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The 4 Best Flowers for Libra and What They Mean

Libras are the diplomats and mediators of the zodiac. They need flowers that represent their empathetic and gentle personalities while also encouraging inner growth. Here are the four best flowers for Libras and their meanings.

Born between September 23rd and October 22nd? Then you’re a Libra! Ruled by the planet Venus, Libra is represented by the scales and the element of air. Your mantra is “I relate.”

The diplomats of the Zodiac, Libras serve as mediators and negotiators during a crisis. When a challenge arises, you want to smooth out the differences between people so everyone can go back to enjoying life. You work hard to ensure that everyone is included in groups. But when you take this strength too far, you don’t stand up for your own interests. You’re known for hiding your feelings (which leads to resentment) and indulging in pleasures instead of facing up to problems.

Dear Libra, you need flowers that represent your best qualities while also encouraging inner growth. The best flowers for you are hydrangeas, roses, bluebells, and gardenias.

4 Libra Birth Flowers and Their Meanings

Hydrangea for Empathy

Hydrangeas symbolise heartfelt sincerity as well as the giver’s gratefulness for the recipient’s understanding nature. This perfectly captures a Libra’s empathetic personality.

Except for white hydrangeas, the colour of hydrangea flowers depends on the acidity of the soil, just as a Libra’s opinions can vary based on the feelings and opinions of the surrounding people.

The hydrangea shrub produces a lot of flowers but very little seed. When you always put other people’s feelings ahead of you, you feel stifled and seek to treat that with pleasure rather than risking confrontation. It may be difficult, but speaking up for yourself can create a beautiful new group balance, just as the seeds can grow a beautiful new bush.

If you want to bring this flower into your garden, plant a hydrangea shrub! They’re tolerant of pretty much any growing situation as long as they are grown in part sun. They tolerate any soil type and even grow well in containers.

Since hydrangea blossom clusters are top-heavy, either go with a vase with a small lip to prevent them from toppling or criss-cross a wider vase with tape into a grid where the grid prevents the stems from moving.

Rose for Love

Depending on the colour, roses represent a spectrum of love from platonic admiration and respect, to romantic, to grieving loved ones. And you, dear Libra, are a people person at heart. Whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, you love to be around others, especially when they’re very different from you. Other people may question how such different people can be friends, and part of that secret is you.

While roses have a reputation for being difficult to grow, they’re actually pretty easy, unless you wish to compete in flower shows. They love full sun and well-draining soil. You can even grow a dwarf rosebush inside.

Roses are versatile in flower arrangements. You can go as simple as a single rose, to a bouquet of roses with baby’s breath, or use them as a focal point with a variety of other flowers.

Bluebell for Humility

For the Victorians, bluebells meant humility. The bell-shaped blossom bows down from the stem. As a Libra, you’re all about listening to others. Instead of sticking blindly to your own opinion, you seek to understand where others are coming from. When you’re in a diverse group (which you are sure to be found in), you’re the one who translates each person’s point of view into something everyone can understand.

The signature colour of bluebells is light blue which just happens to be one of Libra’s colours.

If you have a woodland-type or English garden, bluebells are a magical addition. Plant the bulbs once (in clumps for best effect) and they’ll keep coming up for years.

Bluebell bouquets have a cottage charm to them. Use foliage to add more green and contrast to the blue or violet of the dainty flowers.

Gardenia for Gentleness

While both white and red gardenias represent love and trust, the white gardenia represents the purity and gentleness that you bring to a relationship. They convey peace and harmony, and if there’s one word Libras seek, it’s harmony.

They can also represent clarity, both for better or worse. You end conflicts between opposing perspectives by bringing clarity to each other’s thoughts. But sometimes, that clarity can mean that you know more than you need to know.

Gardenia shrubs are tricky to grow since they prefer acidic soil and a tropical climate without too much direct sun. They don’t like to be transplanted either. If you live in a hardiness zone colder than Zone 7, grow them indoors in pots.

Stemmed gardenias add a fragrant addition to your bouquets. Gardenias last longer in a flower arrangement when they have a long stem.

Hydrangea, rose, bluebell, and gardenia — celebrate your Zodiac sign by growing them in your garden, or gift a bouquet of them to your favourite Libra.

How to Set Up an Indoor Terrarium in Ten Easy Steps

It’s possible to make terrariums from a variety of plants and container styles. There’s no limit to how creative you can be, but following these steps will ensure you get the right start.

If you love the idea of gardening but don’t have much of a green thumb, then an indoor terrarium may offer the perfect solution. These small-scale setups make it possible to enjoy a variety of houseplants within a cute space that’s easy to customize.

While a well-established terrarium may look intimidating, they are surprisingly easy to put together. Here’s are ten steps to help you put together the perfect terrarium.

1. Choose the Best Plants

The success of your terrarium depends on choosing the right plants to put within it. Look for species that can tolerate humidity, such as African violets, baby’s tears, spider fern, creeping figs, guppy plants, earth stars, and most varieties of mosses.

Ideally, you want small, slow-growing plants that won’t overcrowd the terrarium. If you’re using an open container, then it’s possible to add cacti and succulents to the growing space.

2. Gather Supplies

Grab the right tools before assembling your terrarium. Here’s what you need:

A transparent vessel with plenty of planting space
Activated charcoal
Small stones or aquarium gravel
Potting soil
Enough plants to fill the terrarium without crowding it
Small gardening tools for mixing and scooping soil
A watering can with a long pour spout
Enough sheet moss to blanket the growing space
Any non-living décor you desire

Note: Glass is the popular option but plastic tends to be lighter and more durable

3. Build the Foundation

The first assembly step for a DIY terrarium is to place about two inches (5 cm) of charcoal at the base of the container. This promotes drainage, so roots don’t get too damp while removing toxins and odors from the container. You can top this with a layer of rocks or aquarium gravel.

4. Combine The Components and Build a Second Layer

Combine more charcoal with your soil and blend them. Add this mixture to the container until it’s between one-fourth and one-third full.

5. Add Plants and More Soil

Remove your plants from their containers and position them in the terrarium on top of the soil. Make sure there’s enough room between each one for extra soil. Gently pack in a few more handfuls around the plants until they are secured.

6. Press Out Any Air Pockets

Using your fingers, press around each plant until you pack the soil in and around the plants and remove any air pockets. You can gently tap the terrarium on a hard surface until the soil settles.

7. Top Dress with Moss and Décor

Once your plants are in place, it’s time to position moss on top of the soil. The moss works to absorb excess moisture and minimize odors while pulling different design elements together for a lush look. If desired, you can also add non-living decorations within the terrarium, such as rocks, structures, or small figurines. This is the stage to be creative, so don’t limit yourself.

Pay attention to how the terrarium will look from different perspectives. You’ll want to set up the design differently if it will be visible from all sides instead of just one angle.

8. Add Water

It’s now time to water everything in place. Use a watering can to gently moisten the soil, stopping once it feels wet to the touch. The amount of watering necessary going forward depends on your setup. Plants in a closed terrarium need less frequent watering than those with an open top. Always test the soil for moisture before adding more water.

It’s also a good idea to lightly mist your terrarium plants every few days to keep them hydrated.

9. Place Under Indirect Light

Think carefully about your terrarium’s location. While the plants need light to survive, putting them under direct sunlight can quickly cook them because the glass will magnify the light’s intensity. For this reason, it’s best to be cautious about putting your plants under a south or east-facing window.

Ideally, a terrarium should be placed where condensation collects on the glass sides. If this doesn’t happen, you need either more water or more light exposure.

10. Perform Maintenance as Necessary

Once established, terrariums require minimal maintenance. You may need to trim off the leggy stems of some plants and remove any dead leaves and other debris, so they don’t lead to fungal or bacterial infections. The moss requires occasional trimming to keep its length under control.

If you have a closed terrarium, it’s essential to ventilate it for a few hours every two weeks. This allows stale air to escape to keep things fresh.

Setting up a terrarium takes time, but doing it right will reward you with healthy plants and a beautiful display. Just be warned—you’ll likely find that setting up an indoor terrarium is addicting and may soon find yourself with more than you anticipated.

Flower of the Week: Oriental Lily

Flower of the Week Oriental Lily

The flowers of oriental lily, with their large petals, strong fragrance, and rich color, bloom enduringly through summer and are one of the world’s most renowned cut flowers. They are also widely applauded among gardeners.

Plant just a few bulbs of oriental lily and you’ll have an amazing garden to harvest. You can plant it next to a gazebo or patio and enjoy the flowers’ scent as you cool off during summer evenings. It’s important to note that oriental lily is toxic to cats and need to be grown with care by those who have cats at home.

Oriental Lily's Families

The members of the lily family are inextricably related, and oriental lily is the offspring of multiple lily hybrids. It continues to hybridize with other lilies, constantly adding new members to the family.

Red Japanese Lily

Red Japanese Lily (Lilium speciosum) has pendulous, reflexed, undulate-margined flowers and is one of the parents of oriental lily (meaning Lilium speciosum hybridized with other lilies to produce oriental lily).

Lilium speciosum

Golden-rayed lily

Golden-rayed lily (L. auratum)’s flowers are huge and have a strong fragrance as well as yellow streaks and orange spots on the petals. It is also one of the parents of oriental lily, from which many important features of oriental lily are derived.

Lilium auratum

Trumpet Lily

Trumpet lily (L. longiflorum) has trumpet-like flowers that are slightly drooping and fragrant. Like the oriental lily, it’s also the offspring of multiple lily hybridizations.

Lilium longiflorum

Orienpet Lily

Orienpet lily is the offspring of an oriental lily and trumpet lily hybridization, combining the beautiful look of oriental lily with trumpet lily’s resistance to undesirable environments. Orienpet lily also has a charming scent and is very popular.

In addition to these, there are Martagon Lily (L. martagon), which resembles a Turkish hat, Asiatic lily, which is the easiest to cultivate, and Tiger Lily (L. tigrinum), which has brown spots on its orange petals, to name a few.

Lilium tigrinum

Nature gave birth to colorful lilies, and through constant hybridization, horticulturists have cultivated even more gorgeous varieties, growing the family and providing more choices and beauty for people to enjoy.

Lilies in Religions

White lily has historically been a symbol of purity. It appears in many medieval portraits of the Virgin Mary because it has neither stamens nor pistils, representing the absence of any impure thoughts associated with sex.

Tiziano Vecellio (1535), Annunciation

The most iconic theme of such portraits is Annunciation, wherein Gabriel informs the Blessed Virgin Mary that she will conceive and give birth to the Son of God, Jesus. Gabriel is often depicted in the paintings holding white lilies.

How do I Grow Oriental Lily Well?

Oriental lily is easy to care for; simply meet its requirements for light and water, and it will fully bloom in your garden.

Oriental lily is suitable for planting in early spring or fall. It likes ample light and can tolerate proper shade. It can be planted in a well-lit spot in the garden. It prefers moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil and cannot grow in alkaline soil. It has a great need for moisture, so avoid dry soil in daily care. After flowering, you can cut back wilted flowers to reduce nutrient consumption.

Size: 30-120 cm (1-4 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9

Light: Full sun to half sun

Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic

Bloom time: Summer

How to Move Herbs Indoors for Overwintering

Protect your herbs from freezing temperatures by moving them inside to overwinter. This will keep them alive for another growing season and give you access to fresh herbs all winter as well. Follow these steps for success.

Cooler weather might mean the end of the gardening season, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on all your outdoor plants. It’s possible to bring many of your kitchen herbs indoors to protect them from freezing temperatures.

Not only will many varieties continue to produce over the winter, but they will be ready to go back outdoors by spring for another successful growing season.

Here’s how to move your herbs indoors for overwintering success.

Which Herbs Should Be Moved Indoors?

Not all herbs need to come indoors for the winter. Hardy plants like lavender, sage, and thyme do fine outdoors in chilly weather. Likewise, annuals like dill and cilantro end their productive lifespan in late summer, so there’s no reason to protect them through the winter.

In some cases, bringing herbs inside can be harmful to the plants. For example, semi-tropical perennials like lemongrass, ginger, and lemon verbena must be protected from the elements in place and shouldn’t be relocated.

Furthermore, herbs with woody stems like sage are challenging to dig up and might do best when planted in containers that you can move indoors when necessary.

Focus on herbs that need to come indoors and are unlikely to be harmed during the transition. Some of the best herbs to move indoors for the winter include chives, basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, and mint.

Six Steps for Moving Herbs Indoors

Moving your herbs indoors for the winter is straightforward, so long as you follow these steps for success.

1. Inspect Your Plants for Insects

Once you’ve determined which plants you plan to bring indoors to overwinter, it’s important to look them over for any signs of insects and other pests. Look on the undersides of every leaf and brush off any bugs so they don’t hitchhike into your house. Consider rinsing off the foliage with water from your garden hose to scare off any you might have missed.

2. Dig Up the Roots

Once you’re sure the plants are insect-free, you can start to dig them up. Choose a day when the weather is still warm enough for the plants to stay outdoors in pots, and carefully dig up the entire plant, shaking the dirt from the roots in the process.

You can plan to pot the plant as is or slice off sections of roots and foliage large enough to fill about half of the pots you’ve chosen. This ensures there’s plenty of space for growth over the winter. Many perennials, such as oregano, marjoram, and thyme, grow in clumps that can be divided into smaller plants.

3. Pot Them Up

Start the potting process by adding a layer of high-quality potting mix to the bottom of each pot. Set the plant on top and fill in the spaces around the roots with additional potting soil until an inch from the rim of the pot. Make sure to press the soil down firmly to remove air pockets.

The transplanting process is trickier for plants that have long taproots, such as parsley. Dig a deeper hole around the herb to get as much of the taproot as possible, and re-pot in a large container where the roots aren’t close to touching the sides.

Once planted, water each pot until water drains from the bottom holes. Leave the plants in pots outdoors for at least another week to ensure they don’t go into shock from the transition to indoor temperatures.

4. Help Herbs Adjust to Your Home

Now it’s time to bring the herbs indoors. Ease them into life in your home by putting them in indirect light at first. After a few weeks, you can move the pots to sunny spots with at least four hours of direct sunlight per day.

Note: If you don’t have south-facing windows, consider putting the herbs under a grow light setup.

5. Give Your Plants Some Pampering

Monitor your plants over the upcoming months to ensure they are getting the nutrients and sunlight they need.

Water the soil whenever it feels dry to a depth of one inch, and turn the pots once weekly to ensure all sides get adequate sun exposure. It’s also smart to mist the leaves daily to maintain proper humidity and rinse the foliage with water when it seems dusty to deter any pests.

You can further boost the humidity by placing the pots in a tray filled with pebbles. Any excess water will overflow into the tray and keep moisture around the plant.

6. Take Cuttings for Cooking

The best part of bringing herbs indoors to overwinter is the easy access you have for cooking with them. Soft-stemmed herbs like basil and mint respond well to regular cuttings. In fact, they encourage the plants to grow bigger and bushier.

Simply use kitchen shears to snip off as much as you need for your recipe, ensuring you never take more than a quarter of the plant at a time. Let it recover for a few days before harvesting again.

Bring Herbs Indoors for a Longer Growing Season!

With some time and preparation, you can bring your vulnerable herbs indoors for the winter and continue harvesting from them months past the first fall frost date.

Follow this guide to ensure your plants have an easy transition into indoor life, and you’ll benefit from fresh bounty for weeks to come.

Tips for Growing Citrus Trees in Containers

Growing your own citrus trees is a great way to have an unlimited supply of citrus fruits. However, trees grown in containers require more support than those planted in the ground. Here is everything you need to know about growing citrus trees in containers.

Growing citrus trees is not only highly decorative, but also a great way to get some tasty citrus fruits without living in a specific climate or having a backyard. However, citrus trees grown in containers require more support than those planted in the ground. There are many factors to consider when growing citrus trees in containers. They include:

Growing citrus trees in containers and indoors can be rewarding. However, it’s crucial to pay attention to these important factors. Here is an essential guide to help you successfully grow citrus trees in containers.

Choosing the Right Citrus Tree

Not all citrus fruit trees will grow well in containers. You want to choose a tree that won’t outgrow its container easily and will survive indoor conditions. Here are some citrus trees that grow well in containers:

Each type of citrus comes in hundreds of varieties. Some will do better in containers than others. Dwarf varieties are recommended as they won’t grow too large or quickly outgrow their containers. Do some research or go to your local garden center to see which local varieties will thrive in an indoor container.

Finding the Perfect Container Size

Once you’ve chosen which tree to plant, you need to get an appropriate container. The best container size will depend on the size of the tree. Therefore, you want to hold off buying a container until you’ve decided which tree to grow.

You want to make sure that the container is big enough to allow some growth but isn’t enormous. Since citrus trees can grow to be quite large, you may be tempted to buy an enormous container. However, a large container with too much soil can cause problems, especially with watering. All that wet soil will be too much for your young plant, and it may die from overwatering.

Though it may be annoying, repotting every one or two years is a necessity for citrus trees. Make sure to find the appropriate size container for what it needs now to prevent any problems in the future.

Watering Your Citrus Trees

Citrus trees require moist, but not wet, soil to thrive in. You should water your citrus trees thoroughly once the soil is almost dry. If you water more frequently, you will put your tree at risk of overwatering. Do not allow the citrus trees to sit in water or completely dry out.

Invest in a moisture meter if you don’t know when to water your trees or simply forget often. This will let you know when the soil is dry and when your tree needs to be watered.

Signs of Underwatering

Underwatering your container citrus trees is less common and less serious than overwatering. However, underwatering will eventually kill your citrus trees so you don’t want to neglect them.

Luckily, the signs of underwatering are easy to spot. These signs include:

Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering is a much more common issue for citrus trees. The soil and tree must dry out in between watering.

One factor that contributes to overwatering is standing water in the container’s saucer. If your citrus tree sits in standing water for more than twelve hours, mold and root rot may develop. Drain your saucer of any excess water frequently to avoid this.

Signs that your citrus tree is overwatered include:

The Perfect Water Temperature

Don’t shock your poor tree with either icy or steaming hot water. When watering, make sure the water is at room temperature. If you need to, allow the water to sit overnight so that it can reach room temperature.

Don't Forget about Drainage

Citrus trees require a lot of drainage. Not only does the container need holes for the excess water to escape, but the soil must be a well-draining mixture. One trick to improve drainage is adding bark mulch to the soil mix. Having a mix that contains one part wood bits and two parts soil creates perfect drainage conditions and keeps your citrus happy. Natural cedar bark or orchid bark are great options to add to your potting soil.

Signs of poor drainage are similar to signs of overwatering. They include:

The Ideal Amount of Sunlight

Citrus trees need between six and ten hours of light to produce the best fruits. This light can either come from the sun or from grow lights. It is best to place your citrus trees in a sunny room, nearby either a south or west-facing window.

Some signs that your citrus tree is not getting enough light include:

The Ideal Temperatures

Though container citrus trees can be grown indoors or outdoors, those in colder climates will need to keep their trees indoors for parts of the year. Citrus trees are from tropical regions and thrive in temperatures between 50 and 80°F (10 to 27°C).

However, while outdoor citrus trees become dormant in cooler months, they may keep growing and producing fruit all year round if placed indoors. Keep this in mind if you keep your trees indoors for either all or part of the year.

Fertilizing Your Citrus Trees

Citrus trees in containers require more fertilizer than citrus trees planted in the ground. Add fertilizer with a high nitrogen content about once a month during the spring and summer. This will help your tree really grow and produce abundant fruit.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

If you skip the fertilizer, your trees may become nutrient-deficient. However, signs of deficiency are diverse and depend on the exact nutrient that your tree is deficient in. Some signs of nutrient deficiency include:

If your tree is getting the right amount of nutrients, the foliage should be completely green and stay on the branches. If this is not the case, and you are not using fertilizer, your tree may be deficient in some nutrients.

Signs of Over Fertilization

However, you need to be sure not to over-fertilize your container citrus trees. Applying too much fertilizer can lead to burned plants, especially if using synthetic fertilizers. Signs of over-fertilizing include:

Growing citrus trees in containers can be fun and rewarding. Just make sure to follow these tips to ensure your citrus trees thrive. With a little love and care, you will have happy trees that produce abundant and delicious citrus fruits.

Creating a Firepit Area to Enjoy on Fall Evenings

These tips will show you how to build a fantastic firepit that’s perfect for a cool fall evening.

There are countless ways to enjoy your outdoor living spaces. But one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time outside is around a firepit on a cool fall evening. If such a scene sounds nice and cozy to you, read through these tips to create a fantastic firepit area in your yard that will be perfect for the occasion.

Find a Fire-Safe Area

If the allure of sitting by an outdoor firepit at night calls to you, the first thing to consider is safety. A fire that burns in an unsafe manner or area is a serious concern. In little time at all, a fire can become unmanageable and incredibly dangerous. With that threat in mind, it is paramount that you select a fire-safe area for your fire pit.

Look for an Open Space

You should choose a place that has plenty of open space without objects that will crowd the fire while it burns. With fewer objects like trees and bushes around, it becomes less likely that fire will make contact with something that could begin to burn. The openness of the space you select will also make it easier to move around your firepit once it is built.

Clear the Air Above the Fire

What is above and below your firepit is also critical. It’s best to keep the space above your firepit clear. A tree canopy or other overhead structure can catch fire as sparks rise from the firepit. That is why you should avoid putting your firepit in any area with objects above it.

Use the Right Ground Material

The ground itself is another important safety consideration for your firepit. Often, it is best to set your firepit in a hardscape area like a stone or concrete patio. That material is unlikely to catch fire the way plants like grass or other ground cover would. While it is possible to have a firepit on a lawn, avoiding such an area makes it less likely that an accident will occur.

Buy or Build a Firepit

After dealing with safety concerns, it is time to incorporate the most essential element of any firepit area: the firepit itself. There are several ways you can go about building a firepit. Here are some of the most reliable options:

Some builders will set a firepit into the ground in the center of a patio. Or they may build a firepit structure that rises above ground level. Either way, it is usually best to hire a professional contractor to construct one of these firepits.

A quicker and easier way to add a firepit to your yard is to purchase a free-standing firepit. Free-standing firepits are widely available and typically come with a few simple assembly steps. Once you have set up your firepit, you’ll be able to move it easily as you please. This flexibility and ease of construction are the main advantages of purchasing a free-standing firepit rather than having one built.

Arrange Moveable Seating around Your Firepit

With your firepit set in a safe location, you can proceed to finding some suitable outdoor furniture for the area. Seating should be one of your first priorities at this stage. A comfortable seating arrangement will allow you and your guests to spend fall evenings by the fire for hours on end. For the best outcome, try to select seating that:

Comfort is a critical factor. But what is equally important is that your seating should be moveable. Anyone who has spent time by a fire knows that not all fires are alike. While some are large and roaring with heat, others are as small as a few glowing embers. Depending on how hot your fire is, or the direction of the wind, your guests may want to move closer or further away from the heat and smoke. Moveable seats will allow them to do so.

Add Outdoor Tables or Counter Space

It can be helpful to have a few tables or some other form of counter space near your firepit. As you likely know, one of the most exciting firepit activities is roasting marshmallows for s’mores. But doing so can be a cumbersome task if you don’t have a surface to work on. The same is true if you are enjoying drinks or any other type of food while you watch the fire.

Some small tables can go a long way in making your firepit area that much more comfortable. Thankfully, there are many ways you can create some useful outdoor counter space, including finding small tables to purchase online or in a vintage store.

Consider Some Additional Lighting

You might imagine that the fire from your firepit will provide more than enough light on a fall evening, but that is not always the case. Our final tip to you is to consider adding some additional lighting to your firepit space. Here are some of the most popular lighting options for a firepit area:

The style of lighting you choose is up to you. But regardless of your selection, additional light will increase visibility on the darkest nights, making your firepit area much safer and more enjoyable. Additionally, some tasteful landscape lighting can also enhance the mood and experience of using your firepit on a cool fall evening.

An Introduction to Tamiami International Orchid Festival

Whether you’re in the floral industry or just someone who likes orchids, you’ll want to check out the Tamiami International Orchid Festival, which is the largest orchid event in the United States.

Humans have long admired orchids for their beauty and refined elegance. Orchids grow in almost every habitat and can even be found above the Arctic Circle. While these flowers have been popular since the 19th century, it wasn’t until the 1990s that they became a common and popular houseplant. Currently, there are almost 30,000 different species of orchids, with more popping up every year.

Since 2004, the Tamiami International Orchid Festival has celebrated the beauty and diversity of orchids. It is a wonderful event for all who love these gorgeous flowers. Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the floral industry or a home gardener, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Tamiami Orchid Festival Basics

The Tamiami Orchid Festival is held every year on the first weekend in October. For 2021, the event is located at the Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Florida.

For those interested in attending, you can purchase tickets in advance for a discounted price. Tickets range in price depending on how many days you attend and whether you buy tickets in advance or not. Make sure to check out the website for more information. Unfortunately, all ticket sales are final, so you won’t get a refund if you can’t make it.

If you’re short on cash, you can volunteer and get free admission for the entire weekend. While you will have to work a few hours a day, it’s a great way to see the festival without breaking the bank. Plus, you’ll connect with other volunteers who are just as enamored with orchids as you are.

Things to Do at Tamiami Orchid Festival

As the name suggests, the festival is all about orchids. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to see rare orchids and purchase them for your home or garden. There are over 90 vendors so you’re bound to find something you like.

If you plan on bringing the orchids you bought to another country, you can easily get the appropriate documentation at the festival. The USDA will be on-site to provide CITES documentation for a fee.

If you want to get more in-depth information, the festival also offers a variety of orchid-related lectures that come free with the price of admission. These classes cover a range of topics such as:

Orchid insect and pest control
Basic orchid care
Preventing and controlling diseases
Repotting orchids
Starting a nursery business
And much more!

These lectures are a perfect opportunity to meet other orchid enthusiasts and learn the best way to care for your plants.

The festival is an excellent place for professionals in the floral industry to network with vendors, other professionals, and customers. For best results, you can purchase a booth yourself at the festival as you’ll be able to meet wholesale and home buyers at the same time. It will cost you a bit up front, but it will be worth it for the connections alone.

What to Do Beyond the Festival

The festival is located in Homestead, which is a city within Miami-Dade County. By car, it is around 42 minutes from Miami, so you won’t have to travel far to enjoy a bit of that Miami nightlife. Miami is full of delicious restaurants, great bars, and, of course, Miami Beach if you want to catch some rays.

If you don’t want to travel far, there’s a lot to do in Homestead as well. Some great sightseeing options include:

Coral Castle - referred to as the Modern Megalith, Coral Castle boasts a nine-ton hand-carved gate that many consider to be one of the wonders of the world. It also features a Polaris telescope and the world’s only sundial with seasons.
Schnebly Redland’s Winery - Try unique wine and beer crafted from exotic tropical fruits. The winery offers daily tastings and tours every weekend.
Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge - If you’re more into nature, this refuge is a great place to visit, especially if you have children. You can take a behind-the-scenes tour and feed and interact with the animals.

Conclusion

The Tamiami Orchid Festival is a must-attend event for all orchid enthusiasts. It offers the widest variety of orchids available on the market for affordable prices. But, more importantly, you get to meet other orchid lovers like yourself!

Flower of the Week: Cosmos

Native to Mexico, cosmos is a member of the Compositae family. With slender foliage and lovely, vibrant flowers, it’s often planted along streets, highways, and railroads, and can grow in fields or flower gardens to bring beauty to the landscape. You can also harvest it as a cut flower to decorate your room or give to a loved one.

Cosmos flowers attract many pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies, which go on to pollinate neighboring plants.

Colorful Cosmos

Cosmos are beautiful and easy to grow, so they are very popular. Horticulturists have hybridized them to produce colorful varieties of cosmos, such as pure white, lovely pink, and bright red, etc. The rich colors make it even more sought after. Come on, pick one, there’s gotta be one for you.

In addition to the common single cosmos, there are also elegant and luxurious double varieties, such as the ‘Double Click’ series, which comes in a variety of colors. Its layered petals look like they are cascading down the skirt of a gorgeous dress.

The cosmos variety called Double Click

The petals of the ‘Cupcakes’ variety are gamophyllous, united together like a cupcake. Slightly translucent in the sun, with refreshing white and light pink colors, it is one of the trendiest varieties nowadays.

The Flower Language of Cosmos

Cosmos’ genus name, Cosmos, implies that its exquisite flowers contain a small universe within them. With its sunny and romantic appearance, its flower language speaks of beauty, peace, order, and humility. You can give cosmos to your loved one because it also says the following: “Thank you for walking with me on this journey. I would like to be with you for the rest of this long life.”

Cosmos is also the birthday flower for October, so if you were born in October, you should plant yourself a big bush of cosmos.

Can I Grow Cosmos Well?

If you look up “plants that are the easiest to grow” online, the cosmos will definitely be on the list, because it’s known for needing only simple care. As long as its requirements for soil, light, and water are met, it’s guaranteed to flourish in your garden.

Cosmos is an annual plant that can grow in most areas. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, ample sunlight, and at least 6 hours of light per day. Plant it somewhere that is not shaded by buildings or trees.

Cosmos doesn’t require much water and can tolerate drought; just wait until the soil is dry and water it. Cutting off wilted flowers reduces nutrient consumption and helps your cosmos bloom again.

Size: 30-120 cm (1-4 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11

Light: Full sun

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Bloom time: Summer or fall

The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Up Fall Leaves

Cleaning up leaves in the fall is a chore that none of us can ignore. But what’s the best way to approach this task? Here’s a closer look at the dos and don’ts of cleaning up leaves in the fall.

For most of us that live in colder climates, the beginning of fall weather brings up thoughts of raking leaves. Some people love this annual task, while others put it off as long as possible. However, there are quite a few tips and tricks that make this annual chore a bit easier. Here’s a guide to the dos and don’ts of cleaning up leaves in the fall.

Don’t Skip Cleaning Up Leaves

Tempting as it is to skip this task, you’re putting your lawn at risk if you don’t deal with your leaves. Thick layers of leaves are slow to rot and can kill off the grass underneath. Take the time to remove fallen leaves this autumn to avoid a lawn disaster in the spring.

Do Mow Them in Place

One of the easiest, low-maintenance ways to deal with fallen leaves is to mow right over them with a lawnmower. This shreds them into smaller pieces that break down into the soil faster and prevents them from matting up into thick, wet piles.

Most lawnmowers have a mulching option that makes it possible to crush and shred the leaves. You may need to make several passes to ensure the leaves are small enough.

After mowing, you can gently rake the leaf bits throughout the lawn to break up any thick patches and ensure they are dispersed evenly.

Do Put Them Through a Leaf Shredder

If your mower isn’t set up for mulching leaves, consider using a dedicated leaf shredder to do the job instead. Just toss in leaves and watch them come out as perfectly shredded mulch. You can put these leaf bits in a compost bin or scatter them throughout your yard.

Don’t Hurt Your Back

It’s all too easy to injure yourself while raking by hand. Many people spend hours cleaning up their yard, only to end up with extreme lower back pain from staying in a bent position for too long.

Pay attention to your posture while raking, and give yourself lots of breaks to stretch out. It’s also wise to use a rake that’s long enough that you don’t need to stoop over. Keep your knees slightly bent to take the pressure off your back. Stay intentional about your posture, and your body will hold out until your raking is finished.

Do Use Leaves as Natural Mulch for Plants and Animals

When leaves fall in the forest, they break down and add nutrients to the soil that improves the health of native plants. You can follow the same protocol with your plants at home by spreading fallen leaves around your garden beds.

As with all mulches, make sure you don’t pile the leaves directly against plants and tree trunks. Instead, leave a few inches of space so they don’t become suffocated. Shredded leaves work best because they break down more quickly and are less likely to blow away.

An extra benefit? Leaf mulch acts as insulation to protect vulnerable plants and beneficial insects from chilly winter temperatures.

Don’t Throw Them in Your Regular Trash

Tempting as it may be to simply toss raked leaves into your trash can, it’s not good news for the environment. Leaves take a long time to break down in landfills, and they produce polluting methane gas in the meantime.

If you need to dispose of yard waste, wait for a local collection day or toss it into designated bins instead of with the rest of your household trash.

Do Wear the Right Gear

Cleaning up fall leaves is a dirty process that involves lots of potential irritants like dust and pollen. It’s best to wear protective gear like gloves and long sleeves to protect you from these irritants.

Don’t Start Raking on a Wet or Windy Day

Fallen leaves are dry and lightweight. This makes them easy to rake, but it means they tend to blow everywhere on windy days. Save yourself the hassle of raking the same leaves multiple times by waiting until the weather is calm. Likewise, avoid raking after rain unless you’re willing to move heavy clumps of leaves around your yard.

Don’t Burn Them

Burning leaves might be an easy way to make them disappear, but the smoke they produce contributes to air pollution and is dangerous for anyone with lung conditions. Furthermore, if there’s even a slight wind, you run the risk of the fire spreading and causing serious damage.

Do Consider Composting

Shredded fall leaves are one of the best things you can add to a home compost pile. Incorporate them as a carbon-rich brown material to balance out an abundance of kitchen scraps, and you’ll have high-quality garden fertilizer in no time.

Do Wait Until They’ve Finished Falling

Tempting as it is to start raking as soon as the first leaves fall, you’ll need to complete the same chore multiple times. It’s best to wait for most of the leaves to fall off the trees before starting.

Dealing with fall leaves might feel overwhelming, but taking the time to do the job right sets your yard up for success for the upcoming fall and winter. Take the time to learn about the dos and don’ts of how to clean up fall leaves. Both your body and your garden will thank you for it.

How to Optimize Your Soil

Soil is a gardener’s most precious asset. The perfect soil contains microorganisms, plenty of nutrients, and a balanced structure. Here are some tips on how to keep your soil in peak condition so that your plants thrive every year.

Though many gardeners take it for granted, the soil is our most precious asset. If we are going to get the most out of it, we need to keep our soil in peak condition. Healthy soil contains microorganisms, plenty of nutrients, and a balanced structure. In this article, we will look at ways to keep your precious asset in the best possible health.

Balanced Soil:

A balanced soil is rich in organic matter and contains plenty of living organisms. Healthy soil is filled with living microscopic organisms and plants cannot grow healthily without them. In fact, one teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on earth!

These organisms break down organic matter such as plant debris, compost, manure, or grass clippings. As a result of their efforts, your soil becomes humus-rich. Humus is broken-down organic matter upon which our plants feed.

As the microorganisms break down organic matter, they also open up the soil which allows for the passage of water and air as well as easier access to the plant’s root system.

Chemical Fertilizer:

It’s impossible to grow healthy plants without nutrient-rich soil. One way to ensure your soil has these necessary nutrients is by adding chemical fertilizers. Some gardeners have no problems using chemicals; others swear against them. Adding chemicals has pros and cons, so it is up to you to decide if you want to add them to your garden.

Pros

Cons

Though these problems are primarily caused by the industrial use of chemicals rather than small gardens, they are still factors to consider.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to adding chemical fertilizers. If you use chemicals, just make sure to read the label thoroughly and use them safely. If you decide against chemicals, there are non-chemical options (such as organic fertilizer) that ensure your soil has all the nutrients it needs.

Steps to Achieving a Balanced Soil:

We will now look at ways by which you can improve your soil to create a perfectly balanced structure.

Compost

This one is at the top of the list because it is the number one go-to magical product for any gardener. Compost will improve the texture and quality of almost any soil while also adding nutrients and increasing microbial life. You can dig it into the soil of your beds when you prepare for planting and again at the end of the season. It also comes with the added advantage of being free. Every garden should include a compost heap or bin somewhere.

Manure

For many gardeners, manure is one of the most useful fertilizers available. It is rich in nutrients and at the same time helps to bulk up the soil and increase water retention. Although it provides an almost perfectly balanced natural fertilizer, it needs at least six months to break down before adding it to your beds. If the manure you use is too fresh, you risk burning the roots of your plants.

Leaf Mold

Here is another free material that is often referred to as black gold in the gardening community. Many people burn the piles of leaves that they gather in the fall. This is a waste of a valuable free resource, as leaves can be a great soil conditioner. Once broken down, leaves form a rich black mold that can really add texture to your soil. This will cause the soil to retain more moisture and bring with it a wealth of microscopic creatures that will add to the soil’s biodiversity.

Cover Crops

Cover crops are plants that you sow into your beds during the off-season. The plants bind nitrogen into the soil and suppress weed growth. Before planting, dig the cover crop material into the soil where it breaks down to improve texture and add nutrients.

Practice Soil Rotation

Certain plants require more nutrients than others. Over time, the soil is depleted and the plants will fail to thrive. Another problem is that pests that favor that plant will build up in the soil. These problems can easily be avoided by simply changing what crops you plant into each bed every year.

Work the Soil

Turning the soil over with a fork or spade before planting helps you achieve a few goals. First, you open the soil, which allows air to penetrate it. At the same time, you make it easier for plant roots to pass through. Luckily, you don’t need to work the soil much to achieve these goals. It was once popular to really dig soil, but we are now starting to learn that the amount of digging needed to maintain your soil in peak condition is quite minimal, meaning less backache.

Avoid Soil Compaction

It would be a great shame to dig your soil over and work it into a perfect condition and then simply crush the air out of it by walking on it. You can avoid this by not working the soil when it is wet and treading on it as little as possible when you work in the beds. If you need to walk on your beds, lay down a plank and work from there so that your weight is more evenly distributed. Think carefully when designing your beds so that in most instances you can reach all areas of the beds without stepping into them.

Mulch

This is another product that is often very cheap and which offers many advantages. Mulch is simply biodegradable material that is laid onto the soil surface around the plants. No matter what type of mulch you opt for, it reduces evaporation from the soil, retains moisture, and acts as a weed deterrent. Straw is popular, but there are dozens of other different options. One option is to mulch with compost during the hottest periods in summer to reduce the amount of water you use. If compost is in short supply, then leaf mold works just as well.