In 2017 the United Nations designated May 20 as World Bee Day to celebrate bees and raise awareness of the importance of bees, the plight of pollinators, and how they can influence sustainable agricultural practices. Our first observance of World Bee Day was celebrated May 20, 2018. Why May 20th? Because it was the birthdate of Anton Jansa, a pioneer in beekeeping. Born in present day Slovenia, he was the “first beekeeping teacher at the imperial court in Vienna”. This year’s UN theme, “Bee engaged in pollinator-friendly agricultural production”, calls on all communities to “support pollinator-friendly agricultural production”. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.) (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) The Importance of Bees Pollination As bees flit from one tree (or flower) to the next, they are actually depositing pollen from the gametes of the male trees to the ovules of the female trees, thus fertilizing them. Other kinds of pollinators include birds such as hummingbirds, and insects like butterflies, beetles, moths, and flies. However, bees are by far the most important drivers of pollination. Maintain Ecosystems We need healthy ecosystems. They control flooding, diminish the effects of weather related occurrences, and maintain the proper balance of survival for all flora and fauna. Healthy Foods Bees keep people and the planet healthy. According to the USDA, honey bees pollinate $15 BILLION worth of crops each year. These include approximately 130 different kinds of vegetables, nuts, and fruits. Bees also annually produce honey worth millions. According to Harvard University, “A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check”. Without the harvest of these vegetables, nuts, and fruits, our supermarkets would look quite different. Produce Necessary Food Sources All living creatures need a healthy food supply. Without pollinators we and other animals would be deprived of necessary sources of nutrition. This would start a domino effect throughout the food chain and the ecosystems. Once the plant eating animals do not have vegetables, nuts, or fruits to eat, they will begin to die. Then the carnivores would not have anything to prey on. Finally, with the lack of crops and the dying off of prey and predator animals, there would be an enormous decrease in the human food supply. Beautiful Aesthetics Every spring Cherry Blossom festivals are celebrated in Washington, D.C. and other parks such as Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. They are a beautiful sight to see. In addition to fruit trees the beauty of Redbuds, Dogwoods, Maples, Crabapples, and Serviceberry trees cannot be beat. Without pollinators we would not have this natural beauty to appreciate. Click below to see the wonders of bees and other unsung heroes. Why Are Bee Populations and Other Pollinators Declining? Just look around and you will realize why so many pollinators, specifically bees, are dying off. 1. Loss of Habitat The expansion of roads, buildings, warehouses, neighborhoods, stores, stadiums, airports, logging and mining operations have destroyed natural habitats for pollinators. Now it’s rare to see rolling meadows of wildflowers or forests of beautiful native trees. Instead, manmade objects have replaced them and continue to do so. 2. Monoculture farming For many years farmers have planted fields of one specific crop. We are learning now that this is not good for the soil, the environment, and the pollinators. 3. Pesticides Pesticides were not always thoroughly regulated. Thanks to science we are finding that many pesticides that were used in the past were not only harmful to humans, but to insects, birds, and animals. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state agencies work together to regulate the types and amounts of pesticides used on crops. Click here for more information on Environmental Protection and Pesticides. 4. Invasive Plant Species Plants and trees from other countries have been promoted in the United States. An invasive plant is one that is introduced by humans and spreads outside of its natural range. Some of these species are invasive and take over native plant habitats and natural ecosystems. The Bradford Pear, Mimosa, Russian Olive, and the Tree of Heaven (deciduous sumac) are invasive, just to name a few. 5. Climate Change Like humans, certain bees (honeybees) cannot tolerate high levels of heat. This lower resistance to heat reduces their ability to perform long distance pollination. 6. Pathogens and Pests A contagious bacterial infection is a pathogen. Pathogens such as American Foulbrook and Chalkbrook infect the bee larvae and kill them. Ants, skunks and mice invade bee hives, kill the bees, and feed on their combs including the honey. 7. Pollution We know that breathing in fuel exhaust and harmful chemicals causes a plethora of illnesses in humans. Research has found that bees are also susceptible to the harmful effects of pollutants. Honeybees in particular are “hairy” and hold tiny particles called microplastics that float in the atmosphere. The honeybees spread these onto different flora when they rest on them. In addition to transferring microplastics from one flower to the next, air pollution blocks the scent of flowers which is what draws the pollinators to them. Research has shown that 80% of bees in urban areas die, in contrast to 80% of bees that survive in rural and low pollution areas. 8. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) Worker bees have been dying at an alarming rate. Without adult worker bees the entire colony collapses. This has been occurring in managed bee colonies in Britain more so than in natural bee colonies. England regularly loses 60% of their colonies each winter. They suspect it is due to parasites, different farming practices, and the use of insecticides. How Can We Save the Bees? One way is through awareness. Creating an International Bee Day is a major step towards mitigating the problem. Hopefully, through awareness agricultural practices will be altered for the betterment of bees. Here are some other suggestions we gardeners can consider to help save the bees. 1. Plant more urban gardens with flowers and trees that attract pollinators. 2. Plant trees in urban areas on city streets to trap air pollutants. 3. Become an apiarist, a/k/a beekeeper. Beekeepers supply shelter, medications, and queen bees if needed. Providing the bees with these items will help them take care of themselves. 4. If you’re interested in becoming a beekeeper, purchase a Flow Hive or other beehive kits from Amazon. 5. Use natural ingredients to control pests in your garden. 6. Turn lawns into glorious wildflower meadows. May 20 is World Bee Day – Everyday SHOULD Be World Bee Day – Conclusion Bees are essential to our existence. Without them, our world would look and be quite different. Unfortunately, our bee population is declining. By making more people aware of the plight of bees, we can help mitigate and reverse this calamity. You too can help save the bees by incorporating some of the practices discussed in this article into your life. If you enjoy reading, Jodi Picoult’s book called Mad Honey is “a soul-stirring new novel about what we choose to keep from our past and what we choose to leave behind”. The life of a beekeeper is highlighted as a subplot in the story. I will end this post by inviting you to listen to the Flight of the Bumblebee played by John Galway, a renowned flutist, (or as they say in England, flautist!) It sounds just like busy bees. I hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Also please share it with friends and family. Happy Gardening, Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com

Yes, I am a gardener and yes, I love tulips. Currently boasting over 8 million tulips throughout their massive farm, Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, New Jersey is in full throttle, hosting u-pick tulips and tulip viewing sessions. It seems to be a trend because throughout my country, (USA), tulip farms are cropping up everywhere. I have visited Holland Ridge Farms and it is absolutely beautiful. However, I was not satisfied with just viewing American replicas of tulip farms. I wanted to see and experience the most beautiful tulip farms in The Netherlands. I was able to convince my husband to take a European trip to The Netherlands and Belgium. Mostly to visit the famous Keukenhof Farm/Tulip Festival but, I have to admit, to also try all the delicious Belgian waffles, chocolates, and beers! I'd like to share with you some interesting tidbits of knowledge I acquired while in Europe and also delight your eyes with beautiful pictures of this lovely farm, including a plethora of unusual varieties of tulips. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.) (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Interesting Tidbits of Information About the Tulip Tulip season officially begins on the third Saturday in January in The Netherlands, aptly called National Tulip Day. On this day people participate in a free flower picking experience. Then flowers are shipped throughout the world. This year the Tulip Festival in Keukenhof runs from March 21 through May 21, 2024. A diplomat from a northern European country encountered someone from the court of the ruler of Turkey. The man from Turkey was wearing a turban adorned with a picture of a tulip. They could not speak a common language. The European pointed to the symbol on the turban and asked what it was in his language. The Turkish person thought he meant the turban and replied turban. The European believed that he meant the picture of the tulip was called turban. As the terminology evolved, the Turkish word turban became tulip in western European languages. In the Netherlands tulips became so popular and rare that people put a very high value on them and they became an alternative currency. Eventually tulips depressed the value of the Dutch money. This craze for tulips was called tulip mania. The aristocrats in the Netherlands planted masses of tulips surrounding their homes to mask their body odor. You see, the Pope had said it was a sin to view the naked body. The people interpreted that to mean they were never to undress and hence, not to bathe! There were some very smelly people back in the day! Botanists created variations of the tulip that were considered very rare and thus a status symbol by the wealthy. One or a few bulbs of some of the varieties could cost more than a house in Amsterdam! Eventually people figured out they were extremely overvalued and that they could grow their own. As a result, the tulip economy crashed. Shop Etsy for Tulips Keukenhof Gardens Keukenhof Gardens are located in the small town of Lisse approximately 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam. You can take a bus trip from Amsterdam to the town and visit the gardens in one day. It's open for 8 weeks from mid March through mid May. Over 7 million flower bulbs donated from 100 growers, are planted annually. Forty gardeners take care of the gardens. These bulbs bloom in succession, so regardless of when you visit the gardens during this 8 week period, you will be dazzled by glorious blooms. After the tulips have bloomed, they are dug out of the ground and fed to livestock as per the request of the donors of the bulbs. The park is huge. It covers around 32 hectares which is equivalent to 79+ acres! In addition to rows of flowering tulips in fields, the massive park is beautifully landscaped with flowers, trees, paths, rock formations, lakes, a windmill and sculptures fully integrated into the topography. In addition to the outdoor gardens, there are enclosed buildings. One building features a massive array of orchids and other tropical flowers. The flowers are on display as small vignettes with themes varying from a London town with the iconic red phone box to an Alice in Wonderland theme. Another building consists of hundreds of varieties of tulips on display. There is also a working windmill on the premises...great for pictures and selfies. Feast your eyes on some lovely sculptures, flowers, and settings from Keukenhof Gardens below. Varieties of Tulips I have never seen so many different varieties of tulips. Below is a grouping of tulips with their respected names. I hope you enjoy these pictures. Which one is your favorite? Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Keukenhof Tulip Festival If you have never been to The Netherlands or Belgium, I highly recommend visiting these countries. All of the small towns are filled with beautiful flowers, lovely architecture, interesting history, and intriguing canals. This was truly a holiday of a lifetime. If you go, I recommend that you check out not only Keukenhof Gardens, but also Amsterdam, Haarlem, The Hague, the North Sea area a short tram ride outside of The Hague, Delft, and Utrecht in The Netherlands and Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels in Belgium. You will not be disappointed! I hope you enjoyed this post. Please share it with friends and family. Happy Gardening, Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com

To me, everyday is Earth Day. I have loved the beauty of nature all my life. As a young girl I remember taking long walks with my Dad through fields of wild blueberries and pear orchards. As a family we visited many parks throughout the east coast while traveling to Florida to visit my aunt. While in Florida we experienced ocean creatures as we strolled through the shallow waters of Matheson Hammock Park Marina. Back then it was not a marina but a cove in which we would go swimming amongst tiny creatures of the sea. At one point I thought of becoming a marine biologist, but life lead me in a different direction. The Beauty of Nature/Earth Day Nature fascinates me not only as beauty on earth, but as beauty in the sky. I enjoy the white puffy clouds, and wispy cirrus clouds along with heavy cumulus clouds filled with lightening and thunder. Actually I was once given an opportunity to be a weather forecaster for a TV station out of Philadelphia. But again, life lead me down a different path. Gardening has always been in my blood. I had wonderful mentors, including my grandfather from Italy, my parents, and my aunt in Miami. I cannot imagine living in a world without the beauty of nature surrounding me. So yes, Earth Day is extremely important to me and I believe every day is and should be celebrated as Earth Day. An Opinion From Craig Foster of the New York Times I'd like to share an opinion from Craig Foster of the New York Times explaining his idea of Earth Day. He has an interesting take on what we can do to help our earth. Instead of "saving our planet" he feels we should all challenge ourselves to "reconnect with the wild". By reconnecting with the wild we can learn how to reverse the effects of our practices on earth which have caused significant declines in both flora and fauna species. I hope you take the time to read this very interesting article.....and as a side bar, please watch Mr. Foster's film, "My Octopus Teacher", which won the Academy Award for best documentary feature in 2021. OPINION GUEST ESSAY An Octopus Took My Camera, and the Images Changed the Way I See the World April 22, 2024 Credit...Maddie Fischer By Craig Foster I was gifted with a new way of seeing the day I got mugged underwater. I had been filming creatures living in the Great African Sea Forest off the coast of South Africa about a year ago when my camera was grabbed straight out of my hands by a young octopus thief. Wrapping her arms around her bounty, she zoomed backward across the ocean floor. This was not the first time I’d found myself at the mercy of an eight-armed robber. A couple years earlier, another curious octopus stole the wedding ring off my wife’s finger, never to be recovered. Octopuses love novel shiny things. Peering into their dens, I’ve found earrings, bracelets, spark plugs, sunglasses and a toy car with a revolving cylinder that the octopus spun round and round with its suckers. As I wondered how to get my camera back without alarming my young friend, something surprising happened. She turned the camera around and began to film my diving partner and me. The intriguing images she captured — videos of her own arms draped over the camera lens with our bodies in the background — had a profound effect on me. After many years filming octopuses and hundreds of other animals that call the Sea Forest home, for the first time I was seeing the world — and myself — from her perspective. We must have looked strange to her in our masks and with our underwater flashlights. But in that moment I remembered that despite all our technology, we are not so different from our animal kin. Every breath of air, every drop of water, every bite of food comes from the living planet we share. Credit...The octopus, via Craig Foster Monday is Earth Day, and I am tempted to ask myself how humanity can save our wild planet and undo the devastation we have unleashed upon the natural world. Where I live, in the Cape of Good Hope, I am privileged to be surrounded by nature, but we are grappling with pollution and dwindling numbers of shellfish, fish, raptors and insect species. Worldwide, we are at a tipping point with an estimated 69 percent decline in wildlife populations. When I consider the vast network of living creatures on earth, it’s clear that “saving the planet” is the wrong goal. Unless earth gets obliterated by an asteroid or experiences some similar catastrophic event, the planet could go on for several billion years. But without the biosphere that makes it possible for us to eat and breathe, humanity could not survive. The question we should be asking is what caused the precipitous increase in species loss and what can we do to reverse it. To me, it all started when we disconnected from our wild origins. While agricultural and technological revolutions have enabled massive population growth and innovation, they have also instilled the belief that we can control nature, that our planet is an infinite resource to be mined for our advancement, comfort and entertainment. Today 56 percent of the world population lives in urban areas, a percentage expected to grow to nearly 70 percent by 2050. That means that more than half of us are cut off from reminders that we are still part of nature and utterly dependent on its health. It’s only when something truly devastating happens, like the recent flooding in Dubai, that we remember that even the greatest human advancements can be brought to a standstill by nature’s power. I am not calling for us to leave all modern comforts behind, just pleading for us to get to know nature better, rather than trying to “save” her. Credit...The octopus, via Craig Foster In the last decade I have taken more than 4,000 dives in the Sea Forest. My encounters with mollusks, sharks and jellyfish there have convinced me that there is much we will lose if we do not value the tremendous abundance of life on earth. We do this first by protecting biodiversity hot spots and by restoring degraded ecosystems; the enormous regenerative power I see every day in nature is what gives me hope for the future. It also means learning from and supporting Indigenous people who protect 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity and who have, over millenniums, developed many innovative ways to live with the land and sea. One promising example of partnership is a recent grant from the National Science Foundation to support collaboration between Indigenous ecological knowledge and Western science. Activities that cause long-term destruction of the sea and earth, such as strip mining, deep sea mining and industrial trawling, need to be halted immediately. Farming methods have to change, with greater emphasis on soil recovery and regeneration. We must continue to find alternatives to fossil fuels and push for a worldwide reduction in the production and use of plastics. But each of us has a role to play, too; it starts with challenging ourselves to reconnect with the wild. So much of our modern world seems designed to tame us: to dull our minds, to separate us from the natural world, to convince us that what will help us survive is more consumption. Like my octopus friends, we fill our houses with shiny new things. But our piles of stuff are much bigger, and the cost of acquisition much greater. We can break free of this tame conditioning. When we dedicate even just a few minutes per day to observing wild creatures on their own terms, in their own homes — regardless of where we live — we connect with the concept of biodiversity not simply on an intellectual level but also on an emotional level. We see the world differently — and ourselves, too. How strange it is that one silly primate can see itself as separate from all those it shares this world with. What might happen if we remembered we are a part of this wild world — and let that understanding and humility guide every choice we make? Jane Goodall's Take on Earth Day To reinforce the challenge to reconnect with nature, watch this Instagram reel from Jane Goodall. If anyone knows how to connect with the wild, she sure does! Reflecting on the Meaning of Earth Day: A Personal Perspective I feel I could be one of these pioneering advocates for our planet, but realistically I am just a gardening blogger who feels passionate about our environment. I suppose that's one of the main reasons I started this blog...to share with others the beauty of our planet. Pease do not take our world for granted. Do not use it as a giant garbage can. I see so much trash along the highways from those who throw their garbage out of their car window and more trash just lying in front of people's homes. Recycle as much as you can including through composting and using cloth napkins rather than paper. (Click here for more information from the World Wide Fund for Nature.) And take in all the joys this beautiful world has to offer. Why not go for a lovely walk in a park today? Unplug and just listen to the wind flowing through the leaves, the water trickling down a stream, and the beautiful birdsongs that surround us. It will definitely relax you and put a smile on your face. I hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave a comment below and share this with your friends and family. Happy Gardening, Nina www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It’s time to start thinking about that special gift for that special someone, your mom. I have gardened most of my life. After I became a mom of 4, my children often gave me a garden gift on Mother’s Day. However, I usually received a flat of flowers or a container of tulips or whatever flower they found at the local supermarket. Not to say I wasn’t happy and grateful for these gifts, I just wish they had given it more thought if it was going to be a gardening gift. (A Disclaimer….many of the other gifts they gave me were fantastic! And of course, it’s the thought that counts!) Here are some suggestions for unique gardening gifts for mom for any occasion. I hope you find some of them a little extraordinary. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items.) Time To Spend With Mom – Time is Precious Instead of buying your mom something, how about spending an entire day with her! Mother’s Day is usually the time when azaleas are in full bloom. One suggestion is to find an Azalea Festival around the area where you live. Google azalea festivals in your area and see what comes up. If there isn’t one close by, a local park will probably feature beautiful azaleas in bloom. You just may have to do a little research. If you have the time, inclination, and money, how about going on a road trip to an Azalea Festival? Many moms would really enjoy that! It’s Picnic Time Gardening Gift For Mom Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch and surprising her with a bouquet of white carnations. Did you know that white carnations symbolize unconditional love and good luck? If you prefer a different color, try pink carnations. They represent a mother’s love. You could set them up in a small vase on the picnic blanket next to the delicious food you’ll supply. The food could be as simple as buying a hoagie (or sub as they say in other parts of the USA) from your favorite deli. One bonus of presenting her with carnations is that they are the longest lasting cut flowers, so she’ll be able to enjoy these beauties for a few weeks. ====== It’s Garden Time How about presenting her with a flat of unusual annuals and then spend time planting them with her? You could both share ideas as to where to plant them and she could perhaps teach you a thing or two about gardening! (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) You could also give her a gardening roll and kneeler if she doesn’t already have one. Again, spend a few hours with her planting or even tidying up her garden. I’m sure she’d appreciate the help. It’s Hiking Time Hiking is a wonderful pastime. It’s good for the cardiovascular system and helps you to commune with nature. While hiking notice the different flowers popping out of the ground and the various leaves bursting on tree limbs and branches. While you’re hiking, why not ask her about her life when she was a child? There are so many things you could learn from her. My husband and I both wish our moms were still here so we could ask them about their youth and young adulthood. We both regret not doing so before they passed. Community Activities Community Gardens Everyone loves vegetables, at least they should! Farm fresh vegetables are wonderful in the summer. They supply you with natural nutrients that help maintain good immune and digestive systems. Why not join a community garden with your mom? There are many in the country and they will provide you with fresh ingredients for delicious salads throughout the summer. Most community gardens are established as allotment plots. That means a family or individual rents an area in a garden and plants their own vegetables. It is maintained by the individual and you reap the benefits of the harvest during the course of the season. Only you can harvest your food. Perhaps you could pay the seasonal rent as a gift to your mom. Some community gardens have sections that are maintained by the entire community and the produce is donated to local food banks. It’s a great way for your mother to get involved with neighbors. It will help keep her social by meeting new friends, spending more time outdoors, and improving her mind and body. She’ll also enjoy the time with you! Garden Clubs Surprise her with names of people who belong to a garden club in her area. Have information regarding when, where, and what they do in the neighborhood. Plan to go with her for the first, or the first few meetings. This is important especially if she is not an extrovert but enjoys gardening. Tech Support! Anything For Mom! YouTube Videos There are many garden channels on YouTube. The focus of the channels ranges from the simplest of gardens to the most involved. I enjoy watching shows on English gardens. All have a distinct look. Some are of the geometric, straight-lined, extremely manicured variety and others are the natural flowing, overabundant, free form flowers of the English cottage look. Help your mom find these shows and subscribe to them. I never knew how to do that until one of my children showed me. Remember, some of us are dinosaurs and not tech savvy. Creating YouTube Videos I suppose creating a video is as easy as taping yourself on the phone and posting it to YouTube. However, it may be a little more involved to set up comments, followings, and subscribe buttons. She’ll also need someone to tape her. This is where children step up. They could help her complete these tasks much more quickly than if she was to watch tutorials on the issue. Creating A Website On Gardening If your mom loves to garden, has the time, and would like to share her ideas with others she may be interested in creating her own website. This probably sounds like a daunting task if she is not tech savvy, but if you help her get started, she’ll probably be eternally grateful. Platforms like Wix and WordPress are wonderful platforms that teach you how to create a website. It trains you by taking baby steps from beginning to end. With your help though, she can accomplish this much quicker. It’s also another great activity that you and she could do together. You could always share this website with her! Gardening Gifts For Mom – Let’s Go Shopping! If you are the type of person who likes to give gifts, here are some examples of gardening gifts for mom. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Hummingbird Feeder – Grateful Gnome Hummingbird Feeder More Birds Ruby Hummingbird Feeder Wind Chimes – Wind Chimes For People Who Like Their Neighbors Surenshy Wind Chimes Retro Solar Wind Chimes Garden Tower Project Home Pollinators– Hanging Bee House Click here for more information on Bee Pollinators. Happy Mom, Happy Life! Mom’s love to spend time with their kids for birthdays, Mother’s Day, any holiday, or any time. Why not treat her with one of the ideas presented in this post? I know she’ll appreciate it. Please let me know how you made out and leave a comment or question below. Happy Shopping OR Planning! Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com

Update as of April, 2024 A possible Super Bloom has now been spotted in Death Valley, California. Death Valley, the hottest and lowest spot in the United States, is now covered with high volumes of wildflowers. Check out Death Valley National Park to view this spectacular event. As of April 16 it has not yet officially been deemed a super bloom by the National Park Service, but it appears it is highly likely it will be designated as such. This particular explosion of color has occurred due to dry conditions followed by rainy spells and lack of drying winds. For more information, click here. If you haven’t already seen images of these remarkable vistas in California and Arizona, then you are missing out on nature in all its glory. These rolling fields of poppies and wildflowers take your breath away. In fact, tourism has blossomed with the explosion of these flowers! Many people from all around the country are experiencing this spectacular event through personally visiting the sites or viewing them on the news or through videos. So what actually is a super bloom and why is there a silver lining? Read on and learn some facts about super blooms. “Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.” “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” What is a Super Bloom? A super bloom (not a scientific name but one that was coined in the 1990’s) is a rare phenomenon in which an explosion of wild flowers blooms at the same time after the flowers had rested dormant for many years. This phenomenon can occur in desert and/or drought stricken areas. Areas in California and Arizona have experienced such an awakening this past spring. Super blooms have also occurred in Texas, Colorado, and parts of Nevada throughout the years. What Causes a Super Bloom? Simple……prolonged drought followed by inundating rain. A long drought followed by ferocious precipitation is the ideal climate for creating super blooms. California and Arizona have recently experienced such. Desert Conditions Indeed, California has been in a drought since 2019, receiving far less than the normal amount of rainfall, which is defined as the average precipitation between 1991 through 2020. One could almost say that California turned into a desert during these years. As a result of persistent desert-like conditions, little water was available for plants, causing them to go dormant. (For more information on drought resistant flowers to plant in your own garden, click here.) Flooding Conditions In contrast to the previous three years, in recent months California has had a deluge of precipitation. This torrent of rainfall extended from December, 2022 through March, 2023. It was almost as if a switch was turned on, which literally drowned out the drought. Rivers of rain in the lower parts of the state on the coast and in the valleys and dump-truck loads of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains created the perfect conditions for super blooms. Wildflowers need water to germinate and grow. These super blooms are occurring because the seeds that were lying underneath the surface in a sleeping stage for many years have suddenly been rekindled. Where Did the Seeds Come From? Wildflower seeds, along with other perennial seeds, can lay dormant in soil seed banks for decades. These seeds are waiting for “just the right conditions” to begin their life cycles….similar to ladies in waiting from the olden days! Lol! There are many seeds resting underneath the surface of deserts. By definition a desert typically receives only 10 inches of rain throughout the year. The cumulative precipitation is greatly reduced by evaporation, causing extremely dry conditions. Once the conditions change and deserts or drought areas receive lots of rain over a prolonged period, the seeds begin to germinate and burst out of the ground. Since these atmospheric conditions simultaneously occurred over a massive area of land, flowers which normally do not blossom at the same time are flowering in concert with each other. Here is a video of a super bloom in California. Enjoy this beautiful, calming video by John Zhang to the tune of Sounds of Silence. Why is it a Silver Lining? Whenever there is widespread devastation like what hit California this past winter and spring, people living through it try to gather strength by looking on the bright side of things, hence, the silver lining. This super bloom would not have occurred if not for years of drought and then wicked floods and epic snowfalls. It’s hard to draw some good from such catastrophic destruction, but these super blooms can renew our faith in our rapidly changing world. In my opinion, it’s similar to seeing a beautiful rainbow after a drenching rain. I know it doesn’t erase all the heartache for the people who lived through these disasters, but in a small way it brings hope that the future will be better. What Flowers are in the California Super Bloom? Seeds that are native to the regions are now blooming due to this phenomenon. Some include the popular California poppy. This flower has many names such as golden poppy, California sunlight or cup of gold. It is native to the United States and Mexico. These flowers are easy to grow and make for a beautiful vista of orange. California Poppy ====== Lupine Beautiful blue lupines have been sighted in the California super bloom. They can be either annuals which reseed from year to year, or perennials, depending on where you live. Blue Cornflowers Blue cornflowers also spread with seed. These dainty puffs of blue have silver foliage, attract American goldfinch, and are sometimes called bachelor buttons. Yellow Fiddleneck The fiddleneck is a common wildflower in western North America. It is named fiddleneck because its flower resembles a violin or fiddle. Western Blue-Eyed Grass The western blue-eyed grass is used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. The roots are made into teas which relieve digestive problems. The plant is also used to cure stomach aches and help with menstrual disorders. Treat the Super Blooms With Respect Many people have come to visit these super blooms. People love to take selfies with beautiful backgrounds. These fields create unique settings for such pictures however, be respectful of this natural phenomenon. Stepping on the blossoms will alter the natural progression of the flower cycle, including the production of seeds. When the blooms and plants are squished, the seeds will not produce. Without the seeds, the blooms will not recur. Also, all the trampling of the fields leads to more soil compaction. If the soil is too compact the seeds will not settle properly in the soil, and them go dormant and reawaken the next time the conditions are ripe for a super bloom. So please respect nature by staying on the paths and be cognizant where you are walking. Final Thoughts: What is a Super Bloom? Nature is magnificent. Every once in awhile we are blessed with supernatural events like a super bloom. I have to wonder though, with the way our climate patterns are changing, if we may be seeing more and more unusual happenings in unexpected areas. We all have to get onboard and protect Mother Earth. Even picking up trash around your house or eliminating the use of plastic wrap can help. Every little thing helps. You can be the seed that was planted to help knowledge grow and spread and keep our Earth clean and healthy. I hope you enjoyed this post. Please share it with others and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. ====== Happy Gardening! Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When I reflect back on my life, I now realize the carefully crafted journey I unknowingly took on my way to becoming an accomplished gardener. I have gained knowledge, beginning with watching and learning from my mom and visiting beautiful gardens in Florida as a child, through experimenting with multiple flowers, trees, and shrubs in my own backyard as an adult. To this day as I travel through life, I am constantly observing and photographing gardens I pass along the way. I love walking through the streets of Philadelphia and Washington, DC in the spring, summer, and fall. There are so many hidden treasures just around the bend waiting to be found. TRAVELING In addition to visiting neighborhood gardens and observing flower boxes and beautiful potted displays on front steps, I enjoy visiting gardens created by very talented designers. Some of these gardens include: Keukenhof Gardens; Lisse, Netherlands Fridheimar Farms; 806 Reykholt, Iceland Sayen Gardens in Hamilton, NJ Grounds for Sculpture; Mercerville, NJ JC Raulston Arboretum; Raleigh, NC Viscaya Musem and Gardens; Miami, FL Cliffs of Moher; Clare, Ireland Palais-Royal Garden; Paris, France Kensington Gardens; London, UK Aqueduct Garden; Lisbon, Portugal Parco delle Terme; Montecatini, Italy Exotic Garden of Monaco; Monte Carlo, Monaco Parque Los Cerros; Alcala de Henaras, Madrid, Spain Jardines del Mirador; Barcelona, Spain …. just to name a fraction of the gardens I have observed so far! In addition to learning through observation I have read numerous books, and browsed magazines, catalogues, and websites to enhance my knowledge of gardening. I also completed a “staging” course to assist people in creating the best curb appeal for their homes when selling their most treasured possession. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Interview Recently, December of 2023, I was asked to be interviewed by Canvas Rebel Magazine. For those of you who are not familiar with this publication, it features "stories that illustrate the trends and insights of brilliant small business owners, artis, and creatives from across the community." To read my interview, click here. Creating Gardens I have moved around a lot in my lifetime. At each new destination I created gardens in my yard; some small, others much larger. For 26 years I resided in the country and owned one and 2/3rd acres of property. Across the street was a lovely horse farm that extended as far as the eye could see. When we first moved to the property there was nothing but wide open space full of mud! There were no gardens, trees, shrubs or flowers. After many years of grunt work and a vision, my husband (who was the laborer!) and I created a park-like setting. I will always look back on that home with great fondness. Below are pictures of our large backyard. We planted most of the shrubs, flowers and trees, and built the firepit and brick walkways and patio. I designed the yard. When I moved into my current home, I had to downsize my garden to a 25 by 30 foot patio with a pergola. It was quite a change from maintaining a huge area to one that could be placed on a postage stamp! Garden Tour After making it my own, I was asked if I’d like to be a stop on the local garden tour in my hometown of Bordentown. Of course I accepted! Who doesn’t want to show off their achievements? Publications In addition to garden tours, one of my articles was featured in a local magazine called “Lewes Neighbors” published by Best Version Media. I have been asked to submit more articles and again will be featured this spring.. FORMAL EDUCATION NOTWITHSTANDING – CREDENTIALS Even though I have not had formal education in gardening and landscape design, I have learned a tremendous amount of information through observation and reading anything I can get my hands on. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my credentials and will take the time to browse my website. If you ever need advice or have any questions regarding gardening, feel free to leave them below and I will be more than happy to help you out. Also, if you have a topic of interest and it is not listed on this website, drop me a line and I will do some research and consider publishing an article on it. All the best, Nina

I remember long, long ago, when I attended elementary school, the bulletin boards in our classrooms would always depict the changing seasons. From September through November boards would be decorated with multi-colored leaves, Jack Frost on pumpkins, and sweaters and mittens hanging from string. December through February would be adorned with snow covered houses and fields, March with clouds blowing heavy winds, April’s spring showers and May’s spring flowers. However, as Bob Dylan said and is still true today, “times they are a changing”. We can no longer count on what was once so familiar. Due to warmer temperatures we see crocuses, daffodils, and cherry blossoms blooming in mid to late February, followed by snow and freezing temperatures in late March. The plants (and animals) must be very confused! As gardeners we can try to maintain some semblance of order by making our yards more climate resilient through “rewilding”, a new conservation movement aimed at restoring and protecting natural processes and wilderness areas. Read on to learn more about creating climate resilience in your own backyard through rewilding, and see how climate change is shifting our hardiness zones. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.) (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) What is Climate Resilience? As it pertains to gardening, climate resilience is the ability to recover from the effects of climate change by planting flowers, trees, and shrubs that are more adaptable to evolving climates. By adding more native plants that are naturally more hardy and require less maintenance, your garden will have a better shot of sustaining life, at least for now. Native plants help create natural habitats for pollinators and act as a buffer to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns. Climate resilience not only helps pollinators but also helps protect the future of people and other animals. Shifting Native Plant Ranges/Hardiness Zones Climate change has shifted what used to be average temperatures in various regions around the world. Relatively rapid changes in the freezing temperatures and the much hotter temperatures in peak summer have had a drastic effect on native plants. The USDA has defined native plants as “a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem.” This balance has been disrupted by these rapidly changing and more extreme temperatures. Without healthy native plants, our ecosystems will suffer. Hardiness Zones As a result of warming temperatures, the hardiness zones have shifted. According to the USDA a hardiness zone “is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location”. A hardiness zone is created using 10 degree Fahrenheit gradients that illustrate average annual minimum winter temperatures. According to Yale Environment 360, if the earth continues to warm at the same speed as it has been in the last decade, the lines will continue to march northward at a “climate velocity” of 13.3 miles per decade. So what are we to do? Try rewilding! What is Rewilding? According to Rebecca Wrigley a chief executive of Rewilding Britain, rewilding means “a large-scale restoration of ecosystems that reinstates natural processes to the point where nature can take care of itself, meaning everything from ensuring rivers are free-flowing to restoring ‘natural levels’ of herbivores and predators”. The act of restoring natural processes, hence restoring the earth’s biodiversity, is based on three components. First, ensuring there are enough predators and decomposers throughout the food chain to sustain themselves. Second, make connections between ecosystems so they can easily move from one area to the next. And thirdly, allowing natural occurrences to occur such as floods and fires for wildlife to build resilience to these “natural disasters”. This allows for a balance of species so one doesn’t dominate the others. How to Rewild On a large scale scientists have been performing long range experiments in nature to see whether rewilding can help restore ecosystems. Their results have been promising, however, some controversy exists. For example adding predators in and around grazing areas. Below are some techniques being implemented to accomplish this. 1. Bringing Back Animals Reintroducing wild animals can help maintain balance and also help with natural disasters. For instance, reinstating large predators such as wolves will help balance deer populations. Introducing beavers to creeks and rivers will naturally create dams to prevent flooding. 2. Planting Trees Vegetation absorbs carbon. Excessive carbon dioxide in the air creates a greenhouse effect, which traps the heat in the atmosphere causing rising air temperatures. Rising temperatures create shifts in weather patterns causing extreme weather such as droughts and larger and stronger storms (hurricanes/typhoons/blizzards, etc.). Planting trees throughout cities helps reduce rising temperatures in urban areas. In more rural areas, it’s best to allow for natural reseeding of trees to occur. This will promote diversity in species which maintains balance in ecosystems. Trees For Sale From Etsy Read more about planting trees and climate change here. 3. Scattering Native Wildflower Seeds Again, vegetation absorbs carbon from the air. Many places have opted to scatter wildflower seeds along highways and in fields. This will not only restore the natural flora but also the natural fauna including pollinating insects which are crucial to agriculture. For an in depth discussion of rewilding, click here from BBC Science Focus. Watch this YouTube video about how scientists successfully "rewilded" a "dead" island off the coast of Antigua. The islands name is called Redonda Island part of Antigua and Barbuda. Rewilding and Everyday Gardeners You’re probably wondering how, as a typical gardener, you can help ecosystems return back to their natural state. By following some of the suggestions below we can help reduce carbon, moderate temperatures in urban areas, create habitats for pollinators, and encourage movement between patches of habitats through connecting them in our communities. This is only one aspect of how we can help, but every little bit helps. 1. Native Plants Native plants create natural ecosystems for your area. Click here to find specific plants for your location. Shop from local nurseries that sell naturally occurring plants rather than from big box stores. Big box stores import exotic plants from throughout the world that, if planted, will not help maintain native ecosystems. 2. Wildflower Garden If you have some land that is covered with grass, till the grass under and scatter wildflower seeds that are native to your area. You’ll have constant color and will not have the burden of maintaining a lawn. Purchase Seed Packs From SeedsNow 3. Local Species of Milkweed Butterflies feed on milkweed. They also lay their eggs on it. Be sure to purchase local milkweed and do not cut down the stalks in the fall or early spring. The stalks may contain eggs that will form into crysali and then butterflies. It also provides food for the emerging butterfly. 4. Fill Patio and Balcony Boxes and Pots With Native Plants If you do not have a large plot of land to work with, adorn your pots with native plants. You will be amazed at how many pollinators, including hummingbirds, you will attract. Remember, hummingbirds like tubular flowers into which they can tuck their long beaks to suck out the nectar. 5. Native Grasses According to Openlands, “native grasses have deep roots that make them drought-resistant, reduce soil erosion and flooding, filter pollutants from groundwater, and increase rainwater infiltration”. They also store carbon in their roots after absorbing it from the air. 6. Incorporate Native Trees Into Your Property This helps your property become more resilient to floods since they have long tap roots that absorb water and will not blow over easily in wind storms. 7. Avoid Using Weed Killers That Include Glyphosate The herbicide glyphosate is an active ingredient found in many weed killers. According to drugwatch.com interaction with this ingredient may lead to certain cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In addition to cancer and, depending on the amount and duration of time you were exposed to this herbicide, other health issues may manifest such as asthma, respiratory irritation and vomiting. While the focus of the articles accessible through these links is on the adverse health effects of glyphosate, it would seem likely that this herbicide may also have adverse effects on soil, plant germination, and other animal/insect species such as pollinators. There are many alternative organic products available on the market that are both safe for the consumer, animals, and birds. Try using Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer All Natural Concentrated formula from Amazon. Using homemade products containing vinegar and essential oils is also another option. For a more in-depth study on glyphosate, click glyphosate from drugwatch. Plants That, if Native to Your Area, Make Your Yard More Climate Resilient 1. Indian Grass This native grass is deep rooted and will help prevent run off and erosion. It can grow to 7 feet tall and can be used as a natural fence. It is also drought resistant. It is a prolific reseeder, so only plant it where it has room to spread. 2. Asters Asters come in a variety of colors and add a beautiful pop of color in the fall to any native garden. When finished blooming, birds will feed on their seeds. Asters draw many pollinators. 3. Hackberry Trees These trees are a forgotten species that grow in a wide range of climates. They usually grow east of the Rocky Mountains from as far north as Canada to as far south as Florida. Hackberry trees are pollution and wind resilient. The Hackberry is a good tree to grow in urban areas. It is also drought tolerant. 4. Milkweed These deep rooted plants help prevent erosion, soak in carbon and are drought and deer resistant. They are also a miracle food for butterflies. Milkweed/Caution, Milkweed can cause serious poisoning! 5. Oak Trees Oak trees are considered climate warriors because they soak in carbon dioxide, store it in the roots (which are extremely deep tap roots), and give off plenty of oxygen into the atmosphere. Final Thoughts: Climate Resilience, Shifting Hardiness Zones, and Rewilding I know all of the information out there can be rather scary. One could just throw up their hands and say “why care?” But with each new report comes new knowledge. Look at how far we’ve come with technology, prosthetics, and medical advances with imaging and immunotherapy. With knowledge comes progress. When there is a problem, people tend to find answers. So don’t give up. I hope you take to heart the information in this post and implement some of the suggestions. Also, encourage others to be more proactive. Remember, one small action can have a domino effect which can grow exponentially. I hope you enjoyed this post and will share it with others! Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you. Happy Gardening, Nina https://bestgardeningforbeginners.com bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com

It’s so exciting to see the first flowers peeking out of the cold winter soil. You know that winter is almost behind you when the first snowdrops appear. But when you see the leaves of tulips push through the warmer soil, you know spring is in the air. Soon you’ll be enjoying the many colors and styles of these cup shaped flowers. Be it double or single, fringed or twisted, no one can deny the beauty of the tulip. In this post you will learn everything about tulips that you need to know to add beauty to your garden, including some history. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items.) (As a Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Let’s Travel Back In Time When you think of tulips you probably think of the Netherlands and Holland. Holland consists of two provinces within the 12 provinces of the Netherlands. So Holland is found within the Netherlands. I’m glad that’s cleared up!! However, tulips were once a wild flower growing in Central Asia, far from the Netherlands…..an entire continent away! They were first cultivated by the Turks back around 1000AD and then in the 16th century became all the craze in the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan at that time craved the beauty of the tulip and demanded they be grown and cultivated for him. The name tulip was derived from the Turkish word for turban. Time to Skip Ahead-How Tulips Came to the Netherlands Jumping ahead to the early 18th century, tulips remained popular in Turkey where festivals took place to celebrate the “Age of Tulips” or the “Tulip Era”. But before that around 1590, a botanist named Carolus Clusius, originally from Venice, was asked to be director of the oldest botanical garden in Europe. It was called Hortus Botanicus and located in Leiden, The Netherlands. There he was commissioned to explore different flora and their medicinal values. His friend, a Turk, who was the ambassador to Constantinople (now Istanbul), saw the lovely tulips and decided to send some to Carolus to add to his garden in Leiden. In the 17th century tulips were planted in the fields of Holland for their beauty rather than their medicinal purposes. Botanists started to hybridize the tulips and created glorious varieties. Some of these varieties were valued more than a house back in the early 1600’s! This era lead to what was called “Tulipmania”. Since the high prices for tulips were not sustainable, there was eventually an economic crash in The Netherlands. The late 17th and the 18th centuries proved to be more prosperous, the economy recovered, and the fascination with tulips continued to the present day. Medicinal Values of Tulips Believe it or not tulips have many medicinal values. remedy for cough and cold reduces risk of cancer reduces sinus pain, hay fever and headache poultice (medicinal ointment) for insect bites, bee stings, rashes and burns How to make poultice (Source: YoGem.com/answers) warm 2 to 4 flowers in hot water dip a towel in the water and add the petals into the towel roll the towel to crush the petals apply crushed petals onto sore area and hold there for 10 minutes Planting Tulips – The Perennial Bulb When and How to Plant Tulips The best time to plant tulip bulbs is in the fall. If you received tulips as a gift for Easter or any other occasion, refer to my previous post regarding Easter bulbs. This will explain what to do with the flowers before the fall. (As a Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Plant the bulbs (from Amazon) when the soil temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, usually in September or October in the Northern Hemisphere and March or April in the Southern Hemisphere. The spot you choose should be in a full sun or partial sun area with well drained soil. Plant the bulbs 8 inches deep with the tips of the bulb facing up and 4 to 5 inches apart. I like to add a little bone meal as fertilizer in the hole before adding the bulb. Cover them with soil and water them well. You will not have to water them again. Now just wait for spring. Dividing bulbs If your tulips have become over crowded and seem to be on top of one another, it is probably time to divide them. However, it is extremely important to not divide them until all the nutrients from the leaves and flower have gone back to the bulb. This usually happens around midsummer to mid-fall. You will know when it is time when the flower and leaves turn yellow, then brown. The bulbs are probably around 8 inches deep, therefore, you should begin by digging down around the perimeter of the tulips with a spade shovel. Then gently dig horizontally underneath the bulbs. Replant them in a sunny well-drained area with plenty of good soil 8 inches deep. You may want to put a little peat moss in the hole to allow for better drainage along with some bone meal or special bulb fertilizer (from Amazon). Fill in the hole and hopefully they will provide you with glorious blooms the next season. (As a Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) So Many Varieties! There are 3,000 registered types of tulips – Amazing! Botanists make it easy for us by grouping them into 14 varieties. Single early – These are the earliest to bloom and have a cup shape with six petals. Single late – This tulip is the tallest variety with a regular cup shape and has a wide range of colors and edges. Darwin hybrid – A cross between Fosteriana tulip and late-blooming single tulips and used for cut flowers. The color ranges from reddish-orange to red. Double early and Double late – These beauties resemble peonies because they have multi-layered blooms. Fringed – I’m sure you’ve seen these before with their lovely fringe and frilly appearance. They are also known as “Crispa” tulips. Fosteriana – Descendents of the wild tulips from Asia, with a bowl shape and large leaves. Greigii – These are the giants of tulips. Their bowl shaped flower can reach 6 inches across and opens wide to the sunshine. Kaufmanniana – Due to the pointed petals they resemble waterlilies. The blooms can measure 8 inches across. They are native to Turkestan. Lily-flowered – These unique blooms have long pointed petals which resemble the old species in Turkey. They are very tall with stems averaging 24 inches, with some topping out at 32 inches! Parrot – These tropical parrot looking flowers come in a variety of colors.They have feathery petals and are very delicate. Viridiflora – Sometimes called the green tulip, green runs through its cup shaped flower. They have an extremely long bloom time. Species – “Jewel of the Garden” tulips are descendants of the first tulip. They were discovered in the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. Triumph – Triumph tulips will live in vases much longer than other varieties. As a bonus some are even sweet smelling. Rembrandt – The Dutch painter Rembrandt lived in Holland at the time of the tulip craze. A variety was named after him even though there are no known images of tulips in his paintings. ================== Multiple Colors Think of a color and I’m sure there is a tulip that contains it. They range from black to white and all the colors of the rainbow in between, along with their various shades. The most common color is red. When tulip growers tried to create a blue tulip, however, they produced a purple variety. So I guess if you thought of blue as the color, that would be the one and only color that no tulip embodies! Tantalizing Tulip Tidbits! 1.Tulips attract bees which make for great pollination. In addition to bees, they also attract aphids, slugs, mites, larvae and caterpillars. Click here for more information on bees. 2. Unfortunately voles and squirrels like tulip bulbs. Rabbits, deer, chipmunks, mice and moles also enjoy nibbling on the bulbs. Use protective barriers or natural repellents to try and contain this problem. If you’d like to learn more about this topic, refer to my post Those Darn Rabbits. 3. Different colors of tulips have different meanings. For instance, white tulips represent worthiness and are used to convey a message of forgiveness. Purple tulips represent royalty and red tulips are all about love. 4. To preserve your cut tulips in a lovely vase, fill the vase a third full with a solution of one teaspoon of sugar and two drops of liquid bleach to a gallon of water. Refresh the water every couple of days and keep them in a cool room. 5. Tulips are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. They can be fatal if eaten. 6. Common varieties of tulips can be purchased at your local garden supply store. However, if you’d prefer a more exotic variety, you can purchase them through catalogues like Brecks. If you prefer to buy ready blooming tulips or would like a beautiful bouquet, click Flowers Fast. Tiptoe Through The Tulips There are many places to feast your eyes on these lovely flowers. One place I highly recommend is the little town of Lewes in Delaware. Lewes was founded in 1631, on the site of one of the first European settlements in America. Dutch settlers founded the town as a post for whaling and trading. The town was named Zwaanendael (Swan Valley) but ,unfortunately, the 32 settlers were wiped out by the Lenape Native Americans in 1632. Tulip Festivals The Dutch returned at various times during the 17th century and brought many tulips to the area. Today Lewes has a tulip festival every year in mid-April to celebrate its heritage and the beauty of the tulips. Holland, Michigan’s tulip festival is held in the beginning of May. This area contains about 4.5 million tulips and this is probably the largest tulip festival in the United States. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, Washington is another place to view gorgeous tulips. Listed below are other tulip festivals. Tulip Time Festival, Pella, Iowa Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulips, Cream Ridge, New Jersey Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, Utah Albany Tulip Festival, Albany, New York Tulipmania, San Francisco, California Everything About Tulips/Final Thoughts As you can see there is a lot to know about tulips. I hope this post provided valuable information and met your expectations regarding everything about tulips. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I’d love to hear from you! Happy Gardening! Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com

What is a Sensory Garden? Any outdoor space can enhance your senses. However, a sensory garden is intentionally designed to stimulate and engage all your senses; sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste. This type of garden taps into the principles of mindfulness by connecting you to nature and helps you become aware of the surrounding environment. "Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you." "As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." Benefits of a Sensory Garden-Stimulate All Five Senses A sensory garden enhances social and communication skills, improves physical and mental health, engages people with disabilities, helps kids learn about nature and supports seniors. These gardens also encourage the use of native plants and pollinator-friendly landscaping in addition to eliminating the use of pesticides. For more information on the benefits of a sensory garden, click creating and engaging a sensory garden. Why Create a Sensory Garden? Why Not! Gardens add another dimension to your yard. They add beauty with an array of colors and create habitats for wildlife. We can all do our part to enhance our planet by creating a garden. But why a sensory garden? Sensory gardens add a totally new dimension to your home. They entice you and your guests to observe things at close range, to take in the aromas wafting through your yard, and actively touch all the different textures of plants, bushes, and insects. You begin to wrap your mind around nature through experiencing your garden using all your senses. Creating a Sensory Garden: Selecting Plants and Other Accessories to Stimulate Our Five Senses Before selecting plants and accessories, think about how you will address each sense. Choose various trees, shrubs, bushes, and grasses that invigorate and revitalize your senses and that are native to your climate (growing zone). Also, consider hardscaping features that will intrigue your senses. Below is a selection of plants and accessories that will energize you and explanations of how to incorporate them into your sensory garden. Sight To create a visually pleasing garden, add plants with contrasting shapes, hues, forms, and textures. As a rule of thumb cool colors such as purples, blues, and pinks, calm the senses. Whereas, warm tones such as yellows, oranges, and reds excite them. Flowers like zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers and coneflowers add a variety of color and texture to the garden. They also encourage butterflies and other pollinators to visit your garden. Bee balm and coral honeysuckle will definitely attract pollinators you may wish to observe. Pink muhly grass that is featured in the picture above adds a bit of a whimsy to your garden when there is a gentle breeze. Bushes that attract pollinators such as butterfly bush, lilac bushes, and perennial hibiscus are also pleasing to the eye Weeping willow trees, magnolia trees, and crepe myrtle (tall variety) all add interest to a garden. They have different textured bark and deep colors that attract the eye. Sound The sounds of birds singing, running water, crickets chirping in the evening, croaking frogs, wispy sounds of tall grasses or pine needles rustling through the wind all add to our sense of sound. Water features with gurgling sounds and wind chimes added to the garden also stimulate our auditory system. Chopped shells, tiny stones, or gravel used as a pathway add a nice crunching sound to a garden. The rustling of fallen leaves and pine cones add seasonal sounds. Hanging bottles from a pergola add a pleasing sound during a soft breeze. Adding bird houses (DIY Gourd House) and bird feeders to your yard will encourage songbirds to visit and perhaps stay. Birdhouses also add a visual effect to your garden and an opportunity for a learning experience for young children. Bamboo delivers a nice hollow sound when pushed in a breeze. However, bamboo is very invasive. Root pruning is a good method to keep it under control. Click here for more information on how to control the spread of bamboo. Smell The sense of smell can be very commanding and trigger memories of days gone by. Freshly baked bread or a turkey roasting at Thanksgiving can conjure up pleasant scenes of long ago. That's why it is imperative to integrate smells into your garden, especially one created for people with dementia. Familiar fragrances may trigger memories that reconnect them to loved ones. Old fashioned flowers that bring back memories include roses (try David Austin varieties which are very easy to grow and maintain), honeysuckle, English lavender, peppermint, gardenias, hyacinths, and freesias. Beyond triggering memories, our olfactory sense is heightened by the sweet smell of lilac bushes, heliotrope, sweet pea, mock orange shrub and angel's trumpet. Herbs such as sweet basil, peppermint, and rosemary have a wonderful aroma when you rub your fingers down the stalk or leaf, stimulating the olfactory, tactile and gustatory (taste) senses. Wood shavings, a cluster of autumn leaves, mulch, and cut grass will all add to the experience. Touch The sense of touch or tactile sensation is crucial in a sensory garden, especially if the garden is created for children. The plants you choose should invite touch and exploration. Different textures can include soft velvety flowers, fuzzy leaves, smooth stones, prickly leaves, stems, or seed pods, rough bark and springy moss. Consider adding lamb's ear, cacti (without the fine prickly needles), various grasses and American pussywillow to your garden. Rough and peeling bark like that found on crepe myrtle trees and river birch not only add a glorious sense of touch but are also attractive to the eye. You can even add an area to create mud for children to revel in! Taste Edible gardens have become very popular for those who want to be self sustaining and perhaps off the grid. There are a variety of edible plants that are quite beautiful and tasty. Fruit bearing trees, herbs, vegetables and edible flowers such as pansies and nasturtiums are beautiful and easy to grow in a sensory garden. Be careful when combining specific herbs and vegetables because some are not good companions. For more information on which plants to pair together, click Planting Herbs in a Garden. Blueberry bushes, wild strawberries, and violets are great additions to a sensory garden intended to stimulate the sense of taste. Take caution when selecting plants to taste. You want to avoid hot, spicy plants, and toxic plants such as foxglove and poison ivy. Elderberry is also toxic when eaten raw. Refer to Poison Control when selecting plants. Appropriate For All Backyards Creating a sensory paradise is appropriate for all yards from the largest of landscapes to a small balcony. Large Landscape If you have a large area, create smaller, secluded pockets using trellises, pergolas, seating areas or rows of trees or bushes. Create defined living spaces with patios made of slate or use groundcover that can be walked on without destroying the plant. Some groundcovers when stepped on give off a pleasant aroma. Some ideas for groundcover in the defined areas are: 1. sedum varieties: Dragon's Blood, Tricolor, or Blue Spruce/full sun to part shade/drought tolerant/zones 3-10 2. ajuga/bugleweed: full to part shade/slowly spreads through the garden/zones 4-10 3. portulaca: drought tolerant/full sun/zones 10, 11 4. Scotch moss: full sun to part shade/zones 4-8 5. soapwort: drought and deer tolerant/full sun to part shade/zones 3-9 6. mazus: full sun to part shade/zones 5-8 7. creeping Jenny: full sun to part shade/zones 3-9/best used between stepping stones Create winding pathways connecting the spots using crushed shell. It will encourage people to stop and explore as they follow the path from one place to another. Small Landscape If you have a smaller area, consider ways to go vertical using trellises, gutter guards, tiered carts or living walls. If you need more ideas on how to decorate a balcony, click here. Creating a Sensory Garden: The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Perfect Plants Before creating a sensory garden remember to think about how you will address each sense. Choose from some of the plants and accessories listed in this post. If you have no idea where to begin, contact me and I will help you create a sensory garden within your specific parameters. Click the SERVICE page for more information on my consulting services. I hope you enjoyed this post. Please share it with friends and family and leave a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Happy Gardening, Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginnerscom

Sensory gardens......there has been a lot of hype about these kinds of gardens lately . But what exactly are they? Let's explore the elements and learn how to engage your senses through plants and accessories. Can this be a garden for you? Learn how you and others can benefit from a sensory garden. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.) (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) What is a Sensory Garden - Exploring the Elements A sensory garden, as it implies, is a garden that triggers all your senses, including sight, sound, smell, touch and taste (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and gustatory systems). According to the Denver Art Museum a "sensory garden is a garden that creates an accessible outdoor space for visitors of all ages and abilities to engage with and enjoy plants and accessories that evoke the 5 senses". It is a place to enjoy nature on a daily basis. Sensory gardens provide a quiet interlude on a hectic day. It is a safe haven in which to touch, feel, smell, taste, and hear the surrounding nature. Once entering the garden, your senses are invigorated by the aroma of fragrant flowers, the feel of soft, velvety lamb's ear leaves, the sight of an array of beautiful, vibrant colors, the taste of minty herb flavors, and the tranquil sounds of a gentle fountain or the song of a native bird. Benefits of a Sensory Garden Sensory gardens help you slow down, pause, take a breath and reconnect with yourself. This type of mindfulness enables you to become more aware of and appreciate your surroundings. They are meant to captivate you so that you can actively engage in nature...to create interactions and make deeper connections. The environment in a sensory garden creates a sense of wonder and awe and provides you with a place to recharge and focus. Mental Health Therapeutic benefits include positive impacts on mental health and emotional well-being. The simple act of participating in nature has been proven to de-stress and calm people. Sensory gardens decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Physical Health In addition to improving your mental health, sensory gardens enhance your physical well-being. These gardens are structured to encourage people of all ages and abilities and disabilities to interact with nature. The layout of the garden allows those in wheel chairs or others who are physically challenged to easily maneuver and participate in activities throughout the garden. Interacting with the plants and performing tasks to maintain a sensory garden greatly improves a person's physical health. Sensory Exploration A sensory garden enables people to explore nature through their senses. Visually impaired and other sensory impaired individuals individuals greatly benefit from this experience. In particular individuals who experience sensory overload or who have other sensory processing disorders benefit from sensory gardens. Such persons have extreme reactions to their senses in which they overreact to too much or too little stimuli. Depending on a child's need, you can focus on one sense or multiple senses. Sensory disorders may be caused by traumatic brain injuries, autism, environmental influences, genetics, prenatal and birth complications, and possibly premature births. No one factor has been identified as a cause of sensory disorders. Sensory Garden Therapy helps a person become more aware of their surroundings by physically responding to them. For more on benefits from gardening, click here. Benefits For All Who Is Your Audience? There are many questions you have to ask yourself before designing your garden, including for whom this garden is intended. Yourself? If this garden is for yourself, consider the type of garden you would prefer. Do you experience a passive day and perhaps would enjoy settling into a space with more vigor? Then consider bright, colorful, hot colored flowers that will stimulate the eye and revitalize you. Perhaps your daily life is constantly go, go, go. Then incorporate aromatic plants and fragrant flowers to soothe you at the end of the day or whenever you have a chance to experience your sensory garden. A Child? If this garden is for a child, choose non-poisonous plants. You want children to experience all the senses including taste and touch without fear of getting hurt or sick. For more information on plants and children, click "Know The Plants In Your Garden - For Your Child's Safety" from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The purpose of a sensory garden for children is to create a space where they can actively engage in their environment, not only through plants but with insects, weather vanes, etc. that are added to your space. Through this engagement they will learn about nature and their senses, and help develop gross and fine motor skills. Persons With Disabilities? Persons with disabilities who have mobility impairments, or those whose senses may be compromised greatly benefit from sensory gardens. Choose how much stimuli you would like in your garden with respect to the individual for whom you are planning the garden. Too much stimuli will not benefit those who need less stimuli and vice versa. Dementia? People suffering from dementia have stress levels that may be heightened due to poor cognitive health. Sensory gardens add a calming space and provide interaction, socialization, and exercise. This interaction helps keep such individuals calm and interested in their surroundings and helps arouse their senses. Add multiple elements to enhance this stimulation. Reminiscence Therapy helps dementia patients recollect memories. Our senses trigger memories of long ago, which is why the gardens are sometimes called memory gardens. The sense of smell is a potent memory trigger. Many flowers will stimulate the olfactory system. In addition to the olfactory sense, pipe in music from their youth. This also calms them as they wander (with purpose) through the sensory garden. Dementia patients easily get disoriented in their surroundings. Therefore, you want to instill a sense of calmness and confidence by creating a flowing path that naturally guides them back to the beginning. A closed loop path will calmly help them return back to where they started. Creating an Engaging Sensory Garden Through Accessibility After you have determined your audience, it's good to understand and select the plants and features that will best achieve the results you are seeking. Visually Impaired, Mobility Disability If you are designing a garden for a person who is a wheelchair user or who has a physical or other mobility disability, plant flowers and shrubs and maintain them at a height that is easily accessible. Create wide pathways with no steps. For people with visual impairments, plant plants that are fragrant and have various textures. Provide railings for guidance for visually impaired visitors and for those not steady on their feet. Raised planter beds are also beneficial for everyone. The plants are brought closer to them rather than their having to seek them out. Warning: Take into consideration those with allergies and pets in your household when selecting plants to prevent creating a dangerous environment. A Child's Garden Children are very curious and you want to tap into that curiosity at a young age. Choose plants that stimulate their senses, and incorporate interesting insects (larvae; butterflies; honeybees, preying mantis, etc.), accessories such as ponds for fish and frogs, dirt and mud piles, and a small herb garden to capitalize on this sense of wonder and awe. A Garden for All When designing a sensory garden, it's important to feature elements that appeal to all the senses. When selecting colors, select for the season, group in clusters, or choose varieties for maximum contrast. Take into consideration colors of pathways, walls, pergolas, etc. Create a balance between calming and stimulating effects; energizing colors vs. restful, soft colors so as not to overstimulate the senses. Create gardens above your head by adding interesting trees like wispy Weeping Willows or fragrant Eucalyptus Glaucesens. You will attract many birds, insects and other critters that are drawn to various colors. Comfort Is Key In addition to everything else mentioned in this post, comfort is a must. You want to provide comfortable seating for those who tire easily and those who just want to pause and absorb their surroundings. You also want shelter from the sun. Incorporate a natural umbrella from overhanging limbs of trees, a pergola, or even a color coordinated umbrella. A folding canopy can also protect you from the sun and rain. Yellow attracts bees so try to avoid yellow in your umbrella and canopy. Creating an Engaging Sensory Garden: Plants, Accessories, and Benefits for All If you would rather visit a sensory garden than create one, Google "how to find a sensory garden near me" and you will probably be able to locate one near you. I hope you have enjoyed learning about sensory gardens. My next blog will feature actual plants and accessories that enhance the senses. Please review that and enjoy creating your own sensory garden. As always, if you need help designing a sensory garden or any form of garden, I can help. Click the SERVICE section of the menu for more information. Please comment below and share this post with friends and family. Happy Gardening, Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com https://bestgardeningforbeginners.com

The gardener’s quest is to sit back, relax, and reap the benefits of the glorious blossoms throughout the entire blooming season. In other words, have continuous blooming perennials throughout spring, summer and fall. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to do the minimal of dead-heading and pulling a few untidy weeds from the garden rather than constantly planting and replanting flowers in order to achieve maximum blooms? Follow my suggestions and you’ll be rewarded with not only a garden with an abundance of flowers, but beautiful bouquets to adorn your home and to share with friends and family. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items.) (As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.) First Things First – Amend the Soil You must make sure your soil is fertile enough to produce long-lasting flowers. The soil must be a mixture of loam, sand and a small amount of clay. Find complete instructions by referring to my previous blog on how to prepare the soil for gardening. Now a Little Education – Succession Planting If you desire continuous blooms in your garden, begin by understanding the technique of succession planting. This method involves planting specific flowers to guarantee blooms that flower in succession throughout the entire growing season. You will have continuous blooms by planting bulbs and perennials along with a few flowering bushes and annuals scattered throughout to fill the gaps in your garden. Implementation To implement this method, first create one group of plants that bloom at different times or seasons; that is early bloomers, mid-season bloomers, and late season bloomers. Select groupings of odd numbered plants. One group could be 3 to 5 bulbs of daffodils (early blooms), 3 to 5 autumn joys (mid-season blooms), and 3 to 5 liriope (late season blooms). The size of the garden will determine how many plants or bulbs of each type of flower you choose in each all season blooming group. Within this each group, separate each section according to bloom time: early blooms, mid-summer blooms and late blooms. Now add plants with varying heights to each individual group. Layering or Tiers/ Spring (For the early blooming section of your group.) In addition to arranging plants according to bloom times group them according to height. You want to layer or create tiers of flowers with mostly tall flowers in the back, medium sized ones in the middle and shorter flowers in the front. For your spring blooming group add a camellia bush, azalea or rhododendron (the tallest flowers). The next layer which would be shorter plants could include tulips and daffodils. Finally crocus and grape hyacinths are added to the shortest layer in the spring grouping. Layering or Tiers/ Summer (Add the following to the mid-summer blooming section of your group.) You now want to add height to the mid-summer blooms to create a layering effect. Some suggestions for mid-summer blooming shrubs include rose of Sharon, dwarf crepe myrtles, sonic bloom pink weigela, or rosa rugosa. The middle layer could include gladiolus, bearded iris, salvia, shasta daisies, black eyed susans, coreopsis, yarrow, or autumn joy. Liriope, summer phlox, and hosta could be added to the smaller, front layer. Layering or Tiers/ Late Summer into Fall (Add the following to the late season blooming section of your group.) Lastly, add varying heights of plants to the late season section to create a tiered effect. A butterfly bush and rose of Sharon will last from mid-summer through the fall. Bluebeard shrub and crepe myrtles will also last into the autumn. These are all considered tall varieties of plants and should be planted in the back of your garden. Next add chrysanthemums to the middle layer. Daisies and asters added to the mid-summer section will continue blooming into the fall. A turtlehead plant grows in a dense clump and prefers a damp area in your garden. This plant can be used for the shorter layer. Continuous blooming perennials Summary/ Continuous Blooming Perennials You want to have multiple sections of flowers. Each section will contain subsections. Section 1: Early Summer Blooms 1 shrub (tall) 3 to 5 medium sized plants 3 to 5 shorter plants Section 2: Mid-Summer Blooms 1 shrub (tall) 3 to 5 medium sized plants 3 to 5 shorter plants Section 3: Late Summer to Fall Blooms 1 shrub (tall) 3 to 5 medium sized plants 3 to 5 shorter plants Time to Spend Some Money Now that you have the groupings identified and you have decided which plants you would like to purchase, it’s time to buy your flowers. Take a measurement of your garden and draw a diagram of it onto a large piece of graph paper. Create a scale using the blocks on the paper. For instance, one block could equal one square foot or 5 blocks could represent one square foot depending on the size of the graphing paper and your garden. Off to the Garden Store Take the diagram with you to the garden supply store along with colored pencils. Using the colored pencils and a list of the flowers you would like to purchase, draw circles of each plant with the appropriate bloom color onto the paper. Label each circle with the name of the flower. Use the scale as a guide so you do not overbuy. Remember to allow for growth and plot the plant on your graphing paper in their mature state. When buying medium sized plants you may want to buy only one because they could spread two to three feet wide. Read the tags on the plants to get some idea of their mature size. It’s Planting Time! – The Fun Part Now that you have your plants and a chart, start creating your patterns throughout the garden using the sections you planned above and charted on your diagram. It’s similar to a material pattern with repeats. Plant one grouping then repeat with the next grouping and the next. In this way you will have continuus blooming perennials throughout the season. You don’t have to follow the strict pattern, though. Once you familiarize yourself with the times the flowers bloom and the heights of each you’ll be able to create unique flowing repeated patterns on your own. You can repeat the pattern throughout your garden as many times as you’d like depending on the size of the area. For the Most Attractive Look 1. Each grouping should have all three seasons of flowers along with tall to short varieties of flowers. 2. Plant your flowers and shrubs close enough together to allow for some foliage overlap. Remember to take into consideration their adult size. 3. Spring growth is usually minimal so plant early spring, mid-spring and late spring bulbs scattered throughout your garden. In this way you will have color along with the beginning sprigs of your perennials. (Bulbs are usually planted in the fall so hold off on planting these until September or October if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. Reverse it if you live in the Southern Hemisphere.) 4. Research when the best time is to plant the flowers and shrubs you chose. It may take a full season to plant your garden to have a continuous blooming garden. 5. While waiting for your perennials to reach full shape, scatter pots filled with annuals in the bare spots. You can move these pots around the garden to fill in other vacant spots after your perennials begin flourishing. One Other Consideration – Color You want to have colors that complement each other when planting a garden. Consider the color wheel. Opposite sides of the color wheel complement each other. Colors adjacent (or side by side) to each other also look good together. Color Alternatives warm colors (reds, yellows, and oranges or shades of these) cool colors (green, blue, and purple and variations of these) monochromatic (all the same color) Remember that when selecting the flowers, consider the size of the plant and in which season they blossom. Take Care Of Those Babies!! Here are some last minute tips to make sure your flowers produce lovely blooms throughout the entire season. Supply rich soil to the garden Dead head (snipping off the dead flowers) often Fertilize your plants Provide lots of sunlight (think about where the sun is before plotting your garden) Nurse the roots (when transplanting flowers from containers, gently untangle the roots and carefully pack the soil around the roots when planting in the ground) Apply 2 to 3 inches of good mulch to your garden Moderately water your garden Well, That’s All Folks! I know this sounds a bit daunting but do not be scared off by that. My advice to you is to start small. Become acquainted with specific flowers including blooming times and sizes. It will be less overwhelming if you keep it simple and start small. I hope you enjoyed this post on creating continuous blooming perennials. I have tried to simplify the process and I hope I succeeded. If you have any questions or comments on this topic, please leave them below. I’d love to hear from you! Happy Gardening Nina bestgardeningforbeginers@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com

Everyone is looking for their own outdoor space. Calm and serenity settles in when you’re sitting on a balcony overlooking a beautiful vista. But what if you don’t have a beautiful vista? Here are some ways to spruce up a balcony and make it your perfect hideaway oasis. Learn how to decorate a balcony using plants, flowers and so much more. (Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items.) Repurpose Your Space – Decide How You’d Like To Use It If you’re one of the lucky ones who live in an apartment and have a balcony, I’m sure you’ll want to create the perfect escape for yourself. But first you have to decide what the space will be used for. Would you like an area for meditation, yoga, dining and/or sipping that cup of coffee or glass of wine, or just need a space for a quiet read? Or perhaps you want it for all those purposes! Whatever your objectives, you have to consider a few things. Purchase Tool Free Railing Planters From Plant Trap Sun Orientation Before you do anything, determine the orientation of your balcony and then decide when you get direct sunlight. Refer to Gardening Ideas For Beginners to understand sun orientation. Once that is decided, consider what type of sun block you will need, if any. Choose plants, curtains, or trellises if you need to block direct sunlight. Select plants according to the sun requirements on the tag of the plant and match them to the orientation of your balcony. Size – Measure the Area and Consider These Ideas How big is your balcony? Can you comfortably fit a bistro table with 2 chairs, a larger table for 4, or perhaps a small couch for lounging? The size of your area will dictate the kind of space you can create. If your area seems small, don’t despair. There are ways to fit a few themes or groupings into a small area. You just have to use your imagination and repurpose your items. For instance, a small coffee table can be used for a cozy seating area or substituted for a dining table. An old trunk protected with polyurethane can be repurposed and used as a table and/or a container for cushions or garden tools. Extra large throw pillows are great for relaxing or having a picnic meal on the floor. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Install a U – shaped ledge over the railing and use it as a bar, table for eating, or to support pots of flowers to cover an unsightly view. Perhaps you can use a hanging folding table (Amazon) over your railing to maximize your space. Once you have decided what large pieces you’d like to add to your balcony, create a rough drawing using grid paper. Each square can represent a half a foot or a foot depending on the size of the area. Sketch the objects onto the paper and see which sizes will fit in the space. From there, you can begin purchasing some items. View Do you have a pleasant view? If yes, that’s wonderful! If not, you may want to consider ways to create a view. You may not be able to change what you see as you look out from your balcony, but you can add things to the side or ceilings (if you have one) to distract you from the unchangeable view. Some suggestions include adding a trellis or lattice to the sides (or ceiling) of the balcony. A typical white lattice can be bought from Home Depot, or you can also purchase a wooden or metal trellis. Then add some climbing plants in pots beneath the lattice and train your plants to climb by gently attaching the tiny tendrils to the lattice. Once the plant attaches to the lattice, you will not have to guide it any more. Some climbing plants for a sunny area are clematis (hide their roots from the sun), bougainvillea, Virginia creeper (fast growing with pretty red foliage in the fall), Mandevilla, black eyed Susan vine and nasturtium. For a shaded balcony, try a climbing hydrangea or a false hydrangea vine. Other ideas hanging flower stands If you don’t want to use lattice, you can use hooks with hanging flower stands and, in a random order, add flowers onto the trellis. You can also purchase flower stands for the railing. Purchase Tool-Free Railing Planters From Plant Trap ledges over railings Place a U-shaped ledge over the railing and put large, heavy pots (so they won’t blow away) on the ledge filled with tall plants. Be sure your railing will support the weight of the pots. A bird of paradise flanked with fiddle leaf fig plants (Fast Growing Trees) would block an unsightly view. They also make balcony railing plant boxes for multiple plants if you do not want to place them on the railing. arbors Another choice is to use a minimal arched arbor the width of your balcony, placed from the exterior wall of the living space to the opposite railing or wall of the balcony. Pot some fast growing, climbing vines and place them where they’ll creep up the arbor. Trumpet vines, climbing roses and star jasmine fit the bill. If your climate is conducive to grapes, how about some grape vines! Think Floor, Walls, Ceiling Floors To liven up a drab concrete floor, place a weather resistant rug that would cover at least most of the balcony floor to hide the unsightly area. This softer feel is conducive to yoga and meditation and nice on the toes too! Adding tiles (I really like Moroccan tiles) to a concrete floor is always a pretty addition. However, this is not as easy as it looks. Below is a video explaining 5 important tips when tiling an exterior balcony, including the correct type of tile to use. I highly recommend you watch the video if you’re planning on tiling a balcony, and hire a professional for the installation. Interlocking deck tiles (Amazon) are another option to upgrade the look of your balcony floor. They are usually made of either a composite of wood and plastic or a durable wood, like teak. They can be applied directly to the floor of the balcony. They are relatively easy to install, easily removeable for rental properties, and cost effective. Here is another video on how to install these types of tiles. They are much easier to install than ceramic tiles and, depending on the size of your balcony, the installation could be accomplished in a few hours. These can be purchased at Home Depot, Ikea, and Lowes. Painting the floor using a stencil pattern is another option to decorate your floor. However, this is a permanent change unless you’re willing to repaint once you leave if you’re renting. Walls Walls can be decorated with lattice and hanging flower pots, outside ornaments, or pots with climbing vines. You can also decorate them with fairy or twinkle lights. I’ve seen walls of plants in Spain that are also very appealing but be careful of a possible mold build up. You may be better off just hanging a trellis and work from there. Sheer, flowing curtains made of waterproof textiles add a whimsical feel to the exterior balcony. Ceiling If you have a ceiling over your balcony, hang deck lighting or small twinkle lights (solar would be ideal) to create a peaceful mood in the evening. Try attaching hooks and hang some plants from the ceiling. Again, be aware of your sun exposures to determine which plant will thrive under those conditions. If there is no ceiling, an umbrella equipped with twinkle lights inserted into a stand or a small table is quite nice. As an alternative you might consider adding a fabric canopy to block the wind by attaching it to hooks. Furniture Choices – Think Waterproof There are a few good choices to choose from when selecting outdoor, weather resistant furniture. Wood (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Teak, cedar, acacia or redwood are good choices for outdoor furniture. (Amazon) They are naturally resistant to rot and usually come with a waterproof sealer which enhances their weather resistant properties and helps prevent graying of the wood. Synthetic Wicker This is a faux wicker made of weatherproof polypropylene. The plastic will stand up to extreme temperatures and moisture. Furniture Covers These are good to have regardless of what your furniture is made from. They are water repellent and will protect your furniture year round. Other Decorative Ideas Here are some other items you can add to your balcony if the space allows and they enhance the theme or purpose of your balcony.. Faux firepit – wrap a solar string of lights around wood in a fire pit Hang a hammock for restful afternoons or evenings Add chicken wire to the railing of your balcony if it is not solid to keep pets safe, then add metal decorative items with hooks Large plant stands that house multiple plants Small Fountain – (Amazon) if there is an outlet, these are simple to install Garden Tower 2(Garden Tower Project) there are many mini garden trays/ pots that you can purchase for either flowers or vegetables. ==>Click Here For Review of Garden Tower Project<== Whatever you decide, remember to use weatherproof materials and furniture to preserve your beautiful oasis. Conclusion – How To Decorate A Balcony There are many ways to decorate a balcony and make it your own. Be sure to begin with a plan and a rough drawing before you purchase anything. And remember to MEASURE everything – TWICE! Otherwise you may regret buying some items. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and learned something. Please share your before and after photos of your beautiful balcony with me. Also, please comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Happy gardening and decorating! Nina bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com