Exotic Flowers in Boston

It’s to be expected that not every day in New England is going to be perfect weather and that unfortunately goes for the summer season as well.  But before you throw in the towel on your gardening ambitions, there are a few activities that will not only benefit your outdoor gardening efforts but will also satisfy your green thumbs while the forecast clears a bit.  No, I’m not insinuating that you grab your trowels and rough it out in the rain or break out the lawn mower and take your chances.  The grass can wait to be cut for a day or two so try another strategy if you’re stuck in the house waiting out the storms.  With just a few needed supplies, you can turn your depressing rainy day schedule into a fun and creative experience that your flower and vegetable beds will thank you for.

Just because there’s all that wet stuff falling from the sky doesn’t mean that you can’t get in the car and go for a ride to your favorite garden center or flower shop, right?  After all, didn’t someone once say that a little shopping therapy always cures the rainy day blues?  Then this is your chance!  As an avid gardener, I’m always running out of much needed supplies for my potting bench such as gardening twine for tomato stakes, plant food to spread over the beds once every month or so and packaged seeds of things like cosmos and peas to fill in the bare spots of the garden.  Most greenhouses have a sheltered area over their plants and supply areas for the sole purpose of appeasing those customers that enjoy gardening throughout any weather condition so there aren’t any worries about getting drenched while choosing your items.

If you see rain pouring out your window than this might be an excellent time to prepare your compost.  Homemade compost can consist of items such as coffee grounds, old bread such as donuts or muffins, grains, all fruits and vegetables and the best of all, egg shells.  Be sure to ground the material well so that all nutrients are blended sufficiently.  Once the rain clear, pour the compost over your vegetables and flowers and watch your plants go KABOOM from your extra added love and affection. 

Speaking of eggshells, if you have a few lying around your kitchen, they can serve another purpose other than compost.  Make sure they are halved and are large enough to support a small amount of soil.  Clean the insides well and place 2 tablespoons of well-nourished soil inside the cup.  Then grab your favorite seeds and place one in each holder.  Seeds that work the best and will grow fastest are peas, cucumbers, marigolds, zinnias and tomatoes.   Place back in their carton and set by a window with a sufficient amount of daily sunlight.  Once their heads pop up from the soil, place in your garden beds! 

Make Your Own Salad Garden

I love salad.  No really, I do.  In fact, it’s one of my favorite foods and my family’s too!  There are many ways to serve a crisp, healthy salad including my preference of making sandwiches with fresh pita bread.  My kid’s even love the crunchy and zesty taste of dressing mixed with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cauliflower and broccoli.  Besides, can you think of a better way to get children to eat their veggies? 

             photo crredit: gardenbetty.com

Since the ingredients of salad are so important to my household, they’re one of the first crops I plant in my vegetable garden once the summer rolls around.  Over the years, I’ve developed quite a system for these beloved greens and even constructed an actual “salad bed” at one time or another. 

So what’s a “salad bed”?

          photo credit: www.coastalurbanfarming.com

A “salad bed” is a raised garden that has only the foods found in a salad of your choice.  In some versions, the plants are separated where others prefer to mix them all up which is the way you eat the dish anyways.  What makes this so much fun is that your whole family can participate in this backyard effort to produce your very own food that not only is entertaining to watch grow but also delicious compared to store bought items. 

Visually, you can be as creative as you like but here are a few ideas to get your juices flowing.  Oh, and if you don’t have the space for an in ground garden, pots on the deck or doorstep work just as well!

 If you are not familiar with the term, Going Viral: becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet:

Last Friday at Fenway Park, Athletics 3B Brett Lawrie broke his bat. The piece flew into the stands and put fan and mother, Tonya Carpenter in the hospital with a fractured skull. More importantly than anything, Tonya is recovering and doing much better.

On Saturday, my contact at the Red Sox reached out to me on behalf of Lawrie to send her flowers and a card. At the time Carpenter was in serious condition and unable to receive flowers. By Tuesday, her condition had improved and we were able to deliver the flowers along with Lawrie's card message " Sending my thoughts and prayers, Brett Lawrie "

By Tuesday evening, Carpenter's family had sent a message of thanks to Lawrie along with pictures of flowers and the card, where we were prominently showcased on WCVB News, WBZ News and FoxNewsBoston.

This act of kindness then caught fire and was picked by the Boston Globe,  Boston Herald, CNN, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, NECN, NESN, US World News, and ABC News. It was posted and liked on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ by tens of thousands which in turn created millions of consumer impressions.

By the time Wednesday morning came, our friends, clients and colleagues were all talking about it and sending us messages and mentioning in the flower market and SAF also picked up the story for their weekly newsletter.

This act of kindness is great for the entire floral industry. But most importantly she is recovering. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tonya as well. 

It’s that time of year and homeowners are knee deep in their mulching piles.  I know this part of our annual landscaping chores is not one of our favorites but there’s no denying the effect of this finisher around driveways, flowerbeds and backyard paths.  For a relatively cheap cost, we’re able to create a picture worthy display that will make the perfect summer Eden for you and your family. 

photo credit: farmandfleet.com

So why do we crab about mulch?  Because it’s heavy!  Those wood shavings weigh a ton after the first three wheel barrels and maybe we don’t readily excite about the tube of Bengay we’ll need to smooth out the sores. 

But here’s something you might not realize….

There are several tips that will keep you safe from tearing muscles or breaking your back!  Professional gardeners and landscapers possess the inside knowledge to keep you well exercised but unharmed from this grueling job.  Not only will you evade a trip to the ER but you might even see positive changes for conditioning your body including sculpted legs and arms.  See if what the experts say might assist you this spring while you shovel your yard to beauty!

  Stretching Before You Start                    

  Stretching before you begin to mulch the yard.           

                                                                    Listen To Your Body

If you start to feel intense pulling in your lower back-stop!  This is your body’s way of telling you to take a break before any further damage can occur.  After all, the mulch isn’t going anywhere so rest when you need to!

While father's day could never hold a candle to mother's day, the holiday is still a great chance to show the dads out there how much they are appreciated. While my sons' love remains my greatest gift, the gifts below are great symbols to share love and appreciation.

Red Meat: we tend to get in touch with our inner caveman as we spark up the grill and indulge in burgers, dogs, chops, sausages, ribs and steaks. I have yet to find a better butcher than Butcher Boy Market in North Andover, MA. My recent favorite is their two pound bone-in sirloin. 

 Red Wine - I drink red wine. I drink red wine a lot and have found some great bottles for under $20, but when I splurge the best wine I have ever had is from Drew Bledsoe. Yes, #11 Pats QB. His Doubleback Caberbnet is hands down the best red wine I have ever had.

Baseball Cards - specifically, the 2015 Topps Archives Series. These cards include past and current stars, along with throwback designs and special autographed inserts. 

 Books - sticking with my favorite sport and one of my favorite pursuits. Buy him a book.Not sure which one, Veeck as in Wreck by baseball hall of famer Bill Veeck is one of the greatest books on baseball and marketing I have ever read. I am now reading it for the fourth time.

Drones - for the gadget minded, know what everyone is talking about and fly your very own drown. I am personally waiting for the Millennium Falcon version.

Gardening - of course, I would be remiss if I did not suggest the spectaclar hibiscus that we have at Exotic Flowers. 

Outings for Dad on father’s day

It’s Father’s Day so why not treat the big guy to a special outing just for him and the family to enjoy?  You know he’ll want the traditional barbecue dining experience but really, there’s a lot more you can do for dear ole dad than just feed him!  Boston’s neighboring locations has great deals, offers and promotions that are devised especially for him.  Whether he likes to visit the city’s restaurants, take in a sporting event, shop for his interests or stroll though a lovely museum, chances are we’ll be able to find the perfect activity that will let him know how much you appreciate everything he does.  Take a second to check out these exciting exhibits and events created for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21^st!

South Shore Arts Festival

119 Ripley Road

Cohasset, MA 02025

Monday – Saturday: 10 – 4 Sunday: 12 – 4

If your dad is one crafty guy, you might want to think about taking him to this fabulous exhibition featuring booths filled with homemade art and bric-a-brac.  Celebrating its 60^th year of fun filled activities including live music and children’s entertainment, this show is entertaining for the whole family!

Zombie Escape 

628 Somerville Ave.

Somerville, MA 02143

http://roomescapeadventures.com/boston/

Okay, this trip is just so cool and while it’s not meant for all dads, it might be perfect for yours!  Enter a room for one hour with eleven other people and solve clues and puzzles to escape a chained zombie that will be released if you can’t find the answers that will lead you to the key that unlocks the door.  This isn’t for the faint of heart but if you think your dad has what it takes, this fear factor challenge will be remembered for years to come.

Father’s Day Sail                   

Head Office: PO Box 51091  

Boston, MA 02205  

Phone: 857-366-4635

Ahoy Mates! 

If the ocean is where he’s the happiest, than why not take him to this special event where you can help hoist the sails and take a trip on the Tall Ship located in the Boston Harbor.  Explore sailing techniques taught by experts, learn all about the majestic history surrounding this beautiful boat or just lay back and enjoy the warm breezes off the waves.

Boston You're My Home Promotion

Expecting a new baby?  Anticipating a loved one’s soon to be bundle of joy?

Traditionally, children’s books have always been the number one choice for baby gifts, specifically ones that are written about the geographic region where the child has been born.  For example, “Make Way For Ducklings” and “Goodnight Boston” are two favorites that hospital gift shops almost always have on hand.  While these are definitely classics to all of us, young listeners and readers now have another option available to them.  If your new addition will soon be calling Bean Town their home, you now have another option available to add to their library collection.

At Exotic Flowers, we have the perfect promotion that celebrates this spring’s special deliveries!  For every $75.00 spent on a gift basket or arrangement for a baby boy or girl, Exotic Flowers will send along a free copy of “Boston You’re My Home” children’s book along with the delivery.  Whether it is sent to the home or to one of our city’s great hospitals including the Brigham and Women’s, Mass General Hospital, Newton Wellesley, Tufts or any other one of our medical center treasures, Exotic Flowers will include a special signed copy by the author with your order.

Why is “Boston You’re My Home” the right storybook for your little Bostonian? 

Written by local author, Suzie Canale and illustrated by Roberto  (also from Boston), “Boston You’re My Home” is a bedtime tale revealing all of the amazing features that makes living here so wonderful.  Mentioning sites and attractions such as the Isabella Stewart Museum, The Arnold Arboretum and The Union Oyster House, the story gives a glimpse into all of the special music, food, sports arenas and historical venues that they will soon be experiencing!  Not only does the book list specific locations that have made Boston infamous around the globe, but it also gives a look into the extraordinary people which we are lucky to have living and working here too!  Our firefighters, police force and emergency response teams are celebrated within the story as well as the concept of Bostonians being a beautiful and eclectic mix earning our proud namesake, “The Melting Pot”.   Written in poetic rhyme, the illustrations exude strong color and definition and successfully impress with visual renditions of landmarks including the Swan Boats, the Emerald Necklace and Old Iron Sides. 

If you are expecting a baby Bostonian this spring and are planning to send flowers or gift basket, choose Exotic Flowers’ fresh approach to celebrating their city with early literacy incentives.    

If you’re like me, you’re starting to spend lots and lots of time in the garden preparing beds, tilling the soil and planting the flowers and vegetables.  Although garden centers carry most of the traditionally “high in demand” products, using seeds instead of pre-grown crops can be extremely beneficial in several ways.  For one thing, there’s a lot less space being taken up in manufactured green houses saving time and energy driven from heating and packaging needs.  Breakage of roots, stems and leaves also decreases when you use seeds because you are eliminating the step of having to replant the specimen a second time in your beds.  But if you really want to be convinced, check out the money you’ll save when buying packages from Burpee, Park or Territorial seed companies and compare the prices.  Customers who invest in this method of growing save anywhere from fifty to seventy five percent allowing them to add an extensive amount of cultivated vegetation instead of the standard six pack. 

Now that I’ve got your attention, you may be asking what type of seeds should I buy that will spring up quickly once planted?

Cucumbers

Protruding from the earth within weeks of planting, cucumbers are a lot of fun because they root quickly and can be started indoors while its still cool outside. Once the shoot rises from the soil, you will notice it begins as two flat leaves extending from a single stem.

The veggies grow on a vine that is dark green and forms yellow flowers signaling a fruit is ready to be produced.

Beans

Green beans, yellow beans-both are quite impressive with their ability to mature at a rapid pace.  Plats climb to extraordinary heights if a bean trellis is implemented near their base.  Their tendrils will naturally climb the posts, extending themselves to be able to reap maximum amount of beans. These are really neat to watch grow because they are elaborate in their structure resembling small tress.

Peas

Another intriguing seed to plant are peas, which are perfect for kids because they’re a fast breeder and beautiful to watch open with curled leaves and spiraled tendrils.  This is another great vegetable to utilize trellises with and you can even create some pretty cool structures like teepees and extended walls.

 The seeds packets themselves are keepsakes that gardeners collect like baseball cards. Each one has character and distinct identity.

We all know how important it is to teach our children to love the outdoors but what about gardening?  When I was only seven years old, my parents bestowed my own plot of earth that I could grow my own crop just like they did.  Sure, it wasn’t as organized as the adult plots, having mostly grown lima beans, squash, marigolds and a tomato plant that produced one single fruit the entire season but I was proud of it!  I remember the excitement I felt when I saw sprigs beginning to protrude from the soil and the amazement I felt being able to combine a seed with soil, water and sun to make a delicious edible or beautiful living thing.   I had wonderful role models to learn from since they both had that inner desire to cultivate and yes they were also florists but there was a lot more which contributed to my fondness for gardening.  One essential element that certainly helped was having a bookshelf full of stories themed after this hobby.

There is no topic that is uncovered when we’re talking about children’s literature and that includes fabulous titles dedicated to teaching little farmers how to start growing fruits, veggies and flowers on their own.  Between the fiction, picture books, easy readers and non-fiction available, we can locate just about any subcategory of agriculture that we want.  If your child is interested in composting, starter seeds, vegetables, perennials, wildflowers or simply the colors associated with gardening, you can locate these subjects by visiting your local library.  Here are a few children’s stories that particularly caught my attention.

The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

This has got to be the most famous book in history on the “green thumb” matter.  Young readers fall in love with the magical changes of a once devastated garden into a stunning Eden of flowers with the help of a little girl and her companions.  While the characters lead you through a fascinating transformation of roses and other blossoming varieties, they also undergo a transformation of their own within their relationships with one another. 

Planting A Rainbow

By Lois Elhert

This is a beautiful book that educates children on how to plant seeds and bulbs to make a rainbow of color in the garden. Illustrated with bright images that capture the attention of little ones as young as two, “Planting A Rainbow” has inspired millions of readers using soothing descriptions and clever illustrations of bold poppies, lilies and sunflowers.

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

Suzie also works in the children's department at the Westwood Public Library