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[alexha2210]

When Le Corbusier was building the famous L’Unité d’Habitation housing complex in Marseille, France, coffee was one of the only ways he could have had caffeine; Coca-Cola had only just shown up in the country as the development was being finished in 1952. Partway through its construction, in 1949, photographer Will Rizzo actually captured the Swiss-born urbanist preparing a black cup. And when Marcel Breuer arrived in New York City in 1946, America was drinking twice the amount of coffee it does now. It wouldn’t be a stretch to guess the renowned architect partook, and if he did, to imagine he stuck with the ritual at least up until designing the Breuer Building in New York in 1966. One could surmise that brutalism was born on a coffee high. But what does coffee know about brutalism, exactly? Searching for "brutalist coffee shop" on Pinterest shows that corners of global café culture have adopted the architecture style’s devastatingly spartan aesthetic time and again, echoing the no-frills tenor of the beverage itself. On the surface, these shops share brutalism’s forefathers’ wholesale rejection of nostalgia, frivolity, or embellishment. A building’s form speaks for itself, and—bear with me—so does a ristretto and any cortado or flat white it belongs to. Without plumbing the depths of third-wave coffee’s knowledge of Breuer or Corbusier, safe to say, the culture has a fetish for the austere, which extends beyond stripped-bare warehouses in freshly gentrified parts of town and board-formed coffee counters in financial districts. At-home devices aimed at fans of both brutalism and espresso are seeing a surge, too. At the end of 2024, Brazilian company Bruta released a countertop device that lets you pull shots by hand—its concrete base and metal lever are about as bare bones as making espresso gets—and now, Anza, which released a concrete-shelled machine in 2017, is back with a second, updated version. The culture is clearly primed for a redux. Last year, A24 gave concrete architecture the pop culture treatment with The Brutalist, and followed it this year with the documentary Architecton, a meditation on what stone and concrete structures reveal about society—brutalism is on the collective brain. But according to the designer of the Anza machine, Andrew Smith, bringing a solemn reverence for brutalism to your kitchen counter was never the point. Instead, he sought an alternative to the market’s "generic stainless-steel boxes," a trend he became privy to while sharing a commercial space in Berkeley, California, with a repair person. "People really enjoy making espresso at home, but these machines weren’t contributing to that experience," Smith tells me over a video call. "When you see how dominant these things are in your wonderful designer kitchen, it’s like, isn’t there something missing here?" There is an obvious reason for all that loud, shiny metal—it’s easy to wipe away splattered espresso and milk. Still, Smith couldn’t help but run in the opposite direction. "We thought, wouldn’t it be funny to use some sort of nonintuitive material? Concrete was the obvious thing. It was the opposite of shiny and polished and made by a machine"—the opposite of the type of thing a certain kind of coffee bro nerds out over, he says. Opposite of something La Marzocco might do. "It was going to be handmade and rough and a bit gritty." The Breuer Building, with its top-heavy massing, doesn’t give one the sense that its architect was winking or nodding when he created it. Its shape, and how Breuer arrived at it, however, fatefully overlap with that of the Anza machine. With the museum, a recess carves out space for an entrance with a basement-level patio below; for the Anza, a similar cutout makes room for the portafilter, steaming wand, and a tray that catches hot water. (The Breuer Building did have a cafe of its own, brutalist in character perhaps only by nature of being inside this building, which closed after the property’s recent ownership change.) "It looks like a mini building in many ways," says Smith of the machine. "The concrete and its shape immediately starts talking the language of brutalism. You kind of can’t avoid it." The Breuer Building in New York City has a top-heavy massing not dissimilar from the Anza espresso machine.The espresso maker has a concrete shell cast by hand, making each one slightly different than the next.If the espresso maker’s inevitable merging with brutalism is meant partly as a joke, I get it. I am, in ways, exactly who it’s for. My household has an unwritten but often-talked-about no-appliances-on-the-counter rule, which mostly comes back to whether or not we should buy an air fryer. (We don’t own one). The edict is meant to minimize clutter on our limited counter space, which means a steel-wrapped box grotesquely decorated with steam punk gadgetry—gauges, wands, knobs, levers—is out of the question. The Anza is surprisingly quiet by comparison, giving a sly wink to brutalism on our kitchen counters where it joins an unfunny blender, an electric kettle, a fruit bowl, a dish drying rack, and a cutting board. In another way, the Anza functionally offers everything a no-talent barista like me needs. As someone whose restaurant job out of college gave him the equivalent of a burger flipper’s education on an espresso machine, I am only so qualified to provide an assessment of its technical prowess, but the R2’s upgrades seem nice: A removable water reservoir (straightforward enough), a pressure adjustment screw (getting nerdier), a pre-infusion option (lets you "bloom" the grounds, like a pour over—still with me?), and a steam wand that’s somewhat insulated so you don’t totally scorch yourself while foaming milk (a safety feature we all need and understand). Three switches atop the unit provide streamlined functionality: one to pour hot water (handy for topping up an Americano or cleaning the portafilter), another to pull an espresso shot, and a third to activate the steaming wand.After a few YouTube videos, Reddit threads, and chats with the supremely talented experts at my local coffee shop, I’ve dialed in a workable—if not sellable—cortado. (The heart shapes and rosettas will have to come later.) Some of this comes down to using the machine itself—you’re in charge of how long of an espresso pull you want, for example—while external factors will largely determine your success: did you grind the beans correctly? Are they tamped firmly in the portafilter? Did you buy good beans to begin with? Are you using yucky tap water? Did you burn the milk?In designing a machine that doesn’t rely on any extra bells and whistles, as it were, Smith places the onus of turning a roast into a well-crafted coffee beverage somewhat on the expertise of the creator. The R2 is "doing as much as it can with as little as possible," he says. One could imagine, the great brutalists would have relished the challenge.Top photo by Kokie Padilla Source link

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By: Shelly Posted: Aug 17, 2025 Updated: Aug 19, 2025 Store-bought puff pastry and quick, homemade apple filling make these apple turnovers the easiest fall treat! Cook fresh apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, and bake the buttery filling inside a flaky triangle pocket. Pair golden-baked apple turnovers with a pumpkin spice hot chocolate for a cozy fall breakfast or brunch, or serve them à la mode with a scoop of ice cream! Apple turnovers are one of the best treats to make after a trip to the apple orchard! These are similar to apple hand pies, or mini apple pies, with a crispy pastry crust instead of a pie crust. The pastry gets folded up and sealed around a gooey, spiced apple filling, and drizzled with icing. Turnovers are extremely quick and easy to make at home with sheets of store-bought puff pastry. You’re going to love them! Why You’ll Fall in Love With These Easy Apple Turnovers Gooey apple filling. With only 5 ingredients, the filling for these apple turnovers is simple, sweet, and deliciously gooey.  A double-duty treat. Serve turnovers for a special breakfast or as a fall dessert topped with ice cream. Semi-homemade. Refrigerated or frozen puff pastry works wonderfully and cuts the prep time in half. Homemade vs. Store-Bought Puff Pastry Traditional turnover dough is a type of viennoiserie dough, similar to the pastry dough used to make croissants and apple strudel. As a semi-homemade option, you can’t beat the convenience of store-bought refrigerated puff pastry, which is what I use for my turnover recipe.  If you’re using frozen pastry, be sure to follow the thawing instructions on the package. The best way to thaw it is overnight in the fridge, so the dough doesn’t become too warm. Of course, if you have a favorite homemade pastry recipe, you can use that, too! Apple Turnover Filling Ingredients The 5 ingredients you’ll need for the turnover filling are: Apples – You’ll sauté the apples with butter to make your turnover filling. Choose a baking apple like you’d use to make apple pie, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Peel, core, and slice or dice the apples before you start. Lemon Juice – Fresh is best, bottled will work in a pinch. Brown Sugar – You could also use granulated sugar or a combination of the two. Cinnamon – Substitute nutmeg or a blend of spices, like apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice, if needed. Cornstarch – To combine with water to make a slurry to thicken the apples. You can make the slurry with flour, too, though you’ll need about twice the amount of flour as cornstarch. How to Make Apple Turnovers Isn’t fall baking the best? The ingredients are so cozy, and the house always smells amazing while these turnovers bake. Afterward, I’ll sometimes whip up a batch of pumpkin scones while the oven is hot. Let’s get started: Combine the apples and spices. Cook until thickened. Prepare the apple filling. To make the filling, sauté the apples with butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Meanwhile, whisk cornstarch with water to make a slurry, and stir that into the apples. Cook for another minute, allowing the mixture to thicken. Unfold and roll out the pastry sheets. Cut the pastry into squares. Roll out and cut the puff pastry. Next, unfold the puff pastry sheets. Trim each sheet to make a square (discard the scraps or turn them into rugelach!). Then, cut each square sheet into four smaller squares.  Add the apple filling. Fold and seal the turnovers. Fill and fold the turnovers. Now, divide the prepared apples between the pastry squares. Afterward, fold the pastry from corner to corner, forming a triangle around the filling. Press the edges together with a fork to seal. Bake! Cool before icing. Bake. Arrange the apple turnovers on a lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each pastry. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, until the turnovers are puffed and golden brown. Cool, then glaze. The turnovers will need to cool completely before you ice them. Otherwise, the icing will melt right off. When it’s time to glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together in a bowl. Drizzle or pipe the icing over your apple turnovers, and serve! Frequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between apple strudel and a turnover? Apple turnovers are made from puff pastry dough that’s folded, or “turned over”, the apple filling. Meanwhile, apple strudel is traditionally made from dough that’s stretched thin and rolled up around the filling, which sometimes contains extras, like raisins. Can I add raisins or nuts to my turnovers? Go right ahead! While they’re not a traditional addition, chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins, craisins, and currants are all great add-ins to the filling for your apple turnovers. Can I use a filling other than apples? Yes. You can swap the apple filling for just about any cooked fruit or pie filling. Try a turnover variation with peaches, berries, or cherry pie filling! How to Store Refrigerate. Store these turnovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat. You can warm up the apple turnovers in the microwave for a few seconds or in the toaster oven before serving. Print clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon Description Store-bought puff pastry and quick, homemade apple filling make these crispy, buttery apple turnovers an easy and delicious fall treat! 2 tablespoons butter 4 Granny Smith apples – peeled, cored, and sliced 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 cup light brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cold water 1 (17.25-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples and cook for 3 minutes. Add in the lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water. Add this to the apples and cook for 1 minute, or until the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from the heat. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Unfold puff pastry sheets and trim each sheet into a square, discarding the scraps. Cut each larger square into 4 smaller squares. Spoon the apples onto the center of each square, dividing equally between all the squares. Fold over from corner to corner into a triangle shape, and press edges together to seal with a fork. Place the turnovers on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1- inch between them. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until the turnovers are puffed and lightly browned. Cool completely before glazing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the icing on top of the turnovers. Notes Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Want To Save This Recipe?Find more recipes like this: Source link

[alexha2210]

Harvest the leaves when they are small for “baby greens,” and massage a little olive oil into them before adding them to salads. Or, let them mature before harvesting and cut them into pieces before baking or frying them, for healthy chips. And if frost is in the forecast, no worries. ‘Black Magic’ is especially hardy, and the frost sweetens the leaves to perfection. ‘Black Magic’ This cultivar fully matures in 65 to 80 days, at a height of 24 to 36 inches, and a width of 12 to 24 inches. Find ‘Black Magic’ seeds now from Eden Brothers in packets of approximately half a teaspoon, as well as one-ounce and quarter-pound sizes. Learn how to grow lacinato in our guide. 2. Dazzling Blue This especially cold-tolerant lacinato cultivar has puckered blue-green leaves with purple midribs, and shades to purple as the temperature drops. Tender and versatile, this type performs equally well both raw and cooked, like the variety described above. ‘Dazzling Blue’ These early-maturing plants are fully grown in 30 to 60 days. They top out at 24 to 48 inches, with a spread of 12 to 14 inches, making them well-suited to container gardening. Find ‘Dazzling Blue’ seeds now from Botanical Interests in one-gram packets. 3. Dwarf Siberian This winter-hardy Russian heirloom has excellent cold tolerance and can withstand a bit of shade. Its blue-green leaves are ruffled slightly, and have a distinct flavor with hints of cabbage. Their tenderness makes them suited to raw eating in sandwiches and salads. ‘Dwarf Siberian’ ‘Dwarf Siberian’ has a compact nature that makes it well-suited to container gardening. Expect maturity in 50 to 65 days, with a height of 14 to 16 inches and spread of eight to 12 inches. Find ‘Dwarf Siberian’ seeds now from Eden Brothers in one-ounce, quarter-pound, one-pound, and five-pound packages. 4. Portuguese Portuguese kale is an unusual variety that has flat blue-green leaves with thick white ribs, and resembles a loose head of cabbage or collard greens. It may weigh anywhere from five to seven pounds at maturity. The leaves measure up to 24 inches across, and despite their size, are quite tender and flavorful. This type is perfect for robust traditional soups like Portuguese caldo verde or Spanish caldo gallego. Portuguese This variety is appreciated for being remarkably heat tolerant, and it performs equally well in cold temperatures. Expect 85 days to maturity. Plants grow to approximately 24 inches tall and wide. Find Portuguese kale seeds now from Burpee. 5. Premier ‘Premier’ is an heirloom cultivar with medium green, smooth leaves that reach a length of approximately 15 inches. They are mild in flavor and make a refreshing addition to cold plates. This type is known for being especially cold tolerant, slow to bolt, and high yielding. ‘Premier’ Maturity is in approximately 60 days. Its compact dimensions are 12 to 15 inches tall and equally wide, making it a practical choice for container gardening. Find ‘Premier’ seeds now from Eden Brothers in one-ounce, quarter-pound, one-pound, and five-pound packages. 6. Prizm ‘Prizm’ boasts nearly stemless green leaves that curl tightly and have a delightfully nutty undertone. The youngest leaves are the sweetest. This type is excellent in cold dishes. It also performs well in fast-prep stir fries. And it whips up like a breeze in smoothies and other blended drinks. ‘Prizm’ Plants mature in 50 to 60 days. Heights reach 10 to 24 inches with a 10- to 12-inch spread, making this variety great for smaller-scale plots and containers. Find ‘Prizm’ now from Burpee in packets of 50 seeds, or six starter plants. 7. Redbor With its curly purple leaves and upright growth habit, ‘Redbor’ adds rich color, texture, and vertical interest to garden settings. It’s a remarkably cold-hardy cultivar that sweetens with every hard freeze. Harvest tender young leaves for salads and cold plates, and slow-cook mature leaves to soften the firm stems. ‘Redbor’ Expect maturity in 50 to 60 days. Plants reach heights of 12 to 20 inches with a spread of 10 to 18 inches, and are an excellent choice for pots on the patio and small gardens. Find ‘Redbor’ now from Botanical Interests in packets of 25 seeds. 8. Red Russian If you are looking for an extremely cold-tolerant kale cultivar, here it is. ‘Red Russian’ can withstand temperatures of -10°F, and it tastes even better for the experience. With oak-like greenish-purple leaves and prominent purple ribs and veining, this attractive variety is best for hearty slow-cooking that tenderizes even the thickest stalks. ‘Red Russian’ Plants mature in approximately 60 days at heights of 24 to 36 inches, and widths of about 12 inches. Find ‘Red Russian’ seeds now from Burpee in packages of 500. Learn more about how to grow ‘Red Russian’ in our guide. 9. Red Ursa This cultivar has a green oak-style leaf with ruffled edges. Magenta ribs and veining make for dramatic contrast, and the color gets richer with maturity. Harvest leaves when they’re young, at about six inches tall for the tenderest, sweetest addition to microgreens salads. ‘Red Ursa’ tolerates both heat and cold very well, with above average bolt resistance and frost tolerance. ‘Red Ursa’ Expect maturity in 65 to 85 days. Plants achieve heights of 24 to 36 inches, and widths of 12 to 24 inches. Find ‘Red Ursa’ seeds now from Burpee in packages of 500. 10. Red Winter Similar to ‘Red Russian,’ ruffled oak-shaped leaves and purple veining characterize this type. However, instead of having to slow-cook the largest leaves to tenderize them, this type is especially soft and sweet when the leaves are both young and mature. ‘Red Winter’ Great for container gardening, ‘Red Winter’ matures in a quick 50 days at a height of approximately 24 inches, and a width of 18 inches. Find organic ‘Red Winter’ seeds now from Burpee in packages of 345. 11. Scarlet Deep blue-purple leaves and magenta midribs and veining cast a reddish glow over sweet and tender ‘Scarlet.’ Delicious both raw and quick-cooked, pick this type when the leaves are a mere six inches long for peak flavor and texture. A light frost is well-tolerated and enhances the unique color. ‘Scarlet’ This cultivar is both cold and heat tolerant. It matures in 65 to 80 days at heights of 24 to 36 inches, and widths of 12 to 24 inches. Find ‘Scarlet’ seeds now from Burpee in packages of 500. 12. Vates Blue Scotch Curled Heirloom ‘Blue Scotch Curled’ is a variety with tight and curly blue-green leaves that can withstand a light frost, and will taste even sweeter for it. It thrives in both heat and cold, and tolerates some shade as well. Look forward to an abundant harvest of young greens for salads, pop raw leaves into a blended drink, or slow-cook them in a stew for a healthy dose of green veggie nutrition. “Vates” stands for Virginia Truck Experiment Station, and denotes the agricultural research facility where this variety was developed during the Depression. ‘Vates Blue Scotch Curled’ Expect plants to mature in 55 to 65 days, measuring 12 to 16 inches tall and about 24 inches wide. You can find seeds in a variety of package sizes available at Eden Brothers. 13. White Russian ‘White Russian’ has blue-green oak-style leaves with white ribs and slightly ruffled edges. Especially tolerant of the cold, its sweetness is enhanced by a light frost. Harvest tender young leaves for fresh baby greens, or let the ample foliage mature for a substantial addition to slow-cooked soups, stews, and simmered sides. ‘White Russian’ Plants mature in approximately 50 days to heights of 24 to 36 inches, and widths of 12 to 24 inches. Find ‘White Russian’ seeds now from Eden Brothers in one-ounce packets. Vibrant, Versatile, and Delicious Kale adds bumpy, curly, and ruffled textures, as well as eye-catching shades of black, blue, green, and purple, to both the early and late season landscape. And with a range of mature dimensions, you can create a custom backdrop to seasonal plants in the foreground. And as if that isn’t enough, handsome kale plants yield armloads of tasty and nutritious baby greens to consume crisp and cool, as well as mature leaves to cook and savor. It’s time to add kale to your garden planner.  When selecting varieties, note the number of days to maturity, and which ones have exceptional heat and/or cold tolerance. Choose the ones that best suit your growing environment. Are you growing kale? Which are your favorite varieties? Let us know in the comments section below! And for more information about growing kale in your garden, add these guides to your reading list next: © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published August 4, 2021. Last updated August 18, 2025. Product photos via Botanical Interests, Burpee, and Eden Brothers. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[alexha2210]

Many people don’t realize that those beautiful amaranth plants in the garden centre also play double duty as a vegetable! Amaranth leaves are some of the most nutritious you can grow in the garden, and you can even use the seeds as a flour, like rice or quinoa, and even to pop like corn! Our favourite unusual vegetable expert, Niki Jabbour, is here once again to teach us all about another crop to try: amaranth! This superfood plant produces leafy greens that can be used like spinach as well as seeds that can be popped like popcorn, ground into flour, or cooked like rice. It’s one of those super cool vegetables that is underrated, both as an edible and an ornamental. Niki has certainly convinced me of its value, and I’m sure you’ll be itching to grow this supergreen in your garden as well.  Now, let me pass things off to Niki to talk to you all about amaranth! Amaranth leaves taste like spinach but actually contain twice the amount of vitamin C. Meet Amazing Amaranth By Niki Jabbour Amaranth definitely took center stage in my family’s garden the year I grew a towering cinnamon-orange-flowering variety called ‘Hot Biscuits.’ I was just a teenager, and I was amazed at the staggering heights it grew to (taller than me!). At the time, though, I had no idea that amaranth was not only edible, but actually a superfood. Its abundant leaves have almost twice the vitamin C of spinach and as much iron, and its seeds are packed with protein. Today, I grow amaranth in the vegetable garden as well as in big pots on my sunny deck, where we harvest tender leaves from early to midsummer and enjoy the beauty of the flamboyant tassels well into autumn. If we’re lucky and the summer is long, we can also harvest mature grains after the first frost. Amaranth leaves taste similar to spinach, but unlike spinach, which quickly bolts in hot weather, amaranth is both heat and drought-tolerant, making it an ideal green for summer production. As a bonus, the seeds have a nice nutty flavour, and are used in hot cereal, breads, and other baked goods. Some people use amaranth just as an ornamental. Amaranth Nutrients Raw, the young leaves are excellent in any fresh dish. The coloured varieties do lose their pigments when cooked, but if picked young and eaten raw, they will add a fun pop of colour to salads or can serve as a pretty bed for cooked chicken, fish, or meat. They’re also used in cooked dishes around the globe and can be incorporated in any dish you’d use spinach for. Like spinach, beet greens, chard, and sorrel, the leaves of amaranth contain high levels of oxalic acid, which can inhibit the body’s absorption of calcium and zinc. If you’re prone to kidney stones, you may wish to avoid eating amaranth leaves. Note that young leaves have less oxalic acid than mature leaves, and that boiling or steaming will lower the levels of oxalic acid (though some of the vitamins and minerals will be removed as well). Amaranth leaves can have a variety of hues, from maroon to vivid green to variegated. Growing Amaranth for Seed In addition to growing amaranth as a spinach substitute, you might want to grow some for its protein-rich seeds. Like the foliage and flowers, the seed colour can vary, ranging from cream coloured to brown to black. White-seeded varieties are said to have the best quality grains for cooking. The grains of black-and dark-seeded varieties can be gritty when cooked, but the plants produce very tender leaves. Depending on the species, amaranth grown for its grains will need 100 to 120 days of warm, frost-free weather to reach maturity. You can expect anywhere from a few ounces to 1 pound of seeds per plant, depending on the growing conditions and species. If you’re growing amaranth to eat the seeds, look for white-seeded varieties. Growing and Harvesting Tips Amaranth plants grown for grain production will need a bit more space than those grown for greens. Set seedlings on 15-to 18-inch centers, or direct seed every 6 inches, thinning to 15 to 18 inches as plants become established. Amaranth is typically wind-pollinated and self-fertile; each flower spike is composed of hundreds of tiny male and female flowers. As such, it will produce seeds even if grown alone in a pot. Maturation of the seed heads is a gradual process that begins at the bottom of the tassel and moves gradually upward. If the bottom seeds are ripe and ready to fall (test by gently shaking or rubbing the flower head), gather them by simply bending the tassel over a clean bucket or bowl and shaking out the ripe seeds. The head can then be left to continue maturing. Many gardeners wait to harvest the seed heads until after the first frost, when the plants are on the decline. Shaking the heads over a bowl as they ripen is the easiest and cleanest way to harvest the seed, but sometimes bad weather threatens, and you need to harvest the entire heads at once. In these cases, you can cut the seed heads and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated site; cover them with a paper bag or lay a clean tarp below to catch any seeds that fall. Allow the seed heads to dry for a week or two. Most amaranth seeds are harvested in the fall from the plant. Threshing and Winnowing Amaranth Once the heads are mature, thresh them over a clean sheet or into large paper bags to collect all the tiny seeds, using a gloved hand to help separate the seeds from the head (the chaff is rather prickly). Eliminate larger bits of chaff by sifting the seed through a colander or piece of screen. To separate the seeds from the smallest bits of prickly chaff, place them in a plastic bowl and toss them gently into the air in front of a fan set on low. Adjust the fan speed as needed. As you toss, the lighter chaff will float to the top of the seeds and be blown away, or you can skim it off with a large spoon. Repeat until no chaff remains. Winnowing is a skill that takes practice, and novices should lay a clean sheet or tarp on the ground first so that spilled seeds can quickly be gathered up. Eat the amaranth leaves in the summer, enjoy the grains in the fall! Cooking Amaranth Grains Unlike quinoa, the seeds of amaranth have no saponin, the bitter compound that coats quinoa seed and needs to be rinsed off; amaranth seeds can be cooked just as they are. To cook amaranth grains, combine the grains with an equal amount of water and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Check the pot occasionally and add more water if the grains look dry. Besides cooking it simply and serving it like rice, amaranth can also be incorporated into a nutritious breakfast porridge or ground into flour to be baked in muffins or breads. Amaranth is extremely nutritious both as a grain and a green. Popping Amaranth Amaranth is delicious when it’s popped like popcorn. Popped amaranth can be added to homemade granola or granola bars, cereal mixed with yogurt and fruit, or just eaten by the spoonful! To pop amaranth, place a saucepan over medium-high heat (unlike with popcorn, there is no need to add oil). When it’s hot, add a scant tablespoon of amaranth grains to the pan; they should start to pop in just a few seconds. Pop a tablespoon at a time, swirling the pan to help the grains pop evenly. Top the pan with a lid or splatter screen to help stop the tiny seeds from popping all over your stove. As each panful is popped, place the grains in a nearby bowl. One tablespoon of amaranth grains will yield 4 to 5 tablespoons of popped grains. Pop amaranth seeds just like you would popcorn. Excerpted from Niki Jabbour’s Veggie Garden Remix © by Niki Jabbour. Used with permission from Storey Publishing. About the Author Niki Jabbour is the award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener (American Horticultural Society book award), Groundbreaking Food Gardens, and Niki Jabbour’s Veggie Garden Remix. She also writes for magazines across North America, including Fine Gardening, Birds & Blooms, Horticulture, and Garden Making. Niki is a popular speaker at shows, garden clubs, conservatories, and events. She regularly appears at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle, Canada Blooms in Toronto, the Boston Flower Show, the Mother Earth News Fairs, and more. More Interesting Vegetables to Grow   Source link

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As the growing season begins to fade, savvy gardeners are planning to extend the yielding period with fall vegetable garden. To be a busy grower throughout the year, you must plan a diversified garden that habitat variety of plants. While most veggies prefer warmer climatic conditions, there are a bunch of vegetable plants that can thrive in cooler temperatures with shorter days. You can include kale, cabbage, parsley, beets, spinach, garlic, leeks, parsleys and collard greens to your fall vegetable garden. Not just the list, in this article you’ll learn growing requirements of these veggies. So, you can extend your growing season with diversified veggie garden. Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant? Fall offers the ideal temperature conditions for planting, avoiding the scorching heat of summer and the harsh cold of winter. The moderate daytime temperatures reduce stress on newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials, allowing them to establish without the shock of extreme weather. The cooler nighttime temperatures in fall are particularly beneficial for root development, as plants can focus their energy on establishing strong root systems rather than battling heat stress. Meanwhile, the soil retains warmth from summer, creating optimal conditions for root growth that continues well into late fall. Fall planting supports root growth as plants prepare for dormancy, aided by cooler temperatures, natural rainfall, and fewer pests. This creates ideal conditions for strong establishment before spring’s growing season begins. 19 Vegetable Plants to Grow in Fall Fall vegetable gardening offers superior growing conditions as cooler temperatures reduce plant stress, prevent bolting, and create more comfortable working conditions. Below mentioned are the list of veggies that you can grow in the fall. 1. Spinach Spinach thrives in cool temperatures between 45-75°F, with optimal growing conditions occurring when daytime temperatures stay in the 50-60°F range. The plant performs exceptionally well in fall because it can tolerate temperatures as low as 15-20°F, and young seedlings actually become sweeter after light frost exposure. How to plant: Plant spinach seeds 6-8 weeks before the first fall frost when soil temperatures are between 45-68°F for optimal germination. Fall’s naturally cool soil and air temperatures prevent the bolting that occurs in summer heat, allowing plants to focus energy on producing tender, flavorful leaves rather than going to seed. Fall spinach requires minimal intervention as the season’s reduced daylight hours and consistent moisture from autumn rains create ideal growing conditions without the stress of summer heat. Also Read: 18 Vegetables to Plant in September 2. Kale Kale is one of the hardiest greens for fall planting, thriving even as the temperatures drop. With curly, lacinato, and Siberian varieties, kale offers sturdy leaves packed with vitamins A, C, and K, making it a nutritious addition to autumn meals. Kale seeds can be sown directly into well-drained garden soil or raised beds in late summer or early fall. Simply scatter the seeds and lightly cover them, as they germinate quickly in cooler conditions. Harvest kale by snipping the outer leaves as they reach full size, leaving the central growth to produce more foliage. You can also cut the entire plant for a larger harvest, but regular picking encourages continuous regrowth, ensuring a steady supply throughout the season. 3. Radishes Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables you can plant in your fall garden, making them perfect for impatient gardeners or quick succession plantings. These crisp root vegetables actually prefer the cooler temperatures of fall, typically maturing in just 20-30 days from seed to harvest. Unlike many vegetables that struggle in heat, radishes grown in summer often become woody, overly spicy, and develop a tough texture. Fall’s naturally cool soil and consistent moisture create ideal conditions for radishes to develop their characteristic crisp bite and mild peppery flavor. The cooler temperatures slow their growth just enough to prevent the splitting and bitter taste that occurs when they mature too quickly in warm weather. You can sow radish seeds directly into the soil every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the fall season, and many varieties actually become sweeter after experiencing a light frost. 4. Lettuce Lettuce is a cool-season crop that thrives when temperatures stay between 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit, making fall the ideal growing season for crisp, tender leaves. While lettuce can tolerate light frosts down to about 28 degrees, it will bolt and turn bitter when temperatures consistently exceed 70 degrees, which is why summer lettuce growing can be challenging. Lettuce is one of the fastest-growing vegetables in your fall garden, with most varieties ready to harvest in just 30-60 days from seed. You can direct sow lettuce seeds in your raised beds or start them indoors 2-3 weeks before transplanting, allowing for multiple successive plantings throughout the fall season. Check this: 13 Easy Vegetables to Grow in Summer 5. Arugula Arugula flourishes in fall’s cool, mild weather, thriving best when temperatures range from 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. It germinates quickly and is ready to harvest within 30-40 days. For a continuous supply, sow seeds every 2-3 weeks directly into raised beds; harvest leaves when young for the best peppery flavor. 6. Broccoli Broccoli is a classic cool-season crop, preferring steady temperatures between 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is sensitive to heat and will bolt if grown in summer. Start broccoli seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your fall planting date or transplant seedlings out as temperatures begin to cool. Expect harvests in 60-100 days, with heads forming best after a few light frosts for improved tenderness and sweetness. 7. Cauliflower Cauliflower requires stable fall temperatures between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit and benefits greatly from the gentle cooling as autumn progresses. It grows slowly, often taking 70-130 days from seed to harvest, and is best started indoors then set in raised beds. Heads mature beautifully in cool conditions, gaining a sweeter flavor after frost. Shield developing curds from sunlight by tying up the leaves. 8. Cabbage Cabbage is hardy and frost-tolerant, thriving when grown in temperatures from 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand frosts as low as 20 degrees and matures slowly, typically over 80-180 days. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before planting in raised beds to ensure strong development and healthy, tight heads. 9. Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts are among the most cold-tolerant vegetables, flavor improving dramatically after exposure to frost. This crop requires a long growing season, often 90-180 days, and prefers temperatures between 45-75F. Plant seedlings in raised beds by midsummer for a late fall harvest; pick sprouts from the base of the stalk upwards as they reach walnut size. 10. Turnips This dual-purpose root vegetable excels in cool weather, preferring temperatures between 40-75F and can tolerate frost down to 28 degrees. Both the peppery greens and sweet roots are edible, with the crop maturing quickly in just 35-60 days from seed. Direct sow in raised beds during late summer for a fall harvest, enjoying both tender leaves and crisp roots. 11. Beets These colorful root crops thrive in cool conditions with temperatures ranging from 50-70F and actually develop better flavor after experiencing light frost. The entire plant is edible, from the jewel-toned roots to the nutritious greens. Expect harvests in 50-70 days from seed, and direct sow in raised beds with consistent moisture for the sweetest, most tender results. 12. Carrots Root development peaks during fall’s cool weather, with optimal growing temperatures between 60-70F during the day and cooler nights. Cold weather actually concentrates sugars in the roots, making fall-grown carrots notably sweeter than summer varieties. These slow growers need 70-80 days to mature, so plant seeds in late summer for autumn harvests that can extend well into winter. 13. Swiss Chard This hardy leafy green tolerates a wide range of cool temperatures from 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit and can withstand light frosts down to 28 degrees. The colorful stems and nutritious leaves provide continuous harvests for 60-90 days once established. Start from seed in raised beds and harvest outer leaves regularly, allowing the center to keep producing throughout the fall season. 14. Collard Greens These robust leafy vegetables actually prefer cooler weather, thriving in temperatures between 45-75F and becoming sweeter after frost exposure. The large, flat leaves are packed with nutrients and ready to harvest in 60-85 days from seed. Direct sow or transplant seedlings into raised beds, harvesting individual leaves as needed for continuous production. Also Read: 30 Best Vegetables to Grow in Buckets 15. Mustard Greens Fast-growing and cold-tolerant, these spicy greens flourish in temperatures between 45-75F and can handle light frosts. The peppery leaves are ready to harvest in just 30-45 days, making them perfect for quick succession plantings. Sow seeds directly in raised beds and harvest young leaves for milder flavor or mature leaves for more intense spiciness. 16. Garlic Fall planting is essential for this long-season crop, which requires a cold period to form proper bulbs. Plant cloves when soil temperatures drop below 60F, typically 4-6 weeks before hard frost. The bulbs develop slowly over winter and are ready for harvest the following summer, making this a true investment crop for patient gardeners. 17. Onions Cool-season varieties planted in fall establish strong root systems before winter dormancy. These hardy bulbs prefer temperatures between 55-75F and can tolerate frost once established. Plant onion sets or seedlings in raised beds, allowing 90-120 days for full bulb development that continues through winter into the following growing season. 18. Peas Cool, moist conditions of fall create ideal growing conditions for this nitrogen-fixing legume, which prefers temperatures between 55-70F. The pods and shoots can tolerate light frost, and the crop matures quickly in 50-70 days from seed. Direct sow in raised beds with trellising support, enjoying both the pods and tender shoots throughout the harvest period. 19. Kohlrabi This unusual brassica forms swollen stems above ground and thrives in cool temperatures ranging from 45-75F. The crisp, mild-flavored bulbs mature in 45-60 days and actually improve in taste after light frost exposure. Direct sow seeds in raised beds, harvesting when bulbs reach tennis ball size for the best texture and flavor. Also Read: How to Dry Fresh Basil Naturally? Important Tips for Fall Vegetable Garden Count backwards from your first frost date and add 2-3 weeks for the “fall factor” since plants grow slower in shorter, cooler days. Start planning in mid-summer (July) and begin planting 6-8 weeks before expected frost. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting to give plants a strong head start before winter arrives. Cool down hot summer soil by shading for a few days and moistening well before planting seeds. Clear out old crops and weeds immediately to prevent insect and disease buildup. Add generous amounts of compost to restore nutrients that summer plants have depleted. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture for optimal growing conditions. Choose shorter-season varieties or those specifically rated for late-season growing to ensure harvest before frost. Focus on cool-season crops: leafy greens (spinach, lettuce, kale), root vegetables (carrots, radishes, turnips), and brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts). Select fast-growing options like turnips, mustard greens, and arugula that can mature in 40-60 days even from late summer plantings. Plant root and fruit crops in areas receiving the most sunlight (at least 6 hours direct sun). Use leafy greens in slightly shadier areas as they can tolerate less sunlight than other vegetables. Orient rows north-south to maximize sunlight distribution throughout the day. Water deeply but less frequently than in summer heat, only as needed to prevent drought stress. Separate heavy-watering crops from those requiring less water like onions and root crops that need to dry for proper storage. Have floating row covers and hoops ready before cold weather arrives to protect crops from unexpected early frosts. Use cold frames or mini greenhouses to extend the growing season if you have the time and resources. Consider containers for fall crops if garden space is limited – they’re easier to manage in cooler weather since soil doesn’t dry out as quickly. Use grow bags for root vegetables like potatoes to make harvesting simple. Plant leafy greens under taller crops like broccoli to maximize space and provide natural shade. Pair root vegetables with leafy greens to optimize garden productivity and space usage. Conclusion Fall vegetable gardening extends your harvest season with cool-season crops like leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas. Success requires proper timing, soil preparation, and frost protection, offering fresh produce when store prices peak and pest pressure decreases significantly. Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting Source link

[alexha2210]

What is the most popular color for a house exterior?Neutrals remain a popular choice for exterior house paint colors. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, shares that clean, crisp whites, such as the brand’s Ultra White 7006-24, and warmer off-whites like Swiss Coffee 7002-16 are popular paint choices.Similarly, Lindsell Andersen, the principal of Gilded Antler Interiors, states that she’s seeing a tremendous amount of white as of late. “Even beyond the modern farmhouse look, clients still want that crisp, traditional exterior. Most are selecting Sherwin Williams Pure White or Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for this clean, bright look,” she says. Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams, agrees that Pure White is popular among homeowners. It’s a “versatile, bright white has the slightest yellow undertone that keeps it from appearing too stark.” She also suggests Greek Villa SW 7551, which she describes as a “sunny white that comes to life in natural light, making it the ideal color for exterior, especially on trims to make other colors pop.”Among homeowners painting exterior wall colors, Sargsyan, the staff economist at Houzz, shares that the 2024 US Houzz Outdoor Trends Study found neutrals are the top choice, specifically white (23%), gray (19%) and beige (10%). “This is reflective of what we’re seeing in interior spaces, creating a consistent palette for the whole house,” says Sargsyan, who concedes that some homeowners still embrace colors such as black (8%), green (8%), blue (4%), red (3%), yellow (3%), and even orange (1%). “Popular trim colors include white (28%), black (22%), and green (13%),” she adds, pointing out that, perhaps surprisingly, the majority of renovating homeowners (71%) choose a wall color that contrasts with the trim color for their exterior wall color scheme.Lichtenstein, the designer based in Thornwood, New York, echoes these findings. Neutrals “are gaining popularity not just inside homes but also for exteriors, as they strike the perfect balance between a clean, modern aesthetic and a warm, inviting feel,” she explains. “The versatility of these warm neutrals allows them to complement various architectural styles, and they pair beautifully with darker accents, which adds to their appeal in contemporary and classic designs alike.”According to Kantz, a neutrals are fun to pair with a different front door color for a pop of personality. You might want to consider painting your garage door a different color too. (While painting your entire home exterior may be out of the question, painting your door trim a bright shade or adding white trim around windows may make for a quick weekend DIY project.) “Front doors and accent features have become mini canvases for bold expression,” says Hendricks, the cofounder of Hendricks Churchill. “I have successfully and recently been able to use vibrant pops—like deep teal, chartreuse, burnt orange, or rich burgundy—to punctuate otherwise neutral exteriors. These accents allow for some personality against a monochromatic backdrop.”Beyond white, Kim, the director of color marketing at Valspar, notes that homeowners are choosing colors that feel a bit more daring or that nod to the surrounding landscape. “We’re seeing more consumer interest in simple colors that make a bold statement, such as Dark Kettle Black 4011-2 and the warm greige Heritage Gray 7007-24,” says Kim. In the past few years, the company has also seen more customers opt for blues and greens including Encore 8002-45G and Warm Eucalyptus 8004-28F, which was named Valspar’s 2026 Color of the Year. “Homeowners are gravitating toward soft browns and calming blues or greens inspired by the outdoors,” she says, noting that the hues can visually connect the home to its surroundings.What color is best for the outside of a house?The short answer: The best exterior paint color for your home depends on the aesthetic you seek.The longer answer: The best exterior paint ideas will depend on a number of factors, ranging from the location of the house to its architectural style. What works for a seafront villa in a warm climate won’t necessarily work for a rustic barn-style home in the woods, a suburban Victorian, or a townhouse in the city.First, you’ll need to check to see if there are any restrictions on the house paint colors in the area, which could be the case in historic districts or gated communities. You should also consider the materials used to construct the home, such as brick, wood shingles or siding, stone, or terra-cotta roof tiles. You may also want to take the neighbors into account so that the home doesn’t stick out too much from theirs—unless that’s the goal, of course.“The best color for the outside of a house depends on the style, location, and personal preference,” Lichtenstein echoes. Overall, she, like other designers we tapped, believes that neutral tones like soft grays, whites, and beige tend to be the safest bets. “These colors create a timeless look, enhance curb appeal, and are generally appealing to a broad range of potential buyers,” she says. “Neutrals also provide a great backdrop for bolder accent colors, allowing for flexibility in how you style the exterior with doors, shutters, or landscaping. Additionally, these shades reflect light, making homes look larger and more inviting.”Lindsell Andersen suggests “neutral colors that are appropriate to your particular region.” To that point, she believes warm beiges with brick or stone accents, soft charcoals, and greens are always a beautiful choice. From a practical perspective, Kantz notes that homeowners who live in warm climates year-round might consider going for lighter colors to avoid heat retention that could make the interior of a home warmer and result in higher cooling costs. In general, Kantz also recommends sticking to neutrals, such as whites, grays, and blacks when it comes to exteriors, and adding a touch of your own personality through trims, front doors, and outside decor.What exterior house color is recommended by design experts?As you can imagine, design experts have recommendations as diverse as their signature styles. But white and black paints are go-tos for many of the architects and designers we consulted.When it comes to white paints, designer Nicastro is a fan of Benjamin Moore’s Creamy White. “It checks the box for a classic ‘white house’ look while still offering an old-world feel,” she says. Designers Fattahi and McNairy, the cofounders of LALA Reimagined, also like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for a neutral exterior. “This color has an undertone of beige that will blend in with the surroundings and highlight your landscape,” says Fattahi.Fattahi and McNairy also love a black house and consider Greenblack by Sherwin-Williams the “new black.” Says McNairy, “It’s cool-toned black with subtle green undertones that evoke a sense of nature. We love using rich, mossy hues like this for exterior applications.” Nicastro recommends Blacktop by Benjamin Moore, noting that it has a beautiful brown undertone that adds warmth and depth to the black. Washington, DC, architect Colleen Healey’s go-to black paint is Benjamin Moore’s Graphite. “It’s not a stark black and not too blue,” says Healey of the dark gray paint.What exterior colors last the longest?Another case for applying whites or lighter neutral colors to your home’s exterior: “White paint colors have the longest longevity for exteriors,” says Kantz. “With its ability to coordinate with a variety of architectural styles from modern to traditional, white exteriors have an almost chameleon quality to them because they work with so many different exterior finishes and just about any color combination.” White exterior colors such as Pure White SW 7005, Alabaster SW 7008, or Snowbound SW 7004 are often preferred colors of many that live in the sunnier climates due to the constant sun exposure, she adds.Neutrals have staying powers too. “The lighter colors reflect light and tend to hold up better, whereas a darker color absorbs heat and will fade and age faster than a lighter one,” says Lindsell Andersen. “Darker colors show more pollen and dirt and have to be cleaned more frequently.” Talk with your contractor about any specific concerns various paint colors may present in your area and to get a sense of what hues may have the best durability.What exterior colors increase home value?A classic white or other neutral may be the safer bet when it comes to resale value. Jennifer Patchen, a broker at Opendoor, shares with AD that “neutral and warm tones” are preferred exterior shades right now for houses on the market. “As a general rule, the exterior color of the home should complement other homes in the neighborhood,” she says. “Otherwise, it might stick out like a sore thumb!” For those looking to sell, she suggests opting for a beige, tan, or camel color that will act as a neutral canvas that can create a positive first impression for buyers. And according to data from Opendoor, the preference for subdued shades extends to the front door as well, with 44% of homeowners valuing white, gray, gray-blue, and gray-green at an entrance.What exterior paint colors should you avoid?Again, that’s a matter of personal style preferences so there’s no hard and fast rule for house paint colors that are off the table.Still, paint experts like Kantz recommends keeping this important guideline in mind: “Since exterior painting projects often take up a lot more time, effort, and resources than an interior project, I would recommend homeowners avoid picking colors that they aren’t 100% sure they can see themselves enjoying for more than a few years,” says Kantz. “For this reason, I’d steer clear of colors that seem too trendy at the moment, such as bold or bright shades, and stick to those that have stood the test of time,” she elaborates. If someone feels strongly about adding a bright color to their exterior or one they’re less confident it, she suggests saving that for the front door, which can easily be swapped out over a shorter period. Source link

[alexha2210]

In this blog, we will explore three kid-friendly napkin folds that are easy to create and perfect for any meal. Whether it's a weekend brunch, a family dinner, or a festive holiday gathering, these napkin folds will bring a touch of creativity and joy to your table. Plus, we’ll sprinkle in some tips on how to involve your little ones in the process, turning this into a fun family activity! 1. The Bunny Ear Napkin Fold Nothing captures the playful spirit of mealtime quite like a bunny! This napkin fold is ideal for Easter, spring celebrations, or simply adding a bit of whimsy to your daily meals. The bunny ear napkin fold is easy enough for kids to master, yet charming enough to impress guests. How to Create the Bunny Ear Napkin Fold: Materials Needed: Square striped napkins (preferably in pastel colors for a festive look) Napkin rings or thin ribbon (optional) Step-by-Step Instructions: Lay the napkin flat on a table, making sure it’s smooth and free of wrinkles. Fold the napkin in half to form a triangle. Start from the wide end of the triangle and roll the napkin tightly until you reach the point. Once rolled, fold it in half so that both ends point upwards, resembling bunny ears. Secure the base with a napkin ring or tie a small ribbon around it to hold the shape. Kid-Friendly Tip: Allow your children to pick their favorite colors for the napkins and ribbons. You can also let them add cute decorations like small stickers or paper cutouts to the napkin “ears” for extra flair. You May Also Like Beautiful Thanksgiving Tablecloths to Showcase Your Feast Why Kids Will Love It: Hands-on Creativity: Kids will enjoy rolling and shaping the napkin to make it look like bunny ears. Personalization: They can decorate each napkin to give it a unique look, making them proud to show off their creations during dinner. Buying Option: For soft and durable cloth napkins, check out the collection at All Cotton and Linen. These high-quality napkins are perfect for all your folding needs and come in a variety of colors and patterns to match any theme. 2. The Sailboat Napkin Fold Does your child dream of sailing the high seas? Turn dinner into a nautical adventure with the sailboat napkin fold. This charming design is perfect for summer picnics, beach-themed dinners, or simply bringing a touch of the seaside to your kitchen table. How to Create the Sailboat Napkin Fold: Materials Needed: Square border linen napkins (blue or white work great for a nautical theme) A napkin holder or small seashells for decoration (optional) Step-by-Step Instructions: Start with the napkin flat on a smooth surface. Fold it in half to make a triangle. Fold the left and right corners up towards the top point to create a diamond shape. Fold the bottom point of the diamond halfway up to form the base of the sailboat. Adjust the folds to make the napkin stand upright, resembling a sailboat. Kid-Friendly Tip: Let your kids get creative by adding little flags made from toothpicks and paper or decorating the sail with markers. This fold can also double as a place card holder for special occasions. Why Kids Will Love It: Interactive Play: It’s like crafting their own little sailboat! They can even use their boats to “sail” across the table. Imagination: This fold invites stories and games about sea adventures, encouraging kids to engage their imaginations during dinner. Buying Option: For a beautiful selection of table linens and linen napkins to make your sailboat napkins stand out, explore All Cotton and Linen. You’ll find everything you need to create a stylish and fun dining experience. Also Read: Is Bamboo Clothing Toxic? Myths vs. Facts 3. The Fancy Fan Napkin Fold For a touch of elegance that even kids can enjoy, try the fancy fan napkin fold. This classic fold is perfect for special dinners, birthdays, or holiday feasts. The best part is, despite its sophisticated appearance, it’s quite simple to create! How to Create the Fancy Fan Napkin Fold: Materials Needed: Square plaid napkins (bright or patterned designs add an extra wow factor) A napkin holder or napkin rings to secure the fold Step-by-Step Instructions: Lay the napkin flat on a table. Start folding the napkin accordion-style, making small, even pleats from one end to the other. Once completely folded, hold it at the center and gently fan out the top edges. Place the bottom edge into a napkin holder or tuck it into a napkin ring to keep the fan shape. Kid-Friendly Tip: Teach your kids how to pleat the napkin evenly by showing them how to “pinch and fold.” They’ll love the hands-on nature of this task, and you’ll get beautifully folded napkins in return! Why Kids Will Love It: Sense of Accomplishment: This fold feels like a real accomplishment for kids. They’ll be excited to show off their fancy creations to family members. Adds Fun to Formal Meals: The fan fold can make even a simple family dinner feel like a fancy occasion, making mealtime more enjoyable for everyone. Buying Option: For eco-friendly and stylish napkins that are perfect for folding, check out All Cotton and Linen. Their sustainable napkins not only look great but also align with a greener lifestyle. Read More: How to Wash Bamboo Clothing Tips for Making Napkin Folding a Fun Family Activity Now that you have three easy and fun napkin folding techniques to try, here are some tips to turn this into an enjoyable family activity: Set a Napkin Folding Station: Dedicate a space in your kitchen or dining room where your kids can experiment with different napkin folds. Provide them with a variety of cloth napkins, napkin rings, and decorative items like stickers or markers. Turn It into a Competition: See who can fold the most napkins in a set time or who can come up with the most creative design. This adds an element of fun and challenge to the task. Use Themed Napkins for Special Occasions: For holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, use themed cloth napkins and encourage your kids to come up with folds that match the holiday spirit. For example, a “turkey” napkin fold for Thanksgiving or a “Christmas tree” fold for the holidays. Teach the Importance of Table Etiquette: Napkin folding is a great way to teach children about table manners and the importance of setting a nice table. It’s a simple way to instill good habits while having fun. Incorporate Learning: Turn napkin folding into a learning opportunity by teaching kids about shapes, symmetry,Discover three kid-friendly napkin folds that make mealtime fun and creative, turning ordinary dining into a playful and engaging family experience.Discover three kid-friendly napkin folds that make mealtime fun and creative, turning ordinary dining into a playful and engaging family experience.rings. Best Affordable Cotton Napkins for Everyday Use Aside from being perfect for fun folds, cloth napkins are a sustainable alternative to paper napkins. They are durable, reusable, and can be washed multiple times, making them an eco-friendly choice for your family. By using cloth napkins, you not only reduce waste but also add a touch of elegance to your table. Brands like All Cotton and Linen offer a wide range of options, from classic white napkins to vibrant colors and patterns that can complement any table setting. Benefits of Using Cloth Napkins: Eco-Friendly: Helps reduce single-use paper waste. Cost-Effective: Can be reused for years, saving money in the long run. Adds Elegance: Makes even everyday meals feel special. So next time you’re setting the table, invite your kids to join in on the fun and see how their eyes light up when they see their creations being used at dinner. And for all your napkin needs, from stylish napkin rings to beautiful cloth napkins, don’t forget to check out the collection at All Cotton and Linen. Happy folding! Source link

[alexha2210]

When it comes to commercial cleaning, there’s always a mess to clean up. For example, there can be short, medium, or long periods of financial uncertainty. Some years are slower while others can be an economic roller coaster — 2020 and 2021 being extreme examples.   In 2025, familiar employment issues that have dogged building service contractors (BSCs) for years — high turnover and rising wages — remain, while the industry also grapples with domestic and geopolitical issues.   The rapid evolution of products and equipment, and the fluid demands from facility clients also make keeping pace a challenge for BSCs.  No particular individual knows for sure how today’s hot topics will eventually shake out. However, the industry is blessed with an abundance of experienced and pragmatic minds that are capable of navigating rough storms just as they have before. That’s why Contracting Profits reached out to a trusted stable of expert sources to examine how they are operating under current conditions.  The cleaning industry is known for its high turnover rate, and challenging political times have exacerbated the issue. What's the labor situation in your company and what are you doing to overcome it?    GARCIA: Labor will always be a challenge in our industry, as up to 80 percent of our workforce consists of entry-level cleaning positions. Our opportunities need to be tailored to first-time job seekers, retirees, and individuals seeking part-time work to supplement their income.  DINVERNO: Prestige Maintenance has not been immune to the struggle to attract and retain workers, especially with increased competition from other wage-sensitive sectors and a smaller pool of available job seekers. To overcome this, Prestige has worked at improving pay and benefits, strengthening onboarding and early engagement, using technology (apps, automation, training tools), and focusing on retention.  GREENLAND: My clients are all very concerned. Several have had 10 to 15 percent of their staff simply not show up for fear of U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (ICE).  What are the three biggest challenges pertaining to hiring and retaining frontline workers today?   GREENLAND: The three biggest challenges are finding e-verified candidates, being able to raise wages in a fixed contract environment, and bilingual abilities for supervisors.  DINVERNO: Wage pressures and labor competition top the list, but lack of career path or advancement is a close second. Failure to meet productivity standards and job expectations rounds out the top three.  GARCIA: To attract and retain staff, it’s important to pay attention to pay rates, medical benefits, and holiday/paid time off (PTO) offerings, all while remaining competitive in the marketplace.   What retention/upskilling strategies do you have in place for your team and why do you think they are successful?   DINVERNO: To attract and retain frontline talent, we are committed to providing competitive pay, clear pathways for advancement, and a supportive work environment that prioritizes employee experience and adaptability.   GARCIA: Promotion from within is huge. People are drawn to companies that offer opportunities to move up. We have a growth model that allows for advancement. Incentives for hard work and recognition are also key.   GREENLAND: Internal training and skills expansion are great strategies. BSCs would also benefit from developing a leadership track for hourly staff.  How do you keep employees engaged?   DINVERNO: At Prestige Maintenance we strive to treat labor as a strategic investment— not just a cost, which helps us remain competitive and deliver consistent service. Our way of thinking is we are a “people company that happens to clean!”  GREENLAND: It’s all about good communication, promotion opportunities, and creating a culture of inclusion. GARCIA: The team concept has worked great for us. Many of our employees work offsite in customer locations. We want to make sure we have well-trained site managers and leads who promote team values and acceptance.   Products and Technology  There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding tariffs, which could impact product/equipment availability moving forward. Have you made any adjustments or contingency plans in the event that you must pivot, and if so, what are they?   GARCIA: We’ve already seen some price increases on products and equipment due to recent tariffs. It’s like what happens when fuel prices go up; we’ve dealt with this before. I believe it will balance out over time, and most customers understand since they’re affected, too. If tariffs become a bigger issue, we’ll work with our customers on service and pricing adjustments.   GREENLAND: No adjustments as of yet. We are concerned about the cost of chemicals since most base materials come from Asia. We are concerned for the future of robotics. Almost all are from Asia currently.  DINVERNO: Yes, we’ve taken proactive steps to prepare for potential tariff-related disruptions. This includes diversifying suppliers, increasing inventory of key items, and exploring domestic sourcing options. We’re also staying closely aligned with our vendors to ensure flexibility and maintain service continuity if adjustments are needed.  Technology is changing at a rapid pace. How have automation and robotics impacted your offerings?   GARCIA: Robotics and automation are improving, but there’s still a long way to go. Right now, we’re seeing more impact from software technology, which is helping our company become more efficient and effective.   GREENLAND: Robots are so close to being commercially viable. In my analysis of adding robots to a cleaning routine, it begins to make economic sense when we can replace labor that costs $20 per hour. That’s when the return on investment (ROI) starts to make sense.  DINVERNO: While we are not currently deploying automation or robotics in our service delivery, we continue to evaluate these technologies as opportunities to align with client needs and operational goals. We're closely monitoring advancements in this space and remain open to implementation where it can enhance efficiency, consistency, or safety without compromising service quality or cost effectiveness.  What technologies do you think have the potential to improve your operations and why?   PARKER: In today’s business landscape many organizations are using software and applications that knowingly or unknowingly fall under the category of the Internet of Things (IoT). One of the key challenges in our industry is the physical distance between employers and employees. Implementing a robust IoT framework can help bridge this gap by enhancing communication, engagement, and operational efficiency.  GARCIA: Some of these technologies work well in the right situations, but ROI has to come first. It depends on whether the customer is willing to pay more, and some will if it makes sense. It can set you apart from the competition, especially in larger accounts, but in the end, the quality of the work matters most.  GREENLAND: Demand-generated cleaning gives BSCs the ability to understand exactly where tenants worked that day so that we only clean what needs to be cleaned. I also believe that engineered water should be able to replace a large percentage of other chemicals.  DINVERNO: As a janitorial service provider, we see strong potential in technologies like IoT sensors, robotics, and integrated software platforms to improve efficiency, responsiveness, and quality control. We're also interested in engineered water systems, such as electrolyzed or ozonated water, that support safety and sustainability. While not all are in use today, we continue to evaluate solutions that align with client needs and operational goals.  Do you use generative AI (such as ChatGPT) in your business, and if so, where is it most beneficial?  GARCIA: I think AI is a powerful tool that should be used carefully; it can be risky if it is misused. I’ve used it for training, scheduling, and graphic design, and it’s helped me save time on those tasks.   GREENLAND: Only in marketing. A big goal [of mine] for this summer is to learn how to use AI.  DINVERNO: We’ve begun exploring the use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, to support internal functions like drafting communications, creating training materials, and streamlining documentation. While still in the early stages, we see strong potential for these tools to enhance administrative efficiency and improve responsiveness across the business.  PARKER: I find AI useful in refining client communication by ensuring tone, clarity, and professionalism are on point and boosting productivity, especially when creating documents, templates, or reports where standard formats can be reused and customized.  Has green cleaning and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) become commonplace in cleaning, or is this still a luxury driven either by cleaning professionals or building occupants?   GREENLAND: Green cleaning is the standard in the industry. No one should be doing anything else. ESG is just good business practice. Why wouldn’t a company care about the environment, our staff, customers, and how we operate as a fair company?  GARCIA: I think the term “Green Cleaning” has been overused and misunderstood. Everyone can claim to be “green” in terms of their service, but it seems to be gimmicky these days. The real consideration should always be the impact on our environment, the safe use of products by our staff, and the safety of the tenants we serve. ESG cleaning standards are here to stay and continue to grow.  PARKER: Looking ahead, the trajectory of ESG adoption will likely be shaped by the evolving political landscape. In 2025, the U.S. political climate has introduced significant shifts. Under the current administration, several executive orders have rolled back federal support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and ESG-related mandates. At the same time, many CEOs and corporations continue to prioritize climate risk and sustainability due to increasing environmental challenges and stakeholder expectations.   DINVERNO: Green cleaning and ESG initiatives are no longer considered a premium feature — they're becoming an expectation. While early adoption was often driven by environmentally conscious occupants, today's demand is shaped by broader corporate commitments to sustainability and social responsibility. What’s also helped accelerate this shift is that suppliers of equipment, chemicals, and other cleaning solutions have stepped up, offering green alternatives that are not only effective but also competitively priced and no longer cost-prohibitive. This has made it significantly easier for cleaning providers to integrate sustainable practices without sacrificing operational efficiency or budget.  next page of this article:BSCs Weigh in on Current and Future Industry Trends POSTED ON: 8/19/2025 Industry News & Trends Industry Training & Events Advice from the Field Insights & Updates Source link

[alexha2210]

Using patio plants that smell amazing creates a soothing sensory outdoor space. They can enhance relaxation, mood, and well-being. Natural fragrances released by herbs like lavender, thyme, and rosemary, or flowers like jasmine and sweet alyssum, have a calming or uplifting effect. They can transform your patio into a soothing retreat.  Many fragrant plants emit their strongest scents during warm evenings. They make perfect companions for sunset dinners or quiet evening cocktails. Their presence beautifies the space and also provides a therapeutic atmosphere. They do it all without the need for artificial fragrances that can contain harmful chemicals. Beyond their sensory appeal, patio plants that smell amazing can attract beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Bringing local pollinators into your space invites the garden ecosystem up close, where you can enjoy them best. Some fragrant plants also deter nuisance insects, acting as natural pest control. Growing your amazing-smelling plants in containers makes them easy to manage. You can move them around to optimize sun exposure or rearrange your patio display to your liking. With fragrance, beauty, and ecological benefits, fragrant patio plants are a simple way to elevate your outdoor living space. Munstead Lavender Rosemary Sweet Alyssum Oriental Nights Sweet Alyssum Seeds Gardenia Light pruning after bloom encourages late-summer flowers. Gardenias smell amazing. They also make great potted plants, as long as the container is large enough. Growing them in containers makes them easy to care for, especially in regions with cold winters. They are generally frost-resistant, but won’t tolerate a hard freeze. In zones 7 and below, they need to come in for the winter. With proper care, gardenias serve as a stunning focal point on the patio from late spring until frost. Many bloom impressively in late spring. Give them a light pruning after blooming, and you’ll get more flowers in late summer. These patio plants release their amazing smell in the evening, making dinners an enchanting experience. Lavender Thrives in sandy, well-drained soil with full sun. Lavender is a patio plant well-known for smelling amazing. It offers a calming and soothing fragrance along with stunning silvery foliage. The small purple flowers emit one of the most famous fragrances in the world. The foliage also has a light smell for year-round sensory appeal.  Lavender thrives in poor soil. Add sand to your standard potting soil to decrease the nutrient content and increase drainage. Cactus or succulent potting mix also works well. Make sure to set it in a sunny spot, and water deeply, but infrequently. The soil should dry between waterings. Deadhead the spent flowers to keep your lavender blooming.  Rosemary Prefers sandy soil that dries out between waterings. Herbs make great patio plants for more than one reason. For one thing, fresh herbs are a delight in the kitchen. Most of these patio plants smell amazing and are wonderful to have in your outdoor living space. Rosemary is one of these herbs that works well in a container and has strongly aromatic foliage.  Rosemary’s pungent oil is repellent to many nuisance insects. Use it around the border of your patio to help create a mosquito-free zone. Note that the plants themselves won’t deter insects until the oils are released from the leaves. Give it a large container with excellent drainage. It prefers sandy soil and should dry between waterings. Choose a sunny spot and prune your rosemary regularly to encourage an attractive, bushy form. Thyme Spreading habit works well in containers and baskets. Thyme is a great choice for the patio garden. It has fragrant foliage, culinary versatility, and if you let it flower, pollinators adore it. It has a low-growing, spreading habit that makes it a nice spiller for container arrangements. This patio plant not only smells amazing, but it also works well in hanging baskets.  The amazing smell of thyme repels insects and stimulates circulation. It also masks other, less pleasant smells. Like many other Mediterranean herbs, it thrives in poor, sandy soil and intense sun exposure and heat. It’s drought-tolerant, and pruning it often helps to maintain an attractive form.  Mint A deep pot keeps fast-growing mint under control. Mint is an excellent patio plant that also smells amazing. It has an amazing, refreshing scent, grows quickly, and has many uses in the kitchen. In containers, it’s easily kept under control. When planted in the ground, it can become aggressive, and even invasive. Enjoy the scent or pick a few leaves for your iced tea or mojito.  Mint needs a deep pot filled with rich, well-draining soil that holds moisture. Mint likes the sun but is happiest with some afternoon shade. Pinch or prune it regularly to keep your amazing-smelling mint bushy and beautiful.  Lemon Balm The lemon scent naturally discourages mosquitoes and gnats. Lemon balm has a fresh, lemony smell and attractive, bright green foliage. The scent and flavor have a calming effect, so it’s nice for relaxing evening dinners on the patio. It’s low-maintenance, grows well in containers, and is useful in the kitchen as well.  The scent of lemon balm is a deterrent for gnats and mosquitoes. Choose a medium to large-sized pot with good drainage and use a fertile, moist soil. It thrives in similar conditions to mint, so place it in a spot that gets a bit of shade in the afternoon for best results. Keep it moist, but not soggy.  Sweet Alyssum Shearing back restores compact growth and blooms. Bring the sweet smell of sweet alyssum into your outdoor living space for personal enjoyment and pollinator appeal. It’s perfect for adding soft texture and fragrance to your patio garden. Sweet alyssum produces a mass of tiny, fragrant flowers and fine foliage. It’s low-growing and makes a nice hanging plant or spiller in container arrangements.  Plant your amazing-smelling sweet alyssum in a well-draining potting mix and give it some shade in the afternoon. Make sure to keep the soil moist, especially in hot weather. If the plant becomes leggy, shear it back. It will quickly bounce back with abundant new foliage and flowers.  Dianthus Deadhead often for continuous, fragrant blooms. Dianthus is outstanding as a patio plant. It brings a delightful combination of color, fragrance, and nostalgic charm to outdoor living spaces. This plant goes by several names. Sweet William, carnation, and pinks are all types of dianthus. They have a strong, pleasing scent that is most intense in the evening.  Give your dianthus a container with good drainage and a light potting mix. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Deadhead the spent flowers regularly to keep it producing. Dianthus plants are frost-tolerant, so they work well during the cooler months when the weather is unpredictable.  Jasmine Evening scent is strongest for patio dining. If you want to make a huge impact in your patio space, jasmine is incomparable. This stunning plant is a climber, and many types will grow up to 20 feet tall. Make sure to offer support that you can train this vine to grow on. You can also grow it in hanging pots and allow it to cascade down the sides.  Give your jasmine a large container with excellent drainage. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix and water it regularly, only allowing the top inch of soil to dry. Prune it regularly to maintain a lush, bushy appearance. These patio plants smell amazing in the evening, just in time for dinner on the patio.  Lemon Verbena Brushing leaves releases an intense citrus aroma. Lemon verbena is an excellent patio plant. It has intensely scented leaves that have a citrus aroma, and is useful in teas, desserts, and as a herbal remedy. It thrives in containers and works well in small spaces. In addition to its amazing smell, this patio plant is also attractive. Give it a large container and light, well-draining soil. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Regularly pruning this herb will help maintain a lush, bushy appearance. Make sure to bring it indoors before a frost.  Scented Geraniums The best fragrance comes from brushing against leaves. The wonderfully textural foliage and variety of amazing scents make scented geraniums an exceptional choice for the patio. Different varieties have different smells, including mint, chocolate, rose, lemon, and nutmeg. Their leaves release the most fragrance when brushed against, so place these in high-traffic areas.  Scented geraniums are drought-tolerant and easy to care for. They prefer dry conditions and good drainage. Give them a light potting mix and allow it to dry between waterings. Deadhead regularly for more blooms. Light pruning will keep your plants bushy and dense.  Heliotrope Fragrance is strongest on warm evenings outdoors. For an amazing, intoxicating fragrance in the outdoor living space, few plants compare to heliotrope. Its beautiful purple flowers have an intoxicating vanilla and cherry pie scent. The fragrance is strongest in the evening, when you can enjoy it during dinner on the patio.  Heliotrope needs some shade in the afternoon in hot climates. It prefers rich, well-draining potting mix and consistent moisture. Just be careful not to let the soil get soggy. Fertilize your heliotrope regularly for more flowers, and overwinter it indoors north of zone 9. Stock Prefers cool weather for best flowering. Stock is an excellent flowering plant that works well on the patio. Its upright spikes of soft blooms have a spicy, clovelike fragrance, similar to dianthus. This plant has tons of visual appeal and makes beautiful cut flowers. It’s not uncommon to see them in the floral department of grocery stores.  Stock needs well-draining containers and soil. Use a rich potting mix, and keep it lightly moist, but never soggy. This plant prefers cool weather, and it will do its best blooming in spring and fall. It may stop flowering in the summer heat, but will commonly resume when the air cools in fall.  Source link

[alexha2210]

Growing vegetables in containers is a cinch when you use the right containers, choose the best plants, and give them the nutrients they need. Here are the easiest ones you can grow—you’re practically guaranteed a good harvest with these veggies! We don’t often think of pots as being the best place to grow our veggies, but these five prolific edibles will yield a ton of food when grown in a container, so if you only have a small garden bed or no garden space at all, try planting these vegetables in containers this year instead. As you harvest and cut them back, they will produce more and more yummy veggies, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything by not growing them in the garden. Let’s get into it! Choose plants designed for containers, like those labelled dwarf, container, pot, or micro. How to Grow Vegetables in Containers Choose appropriate vegetable varieties to grow in pots, such as dwarfs or those particularly meant for containers. Always choose food-safe materials for containers. Be sure the containers have proper drainage holes. Keep in mind that soil in containers will always dry out quicker than in a garden bed, so you will need to check the soil often and water frequently. Use a soil mix that retains moisture. Supplement with a natural, granular fertilizer blend for vegetables. Don’t be scared to divide veggie plants if necessary! Best Vegetables To Grow in Containers If you are new to growing vegetables in containers, there are plenty of options! There aren’t many that you CAN’T grow in pots, but some are definitely more tricky than others. My recommendation is to start with tried and true crops, as each veggie listed below will give you the least amount of problems. Cucumbers Pick a small bush cucumber variety meant for pickling, as it will grow a large yield of small cucumbers, which is exactly what you want in a container garden; lots of veggies in a small footprint. Personally, I love Burpee’s “Fresh Pickle” cucumbers to grow in pots. Cucumber plants will need some sort of support structure to grow on, such as a metal or wire trellis. Use twine to tie the young cucumber stems onto the support structure to train them to grow up it. Add a trellis to your container to give the vines something to grow up. Peppers Peppers grow well in pots. In fact, having them in movable containers can give you more control over their final taste than if they were growing in one spot in the garden. This is because both sweet and hot peppers develop their flavour based on how much sun exposure they get. For sweet peppers, the more sun they get, the sweeter they taste. For hot peppers, more sun = more spice. Move your peppers around to get more or less sun exposure as they grow, depending on how you want them to taste when they are mature. Easily move your peppers to areas with the most sun. Potatoes I LOVE growing potatoes in containers because there are smart container options that make them easy to harvest. For example, you can plant potatoes in grow bags that have flaps at the bottom that open and close, so you can dig in through the flap straight to where the potatoes are located. Another option is a two-pot potato growing system that has one pot with gaps in the sides that inserts into a larger pot with closed sides. Grow the potatoes normally, and when they are ready to harvest, just remove the inner pot from the outer pot, and the potatoes are easy to harvest through the gaps in the inner pot’s sides. Potatoes in containers can get heavy, so try to plant them in their permanent container spot. Salad Greens Growing greens in a pot protects them from the snails and slugs that would otherwise find and damage them in the garden. Lettuce, in particular, prefers to be planted in shallow soil, so a container is a perfect choice for a salad garden. A cut-and-come-again salad garden is exactly what it sounds like: a container garden filled with salad greens that you cut to make a delicious, fresh salad.  When you come back again in a few days, the greens will have replenished themselves, so you can cut them again for your next salad. One fun idea is to grow lettuce in a wine barrel. It’s a beautiful addition to any garden. See the sneaky line of copper tape around my wine barrel? That’s to keep the slugs and snails from climbing up. Works like a charm! I grow all my lettuce in a wine barrel to keep the slugs and snails away from it. Tomatoes There are a great many wonderful tomato varieties made just for growing in containers. There are even super small varieties like “Tiny Tim” that can grow in a small 10″ diameter pot or hanging basket. Of course, grape and cherry tomatoes do well in pots, but there are also container varieties that produce larger slicer tomatoes, so you’re bound to find a container tomato that suits you. Choose a bush variety container tomato as opposed to a vine variety, as this will do better in a pot. There are new varieties released every year, so be sure to look at seed catalogs and veggie starts for those marked “container”. When you plant your tomatoes, be sure to add a cage or trellis for support at that time so that you don’t have to try and add it in later, which often results in damaging the plants. Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in pots because you don’t even need a garden to get a great harvest! Check out these genius ideas for growing them without ground soil: No Garden? No Problem! How to Grow Tomatoes Without a Garden. There are all kinds of tomato varieties ideal for growing in pots. The Best Potting Mix for Growing Vegetables in Containers Part of the success of growing vegetables in containers is ensuring that your plant gets the proper nutrients. Did you know you can easily make your own soil mix? Here’s how to put together a custom mix for container gardening. Growing Vegetables in Rubbermaid Containers, Etc. Can you grow vegetables in a Rubbermaid container? Yes, you can use these plastic containers for your vegetables as long as they list food safe plastic number on the bottom. In fact, you can even grow vegetables in a wine box, a suitcase, or an organizer! Choose the container that suits your style, but follow these tips to make sure you are successful! 1. Use The Right-Sized Container For Your Plants If you want to use Rubbermaid, choose the Roughneck series for your plants. Larger vegetables need a 5-gallon container. Smaller plants will do fine in a 3-gallon one. 2. Create Proper Drainage Drill holes in the bottom of the containers to help them drain. If you don’t, the water will just sit and pool at the bottom of the container. Make the holes about a 1/2-inch in diameter and space them apart evenly. 3. Keep Soil From Falling Out Line the bottom of the container with either a newspaper or a brown paper bag. This will let the water drain out but keep the soil from falling out. As it biodegrades, it will create a healthy compost soil, too. 4. Plant The Veggies Add soil and get planting! You can start the vegetables from seeds or from veggie starts. Keep in mind the appropriate spacing, but have fun combining different vegetables to make them attractive and edible. Growing Vegetables in Containers FAQ How deep do containers need to be to grow vegetables? For shallow root systems, like lettuce or radishes, you only need 10-12 inches. For medium root systems, like peppers or cucumbers, 1-2 ft. is enough. For large root systems, like potatoes or squash, I recommend 18-36 inches. I go into more detail in this post! The best vegetables to grow in containers are ones that fit in the container. You can easily plant potatoes and cucumbers in containers, just make sure you pick a large enough size to hold the plants and let them grow. Container gardening is fantastic for protecting your plants from rodents and bugs. It’s like a mini version of a raised bed garden. I hope these tips help you grow some fresh veggies this season. More Edible Gardening Ideas You’ll Love!   Source link

[alexha2210]

If there’s one ingredient that’s universally used in kitchens everywhere, it’s garlic! Why not start growing your own right at home? Growing garlic is simple, and while it takes a bit of time, the results are well worth it. Here’s how to grow a garlic plant from a bulb both outside and indoors, with no vampires slaying necessary. It’s not quite Halloween, but now’s the perfect time to think about naturally vampire-proofing your garden…with garlic! Planting garlic around the perimeter will protect your veggie beds from getting trampled by nighttime intruders who vant to suck your bloooood. Follow along to learn how to grow garlic out in the garden and even indoors. This post will cover… I grew Italian Soft Neck, Persian Star, and Yugoslavian Certified Organic garlic from West Coast Seeds. When to Plant Garlic In all seriousness, it’s a good reminder to plant garlic when you start thinking about Halloween. At least, that’s the case here in Vancouver where the best month to plant garlic occurs between mid-October and mid-November. If you live elsewhere, a good rule of thumb is that garlic should be planted between three and six weeks before the ground freezes. This ensures that there is enough time for the roots to develop. The moisture and cold of the soil will wake the bulb from dormancy and start this process. After that, growth is slow and a thick skin (figuratively) is necessary to make it through the winter. Next spring, the leaves will sprout and grow until harvest time next summer. Garlic can soon be a part of your summer harvest. You’ll be cooking with garlic scapes before you know it. How to Plant Garlic from a Clove Yes, all you need is one little clove to get started! Here’s how you can start your garlic plant using a clove or split a whole bulb for multiple plants. Choose Your Bulbs When planting garlic in your garden, it’s best to use heads grown specifically for planting. Unfortunately, garlic bulbs purchased from the grocery store can carry disease or be treated with chemicals. Both of these can be difficult to remove from your soil once planted. Instead, buy the heads from a reliable source like a seed company or farmer’s market vendor that you trust. I also do this when saving heirloom tomato seeds. I grew Italian Soft Neck, Persian Star, and Yugoslavian Certified Organic garlic from West Coast Seeds. You can also use garlic purchased locally from a farmer’s market. Site Selection Garlic plants like a sunny location and need only enough room for the bulbs to reach full size. Space plants around 6” apart, and they should have enough room. Space them a bit farther apart for large bulbs and closer together for smaller ones. Garlic is perfectly situated when planted at the back of a border or vegetable garden. When selecting a location, keep in mind that the bulbs won’t be fully matured and ready for harvest until summer. Soil Preparation Get the soil ready for planting by mixing in some yummy compost, then covering it with a layer of good quality topsoil. Garlic plants will do well in loose, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. I mixed in my own compost and topped it off with some fresh soil. I mix in my homemade compost, but you can also purchase compost to mix in. Planting Garlic Break apart your garlic head into cloves just before planting. This ensures that the nodes at the bottom don’t dry out and can set roots quickly. Each glove will turn into its own garlic plant. Each clove will have a pointy end where the stem and leaves will grow from and a wider, flat part on the bottom. This bottom part is where the roots will form. Plant the garlic so the pointy end faces up. Dig a hole and plant the clove tip-side up so that the tip is 2” below the surface. Garlic should be planted 2 inches deep. Cover with soil and mulch to conserve moisture and nutrients over winter. A good mulch for the winter is a layer of leaves covered by a layer of cardboard. Just don’t forget to remove the cardboard in early spring so the leaves and stems can grow up through the soil. This is how closely I planted my garlic. After planting, I covered my garlic with a layer of leaf mulch and cardboard. When to Harvest Garlic Garlic plants take around 7-8 months to grow, so they are ready to harvest in the summer after a fall planting. You know the garlic is ready when the greens on top begin to brown, and the flower stem feels soft. Stop watering the garlic for about a week until the soil has dried out, making it easy to remove your garlic. To make sure your garlic stores well, you will want to cure it. To do so, hang it in a cool and well-ventilated location for a couple of weeks. You’ll know it is finished curing when the plant is completely dry to the touch and has that outer papery layer on the bulb. Keep some of the largest bulbs to replant in the garden for the fall for an endless supply of garlic. Alternatively, you can also grow your garlic as a perennial. Leave the bulb in the ground for a few years rather than harvesting it. After 2-3 years, you will see a patch of garlic shoots. Eventually, they will progress into garlic scapes. You can also divide the plant and then harvest the bulbs just like I just talked about! How to Grow Garlic Indoors If you don’t have access to a garden or don’t want to wait until next summer to enjoy your garlic, you can learn how to grow garlic in pots. In this case, you can grow garlic greens, and you may even get some bulbs, too. If you want to grow bulbs, you will need to refrigerate the garlic for at least 40 days to give them that cold burst. You can skip this step if you’re just looking for greens. To grow your garlic plant, you will need to break up the cloves just like you would for the garden. The biggest clove will give you the best plant! Since it has shallow roots, you only need a pot anywhere from 6-12” deep. Make sure to choose one that has drainage holes! Use an indoor potting mix and plant with the pointy side up 2” under the surface. You can use a liquid fertilizer to help speed up the process, applying it every two weeks. Place the garlic in a sunny spot in the house where it can get full sun if possible. Avoid overwatering as it can rot the bulbs. After a week, you will see the shoots emerge. 2-3 weeks later, the leaves will be ready to harvest. If you want to grow bulbs, leave the leaves to help produce energy for the growing bulbs. The bulb will take a few months to grow, ready when around half of the leaves have turned brown. How to Grow Garlic in Water How easy is it to just plunk some garlic in water and call it a day? If you have garlic greens in mind, you don’t even need to plant your garlic cloves. Softneck garlic is the easiest for growing garlic greens, including Korean Red, German Red, Spanish Roja, and Duganski. To sprout your clove, wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it in a warm spot. After about two days, it should sprout. Move the clove to a clear container and let it sit with the shoot upwards. A shot glass is an ideal size for a single clove. Fill the glass with water so that it covers a little less than half of the clove. Once again, place it on a sunny window sill and replenish the water as needed. After about a week, you can begin to harvest the greens when they are 4-7 inches tall. Snip off the top third for the best taste. Enjoy your garlic greens just as you would green onions, with a slight garlic taste. Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Plants When do you plant garlic? Garlic is typically planted between mid-October and mid-November. When I see the Halloween decorations go up, I know it’s time to start planting garlic.Depending on where you live, this timing can change. Ideally, it needs to be planted 3-6 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows the bulb to develop roots before winter strikes. Can you plant garlic in the spring? Garlic takes 7-8 months to grow. This is why planting in the fall is ideal for harvesting in the summer. However, you can plant it in the spring as long as you get it in the ground as soon as possible. Garlic planted in the spring won’t get as big as those planted in the fall since it doesn’t have that early jump start. The harvest will be ready in late summer to early fall. More About Garlic Next summer, your garlic will be in full swing and ready to be harvested. You can first cut the scapes and use them in recipes, then harvest the bulbs and dry them. Bookmark these posts in the meantime: A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link

[alexha2210]

Secret gardens are some of the most magical spaces. Find a small corner or space tucked away in your yard and turn it into your own personal sanctuary. Take a tour through some secret gardens to find inspiration and learn some tips about creating your own along the way. Have you been lucky enough to visit a secret garden? As you walk along a pathway, through an ornate gate, or under a rose-covered arbour, you arrive at a welcoming spot, perhaps with a water feature or a bench, to sit and enjoy a small space that is usually beyond view. It draws you in. As you turn a corner or open a door, you are met with the answer to the mystery. A garden space that seems to be created just for you. A secret garden. Water features offer tranquillity thanks to their sounds and reflections. Canuck Place I became interested in the idea of secret gardens after touring the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice gardens and seeing the secluded and unique places that have been designed around the grounds for families and children. Canuck Place is a truly moving place, filled with beauty and love for the most unimaginably difficult times a family could ever go through. The gardeners work hard to create a secret garden—or a collection of them throughout the larger garden—as a place of joy and tranquillity. What struck me on my tour of the gardens was the small spaces; the hidden benches and covered arbours that invited you in, like a friendly hug. The volunteers work many hours to create such spaces throughout the garden so they can touch the lives of those who need it. Moon gates are great at drawing you in. Secret Gardens Are Everywhere After my tour of Canuck Place, I began to notice the secret gardens that were tucked in residential houses on garden tours, public spaces, and within botanical or public gardens. Secret gardens can be a unique way to reflect your personality in the garden. From doors that open to an outdoor living space to quirky benches built into a hidden corner, a secret garden is unexpected, inviting, and quaint. Sitting areas are essential for secret gardens. Each one that I have seen is completely unique, yet the common thread to all of them is that they are fiercely personal. Modern concrete surrounded by wild-looking grasses is in great contrast to a front yard running riverbed. The key to secret gardens is that they are a place for privacy. My First Secret Garden When I was in my first home and recovering from a debilitating illness, I created a space that I could use to sit out and enjoy the garden during those periods where I barely had the strength to sit upright. The backyard garden was my therapy space, where I would garden to strengthen my body and my mind. Some days I could only work for a few minutes, but just being out in the garden was healing. My hammock chair was under the deck for comfort on both rainy and sunny days. I found a hammock chair and hung it up under the small deck. There was just enough room to tuck the chair in, and it was a perfectly cool and shady spot to watch the pollinators buzz and the flowers blow in the wind. The ground below was covered in river stones and engraved rocks with words like “love” and “smile” set randomly throughout. It may not have been the most elaborate space, but I spent many hours healing in that space, and I’m so very grateful for it. River stones allowed me to go out barefoot in the space. Time, Again, to Create a Secret Garden When I moved, my hammock chair came with me, installed under an arbour in a prominent spot in the backyard. I spent many summer days cuddling with my son, and many more of them spinning him and his friends around in it. The hammock took on a brand new life. The hammock chair in its new spot. I missed that secret place under the deck, a quiet but lively space, where the garden can be watched and enjoyed, which inspired me to once again create a secret garden, this time in the front-yard shade garden. The garden centred around a spillway fountain and river rock bed under a large Pacific dogwood and backed by a Lace-leaf weeping Japanese maple. Even though I have studied these spaces often, I was still surprised by how much pleasure they provided. It was a secret but not isolated—the garden welcomed family and friends to sit, talk, read, or just watch the wildlife. The front yard was my favourite garden on the property. It had a fabulous structure and some beautiful mature plants. My secret garden was in the shade and surrounded by leafy foliage. When you walked along the sidewalk in front of the house, you would find a blooming hydrangea, draping Japanese maple, and colourful shade garden plants like ferns, Hellebores, and Heucheras. Only a few people noticed the trickling sound and curiously peeked around the corner. The secret garden wasn’t much of a secret; it just felt like one. It was only a few feet from the public sidewalk, and passersby could hear the fountain bubbling as they approached the front steps. Friends and neighbours (and the occasional off-leash, water-loving canine) would be down the stairs by the sound, see the fountain, and be welcomed onto the bench to sit and enjoy the space. Very much like a friendly hug. The fountain and bench in my secret garden. Tips to Create Your Own Secret Garden I enjoyed that garden for a decade before it was time to move again. I’m currently shaping my new space, and I have a feeling a new secret garden will take shape. If you want to create your own, here’s what I recommend: Mark it with a special entrance. This can be something as enchanting as a moon gate or a clematis-covered arbour, or as simple as my pathway in front of a bench. Something that draws you to the space. Add a water feature. This can be a small fountain, bird bath, or even a wildlife pond. Water brings tranquillity, thanks to its soothing repetitive sound and reflective qualities. Include a sitting area. You want somewhere to sit to enjoy your secret garden. It’s a place of relaxation and is intended for you to rest. Appeal to the senses. Add fragrant flowers and herbs to smell, a windchime to listen to, soft plants to touch, and interesting foliage to look at. This will all help to ground you in the space. Personalize it. All secret gardens are deeply personal and very much reflect the gardener who created them. Add the plants you love, hang garden art, and make it a place just for you. More Gardens to Inspire You     A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link

[alexha2210]

Happy Monday GPODers! We have a very special week lined up on the blog thanks to Anne Eshelman from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. This February we were introduced to the new garden Anne built in Florida after moving from the vastly differently climate of Michigan a couple of years ago (Check out that submission here: Flowers From Anne’s New Florida Garden). However, adding to and maintaining the plantings around her new home is not the only way she gets involved in gardening lately, she is also president of her local garden club. As president she helps arrange their Secret Garden Tour, and has very generously shared with us photos from all five gardens featured on the tour this past spring. So this week Garden Photo of the Day is staying stationed in the Sunshine State, exploring a new “secret” garden from this tour each day. Here’s what Anne has to say about the tour, and the first garden we’ll be exploring today: I love Fine Gardening! I wanted to share our Secret Garden Tour, which is the premier event of our Garden Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Zone 9B. We visited 5 unique gardens in our neighborhood, that were not visible from the street, ending with a garden lunch. And the proceeds from the event benefited a local college scholarship fund.  Teresa Romero’s rear garden is serene and peaceful, with stately trees, and grass leading down to a quiet lagoon. It was designed in tribute to the Master’s golf tournament, with azaleas, which had already finished blooming. Notice the blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata, Zones 9–11) and red Hawaiian ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa, Zones 10–11). Teresa has created a lush border garden around the lagoon at the end of her property. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, Zones 8–11) brings its tropical texture with fans of spiky foliage. The intense heat and sun in Florida makes shade a precious commodity, and lots of mature palms and other trees on the property make it a shady oasis. More fabulous foliage brings color to Teresa’s garden. This looks to be some pink-flowering Chinese fringe-flower (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, Zones 7–9), which produces vibrant pink flowers in spring. If this is the case, it must be a radiant companion to the blue plumbago and Hawaiian ti plant poking out from behind. Towering palm trees add their incredible tropical foliage and plenty of shade to this garden, but the interesting patterns and colors of palm tree bark often gets overlooked. The bark of some palms can look like scales, but I love the cool gray tones that are highlighted here. These trees are not only interesting shade-producers, they also create a stunning wall of privacy behind Teresa’s pool. Whether she’s soaking up some sun or lounging in the shade, Teresa is in her own private oasis. One final view of the vibrant blue plumbago and ti plants looking dazzling in the dappled shade. Teresa’s garden is a calm retreat, but it is not lacking in color or interest. What a fantastic introduction to this tropical tour! Have you enjoyed any garden tours this year? I know many loyal GPODers are also loyal members of a local garden club, and we would love to hear about and see more of the gardens that get featured on these very special tours. If you’ve opened your garden to a tour or visited some exceptional neighborhood gardens this year, please consider sharing some photos with Garden Photo of the Day. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   We want to see YOUR garden! Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here Fine Gardening Recommended Products Lee Valley Garden Obelisks Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Sturdy yet lightweight, these obelisks provide ample support for climbing plants while being easy to install and move. The medium obelisk stands 68 1/2" high overall with a diameter of about 9 1/2", compact enough for smaller containers indoors or out. The large size stands 86 1/2" high with a diameter of 15 3/4", ideal for larger outdoor spaces and containers. Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use. SHOWA Atlas 370B Nitrile Palm Coating Gloves, Black, Medium (Pack of 12 Pairs) Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Lightweight and close-fitting for excellent dexterity. Machine washable. Breathable back of hand to reduce perspiration. Designed for easy movement and continuous wear. Ideal for aerospace, assembly, automotive, construction, final fix, gardening, manufacturing, operating machinery, packaging, precision handling, tiling, warehousing. Source link

[alexha2210]

Phillips Collection has several collections that showcase biophilic and neuroaesthetic design, including the Dancing Roots sculptures and the broader Origins Collection. HIGH POINT — The term “biophilic design” has been floating around the home furnishings arena for a while, but there are still many industry leaders who aren’t quite convinced of its value on the retail floor. During a recent educational session at Las Vegas Market, a panel of designers joined Science in Design‘s Mike Peterson for a discussion on biophilic design as well as neuroaesthetics and design. Attendees in the audience included Jason Phillips, CEO of Phillips Collection, who weighed in after the seminar about how biophilia informs the company’s product development and future business strategies. Phillips Collection has always blended organic forms with environment, said CEO Jason Phillips. When did Phillips Collection as a company embrace biophilia and/or understand its importance to designed environments? Truthfully, we embraced biophilic design long before we ever called it that. From the beginning, we’ve celebrated nature not just as inspiration, but as medium and message. Whether through reclaimed roots, river stones, petrified wood or sculptural organic forms, our collections have always blurred the line between art and environment. When we connected with Mike Peterson and became a founding sponsor of Science in Design, it helped us put language around what we had been doing all along. Mike’s leadership gave voice to the instinctual, showing us how our reverence for nature aligned with neuroscience, wellness and beauty-driven design. It wasn’t a trend we followed; it was a truth we’d always lived. As an early adopter of biophilic product design, do you talk about these concepts with your customers? If retail, do they “get it?” If designers, do they use their understanding of each concept to delineate themselves from their counterparts? Yes, and increasingly so. With retailers, it often starts with storytelling, helping them translate the natural beauty of a piece into language that resonates with their shoppers. When they understand the emotional impact of these organic forms, it becomes a point of differentiation on the floor. Designers take it deeper. They’re curating for wellness, not just aesthetics. When they discover that our pieces can lower stress, spark calm, or ignite joy, they see how these principles can be a signature in their work. They use biophilia and neuroaesthetics not just to inform, but to elevate, and in doing so separate themselves from peers who are still focused only on form or trend. See also: Why is the timing right for this to take off as a needed perspective, both with biophilia as well as neurodiverse design? Because people are craving connection — real, sensory, emotional connection. In a post-pandemic world, we’ve re-evaluated what our spaces do for us. It’s no longer about performance or polish alone; it’s about how a space makes you feel. Biophilia brings calm, grounding and beauty. Neurodiverse design introduces inclusivity, accessibility and emotional range. These concepts speak to something ancient within us. As early humans, we sought refuge in high places: mountainsides with a rock wall at our back for safety, a fire in front for warmth and protection, and a vista to detect danger. That primal need for security and perspective still lives within us. Today, it shows up in the comfort of a second-story reading nook, a bay window overlooking trees or a skyline view of Central Park. We feel safest when there’s structure behind us and a view ahead. Design that taps into this instinct doesn’t just look good, it resonates at our core. At Phillips, we’ve even partnered with marketing students from High Point University on semester-long studies exploring emotional and sensory response to design. These students used tools like 3M’s Visual Attention Software and galvanic skin response sensors to evaluate how people feel in the presence of different materials, forms and layouts. That kind of research continues to shape how we think about every product we bring to market. In your opinion, what are some of the implications of this “proof” as it relates to the consumer audience? Are we on the cusp of something “big?” Absolutely. The presence of data transforms these concepts from philosophy into action. When you can prove that wood grain lowers resting heart rate or that certain shapes and colors produce measurable mood shifts, design becomes a wellness tool, not just a visual one. This is why Science in Design is so critical right now. It offers the bridge from theory to impact. For consumers, that means they’ll increasingly seek out products that make them feel good, not just look good. We’re entering an era where emotional design is no longer a luxury. It’s a new standard. As more designers and retailers embrace this shift, the conversation will evolve from “What does it look like?” to “How does it make me feel?” That’s a big — and necessary — change. Phillips believes more consumers will ask “How does it make me feel?” when deciding on a furniture or decor purchase. Talk about some of the products buyers will see in the showroom at High Point Market that relate to both concepts. We’re showcasing several collections that exemplify biophilic and neuroaesthetic design in action. Our Dancing Roots sculptures and the broader Origins collection are perfect examples. These reclaimed wood forms are shaped by nature, not machines — each one a singular story of time, place and organic beauty. Scientifically, the presence of wood grain has been shown to lower resting heart rate, and our pieces deliver that benefit while commanding visual impact. On the neuroaesthetic side, our Cycladic Faces wall sculptures reduce the human face to its most elemental lines, evoking a shape even infants recognize. There’s a quiet emotional intelligence in this kind of design: It’s abstract, yes, but deeply familiar. And for a completely different kind of sensory impact, we celebrate joy and scale. Our larger-than-life Great Danes in gold leaf are bold, exuberant and energizing. They don’t just fill a room; they raise its emotional temperature. That’s part of the spectrum, too. Biophilia may calm, but neurodiverse design allows for delight, playfulness and elevation. Our showroom reflects all of it. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[alexha2210]

Earrings are important fashion accessories that complement the wearer’s beauty and enhance their appearance. Despite its importance, it is often one of the most ignored pieces of jewelry during cleaning processes. Sadly, its placement on the body attracts lots of grime and dirt from the air, makeup, cream, body oils, sweat, shampoos, and many more, which makes it very dirty.  Cleaning your earrings is as important as wearing them. This prevents the chance of getting an infection through accumulated microbes and protects your jewelry items from losing their luster. Fortunately, numerous methods exist to clean your earrings without stressing too much. We have gathered some of the best tips on how to get rid of the gunks and grime in your jewelry and restore its shine. Why is Cleaning Earrings Important? Here are a few reasons why you should clean your earrings regularly. The NEHA estimates that up to 82% of women in the US may have pierced ears, although exact numbers are difficult to obtain. Many men also have pierced ears. Earrings may harbor dangerous bacteria such as s. aureus. Studies have shown that bacteria may be transmitted from earrings to fingers, and then to other surfaces. Cartilage piercings (piercings in the hard parts of your ear rather than the lobe) take far longer to heal than lobe piercings and are more prone to infection. With so many pierced ears and the potential risks involved, it’s easy to see why you should be cleaning your earrings regularly. What You Need to Clean Your Earrings Cleaning your earrings requires no special expertise. It is something you can do yourself from the comfort of your home.  Here are a few items you need to get started: Mild dish soap Soft-bristled brush Microfiber cloth Hot water Baking Soda Rubbing alcohol (optional) Hydrogen Peroxide (optional) How to Clean Earrings at Home Now that you have read that cleaning your earrings is very important. You are probably wondering how to get started with it. Read on to find out how. Clean your hands: This might sound like something everyone should know, but it is important to remind ourselves. Ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly before you begin cleaning and inserting the earrings back into your piercings. You do not want to risk spreading germs from your contaminated hands to your ear piercings or jewelry pieces. Ensure you wash your hands (including your fingers) with warm water and hand soap for a few seconds. Then, rinse and dry with a clean towel. Clean with hot water: Boil some water in your microwave or cooker. When the water is boiled, soak your earrings in it for about 20 minutes. Gently scrub with the soft-bristled brush. Although this process is not as effective as using a cleaning solution, it is a good alternative. Remove dirt with toothpicks: Cleaning earrings with intricate designs can be tricky. You can use a toothpick to reach areas that can not be accessed easily. Dry: Finally, dry the earrings with a clean microfiber cloth. Do not use a towel with loops to avoid leaving fibers on your earrings or paper towels that can scratch the surfaces.   How to Clean Earring Backs When cleaning your earrings, it is also important to clean their backs. Usually, most earrings, like studs, have fasteners behind them to hold them in place. These fasteners need to be cleaned to get rid of accumulated dirt. So, ensure that you put as much effort into cleaning them. If you cannot remove all dirt in one clean, you can use a toothpick to reach the tiny crevices and rinse with warm water. How to Clean Earrings with Hydrogen Peroxide Besides using hydrogen peroxide to clean grout on your floor tiles, you can also use it as a cleaning solution for your earrings.  Cleaning your earrings with hydrogen peroxide is an effective way to disinfect them and eliminate bacteria, especially for people with sensitive ears. This cleaning solution is safe for all kinds of gold or silver earrings.  There are two ways to clean your earrings with hydrogen peroxide. You can either: Soak them in a solution of hydrogen peroxide: Fill a bowl with hydrogen peroxide and soak your earrings in there for 20 minutes. Then, carefully rinse and dry. Clean with a cotton pad: You can also pour some hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad or wool and carefully clean your earrings. How to Clean Pearl Earrings Pearl earrings are delicate pieces of jewelry vulnerable to damage or scratches if not properly cared for. Since they are sensitive to chemicals, it is advised to avoid using abrasive cleaning solutions on them. Cleaning your pearl earrings the right way will make them last a generation without getting damaged.  To clean your pearls: Always have a jewelry cloth to polish your pearls after every wear to avoid oil or dirt buildup. In cases of visible stains, clean your pearls with a damp cloth and a combination of warm water and mild dish soap. Dry with a clean and dry cloth or allow to air dry before keeping in your storage box. How to Clean Gold Earrings You can clean your gold earrings easily without much stress. Here are the steps on how to go about it: Create a mixture of dish soap and warm water or a solution of baking soda and warm water with a sprinkle of salt. Soak your gold earrings in the solution for about 30 minutes Gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of the cleaning solution. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth. How to Clean Silver Earrings Silver is one of the most popular materials for creating beautiful jewelry pieces. To clean your silver accessories, you need to: Line a glass baking dish with tin foil, positioning the shiny side up. Place your silver jewelry in the pan and fill it with boiled water till it is completely covered. Add baking soda to the pan till you notice the earrings are bubbling. Leave for an hour Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub and remove dirt gently Rinse with clean water Gently dry with a clean cloth. Pro tip: You can learn the best practices for cleaning and managing your silvered items here. How to Make Your Earrings Sparkle You can keep your earrings sparkly by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. Below are the steps involved: Pour some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swap. Use the cotton swap to clean the earrings carefully. Alternatively, you can leave your earrings in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes. How Often Should You Clean Your Earrings? It is advised to clean your earrings as frequently as you can. If possible, clean the hooks or fasteners with an alcohol swab before each wear to prevent dirt buildup and disinfect before use.  Why Should You Clean Your Earrings Often? Wearing earrings for an extended period without proper cleaning can cause infected ear piercings.  A piercing is an open wound on the body, and exposure to infected earrings will certainly lead to an infection.  When the ear piercing is infected, it can cause swollen ear lobes, ear redness, ear pus, or pain in the ears. It is important to ensure that your earrings are always cleaned to prevent this from occurring. Here are a few reasons why cleaning your earrings is important: To prevent dirt buildup: Earrings are constantly covered with natural oils, hair creams, makeup items, sweat, air particles, improperly rinsed-off shampoos and soaps, and many more. Cleaning your jewelry pieces regularly will help prevent this dirt from accumulating. To maintain the luster: When earrings are covered with dirt and grime, their appearance becomes dull. In fact, some changes color due to chemical reactions. Ensure that you constantly keep your earrings clean so they can remain as beautiful as when you got them.  To last longer: Another importance is to ensure that your earrings last for a long time. If you don’t want to part with your favorite earrings so soon or spend money to buy another pair, you have to clean your earrings often. This will prevent them from getting rusty or weak due to accumulated dirt, grime, or grease. To prevent bacterial infections: This is the most important reason to keep your earrings clean.  According to Dr. Francesca Fusco, a dermatologist in New York City, dead skin can build up around the backing of earrings as a result of dandruff or infrequent removal and serve as a nidus for germs. You should note that your earrings are more or less going through a hole in your earlobes (piercings), so when they are dirty, they can spread infections to you.  Final Thoughts As you can see, cleaning your earrings is essential to preserving their value and sparkle. You can ensure that your earrings remain as beautiful as ever by following the above cleaning tips and steps.  Other important care tips to note: Apply your body lotions, sprays, and makeup before wearing your earrings. Clean your earrings with alcohol wipes after each use. Store your earrings in a ziplock bag to prevent tarnish. Ensure that you remove your earrings before going to bed. Do not expose your earrings to harmful detergents or solutions like bleach.  Source link

[alexha2210]

Let the lunar light shine bright on your garden. Moon gardens are mystical spaces that embrace the darkness and contain bright white plants and those that only bloom at night. The result is a beautiful, serene space for enjoying the garden long after the sun has gone. Here’s how to plant your own moon garden. When the sun sets, the garden turns into a magical place. What was once a world of bright reds and blues with buzzing bees and songbirds turns into a fairy realm where nature slows down. While many of us and the plants, bugs, and animals head to sleep, others are just emerging for the night. They relish in the cool nights and the swell of darkness to go about their business. Some flowers look stunning basking under a lunar glow, reflecting the moonlight and releasing sweet fragrances to attract pollinators. If you want to experience the mystical and otherworldly feel of a moon garden, here are the plants and info you need to design one yourself! This post will cover… What is a Moon Garden? Moon gardens are spaces specifically designed to be enjoyed at dusk and night. The flowers and plants are carefully chosen to reflect the moonlight or are plants that can only bloom once the sun sets. Beyond the plants, other elements also make up a moon garden. The animals that come out during the day disappear, and in their place, crickets, cicadas, frogs, fireflies, moths, and bats emerge. Many of the flowers that come out at night are pollinated by moths, bats, or the wind. Moon gardens have a distinct mystical feel to them. They’re a calming yet mysterious place where it feels like you’ve entered into a different world. If you’ve ever walked through a large garden at night, you know exactly what I mean. Sometimes, people will refer to moon gardens as twilight, night, or evening gardens. Other times, people will use the name moon garden to describe a space with other elements like a moon gate or a window. These aren’t meant to be enjoyed at night but instead to frame a view or for spiritual purposes. At the Dallas Arboretum, they had a stunning garden full of white flowers that would look perfect in a moon garden. History of Moon Gardens Moon gardens were first planted in India. The most notable is the Mehtab Bagh (moonlight garden) in the Taj Mahal complex. It has a large reflecting pool with the Taj Mahal centred in the distance. It has white walkways and many night-blooming plants. Even before the Mehtab Bagh was built, Indians created many moon gardens. Rather than enjoy gardens on hot days, these moonlight gardens featured plants that bloomed at night. They often added pools or other water to the garden and lit pathways and platforms within it with oil lamps. One of the first moon gardens designed in North America belonged to Benjamin Poore. In 1833, he built a moon garden in Indian Hill, Massachusetts. There, he had a large garden of white flowers and white animals, including cattle, pigeons, and a dog. White animals are by no means a moon garden requirement..that’s a Poore thing! Folklore of Moon Gardening The moon has long been present in many stories, myths, and folklore for people worldwide. As such a large, ethereal presence, it’s no wonder people hold the moon in such high regard. Gardening by the Moon Moon phase gardening, or planting by the moon, is a very old practice that believes the lunar cycle affects plant growth. While there haven’t been many studies proving or disproving this, some people still practice it. The belief is that the moon’s gravitational pull, known to affect the earth’s tides, can also affect the water intake in plants. At a full moon, when the gravitational pull is its strongest, it pulls up lots of water from the plant roots and increases overall growth. The phase of the moon could dictate when it was the best time to plant, cultivate, and harvest plants. Full moons allowed farmers to plant crops well into the night, especially in June when the daylight was the longest. Types of Full Moons Native Americans would name the types of full moons to tell time. Different areas would have different names than others, which is why we see such variety. They were often named after what was in season. Some common ones include the Strawberry Moon in June, the Corn Moon in September, the Hunter’s Moon in October, and the Harvest Moon around the autumnal equinox. Other Folklore There are so many stories and old wives’ tales revolving around the moon. Here are just a few: Slaughtering livestock during a waxing moon results in juicier meat. Horseradish harvested during a full moon will have the best flavour. Wood shingles will lie flatter if you cut them in the moonlight. Plants to Add to a Moon Garden The core of a moon garden is choosing the right flowers and foliage to plant. Most often, you want night/dusk blooming flowers that come out when the sun goes down. Or, you want bright white or light-coloured flowers that will reflect the moonlight, and silvery foliage. Other important elements are those with notable fragrances and the ability to attract pollinators. Here are some of the most common plants you might find in a moon garden: Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia) note: poisonous; keep out of the reach of pets and children Dahlia (Dahlia) Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritime) Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) Evening rain lily (Zephyranthus drummondii) Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) Foam flower (Tiarella) Four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa) Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) Gardenia augusta (Gardenia jasminodes) Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) Impatiens (Impatiens) Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantine) Lilies (Lilium) note: poisonous; keep out of the reach of pets Mock orange (Philadelphus x virginalis) Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) Night blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) Night phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis) Night-scented stock (Matthiola longipetala) Magnolia (Magnolia) Peony (Paeonia) Snowdrop (Galanthus) Sweet rocket (Hesperis matronalis) Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) How to Create a Moon Garden Pick a Location Place your moon garden where you’ll enjoy it the most. First things first, ensure it gets enough moonlight for the full effect of the plantings to take place. Too much shade, and you might not even notice your moon garden. Your moon garden can be as small as a window box or as large as the entire entranceway to your house. It’s easy to mix in amongst other flowers and gardening beds, as the white will go with all the colours during the day and stand out at night. At Moss Mountain Farm, they have a moon garden for entertaining. At dusk when the light goes down, they serve cocktails and begin their evening parties. The entire garden is white plantings that glow perfectly in the moonlight. Moss Mountain Farm Plant Your Flowers A big part of moon gardening is ensuring that you’re stimulating other senses beyond sight. Strong fragrant flowers like jasmine or gardenia can be welcome additions and attract evening pollinators. Plant your flowers in groupings for maximum impact. Also, try to stagger the bloom times of the different plants so that your moon garden is in full effect all season long. French lavender ‘Silver Anouk’ has beautiful silvery foliage that reflects moonlight. Water Elements Like the original Mehtab Bagh gardens, water is another important element of moon gardening. A simple fountain can add sound and a feeling of serenity. Still water can create stunning reflections of the moon. Try a birdbath or a pond as a reflecting pool. This fountain was a feature in my shade garden that came alive at night. Landscape Lighting Additional ambient lighting can also be used, but sparingly. Add fairy lights to a patio or LED lights along walkways. Other great options are silhouette/spotlight lights for trees and other large windows. Hanging Mason jar lights powered by solar are subtle and beautiful in a moon garden. Add Seating Moon gardens are wonderful evening entertaining spaces. From late night barbeques to sitting around a backyard fire, add some seating near your moon garden. This way, you can relax and take in the mystical energy of the garden and the moon. For extra ambience, bring along a portable speaker or add music to your moon garden. From a single patio chair to a full set-up, do what works for you! And that’s how you can enjoy your garden by moonlight. Let me know in the comments below if you make a moon garden yourself. They really are a magical space and worth all the planning. More Serene Garden Designs A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link

[alexha2210]

John Lewis is a heritage high street brand that we can always rely on to deliver stylish pieces with an affordable price tag, and having already seen what's coming for the next season, I'm excited at what's on the horizon. While the brand is running with some classic trends including ‘Rustic’, ‘Scandi’, and ‘Heritage’ styles, they’ve also introduced a ‘Modern Luxe’ collection that features some unique and standout pieces.The Hoxton armchair in chocolate chenille was the Livingetc favorite find when we visited the press day a month or so back, and retailing at £349, you might not be surprised to learn that this chair has already sold out once — now, fortunately, it's back in stock.It ticks a lot of the current interior design trend boxes — mid-century, retro-inspired, a chocolate brown color palette, and a return to chrome decor over brass. There’s no doubt that if you want this chair, you’re going to have to grab it quickly before it sells out again, and I predict that won’t be long! You may like John Lewis & Partners Hoxton Armchair in Chocolate Chenille The Hoxton armchair not only looks effortlessly chic, but it also scores high for comfort. It offers the highest degree of support thanks to the high-density foams, which means it’ll also retain its signature shape and stand the test of time. The ‘Modern Luxe’ edit is very exciting, especially for mid-century interior lovers. Think designer, retro-inspired pieces for less. Beautifully crafted furniture with statement chrome frames and carefully curated accessories from this trend.Mixing luxurious textures with more grounded design details helps this version of glamour work for 2025. (Image credit: John Lewis)The ‘Heritage’ range is all about offering timeless classics that are also budget-friendly. Sophisticated furniture designs, traditional color palettes, and elegant soft furnishings are all key elements of this particular edit. Similarly, their ‘Rustic’ and ‘Scandi’ collections are fairly self-explanatory, but boast a modern twist. For example, the ‘Scandi’ edit features pops of color, and their ‘Rustic’ edit is a lot more refined than what the title suggests.The rustic trend has a global-leaning look. (Image credit: John Lewis)12 of our top picks from the John Lewis AW25 collection John Lewis Rattan and Rope Storage Basket, Whitewash Waves and curves are key design features for AW25 and they are even making their way into storage. This whitewashed storage basket has a wavy rope decoration that also doubles up as a handle, which means you can easily move it to different rooms in the house if necessary. Use to store spare blankets or the bits and bobs you'd rather not have on display. John Lewis Farmhouse Wood Frame Overmantle Wall Mirror On the market for a classic mirror that would sit pretty above a mantelpiece or in an entranceway? Well, this carved wall mirror may just be what you're looking for. It is made from pine wood, which boasts a walnut stain finish in a rich, dark tone – a wonderful contrast to light, neutral walls. John Lewis Mushroom Rechargeable Dimmable Table Lamp, Polished Chrome John Lewis' mushroom lamp has become one of their most iconic lighting designs. It's rechargeable and dimmable as well as being available in lots of different colors to match your home. The polished chrome finish and retro shape gives this lamp a mid-century vibe that we're totally on board with. John Lewis Low Pile Berber Pure Wool Rug, White This cozy floorfiller is a modern take on the classic Berber-style rug. It boasts a geometric pattern in a subtle cream and grey colorway. It's also loomed by hand, which means the material is carefully laced together to create a strong and durable weave. Ideal for busy family homes that also want to exude a sense of style. John Lewis Mid Century Wood Wall Clock We are in love with the dark wood and brass details that contrast beautifully in the design of this mid-century inspired clock. It is so chic and would be an elegant addition to any living room or kitchen wall space. John Lewis Retro Glass Side Table, Amber The curved chrome frame of this side table is simply gorgeous. Paired with the amber colored glass top, it really is a stand out piece but with a very affordable price tag. Keep things minimal in terms of styling and display a simple bud vase or trinket tray on top of it. John Lewis Leckford Striped Cushion Stripes are back and bigger than ever. The Leckford cushion was nanmed after the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, which was farmed by the John Lewis Partnership for over 90 years. It's a wonderful example of one of their products that represents the brands rich heritage. It's available in both a sage green and plaster pink colorway to suit your style. John Lewis Cantilever Dining Chair The Cantilever dining chair scores highly for both style and comfort. The durable cantilever style tubular metal frame provides stability and the upholstered seat and backrest are super comfy. This chair is available in orange or green – nod to all things retro with orange or opt for a contemporary twist with green. John Lewis Aura Console/shelf Unit Choosing a bold piece of furniture can sometimes be a risk. However, if you decide on the Aura console unit, it's sure to be one of your most treasured pieces for a long time. The geometric shapes that face in different directions add a huge amount of interest to this wooden shelf unit. As well as dark wood, it's also available in a lighter oak if that would be more appropriate. John Lewis Bobbin Console Table, Black Bobbin detailing is everywhere at the minute, and for good reason! It's an example of 17th century design that has made its way into the world of modern interiors. This console table has a black finish that would be sure to bring drama to an entryway. John Lewis Splattered Stoneware Mug There is nothing more chic than a curated collection of mugs. Leave out the novelty designs and invest in handmade ceramic and stoneware ones instead. This splattered red mug shouldn't just be saved for best as it's dishwasher and microwave safe for everyday use. John Lewis Orb Acacia Wood Coffee Table, Natural The Orb acacia wood coffee table is currently out of stock but we had to share it with you to make sure you put it on your wish list for when it comes back! This piece has been beautifully crafted, which makes you appreciate the natural grain of the wood. It's circular design makes it hot right now and is a more affordable version of designer alternatives. Found something you've fallen head over heels for in the latest offering from John Lewis?Perhaps it has made you consider adding a few retro-inspired pieces to your home. There's nothing more sophisticated than creating the perfect blend of traditional and modern design, and what's better is that you don't have to spend a fortune testing it out. Invest in a couple of key items from the John Lewis AW25 collection that you love and have fun styling them. Source link