Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash.com
With Spring just around the corner, it’s no doubt we all feel a little impatient waiting for the temperature to rise, and flowers to start blooming. A great way to beat the winter blues is to force bulbs or branches to bloom early. It’s a very simple process, and will be sure to lift your mood! You can use branches from shrubs and trees in a beautiful, unique floral arrangement.
Many ornamental trees and shrubs set their flower buds during the previous growing season, so they are ready to bloom after a couple weeks of warmer weather. The buds need at least 6 weeks of dormancy in the winter though before they will open. After a couple of months of freezing weather, the buds should be ready to be forced to bloom.
To start the early blooming process, depending on what plants you have outdoors, with a sharp knife or shears, clip a few branches off a shrub or tree you know will bloom later in the season. When you cut the branch, be sure to make an angled cut to allow proper growth later. Immediately place each branch into water.
It is best to cut the branches when the temperature is above freezing (32 degrees). Once you are done gathering the branches, bring them inside and strip all buds, twigs, and leaves from the lower section that will be under water.
To enhance water absorption, use a utility knife to open up the bottom of the branch. Simply pare away an inch or two of the bark from the base of the branch. For woody branches, smash the bottom base to open the bark up and allow more water to be absorbed.
Once you have collected the desired branches, set the vase or bucket of water in a cooler place indoors, such as a basement, garage, or mudroom. You’ll want to try to emulate a spring environment as best as possible. That is, cool, moist atmosphere away from direct, bright sunlight. The standing water can go bad fairly quickly, so adding a homemade preservative is a good idea, along with changing the water once a week, or when the water starts to discolor.
Once the blooms start showing and start to swell, you can move the branches to the living area of the home and arrange them in a large vase. Place them in a cooler area of your home, away from a direct heat source or bright sunlight. It would be beneficial to mist the branches with water every other day while they are still blooming to maintain the right moisture. The blooms should last about a week in a good location. If you cut several branches each week, you should be able to have continuous blooming, and enjoy the flowers until spring!
A lush, green lawn and beautiful landscaping make your home’s outdoors an enjoyable place for summer fun with family and friends.
Removing ice and snow from your roof can prevent damage later. Here are tips on how to keep your roof clear.
Structured wiring provides flexibility, the ability to move phone, computer and TV locations throughout the building without costly hassles.
The West Michigan Real Estate Directory is the place to search homes, acreage, businesses for sale, and lakefront property in the area.
We have created a handy list of seasonal “chores” and suggestions for important activities to accomplish season by season.
Pruning is a way to maintain proper health and growth, and to keep the size and shape of a tree or shrub in order and visually appealing.
Screens are fairly simple and inexpensive to fix. With the right materials, you can fix a screen in less than an hour for about $20 or less.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps gardeners and growers to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in West Michigan.
There are many quality home builders in West Michigan who specialize in building energy efficient, attractive, and well-built homes.
If you want to increase security and extend the hours of outdoor enjoyment on your property, consider landscape lights outside your home.
Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your furnace running in top condition and save you extra cost from your pocketbook.
Windows offer beautiful views of the outdoors, and the option of privacy indoors, and that begins with window treatments.
When it comes to your home, and everything inside that has value, it’s important to keep those it insured with homeowners insurance.
If your family produces a large amount of kitchen scraps, why not compost and use them as a natural fertilizer for your garden?
We have created a handy list of seasonal “chores” and suggestions for important activities to accomplish season by season.
The West Michigan Real Estate Directory is the place to search homes, acreage, businesses for sale, and lakefront property in the area.
A great way to beat the winter blues is to force bulbs or branches to bloom early. It’s a simple process, and will be sure to lift your mood!
A lush, green lawn and beautiful landscaping make your home’s outdoors an enjoyable place for summer fun with family and friends.