desired. A loop of wire can be used to twist the bow in place and give you a pick to stick down into the basket.
6. Water plants when soil no longer feels moist. Be sure to read the care and light instructions that come with each plant you use.
7. Replace any plants that perish with a new pot or green plant such as ivy.

 

Small Changes, Big Impact

By Andrew Regan

     The two golden rules of travel can be summarised by the following mantra: work out how much money you think you will need then double it, and work out how much stuff to take and halve it. And to an extent this is true; holidays invariably end up costing much more than planned, and sometimes an entire suitcase of clothes can go unworn, in favour of that one top that just looks oh-so-good.

     But for a lot of people, holidays are for kicking back and letting loose so why shouldn't they pack an entire wardrobe, because "you never know"? The old cliché about taking thirteen pairs of shoes on a 4-day break may cause a lot of mirth for the more compact traveller, but "holidaying heavy" can have a more serious consequence for the environment.

     Most airlines have a standard baggage allowance and anything over that amount is charged back to the customer. However, some airlines now charge for any checked luggage, citing environmental reasons; more luggage means more fuel and more fuel means more carbon emissions and subsequently less ice at the two poles. So, travelling light might actually be a good idea after all, not only for the environment but for the wallet too.

     Holiday makers can also take other small steps to help combat climate change. For example, whilst on holiday, consider whether it is really necessary to hire a car. Maybe the public transport system is perfectly adequate to meet most people's needs. Even when travelling to the airport before departure, its worth considering the bus or train as an option first, saving on the cost of parking and reducing the impact on the environment at the same time.

     This is particularly relevant for early morning flights at provincial airports, where public transport may be a little more restricted, especially in the small hours. Rather than getting up at four or five am, it may be wiser to travel the day before at a leisurely pace and stay at an airport hotel, meaning more sleep and less stress when getting that flight, and it also allows more time to eat a proper breakfast and even shop for flight essentials such as magazines and refreshments. Ultimately, it also means more time to enjoy the holiday without feeling jaded or jet-lagged on arrival.

     Never has the environment and climate change been so much at the forefront of people's psyche. Small changes to individual travel habits can have a massive impact if everybody is involved, and the changes can actually enhance the whole holiday experience. So kick back, let loose and lose some shoes. Three pairs are more than enough!

 © Copyright, 2011 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises

As seen in the January Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

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