Jourdan Cole, a rising star in the world of journalism, has joined Garden Media Group as an assistant account executive. Cole brings a wealth of award-winning writing experience and national recognition to GMG.
Before joining Garden Media, Cole was edited and oversaw the production of 25 monthly community magazines. She managed a team of writers and interfaced with community leaders across the country.
While studying at Penn State University, Cole wrote and edited for The Daily Collegian. She received both the national and regional Mark of Excellence Awards for editorial writing by the Society of Professional Journalists.
This week is all about bringing the flowers indoors and never having to worry about them wilting. We all have an appreciation of the beauty they provide us outdoors but their life is limited once we put them in a vase.
The Floral Art Home Collection by Jennifer McGarigle is aiming to change the way we use flowers in our furnishings. Her line ranges from furniture, vases, art & accessories. There is a product for every taste.
At Floral Art we're surrounded everyday by the allure and beauty of fresh flowers. It's an experience that's inspired our signature aesthetic, clean, modern lines infused with imagination and elegance. Now, Floral Art Home brings this compelling sensibility to a new line of home furnishings -- the Floral Art Home Collection by Jennifer McGarigle. With the essence of nature reflected in each piece, we hope the Floral Art Home Collection enhances your everyday life with the radiance and enchantment that surrounds us in ours.
Check out the short video below about Jennifer and her inspiration!
How gorgeous are those chairs! You can get one in almost every flower!
Here at the Garden Media Group spotting green living trends that include hot new plants and products for your lawn and garden and green lifestyle is our passion.
In the last of our 3-part series of GMG's Garden Trends for 2012 Report: Cultivate the New Good Life with the Power of Plants, we've identified Water-Watchers and Seedlings as important trends that are coming on strong.
Water-Watchers. According to Dr. Charlie Hall, professor of horticulture at Texas A&M University, "There is no single issue greater than water."
Drought and regional water restrictions are causing us to grow plants, flowers and vegetables that require less water.
Beneficial soil amendments like the new Soil Reef Biochar are considered by many scientists to be like a "coral reef" for soil. Its high carbon content and porous nature help retain water and nutrients, saving gardeners time and money.
New Bloomtastic! plants from Hines Growers use EcoCover mulch discs to help save water and reduce weeds. Look for their new bougainvillea and Bougainvillea Patio Trees that are drought tolerant and give vibrant multi-colored flowers for your patio, deck and porch all summer long.
Seedlings. From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are learning how to grow their own food and take care of the planet. Suzi McCoy, our chief trendspotter and garden expert says the popularity of miniature gardens is "ideal for kids and the young at heart to share the whimsical world of plants and appreciate the joy of gardening."
Share what you see trending on the horizon. We'd love to hear from you!
So this week's Friday Find is all about planning! I decided to expand our veggie garden from last year and knew I needed a plan...so I started looking for anything that could help me organize all my hopes and dreams in one place...and this very cool and incredibly useful tool found its way to me!
...As each crop is added, the app automatically spaces the plants and calculates how many you can fit into the area you specify. The Grow Planner is flexible, too, enabling you to add plants in traditional rows, blocks, raised beds or using the square-foot gardening method, whatever the size or shape of your beds. And with the flexibility and mobility of the iPad, you can plan or add notes about your crops while out in the garden or while relaxing at home.
Grow Planner uses an extensive database of over 140 plants and nearly 5,000 weather stations across the United States and Canada to calculate recommended planting times for your ZIP code. Link it to an online account and you can receive planting reminders for your own crops delivered by email twice a month.
With the Grow Planner app, you can browse catalogs from several major seed suppliers, add your own varieties and even customize the spacing and planting dates for each crop. The app includes information on how to grow each vegetable, fruit and herb. It also provides bonus gardening content from MOTHER EARTH NEWS, including information on garden pest control, maximizing your harvest, designing your garden with permanent beds and paths, controlling weeds, and more. At the touch of a button you can quickly share plans with friends and family by email or on popular social networks...
So...your choice...will you just plant and hope for the best or PLAN and reap the benefits!
I came across a very cool product for the very FIRST GMG Friday Find! Edible Flowers Garden Bon Bons (I love the Bon Bons part!) by Moulton! These garden truffles are for planting - not for eating!
From the Moulton website...Seed balls are a centuries-old planting technique. The compost provides nutrients to the seeds and the clay holds it together and protects against insects. Find a sunny spot, toss into the garden or indoor container, add water and watch them grow!
Not to mention they come beautifully packaged. This Edible Flowers selection pictured above contains anise hyssop, calendula, nasturtiums and violas.
Garden Bon Bon descriptions:
Round Red Clay Truffle - Viola 'Helen Mount'/Viola tricolor. Heirloom purple, yellow and white blossoms. For garnishes, candying and salads. 5"-7" tall. Red Clay Truffle rolled in cinnamon - Calendula/Calendula officinalis. Bright orange heirloom flowers. Teas, salads and soups. Peppery. 12"24"tall. Red Clay Brownie Square - Anise Hyssop/Agastache foeniculum. Licorice-mint flavor. Blue flowers and leaves for teas, salads and garnishes. 24"-36" Tall. White Clay Truffle - Nasturtium/Tropaeolum majus. Peppery red, orange and yellow flowers for salads, soups and garnish. 14"16" tall.
A great gift for your favorite gardener...Valentine's Day is coming up...But don't forget the REAL chocolate too! (And please don't get them confused!)
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