SUNFLOWER FACTS and FUN

Did you ever wonder how Sunflowers got their scientific name Helianthus? It comes from two words, Helios meaning sun, and Anthos, meaning flower. A distinguishing quality of the sunflower is that its flowering head tracks the sun’s movement. This occurrence is known as "heliotropism."

SUNFLOWER FACTS:
Bees LOVE the Sunflower, mine have been covered with bees.

Sunflower seeds are used to produce numerous things like cooking oil, medicine, paint, animal feed and biodiesel.

There are over 60 species of sunflowers, growing in the various countries of the world.

A sunflower head is made up of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers that are joined together to a base. The large petals that are found around the edge of a sunflower are individual ray flowers.

A sunflower only requires 90 to 100 days to grow, which can be accomplished even in Wisconsin.

The tallest sunflower on record was grown in the Netherlands by M. Heijmf in 1986 and was 25' 5.5" tall.

Canada has the largest sunflower head on record...it measured 32 1/2 inches across its widest point.

The shortest mature sunflower on record was just over 2 inches tall and was grown in Oregon using the Bonsai technique.

The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.

The sunflower is the national flower of Russia which dates back to nearly 3000 years. The Great Russian ruler Peter while visiting Holland was so fascinated by the sunflower, that he took the seeds back to Russia.

The French word for Sunflower is tournesol which means "turn with the sun".

TIPS FOR GROWING SUNFLOWERS

Sunflowers need to be planted in an area that gets full sunlight.

Soak the sunflower seeds in some warm water the night before planting them.

Sunflowers should be planted after the danger of frost has passed.

The sunflower seeds should be planted at 6-inch distance apart and at the depth of 1 inch. After planting, make sure to water the soil well.

I like to use plastic water bottles with the top and bottom cut off to surround my new seeds and seddlings, I've had trouble with birds and quirrels eating my seeds before sprouting.

The sunflower seedlings generally germinate in a couple of weeks or so and reach maturity in about 80 to 90 days. I like to start my plants indoors in late spring to get a head start.

Seedlings need to be thinned at a distance of 12 to 18 inches; however, if they are grown in containers, they can be planted closer together. The roots of some varieties of sunflowers grow very deep and spread wide. If you use a container, make sure that is large enough.

Sunflower plants require staking. Make sure to add stakes when the seeds are planted, not to disturb roots after planting. I generally use a 6 foot stake and use nylon stockings to stablize stalks...nylons grow and expand with the sunflower stalk.

DO NOT use garden twine to tie sunflowers once they hit a growth spurt, this can cut into stalks and make them vulnerable for breakage.

The soil you use should be well drained and yet kept evenly moist. Add compost to any purchased garden soil to strengthen plants and fertilize every two weeks.

What Can I Compost?

Composting is a great way to return organic matter to the soil. Organic matter in the soil enhances plant growth by:

     - Energizing the plant growth of beneficial microorganisms

     - Loosening heavy clay soils to allow better root expansion

     - Correcting the capacity to hold water and nutrients

     - Adding extra nutrients to any type of soil

Improving your soil is the first step toward enhancing plant health. Healthy plants help clean air and beautify landscapes. Yard trimmings and kitchen scraps use up valuable space in landfills. These materials make up 20 to 30 percent of all household wastes.

HOW TO MAKE A COMPOST
Start with a layer of chopped leaves, unfertilized grass clippings and kitchen waste.  Crushed eggshells, old lettuce, fruit rinds, coffee grounds, or whatever else is available. Keep adding materials until you have a six-inch layer, then cover it with three to six inches of soil.

EVERYDAY ITEMS TO COMPOST TO REDUCE LANDFILLS
Brown Paper Bags                           Kleenex Tissues

Soy Milk                                         Paper Napkins

Potato Peelings                               Melted Ice Cream

Freezer Burned Vegetables              Stale Bread

Q-Tips                                            Unpopped Popcorn

Tea Bags and Grounds                     Stale Potato Chips

Old Spices/Herbs                            Old Pasta

Moldy Cheese                                 Paper Towels

Jell-O Gelatin                                  Old Beer

Vacuum Bag Contents                      Lint from Dryer

Pickles                                            Stale Breakfast Cereal

Macaroni and Cheese                       Ivory Soap Scraps

Peanut Butter Sandwiches               Cooked Rice

Seafood Shells                                Shredded Newspapers

Receipts and Envelopes                   Pencil Shavings

I CAN COMPOST WHAT ????
Dead Bees and Flies                        Feathers
Burned Oatmeal                              Elmer's Glue
Human/Pet Hair                              Old Leather Wallets
Wool Socks                                   Chocolate Cookies
Wine Gone Bad                              Post-It-Notes
Leather Watch Bands                      BBQ'd Fish Skin
Old Leather Gloves                         Outdated Yogurt

TOO WEIRD TO COMPOST...BUT YOU CAN
Fingernail and Toenail Clippings
Urine
Bat Guano/Bird Droppings/Guinea Pig Cage Cleanings
Dead Starfish
Dried Jellyfish

Hope this information helps YOU reduce
household waste and start composting today!!!

TRAVEL: 5 Reasons to Visit Savannah



City Market - Savannah



The Landscape and Gardens. Savannah's manicured squares offer and abundance of nature and are unparalleled to any other city. On a leisurely stroll, a visitor can take it the expansiveness of Forsyth Park and the center fountain which is featured prominently in the square. Savannah offers many other public parks such as the Skidaway Island State Park. Walking trails ramble through woodlands and a salt marsh allowing visitors to look for deer, fiddler crabs, raccoon, egrets and colorful birds. An observation tower provides another chance to watch for wildlife on this barrier island. 

The ghost I think I captured



A Walking City. Savannah boasts 21 squares in the Historic District and over 1,500 architectural and historical structures. The layout of the squares were a vision of James Oglethorpe. He wanted the design to act as a meeting place for all who lived in Savannah. Many types of walking tours are available to choose from and the area is a wonderful place to stroll, meander, and take in the history of Savannah. The Historic District is an alluring hug of southern charm all within a 2.5 mile area. Don't forget River Street along the Savannah River, full of shops, charming restaurants, and night life.

Ghost Tour at Night

Food and People. Down home cooking and southern charm are a great asset to Savannah. Everyone knows Paula Deen and her restaurant is full of both. Her homemade chicken pot pie and gooey butter cake will give any diner the stamina to walk around this charming city...twice! Clary's Cafe cooks up the best southern breakfast I've ever had, plus fresh local seafood is a dining staple. Local artists and musicians add a well rounded energy and excitement to Savannah culture as well as the friendliest people on earth.



Parlor in Sorrel Weed House

Ghosts and Hauntings. Savannah is known as one of the most "haunted cities in America", and no doubt there are many stories of ghosts and spirits still taking up residence in the area. With a history dating back to pre-colonial times and many historical battles fought here, there's a certain air of suspense once the sun goes down. Savannah boasts many nighttime ghost tours and the Colonial Park Cemetery is an eerie place to be after dusk.

Historical Inns/Bed and Breakfasts. There are more than 40 Historic Inns in Savannah, each with different experiences of hospitality and southern charm. Experience Savannah’s charming Bed and Breakfasts featuring captivating world class accommodations and top notch amenities. A visitor can choose an unforgettable stay in one of Savannah’s renowned Bed & Breakfasts or Inns on River Street or in the Historic District. Visiting Savannah is a wonderful opportunity to envelop yourself in its expansive history with every modern convenience at your fingertips.



Paint Colors I'm Loving...





Dill Pickle

   

Dill Pickle by Benjamin Moore Paints is a beautiful cool green with a light and airy quality. I love this color paired with citrus colors, cool blues, or warm beiges. This color is found in nature and creates a peaceful environment to any room. Dill Pickle will act as a tranquil backdrop to any room that a serene calming effect is needed like a bedroom or bathroom. Green is considered the most restful of all the colors and a wonderful way to introduce nature into your home.



Sea Mist Green

 

Sea Mist Green is a cool crisp aqua marine blue with green undertones. Resembling water and sky, this color suggests harmony and balance. Sea Mist Green is calming, restful, and a little more balanced between masculine and feminine. Whether used in a beach house or luxury spa bathroom, this color is sure to please. Sea Mist Green would look great when enhanced with lots of texture...glosses, metals, woven fibers, or bamboo will enhance this hue.



Patriotic White



Patriotic White by Benjamin Moore is a crisp airy white with blue undertones and a subtle softness. This color has a creamy quality and has the ability to change dimension with the rising and setting of the sun. Painting trim and baseboards in Patriotic White high gloss paint will enhance the beauty of any room. This color would also look amazing on a ceiling and will cast a wonderful glow from sconces, chandeliers, or candlelight. Patriotic White could also be used for whitewashing existing paneling or floors and will look stunning combined with bold patterns and well worn items with patina. I would "ground" this color with rich espresso accessories or a hand woven rug for texture and contrast.

 

Pewter



The last color I'm loving is Pewter, also by Benjamin Moore. With a touch of silver, this pigment boasts high elegance and style. This shade will go with everything and is a perfect neutral backdrop in any decor. Done in a high gloss, Pewter could be very glamorous and contemporary. Beige or cream can get boring and this shade of gray is anything but boring. It's cool and crisp without going too dark and would very pleasing with a navy/cream or black/white color scheme accented with a bold fuchia.

These four attractive colors all work well with each other and can be used together to create one cohesive space because they all resemble the same intensity. Whatever your decor is, these colors are sure to please and will give any home a modern flare.



Houseplant Fall/Winter Mist Recipes

I like to give my houseplants some refreshment after the long hot days of summer. This includes adding fresh soil, pruning, or repotting plants that are overgrown. Mixing up a batch of a winter mist tonic helps each of my houseplants thrive through winter.

I use this solution once a week in a handheld mist sprayer:

3 tsp Baby Shampoo
3 tsp Ammonia
1 tsp Antiseptic Mouthwash
1 qt Room Temperature Water

I also have a recipe for an All Purpose Houseplant Tonic. Please mix well and mist with a handheld sprayer at least once a week:

2 T Whiskey
1 T Hydrogen Peroxide
1 T Fish Fertilizer
1/4 tsp Unflavored Gelatin
1/2 tsp Liquid Dish Soap
1/2 tsp Ammonia
1/2 tsp Corn Syrup
1 gallon warm water

Creating An Outdoor Courtyard



Side of House Before



 The east side of my home was an eye sore to say the least. The soil was poor and dry; the fence was old and needed to be replaced and this side of my home did nothing to enhance the curb appeal nor did it reflect the rest of my planting areas. Over the fall and winter I started planning out how I wanted the courtyard to look and feel. I researched ideas on new plants I wanted to grow and materials I wanted to encorporate into my "vision". The design I came up with featured a flagstone walkway, stone mosaic center featuring a water fountain, three raised 4x4 beds, and outdoor lighting.



Side of House After



The old wood fence was replaced with 6 white "no maintenance" vinyl panels. A bulk of the spring was spent taking out the old grass. I used my design as a reference while I marked out the walkway and center circle for the mosaic. I added my electrical line for the water fountain, repurposed old brick pavers for the edging, and amended the soil with 6 yards of topsoil, compost, sand, fertilizer, and perlite. The walkway was completed first and then it was on to the fun part...PLANTING!  I chose many perennials and shrubs for my zone 5 and I wanted to make sure the courtyard encorporated different sizes and shapes, as well as texture. The plantings I chose were black eyed susan, lavender, cardinal flower, sedum, phlox, bleeding heart, lamium, globe arborvitae, 3 varities of hosta, 2 varities of knockout roses, golden spirea, rose of sharon, weigela, and boxwood. Each of the varities were planted in multiples and the height and spread were considered. I crowded the plants a little more to achieve a more dense look as the years go by and the plantings reach maturity. The 3 raised beds contain herbs and vegetables during the growing season and I enjoy planning my vegetable garden each year. I purchased a beautiful red bench for a glorious view of the courtyard. Overall, my design came out better than expected and the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds love the courtyard and it's my favorite place to be!

The greatest gift of the garden is the
restoration of the five senses. 

~Hanna Rion

FUN GARDEN ART

Many outdoor sculptures add a touch of whimsy and the unexpected. Visitors are surprised when meandering through my garden because of the fun and interesting ways I add my own charm and artistic expression. The outside of my home reflects personality and character which also adds curb appeal and a very welcoming feeling. Some of my garden collection was given to me as gifts from family members. Those presents are very precious to me and always have a special place in the garden. My son gave me a beautiful angel statue for Mother's Day one year and my husband bought me the St. Francis water fountain as a birthday present.

I have collected many items throughout the years and I enjoy going to rummage/estate sales, thrift stores, and my local garden centers to see what strikes me and is affordable. I could spend hundreds of dollars on items for the garden but I enjoy the hunt for new and different pieces but on a budget. I purchased a terra cotta "welcome" tile from our vacation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This tile is placed at the entrance of my courtyard and it makes me smile and remember our first visit out west. My house currently features colors of cream siding, terra cotta trim, and white soffits and edges. Since blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, I placed different hues of blue accent pieces around my yard.   

Although I cannot possibly picture all of the garden art featured in my yard, I can pass on a few tips I look for when purchasing or making garden art:

  



St. Francis water feature

Unexpected Frog

1. Find items that you love and reflect you.
2. Placing garden art peeking out of a shrub or ground cover creates the unexpected.
3. Add contrasting colored pots, spheres, or iron wall hangings.
4. Start small-use a theme. Birds, butterflies or angels create a cohesive theme in the garden.
5. Look at thrift stores and garage sales for inexpensive touches of whimsy. Garden art doesn't need to be expensive.
6. Add a place to sit in an unusual location...always allow yourself to enjoy the garden from a different perspective.

 

Garden art can go a long way to enhance a home's beauty, charm, and
curb appeal.







Mix and Match Textiles

 I love fabric! I enjoy mixing and matching patterns, colors, stripes, and polka dots. Pictured here are some of the color palettes I'm currently working with. With a limited budget, a person can easily transform a room for little money. Pillows are very expensive and will run anywhere from $20 to $50 depending on the fabric or size of pillow. A lot of the fabric stores around me offer coupons every Sunday in the paper. Certain discounts offer 40 to 50% off any fabric. You definetly get more bang for your buck by using the same pillows over and over and recovering them season to season. I am lucky to have a sewing machine but there are plenty of methods that require a "no sew" approach. I would recommend asking any friends or family members to help with the sewing to achieve the best results. Valances, table runners, napkins, placemats and pillows are very easy to make and can change the look of a room instantly. Sometimes the creativity of mixing and matching fabric patterns opens new doors for people who are afraid of color or live in an apartment and cannot repaint a room.  Fabric also creates new possibilities for accessories, wall colors, or unifying two rooms that have little in common. The open floor concept in so many homes are sometimes too large and overwhelming, introducing color and pattern from fabric is a great way to help soften big spaces while maintaining its cohesiveness.











Hand Painted Wall Treatment

I live in a tri-level back split home. I'm always looking for ways to unify the three levels of my home in unique and interesting ways. I love the color green, probably due to my love of the outdoors and bringing the "outside...inside". I have some element of green in every level of my home, this not only unifies the spaces but brings a level of cohesiveness when going from floor to floor. The lower level of my home features a beautiful chair that I wanted to use as an inspiration piece. The leaf design on the chair features a kiwi green color that I love plus additional colors of aquamarine blue, tan, and a medium blue color all outlined by chocolate brown. The background color for my wall was hand mixed with yellow and an aqua blue to achieve the perfect warm shade of green that I wanted. Using the leaf pattern in the chair as a reference, I penciled in the different stems and leaves to create an interesting layout. I then took flat white indoor latex paint to hand paint the stems and leaves. The background color was important to be dark enough for the contrast with the white paint. I randomly filled in certain leaves with white paint, plus painted a few leaves in creamy ivory and warm gray. The ivory is the main color of the first floor of my house and the gray was used in stripes on the upper floor hallway. Overall, I love the effect and it truely turned out better than I expected.

Hand Painted Birdbath



birdbath - before



 Over the winter I decided that my old boring cement birdbath needed a little sprucing...I had tried to spray paint but it always chipped off.  I also tried regular outdoor paint but unfortunately the color wouldn't stick. With a bleach and water solution I scrubbed the birdbath clean and let it thoroughly dry for 24 hours. I decided that the birdbath needed color and vibrancy so I used cream colored enamel paint for the background.



 

birdbath - after



My birdbath separates into two pieces, and I decided I wanted to paint different colored flowers using my outdoor sign painters paint purchased at my local Ace Hardware. The  colors I used were blue, red, orange, green, gold, and white. I did tint some colors with white and mixed purple as well. I first painted the bowls outer perimeter and started by painting large flowers then filled in with smaller flowers and leaves. I tried to mix up colors and types of flowers for added interest.  To make each flower POP...I chose to paint the background black. I added dots and dashes in white to highlight specific flowers.



birdbath - close up



I hand painted flowers all around the top of the birdbath and decided that a striped bottom would be a unique approach rather than everything painted the same. I measured the base top perimeter and the base bottom perimeter and divided the numbers to make 6 panels...3 cream...and 3 with flowers. I purposely make certain flowers overlap both the black and the cream background. The result is a beautiful addition to my outdoor living space. The whole project was completed on a very cold wintery weekend!

Perennials in Wisconsin

  

Cardinal Flower

 I love perennials...they're an economical way to maintain long lasting seasonal color AND when planted in the perfect spot, they sing. It's certainly magical how beautifully they grow in size and stature, adapt to my Wisconsin weather, and attract many new species into the garden. I never attracted hummingbirds like I do now, the hummingbird moth which still takes me by surprise, bumble bees, and so many butterflies! Over 60% of my garden is part sun/part shade, because of this I also attract insects that I don't appreciate, like my never ending battle with japanese beetles, aphids, and earwigs. My Grandmother Josephine (God bless her soul) had a green thumb in which anything she planted...thrived. She taught me about home remedies to battle bugs in the garden.  



White Coneflower



The first tonic includes:

 

1 T any liquid dish soap

1 average onion; chopped fine

6 cloves of garlic; minced fine

1 quart of warm water

 

Mix all ingredients together and let stand overnight, preferably in a well ventilated area due to fumes. The next day pour tonic in a mist sprayer and mist bugs dead. I also use and LOVE this tonic for sprucing up perennials all through the growing season. 



Swamp Milkweed



To send bugs away mix up this concoction:

 

1 cup of Murphy's Oil Soap

1 cup of chewing tobacco juice

1 cup of Scope antiseptic mouthwash

 

To make the tobacco juice I fill an old nylon stocking with 3 to 4 teaspoons of chewing tobacco and steep in a gallon of boiling water until a nice rich brown color or overnight.

I use an old milk gallon to keep this juice ready to mix. I have even added quite a few dashes of tabasco to the soap, tobacco juice, mouthwash mixture. Place in a hose end sprayer and soak plants and leaves. These mixtures don't smell pretty, but they do work!!! The mixture used every 4 to 6 weeks adds a nice shine to my perennial leaves and flowers and helps to perk up my garden from the start of Spring right through the end of Summer. Enjoy!

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden."-- Thomas Jefferson







THRIFT STORE FINDS....

I love a good bargain and these containers are adorable! Generally, these types of metal containers cost me around 49 cents a piece at my local thrift store. They're perfect for storing sewing supplies or buttons, holding writing utensils, children's items, or cell phone cords. I usually look for bright colorful designs with a lid to add interest to any room. These containers come in many sizes and shapes to mix and match with any decor. Please check out your local thrift shops for ways you can encorporate these containers into your home or office!

Painting Concrete With A Concrete Stain

Who likes a boring patio? My gray patio looked dull and did not accentuate the exterior color scheme of my home...so I decided to change it. After a lot of trials...the best product was H&C Silicone Acrylic Concrete Sealer. This product has many color options, the three colors I used were Aztec Sand (HC 136) for the all over background color (2 coats), Terracotta Orange (HC159), and Terra Cotta (HC167) for the "stones".

STEP 1: Clean the patio. Sweep it! Clean it! Rinse it! I used bleach water and an old scrub brush and tried to remove any stains or dirt and rinsed with the garden hose and let dry. A power washer would work well too.

STEP 2: With a long handle roller, apply the background color. Since I was using a light background color I applied 2 coats. Follow directions regarding drying time in between coats.

STEP 3: I chose to encorporate a center medallion and blocked that first. I didn't use a template, I did it all by eye and freehand. I first painted all the large stones that would act as anchor stones. I alternated between the 2 colors and painted each stone by hand allowing space in between each faux stone. Switch up sizes and shapes and have fun with it!

STEP 4: H&C also makes an etching solution to use after all the painting is done. I live in Wisconsin and winters can be brutal on this surface. I would recommend putting on a minimum of 3 coats and use the etching additive so the surface is not too smooth. I clean the patio every spring and add another coat of sealer.

TIPS: Please don't skip the last step! After all the hard work of painting the patio, the LAST thing you want is flaking, chipping, and peeling. DO NOT put sidewalk salt on the painted patio...I learned that the hard way. Do not use a power washer on the patio after it's been painted! Due to traffic volume, toys, pets, and outdoor furniture, realize that the patio will not stay "perfect" for long. Accept the little scrapes and dirt that will accumulate and add to it's texture and look of authenticity.

Thursday, August 4th

I am in love with every aspect of my home and garden. Since this is my first blog (and I'm still learning by the way) I just want to say welcome. I have completed many projects around my home and I've had many successes but also some failures. I want to share all of my experiences, trials, and tribulations and hopefully motivate others to love their home both inside and out.