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Home & Garden Color Inspiration for 2010: Turquoise

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

In ancient Mexico, the gemstone Turquoise was reserved for the gods; it could not be worn by mere mortals. Legend has it that some Native Americans believed that if Turquoise was affixed to a bow, the arrows shot from it would always hit their mark. By the 16th century, the cultures of the American Southwest were using Turquoise as currency.

Now, turquoise is the color of our daydreams; of the calm, glass-like ocean waters of tropical destinations. It is for both turquoise’s ancient significance and its modern power to invoke calming thoughts that Pantone has chosen turquoise as its 2010 color of the year.

In a recent press release, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, stated, “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Turquoise is a wonderfully versatile design color, as it is appealing to both males and females. When incorporated into designs, whether it is fashion, home décor, or in the garden, turquoise has the ability to make every other color around it really pop. To invoke the naturally energizing, yet somehow correspondingly peaceful and tranquil properties of turquoise, try some of these inspirational ideas on for size.

Color Your Home & Garden with Turquoise

If you’d like to incorporate some natural turquoise color into your garden, you’ll love the Himalayan Blue Poppy, one of the most vivid turquoise flowers you’ll find. This bright bud is originally from the Himalayan Mountains. It will grow best in zones 6-8, and in semi-shaded spots. If you live in a warm zone, you should avoid planting these in a spot where they will receive sun at the warmest parts of the day. Just look at that brilliant color. Gorgeous!

Check out these ideas from the House of Turquoise blog. These are a terrific example of how turquoise can truly fit into any color scheme when it comes to home and garden decorating. A turquoise window here, a turquoise door there… these shades of turquoise are light, fresh, and very airy.

The House of Turquoise Blog:

For more saturated color, choose richer shades of turquoise. These deeper shades inspire thoughts of royalty, while brighter shades are warm and energizing.

If you’d like to mix turquoise with other bold colors, rather than neutrals, designer Amy Butler is a terrific place to look for inspiration. Her fabrics prove that turquoise matches literally any other color! Against brown, it creates a cool, earthy effect. But when used as a backdrop for fuschia, mimosa, violet, tangerine, and lime, these colors burst with life. Just take a look at some of her new prints in her Love collection. They are positively vibrant.

Amy Butler’s Garden-inspired Designs:

Tags: 2010 color of the year, color inspiration, home & garden, turquoise
Posted in Garden, Home Decor | No Comments »

Starting Your Garden from Botanical Interests Organic Seeds

Monday, March 8th, 2010

From left: Botanical Interest Seeds, lettuce seedlings by Talitha Purdy

By now you’ve probably noticed that we have an awesome new category to shop here at aHa! Modern Living. Starting From Seed contains a selection of vegetable and herb seeds to get you started with growing your own colorful, nutritious, and scrumptious produce. We recommend that you check back frequently in the coming weeks. We are working diligently so that we can soon make even more types of seeds available!

Why Start From Seed?

So, when you can go to the grocery store and pick out an entire basket of tomatoes, why should you take the time to grow your own? Well, basically put, starting from seed is the best, if not the only, way to know exactly what you are getting in your food. When you buy a tomato at the store, it may be genetically engineered. For example, a cold water fish gene may have been crossed with the tomato in order to make the product more resilient to frost. It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but it’s not! It’s real life!

Why should I buy my seeds from aHa Modern Living?

We think it is super important to buy and consume locally grown produce. And what’s more local than your own backyard? You also earn aHa! Reward Points for buying your seeds from us. Most of the seeds that we sell in our Starting From Seed category are:

Certified organic, meaning that they do not contain any nasty chemicals or pesticides.
Heirloom variety, meaning that they have not been genetically engineered.

How do I begin my own home garden?

Once you have received your organic heirloom seeds, you will use a simple process called seed starting. This is an essential step to allow your plants to root before introducing them to the harsh conditions of the outside world. If you are nervous about trying to grow your own herbs and vegetables, there is nothing wrong with starting slowly. Try beginning with basil. This herb lends itself well to home germination and is pretty much a surefire bet.

Gather containers. To start your seeds, you will need small containers that are just 2-3 inches deep. Last year’s nursery flats will work well, or plastic egg cartons, or dixie cups. Save time by planting and transplanting in CowPots (learn more about the benefits of CowPots). If you’re re-using containers, wash them out well using a hot water and couple tablespoons of bleach or white vinegar. Make sure each container has a small hole in the bottom, and set each container on a tray to accommodate water drainage.
Create a nourishing growing medium. We recommend purchasing a bag of seedling starting mix, then blending in some well-aged compost to give your seeds a healthy beginning.
Carefully sow your seeds. Make sure your soil is evenly moist, but not swampy, before dropping in your seeds. Cover each seed to a depth that is only about 3 times the thickness of the seed itself. Or, if the seed needs light to germinate, do not cover it at all. Some examples of seeds that need light to germinate are snapdragons and petunias.
Protect your seeds. Lightly sprinkle milled sphagnum moss, a natural fungicide, over the containers to protect them from damping-off, a fungal disease that rots seeds. In the case of seeds that need light to germinate, sprinkle the moss first and then drop the seeds onto the moss. Next, create a mini greenhouse by covering your containers with a plastic bag to keep the environment humid, and place them near a heat vent. If you’d like, you can even purchase a heat mat that is specifically made for seed starting. Most seeds germinate well at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep the seeds damp. You can put a little bit of water in your trays so that the seeds absorb moisture from below, or mist the containers with a spray bottle of water.
Transfer the seedlings to a light source. At the first signs of sprouting, uncover your seedlings and move the trays to a light source, such as a sunny window, a greenhouse, or underneath some fluorescent shop lights. Your seedlings need 12 to 16 hours of light a day. They do not need as much heat at this point, so you can move them away from the heating vent or heat mat. Make sure, however, that they do receive the amount of concentrated light that is necessary.
Fertilize your seedlings. As soon as they get their first true leaves, your seedlings are ready for food. Water them with a half-strength solution of organic liquid fish emulsion/seaweed fertilizer once a week. Use either a spray bottle, or add the fertilizer to the water you place in the trays, (in the method that is described in step 5).
“Harden them off.” This process means that you will prepare your plants for the harshness of the outside world. It is important to gently acclimate them so as not to shock them. On a warm day, move the containers to a shaded, protected place outdoors for a few hours. Each day for one week, gradually increase the plants’ exposure to the sun and outdoor conditions. At the end of the week leave them out overnight. Then, they are ready to transplant into the garden.

Tags: botanical interests seeds, cow pots, organic gardening, starting from seed
Posted in Garden, Grow, Shopping | No Comments »

Gardening is a Lifestyle, not a Hobby

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Gardening is about nourishing the body, mind, and spirit. It is about adding color and vibrancy to both your outdoor and indoor spaces. A garden is your own personal statement, and it can say absolutely anything you want it to. May Sarton, a 20th century poet and novelist once wrote:

“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.”

What we love about May’s philosophy is that she, like us, understood gardening to be much more than just a hobby. One of the greatest things about a gardening lifestyle is that you’ll reap what you sow. Whatever you put into your garden, you’ll most certainly get back from it.

Now if you’re like us, you can recall your very first gardening experience as a child. We remember plucking ripe red tomatoes right off the plant in the backyard and popping them straight into our mouths. They were still slightly warm from the summer sun, and left our fingers scented with the earthy fragrance of tomato leaves. Each gardening memory is filled with sights, sounds, and scents, engaging all of our senses. It comes as no surprise, though, that our favorite gardening experience is all about taste. There’s nothing like the fresh flavor that comes straight out of a garden.

It’s all about the flavor

You’ll find that herbs, vegetables, and fruits are simply more flavorful when they’re home or locally grown. Oftentimes major chain grocery stores use a chemical gas on their produce to quicken ripening. This gas leaves produce looking pretty, but often robs it of its naturally luscious flavor. On top of that, you’ll also find that this gas causes your grocery store produce to rot very quickly once you get it home. Gross.

The best way to avoid yucky chemical gases, insecticides, and pesticides on your food? Grow your own, or buy local organic produce. You’ll discover a whole new world of flavors that have been hidden by conventional farming procedures. Local or homegrown produce is best when prepared in simple recipes. Don’t fuss over complicated dishes; when you use fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits, the flavors have the power to speak for themselves. Check out Amy Cotler’s book The Locavore Way for simple, tasty recipe ideas.

Savor fresh produce with simple recipes

For starters, try making this easy and absolutely delicious flat bread next time you entertain. We found this recipe in a recent addition of Real Simple magazine, and totally fell in love with it. It’s easy to make, and we love it every time we get to use fresh herbs from our herb garden. If butternut squash is not in season, try experimenting with what you can use from your garden, such as zucchini or tomatoes.

Butternut Squash Flat Bread with Cheddar and Pine Nuts:

1 pound of prepared pizza dough (We found pre-made whole wheat pizza dough in the prepared food section of our local cooperative food market. You could also make your own.)

1 pound of butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces

1/2 of a red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup of pine nuts

1 tablespoon of fresh thyme

1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper

1 tablespoon of oilve oil

1 and 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Mix together the butternut squash, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, pepper, red onion, and thyme. Next, prepare a pizza pan or cookie sheet for the crust by lightly spraying it with non-stick cooking spray, then sprinkling on a handful or yellow cornmeal. Press the pizza dough into the pan until it is the desired thickness. (We used a full size cookie sheet and ended up with a nice, thin crust.) Scatter the butternut squash mixture over the crust. Sprinkle on the cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Slice it up and serve!

Not only is this dish completely yummy, but it is wonderfully fragrant, too. It will scent your whole home with the terrific smell of fresh thyme. Try cutting this up into narrow slices at your next cocktail party. Or, serve it with a fresh fruit salad for a delicious brunch. You’ll never want to go back to flavorless prepared foods again.

Tags: Amy Cotler, gardening, lifestyle, local produce, simple recipes, The Locavore Way
Posted in Garden, Healthy Livng | 11 Comments »

Keep Your Backyard Safe From Bird Disease

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

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If you are a Bird Lover, you have certainly by now discovered the joys of attracting these lovely little creatures to your home with a bird feeder. Birds add life and color to our backyards, and fill them with song. But did you know that how you care for your bird feeder is just as important as what feed you use? You can use a variety of different foods to attract birds to your backyard. But regardless of with what you fill your feeders, make sure to follow these safety tips to keep your bird feeders clean, and your backyard free from avian illness.

Step 1: Remove Old or Rotten Seed

Bird seed gets spread around where birds congregate. So make sure to check the ground beneath your feeders. Remove any old, damp, or rotten bird food that you see. If the ground is contaminated with bird droppings, make sure to do some cleanup. This may mean re-mulching or re-graveling the area.

Step 2: Soak Your Feeders

Perch! Bird Feeder

You must clean your bird feeders at least once per month order to keep them free from bacteria, mold, and other contaminants. Glass and ceramic feeders, such as the gorgeous Perch! Bird Feeder, may be soaked with one part bleach to nine parts hot water. After soaking the feeder, rinse it with clean water for at least 10 seconds to remove any chemical residue.

Step 3: Use Proper Equipment to Give a Good Scrub

A stiff wire brush is a good tool to have for this task. Since we are big proponents of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra, we think that an old toothbrush works just as well for this task. Just make sure that you clean the toothbrush itself after using it on your bird feeder, and don’t use it for any other cleanup jobs around the house.

Step 4: Clean All Parts of the Feeder

Make sure to thoroughly clean all parts of your bird feeder. This means that if you have a feeder that is driven into the ground, such as the Glass Bird Feeding Table, you will need to clean the steel rod upon which it rests. Don’t worry, cleaning the rod is an easy task. Just fill a spray bottle with the bleach solution previously mentioned. Or, to protect grass beneath your bird feeder, fill a spray bottle with a mild solution of unscented dish detergent instead.

Eva Solo's Glass Bird Feeding Table

Step 5: Protect Yourself

Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning your bird feeders! This is very important because certain bird illnesses, such as West Nile Virus and Salmonella, can spread to humans. Wash your hands thoroughly after you remove your rubber gloves.

Step 6: Keep a Watchful Eye

Sick birds do not always exhibit outward symptoms. In the case that illness is manifesting itself symptomatically, you may notice birds with swollen eyes or membranes, poor reaction to human presence, trouble breathing, or erratic behavior. All birders will occasionally find a dead bird at or near the feeder. However, if you find more than one bird in a short period of time, or if you find several birds of the same species that have been affected, contact your local wildlife services office. Do not bring a sick or dead bird into your home under any circumstances.

aHa! Newsletter

We will be “growing” our Grow Category this February, so check back soon for new products! Or why not make it easier on yourself? You can receive updates on new products, special promotions, earn aHa! Customer Rewards, and unique content you won’t find on the blog, by subscribing to our new aHa! Modern Living E-letter. Take a peek at our December issue.

Tags: backyard birds, bird disease, eva solo, glass bird feeder, Perch! bird feeder
Posted in Garden, Healthy Livng | No Comments »

How to Force Branches to Bloom Indoors

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

February and March are excellent months to try forcing branches to bloom inside your home. Why? Well, because by this time, outdoor temperatures have probably risen just above freezing. We all have a major case of spring fever, but all of our trees and shrubs are not yet blossoming. So with a little bit of gentle prompting, we can “force” them to bloom indoors.

How to Properly Force Branches

1. Cut the Branches

When temperatures have risen above freezing, carefully cut some branches off of a tree or shrub in your yard. Select a branch with several plump buds. Cut a couple extra branches, since not all of them will successfully bloom indoors. Make sure to use a sharp blade when cutting branches, and make a smooth, clean cut so as not to disfigure your tree. The Spear & Jackson Bypass Pruners are an excellent tool for this task.

2. Bring the Branches Indoors

Once you have brought the cut branches indoors, use your Hori Hori Garden Knife to carefully create a slit in the cut end of your branches. The slit should be between one and four inches long on each branch. This is so that your branches may absorb the water in which you are going to place them.

3. Trim the Branches

Fill your sink or a large container with warm water. Using either your pruners or your garden knife, cut a one-inch segment off of the bottom of each of your branches. This will help to prevent air from entering the stem through the cut end, which would then block water intake. Another tool that is great for this trimming task is the Gardener’s Multi-Tool.

4. Place Branches in a Vase

Place your branches in a tall pitcher or vase filled with warm water. Depending on the size of your branches, you may wish to tie them into a small bundle with a piece of twine. You may also wish to add a floral preserve, or just a teaspoon of bleach to the water to help control bacteria. We recommend the beautifully sleek and versatile Ivy Pitcher and Vase for your branches. Remove any buds that will be underneath the water level.

5. Place the Vase in a Warm Room
Place your vase(s) of branches in a warm room that is maintained between 60 and 70 degrees F. Do not place them in direct sunlight. Make sure you check the water every day to make sure it is clear. You will need to replace it with fresh, clean water every 2-3 days. Your branches may begin to bloom within one week, or they may take as long as 8 weeks, (depending on how close they were to their natural bloom time when you cut them.)

Great Plant Picks for Forcing Indoor Blooms

According to Susan Grupp, a Horticulture Professor for the University of Illinois Extension in DuPage County, the following plants will respond well to forcing. You can cut these branches from your own yard, or purchase branches from your local florist:

Redbud
Japanese or Flowering Quince
Flowering Dogwood
Vernal Witch Hazel
Hawthorn
Forsythia
Honeysuckle
Saucer Magnolia
Star Magnolia
Apple and Crabapple
Flowering Almond, Cherry, and Plum
European Pussy Willow
Spirea
Lilac
Viburnum

Tags: bud vases, forcing branches, Garden tools, hand pruners, indoor decor, Perch!
Posted in Garden, Grow, Home Decor | No Comments »

How to Get the Most From a Garden Show

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Guest Post by Laura Schaub of the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

Flower and garden shows are magical events, especially when they occur in early spring. As a veteran of many shows and a past show-garden creator, I have advice that might make your next garden show even better. The pictures are from the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show archives.

(1) Dress for spring gardening, not a summer garden party. Jeans, comfortable shoes and several layers will keep you happier than a flowery frock and strappy sandals, especially if there are outdoor displays. Shows like San Francisco often cover several acres, and you’ll want to see every square inch.

(2) Bring a friend, someone who totally understands when you squeal “oh my gosh, is that a [insert object of horticultural lust here]” and is willing to trudge the last weary mile with you.

(3) Bring a camera. There is an overwhelming amount to see at a garden show. Finding the most interesting and pleasing aspects of each garden to photograph can help you…focus! And don’t stop there: post your photos to Flickr and tag them with the name of the show for others to enjoy!

(4) Keep your hands free to take notes, snap pictures, and hug your friends; wear a backpack or a cross-body messenger bag. Lightweight rolling carts are very popular among the savviest show visitors (just mind people’s shins!)

(5) Try not to touch. Yes, this is hard, but please don’t use those free hands to touch everything you see. This gentlemen gets an A+ for proper attire, but considering that 50,000 people will be seeing this garden, that plant isn’t going to last long if everyone touches it (and don’t even get me started on picking!)

(more…)

Tags: garden shows, gardening, landscapes, Laura Schaub, San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
Posted in Garden, Shopping | 3 Comments »

Rhythm and Motion: Animate Your Garden Using Design Elements

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Landscape designer Marilee Kuhlmann of Comfort Zones Landscape Design created a sustainable front garden for her client in Santa Monica. The repeated shapes of New Zealand flax move the eye through this fluid design scheme.

Guest Post by Debra Prinzing of Shed Style and contributor to the LA Times Home Blog

In landscape design, you can create a visual flow through the garden with the dynamic element of rhythm. As a beat is to music, as choreographed steps are to a dance, rhythm animates a garden. Even if the wind doesn’t blow, your garden can look and feel infused with energy.

MOTION

The roof of architect Ron Radziner's house in Venice Beach, Calif., is planted with cape rush. Ocean breezes move through this grassy green roof and create gorgeous movement.

We experience a physical sensation when something rustles or sways in the garden. We pause to appreciate movements, subtle or dramatic – flowing water, rippling leaves, a billowing banner, or clanging chimes – because they signal life’s evanescent qualities. Such movements resonate as the garden responds to the earth’s vital elements.

By the very act of creating a garden, we embrace the external forces of nature, most of which are out of our control. In addition to rays of sunlight and rain showers, the kinetic presence of wind and breeze in our landscapes is important to channel – as movement – in a planting scheme. We can’t help but notice extreme gusts or light flurries flowing through branches and stems – they infuse an otherwise commonplace landscape with vitality.

The choices of plants that can catch the airflow, gently dance, or furiously shake are endless. Perennials with tall, slender stems ripple like the fringe on a canopy (think of a vibrant stand of daylilies or a swath of lavender). Fluffy inflorescences of maiden grass undulate above its finely-textured blades – and the overall effect is a seductive rhythm. The leaves of a California pepper tree shimmer like sequins on an evening gown. Agapanthus seedpods rattle and whisper as autumn arrives. The natural symphony energizes any landscape.

RHYTHM

Movement can be implied in hardscape, as well. Here's a gorgeous, sinuous stone and pebble path designed by my friends Linda Knutson and Ron Sell, for their garden in Yakima, Washington

Beyond individual plants, the visual suggestion of movement can also be incorporated into the garden. The repetition of organic forms, the course of a sinuous path, or the sensual outlines of beds and borders suggest movement. Alternating shapes – the gradual widening or narrowing of a space, the regular spacing of trees – do as well.

When the tiny stones in a Zen garden are raked into concentric circles, movement appears. When a “stream” of large, smooth, river rocks fills a gully or trench, the sense of running water is implied. The sequence of stepping stones spaced through a cushioned ground cover of fragrant thyme invigorates the scene and helps direct the viewer’s eye through the garden. The scene is emotionally alive and visually pleasing.

Movement in a garden is essential. It’s the organic rhythm, the fluid characteristic that every garden needs in order to come to life for those who enjoy it.

Here are some tips for “animating” your garden:

Develop a repertoire of plants: Base your plant selection on the scale of your house and the natural setting around it. Once you’ve selected the primary plants – those that provide structure and have multiseason interest, such as ornamental grasses – you can choose a second wave of plants to “star” in specific seasons.
Create a basic framework for design: Choose a template and follow it consistently throughout the garden. One method is to mirror dominant lines of your house, such as repeating key architectural shapes in the landscape. Use these as a guide for shaping pathways and planting beds. For example, a home’s arched windows and doorways might be echoed in the contour of a border or patio. Alternately, you can borrow a framework for design from nature, such as the irregular rhythm of distant hills.
Consider the vertical dimension: Select plants that bring height, energy, and motion into the garden, and vary their placement for impact. Even if surrounded by buildings on every side, your garden will respond to daily and seasonal climate changes. Watch how breezes move through the garden, and capture that energy by placing fluid plants where currents flow. Notice where the sun rises and sets in relation to your landscape, and choose trees, shrubs, grasses, and other perennials that will reflect the morning light or absorb sunset’s glow. Red and purple foliage turns flame-like when backlit. As the sun’s rays shine through fringed tassels of fountain grass or pampas grass, the garden will shimmer in response.

Author contact: Debra Prinzing, 805-523-8706 or dkprinzing@aol.com

Tags: debra prinzing, garden design, rhythm and motion
Posted in Garden | 3 Comments »

Bring Some GREEN Indoors this Winter

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

When it looks like this outside, it's definitely time to bring some green into your home. Image source: Andrew Prokos Photography.

With the frigid months of winter upon us, it’s all too easy to find ourselves sitting around and twiddling our green thumbs. We can’t wait to dig our hands into some spring soil, but alas, months of frozen earth lay ahead. And our mood is starting to reflect the gray, black, and brown shades of our frozen gardens.

What’s the perfect cure for the winter blahs? Bring some green indoors! After all, nothing brightens up a room like a cheerful indoor plant. As a bonus, houseplants also help to clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which is a definite plus when it is too darn cold to open the windows and get some fresh air in your home. There are numerous Benefits of Decorating with Houseplants; click here to learn all about them.

When the weather prevents you from gardening outside, some friendly and perky houseplants can come to the rescue. They also make the perfect hostess gifts, as they are considerably more creative than the obligatory bottle of wine. Our favorite houseplants here at aHa! Modern Living are cheery, low maintenance, and easily portable.

Check out the Perch! Campy Planters

These simple yet stylish handmade planters come in three different vibrant color combinations: green and turquoise, gray and green, or white and yellow. We absolutely love their mini size; each planter stands just 6 1/2 inches tall. They can fit even on a small space such a bathroom sink or nightstand.We love the idea of planting a succulent in a Campy, which is pictured on the left. This is super low maintenance, since succulents can survive for long periods of time without water. Perch! Campy Planters also have a perforated bottom for water drainage, which is integral for healthy plants.

Another great indoor option: Eggling Seed Starters

At just 10 bucks a pop, you can afford one as a gift for each of your friends and still treat yourself. Check out both varieties: basil and chrysanthemum.Eggling Seed Starters are simple as pie to use. All you have to do is crack open the top, and water the soil within, which is already filled with peat mixture and seeds. One thing that we really love is how easily the Eggling may be transferred from the indoors to the outside. After 5 months, the whole egg can be planted outdoors. This way, your Eggling can brighten up your home all winter, and come spring it will be ready to take root.

Looking for something a little bit quirky and fun?

Then you will love the iGrobot Planter. Again, we just can’t help but love how fool-proof this planter is. It comes with instructions, two measures of peat, and a packet of rye grass seeds. Once your grass sprouts, you can trim it into a mohawk, or any other shape you may desire. We are sure that it will make a fun addition to your home or office space, not to mention a great gift for any techie.

New aHa! Monthly Newsletter

Tags: Eggling Seed Starters, houseplants, iGrobot, indoor plants, perch campy planters
Posted in Garden, Gifts, Grow, Home Decor | No Comments »

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Garden Lover

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Looking for affordable stocking stuffer ideas for garden lover friends, family members or coworkers? aHa! Modern Living has hand selected the top selling garden products for under $20 and fit perfectly in many stocking sizes. If you like everything you see, buy them all and save 10% and FREE Shipping.

Matchstick Gardens $2.50

It’s your own portable garden that fits in your pocket. Available in herb and botanical varieties.

Our Matchstick Gardens also made Marie Iannotti’s, garden writer for About.com, Top 10 Gifts for Gardeners list.

Floral Clippers $5.00

Regular hand pruners can make trimming those small, delicate flowers quite challenging. Your garden lover won’t have to worry about bending the stems those precious flowers with these compact, easily maneuverable flower clips. Great for snipping fresh herbs for savory recipes.

Pot Pads $6.00

Pot Pads will help your container gardener move heavy containers (up to 3,000 pounds) over uneven surfaces, keep deck or patios surfaces from staining, and provide much needed air flow to the plant’s roots. Available in red and green.

Read Kerry Michael’s review of our Pot Pads on her About.com Container Gardening blog.

Garden Weeder Gloves $7.50

The unique foam coating will protect your gardener’s fingertips from the elements, while the extended cuffs will guard their wrists from scratchy, itchy weeds. Available in blue, pink, purple

Soil Scoop $18.00 NOW $14.40

The Soil Scoop is the jack-of-all-trades. This tool can perform a variety of gardening tasks: digging, weeding, chopping, cutting, potting or planting. Available in blue, purple, yellow, green, red.

Watch this tool in action on Fern Richardson’s blog, Life on the Balcony.

“I LOVE my Soil Scoop.” Kerry Michaels, garden writer for About.com

Write + Erase Plant Tags $16.00

Help the garden lover in your life keep track of their seedlings with these stylish, modern plant tags. Made from U/V resistant soft rubber, these tags will stay legible and are re-usable season after season. Available in herb and botanical designs.

Ken Ho Weeder $16.50

This tool is great for scraping away those annoying shallow weeds in your gardener’s flower or veggie beds. The Ken Ho Weeder will be hard to lose in the garden with its bold red handle.

Still not what you’re looking for? Check out more garden related gifts in our for Modern Garden category.

Tags: Garden tools, gardening, stocking stuffers
Posted in Garden, Garden tools, Gifts, Holiday Stuff, Shopping | No Comments »

Gifts for the Gardener Who Already has it All

Monday, December 7th, 2009

photo by Happy Mundane

Every year, the Christmas season starts a little earlier. This year, stores were filled with plastic evergreen trees and stacked boxes of greeting cards even before the Halloween costume aisle was cleared out.

The holidaze begins months in advance. Yet every year, regardless of how early you start your Christmas shopping, there is someone who remains on your list. This is the someone for whom you need to find a gift that is unusual; not just another trinket from a big-box store. aHa! Modern Living is here for the rescue with a selection of gifts for that tricky person on your list who already seems to have it all.

Gifts for the Un-green Thumb

We all have that friend who claims to kill every plant she lays hands on. Here is the perfect solution for the aspiring gardener or apprentice who is still learning the trade. The Matchstick Garden totally makes planting as easy as pie. All you have to do is tear off a little matchstick, which is already brimming with seeds, stick it in the ground, and give it a little sprinkle of water. That’s it! They come in both wildflower and herb varieties, and at the price of only $2.50 per packet, you can afford to give both!

Matchstick Garden

One of the most common reasons that houseplants are killed is over watering. The pretty and sleek Aqua Genie Watering Can aims to prevent over watering. It’s made of lightweight plastic so that it’s easy to lift and won’t rust. This is a super error-proof and user-friendly watering can.

Aqua Genie Watering Can

Gifts for the Novice Gardener

Your friend who is just starting to dabble in tilling and cultivating will love to receive some new tools to help her along the way. Chances are, she’s using some old rusted hand-me-downs. She’ll really be inspired to plant a fabulous garden when she receives the Garden Tool Hand Set. This is everything she needs to dig, transplant, and weed.