GMG's Friday Find: To Label or not to Label?

Today's Friday Find is from a 'find' I discovered in my very own landscape. A very old plant label...probably been there about 25 years revealed itself while my husband was trimming the bushes in our front yard. I was shocked to see that it had held up pretty well and turned out to be very helpful in educating us about the plant he was feverishly cutting back.

Well, it got me thinking about different ways that we can identify our plants not only for our own lack of recall but for anyone who might inquire. So I searched and these are the few I thought were cute and worthy of mentioning...

I though this was brilliant. You can use a 'natural' stone and write the names of your plants on them or stencil it on. The stones can be of any size and I bet you can find some great stones already in your yard or on a good nature walk! Definitely a fun project...great for all you creative people out there! Buy these Stone Plant Labels here...

I thought these were just cute enough without being intrusive in the landscape. Simple but charming. Buy these Herb & Vegetable Hanging Labels here...

And I couldn't resist these spoons. I found them on Etsy and I could sure see myself using these! Buy these Antique Spoon Herb Markers here...

How do you mark your plants in the garden and landscape?

-Karen
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: Ain't that Swell!

This week's Friday Find is going to keep all of us well-hydrated and very cool! Yesterday after work I got into my car after it had been closed up tight all day and found my water bottle had heated my water to very nice temperature...if I wanted to thaw ice. I was not looking for warm water but for a nice cool drink. That is how today's Friday find happened...

S'well Water Bottle

The description from their website...
The water bottle, re-imagined. Re-engineered. With a stylist. A bulky camping canteen no longer, now a sleek, portable hydration vessel. Not only providing liquids on the go, also a gleaming fashion accessory. All this while saving the planet from plastic waste and providing clean water to those in need.

S’well bottles are elegant and useful. Portable and chic. Double walled, insulated construction allows beverages stay hot for 12 hours or cold for 24. Constructed of the highest quality stainless steel (18/8 food grade), these bottles are non leaching, toxin free, virtually unbreakable, yet lightweight, with a wide mouth to allow for easy cleaning, adding ice cubes and most of all, enjoyable drinking.

Every bottle is non-toxic, non-leaching and BPA free. Plus 10% of sales go to WaterAid, which helps build safe, sustainable water sources for people in Asia and Africa.

This is definitely a great gift for any gardener who spends long hours in the hot sun and is need of a cool one!

-Karen

Garden Media Group       

GMG's Friday Find: One potato, Two potato...

Today I found a VERY simple way to grow potatoes! In something we all already own...a trash bag. Check out this very easy 5-step process (which includes harvesting) to great home grown goodness.

Step 1: Prepare the Seed Potatoes

About a week before planting, place seed potatoes in a warm spot. When the sprouts that form are about 1/4" to 1/2" long, the potatoes are almost ready to plant. Cut large seed potatoes into chunks about 2" wide. Each piece should have at least two sprouts. After cutting the seed potatoes, let them sit at room temperature for two or three days.

Step 2: Prepare the Bag

Use a pair of scissors to cut several drainage holes in the bottom of a 30-gallon black plastic trash bag. Roll down the sides of the bag and fill about one-third of the way up with potting soil. Place the bag in an area of the garden that receives full sun.

Step 3: Plant the Potatoes

Dust the seed potatoes with agricultural sulfur to protect against fungal diseases. Plant the seed potatoes by burying them, eyes pointed up, about 2" deep in the soil. Water well.

Step 4: Add More Soil

When the potato plants get about 6" to 8" tall, it is time to add more soil and straw to the bag. Add enough soil so that just the top few leaves poke through the dirt. As the potato plants grow, continue to unroll the bag and add more soil. Keep the potatoes well watered but not soggy.

Step 5: Harvest the Potatoes

One clue that the potatoes are almost ready to harvest is that the leaves will yellow and the foliage will die back. At this point stop watering and leave the potatoes alone for two or three weeks so that their skins toughen up. To harvest, slit open the side of the bag to release the potatoes.
How easy is that? I'm definitely trying this DIY project! Have any of you ever done this? How did it work out for you? Let me know.

-Karen
Garden Media Group