Gardening Valentine's Gifts for your Sweetheart

Valentine’s Gifts

Hearts for your sweetheart. Surprise your special Valentine with artistic hearts, flowers that never fade with fine art prints. Valentine’s Day is Friday, February 14^th. To ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day order by February 3^rd. Fine art prints take 10 to 14 days to process. Order early for Valentine’s Day delivery.

Hibiscus and More has Gardening Books for Plant Lovers and Gardener Valentines.

Valentine Jigsaw Puzzles Lover Featuring Nature Photography.

Valentine Nature Photography Lover.

Reusable grocery-tote bags featuring nature photography.

Single Greeting Cards $4.95 Send your Valentine a personal message for Valentine’s Day.

Rockin’ Ribbons Happy Valentine’s Day #2.  Click to Order.

Rockin’ Ribbons I Love You – Red #1.  Click to Order.

Rockin’ Ribbons I Love You – White #3.  Click to Order.

Giclee Fine Art Prints: You are my Sunshine, Pink Kisses and Texas Bluebonnet. Prices start at $24.95 to $199.95.

6x8 Nature Photographs Dark Pink Cosmos and Pink and Dark Pink Cosmos $9.95.

 

January Gardening Calendar 2025

January Gardening Calendar

Start planning for Spring. January is the perfect month to start planning your garden for the current year. As a refresher for last year’s thoughts, ideas or plants you were thinking about purchasing, dust off your gardening journal to see what changes or additions you want to make this year. A garden is always evolving.

Start looking at seed and garden catalogs. January is a good time to start planning this year’s design features and plants. Seeds and new introduction plants sell out quickly. Don’t miss out and wait, try to order your seeds or reserve your plants soon. Reserving your plant purchase guarantees the plant will ship at the proper time for planting in your USDA zone.

Seed starting Kits. Growers recommend starting the seeds indoors in a bright location to get a jump start to spring. There are seed starting kits which are advertised as seed starter germination kit or seed starter greenhouse kit. The kits usually feature a tray, growing media disks, and a cover for the tray. The kits are an excellent choice to start growing your seeds before spring. Some kits even include a warming matt to get a faster germination rate. 

Bare Root Roses will be arriving soon at local garden centers. Prepare planting beds by digging an area 3 feet wide by 12 inches deep for each rose. Soak bare root roses in a mixture of Super Thrive and water for 24 to 48 hours before planting. Local nurseries will also have available roses in peat pots. Peat pots are biodegradable and can be planted directly in the ground. Don’t take the plant out of the peat pot. Before planting make a slit a quarter of the way down and around the pot four times. This action helps the peat pot degrade faster and also lets the roots start growing outside the peat pot. For more information on Rose Care Click Here.

Do you want to keep your Poinsettias all year? Once the temperature is 40 to 50 degrees you can place your poinsettias outdoors and in the shade. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Start fertilizing in March. After the blooms (bracts) start fading or turning green trim the plant.

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs the structure of the trees and shrubs can be easily seen this time of year. Prune all branches that rub or cross each other. Trees and shrubs can be planted now. Plan to plant on a warm day when the ground is not frozen. When the weather warms for a week or longer, and then the temperatures drop into the twenties, cover Camellias and Gardenias nightly until the temperatures are above freezing. The last week in January prune Pear and Apple trees, and Grape vines.

Vegetable Garden till the soil, if the ground is dry. This preventative measure helps to eliminate weeds, insects, and nematodes. Most vegetables can be planted in the garden after the last freeze date in your area.  Don’t have room for a vegetable garden, but would like to grow your own vegetables? All vegetables can be grown in large planters. The recommended planter size for vegetables is 16 inches or larger. In fact, that is how I grow my vegetables each season. For more information on Spring Vegetable Gardening Click Here.

Prune Pampas Grass and all other ornamental grasses down to about 12 to 24 inches. Prune Lantana and Cannas down level with the soil. Shape Crepe Myrtles and Altheas and remove old seed heads.

Annuals water winter annuals like pansies, violas, ornamental cabbage and kale, after a hard freeze. This helps to rehydrate the annuals faster. Water outside container plants before a hard freeze, too.

Houseplants check for insects. Insects like mealy bugs, scale, spider mites are more likely to infest your plants during the winter months. Spray with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and make sure you spray underneath the leaves. Turn your houseplants a quarter to half turn once a week. This prevents leaning of your houseplants. I turn mine once a week when I water my houseplants.

Need more gardening advice? Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link under Followers. Sign Up Is Free. View Current Blog Post Click Here.

All photographs maybe purchased as fine art prints at HibiscusandMore.com  

Cheryl’s Fine Art Photography is on Merchandise Greeting Cards and more

Butterfly Gardening Book

Houseplants - Grow Fresh Air Book

Landscape Gardening Book

Need floral and Botanical stock photography?

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Cheryl+Ann+Meola

https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/210785031/Cheryl

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

©Cheryl Ann Meola

 

From Soil to Success: Key Steps for Starting and Profiting from a Small Farm

Image via Pixabay

Starting a small farm can be both a rewarding lifestyle choice and a smart business venture. Whether you’re driven by a passion for sustainable agriculture, the appeal of working with your hands, or the potential for profit, building a successful small farm requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. With the right approach, your small farm can thrive as both a source of personal fulfillment and a profitable business.

Boosting Your Business Savvy with an Online Degree

Boosting your business acumen is essential for turning your small farm into a profitable venture, and earning an online business degree can equip you with the tools to succeed. A business degree allows you to develop valuable skills in accounting, business strategy, communications, and management—critical areas for running a farm efficiently. Online degree programs offer the flexibility to balance full-time work with your studies, making it easier to gain the knowledge you need without disrupting your daily responsibilities. If you’re interested in expanding your expertise, consider exploring online business degree options to take your farming business to the next level.

Strengthening Resilience with Diversification

Diversifying your farm is key to enhancing its resilience and profitability. By expanding beyond a single crop or product, you can mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations and unpredictable weather. This approach provides financial stability through multiple income streams and optimizes the use of resources like labor and equipment. For example, machinery used seasonally can be repurposed or rented out, maximizing its utility. Additionally, diversification encourages sustainable practices such as crop rotation and integrating livestock, which improve soil health and ensure long-term viability.

Leveraging E-Commerce for Growth

Exploring e-commerce platforms can significantly boost your farm’s ability to sell directly to consumers, extending your reach beyond local markets. Establishing an online presence allows you to meet the growing demand for local and sustainable food. This digital shift expands your customer base and enables personalized delivery options and efficient payment processes, enhancing customer relationships and increasing revenue. Embracing e-commerce is a strategic move to ensure your farm’s growth and sustainability in the modern marketplace.

Navigating Financial Support

Starting a small farm can be financially challenging, but exploring grants and financial assistance programs can significantly ease this burden. These grants offer a substantial financial boost without the need for repayment, unlike traditional loans. By prioritizing beginning farmers and small-scale operations, these programs increase your chances of securing funds. Although federal grants are highly competitive, more opportunities might be available at the state and local levels, where programs often support farm management and innovation.

Engage Your Community with Farm-Based Learning

Transforming your farm into a center for community education can significantly enhance local engagement with sustainable agriculture. By hosting interactive workshops and tours, you provide hands-on experiences that connect people to the origins of their food. These activities educate and bridge the gap between urban and rural lifestyles, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse farming practices. By integrating educational elements into your farm, you create a vibrant hub of knowledge and community involvement, supporting both environmental sustainability and local food systems.

Maximizing Efficiency with Precision Agriculture

Integrating precision agriculture into your farming practices can boost productivity while conserving resources. By using technologies that allow for the precise application of fertilizers, pesticides, and water, you ensure each plant receives the necessary nutrients at the optimal time, reducing waste and enhancing growth potential. This approach cuts input costs and conserves vital resources like water, which is crucial in areas facing scarcity. Leveraging real-time data and GPS-driven automation, you can tailor planting and irrigation strategies to specific field conditions, leading to healthier crops and increased profitability.

By embracing these strategies, your small farm can flourish as a profitable and sustainable business. Education, financial planning, diversification, and technology each play a pivotal role in securing your farm’s future and ensuring its enduring success.

Discover the beauty of tropical botanicals and nature photography at Hibiscus and More, where you can find exquisite fine art prints and expert gardening books to transform your space into a vibrant oasis.

Investment Opportunity

Proposal for Website Upgrade Funding

Dear Bloggers,

I hope this proposal finds you well. I am reaching out to request funding to support crucial upgrades to my website, Hibiscus And More. Here is a link to the website that will be redesigned, https://hibiscusandmore.com/  These upgrades are essential to enhance user experience, improve performance, and drive business growth.

The primary objective of this proposal is to secure funding to cover the costs of upgrading my website. The total amount required is $35,000. However, I want to emphasize that any amount you are willing to support will be greatly appreciated and accepted. Your contribution will play a significant role in helping me achieve my goals.

The proposed upgrades include:

1. Website redesign: A modern, responsive design to improve user experience and increase engagement.

2. Infrastructure upgrade: Enhanced server capacity and security measures to ensure faster loading times and protection against cyber threats.

3. Content creation: Development of high-quality, engaging content to attract and retain visitors.

4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimization of the website's structure and content to improve search engine rankings and drive organic traffic.

The upgraded website will provide numerous benefits, including:

1. Increased revenue: Improved user experience and search engine rankings will drive more traffic and sales.

2. Enhanced credibility: A modern, professional website will strengthen our brand's reputation and credibility.

3. Competitive advantage: The upgraded website will enable me to stay ahead of the competition and establish myself as industry leader.

This is the Repayment Plan:

For any amount contributed, I propose a repayment plan with a competitive interest rate. For example, if you contribute the full amount of $10,000, the repayment amount would be $4,000 within one month, with a 40% interest rate. However, this repayment plan is flexible, and we can discuss a mutually agreeable terms based on your contribution.

I believe that this investment will yield significant returns and drive business growth. I am grateful for considering this proposal, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this further and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Questions: call or email 713-545-8480 or cheryl@hibiscusandmore.com

 

Sincerely,

Cheryl Meola

November Gardening Calendar 2024

Blow or rake fallen leaves from lawn areas. The leaves left on the lawn block the sunlight to your grass and will create bare spots. Don’t forget to compost the leaves. Spray each layer with water. Need a composter? There are several composters on the market today, but deciding which one to buy may be confusing to some. Composters are designed for gardeners and home owners with several designs to choose from. Some are designed to be mobile and when the compost is ready the gardener can take the composter to the area where it is going to be used. Other composters are deigned to be stationary. When deciding on a composter think about what you want the composter to do for you. For my information on composting Click Here.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs now and add bone meal to the planting hole. Depending on how south you garden in some spring bulbs can be planted in December. The key to planting spring flowering bulbs is the ground needs to be cool enough so the bulbs remain dormant until spring arrives. For more information on fall bulbs Click Here.

You can save your Elephant Ears, Dahlias, and Caladiums by digging them up now. Let the tubers dry out before storing for the winter. Store tubers in boxes layered with peat moss or vermiculite, then layer tubers on top of your choice of medium. Store boxes in a cool, dry place.

Spring and summer perennials can be pruned back and mulched. After the flowers have faded on Chrysanthemums and Asters prune to 4 inches and mulch. Clean up Hellebores. Trim dead and yellowing leaves. Hellebores grow from the center and by removing the dead and yellowing leaves increases more pups.

To encourage winter songbirds in your garden, get a birdfeeder. It is recommended to use the black oil sunflower seed for most birds. Black oil sunflower seeds make a nutrient-dense snack for birds. The seeds have a higher oil content which translates to more nutrition. The shell is thinner, which makes it easier to break open for the birds. Fill bird feeders with black oil sunflower seeds.

Plant New Shrubs and Trees: Have you been thinking about replacing a few shrubs that just did not quite get established in the landscape, or planting a new shade or flowering tree that you just cannot live without in your landscape? Now, is the time to start thinking about making that purchase? The fall season is an excellent time to add new shrubs and trees to your landscape. This time of year, will let your newly planted shrubs and trees get a head start by developing and establishing new root growth in the soil.

You still have time to plant your winter color such as: Chrysanthemums, Pansy, Viola, Snapdragons, Stock, Cyclamen, Dianthus, Sweet Alyssum, Flowering Cabbage and Kale provide winter color through the spring and should be still available at garden centers. For spring blooms plant Bluebonnet and Poppy seeds this fall. For more information on fall and winter annuals Click Here.

Holiday Plants that you kept last year need to be placed in a dark room during the evening hours for the plants to bloom this holiday season. I remember this gardening ritual when it is time to turn back our clocks; it is time to give holiday plants total darkness until you see buds or bracts forming. Christmas Cactus and Poinsettias are night dependent plants for them to bloom; these plants need several hours of darkness to bloom. The cooler weather also helps in the blooming process. If you purchased new holiday plants, try to place them in the coolest area of your home.

Have you ever tried forcing Paperwhites for the holidays and the stems and blooms became leggy? Here is a link to an article about what to do to prevent the legginess from occurring. Click Here To Read More: http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/cultivation/growing-paperwhites?et_mid=525016&rid=2111517

House Plants that were brought indoors need a ¼ turn to prevent leaning towards the light. To prevent this, turn your house plants once a week. House plants do not need as much water during the winter months, water when the top one inch of the soil is dry. Another way to decide whether to water is if you had several days of cloudy weather check your plants on the normal day you usually check, if the soil feels wet wait a week. Houseplants do not need as much water during cloudy, winter months.

The Blogger, Cheryl Ann Meola, has several Links to share with you featuring her fine art plant photography and merchandise. Click on the links below.

For Gardening Books: Butterfly Gardening Click Here. House Plants Click Here.

Landscape Gardening Click Here.

Fine Art America Portfolio for Prints and Household Merchandise. Click Here.

For Cheryl Ann Meola’s Shutterstock Stock Photography.

For Cheryl Ann Meola’s Adobe Stock Photography.

Cheryl Ann Meola © 2023.

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

Certified Texas Nursery Professional #1282

September Gardening Calendar 2024

 

September Gardening Calendar 2024

Let’s get ready for September in preparation to cooler temperatures by fertilizing annuals, perennials, and roses one last time for winter preparation. Check flowerbeds for pooped-out perennials such as Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Shasta Daisy. Trim dead flower heads and brown leaves for fall. Apply a new layer of mulch. Mulch helps keep the plants warm in winter and cool during summer months.

Fertilize Chrysanthemums and Salvia with a liquid plant food. You will be rewarded with blooms later in the fall.

Chrysanthemums, Pansy, Viola, alyssum, and Snapdragons provide winter color through the spring and should be available by mid-September at garden centers. For a complete list of Fall Color Annuals Click Here For More Information. For spring blooms plant Bluebonnet and Poppy seeds now.

September is a good time to divide and cut back perennials. Check your daylilies, irises, and monkey grass while the weather is still warm.

Are you planning to bring your Tropical Hibiscus in this winter? Place in a sunny window. Before bringing indoors as a precaution spray plants with Safer Soap and follow package directions.

Preserve excess Basil leaves by pureeing in a blender with ¼ cup of olive oil or water. Pour the mixture in ice trays and use the cubes in your wintertime Italian dishes.

Spring-flowering bulbs should be on sale. Plan to plant in mid-October or when the weather cools to the 60’s or below.

Start planning where you will place your Tropical Plants that spent the sfall annualsummer outdoors. Trim back, if necessary and inspect for insects. Spray with appropriate insecticide, if needed. I prefer to use horticulture oil on my houseplants. Horticulture oils are environmentally friendly and will give your Houseplants a nice shine along with killing any insects. For more information on Houseplants and tropical plants click here.

Are you planning a fall vegetable garden? Cool weather vegetable starts such as Arugula, Beets, beans, carrots, radishes, spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, Broccoli, Collards, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Peppers, green onions, celery, cutting celery, Chinese cabbage, turnips, swiss chard, lettuce, cauliflower, bok chop, and Snow Peas are good choices. Don’t have room to plant a fall vegetable garden, but would like to grow your own vegetables? You can grow vegetables in a container. The container should be 16 inches or larger and for excellent success use a potting soil. For more information on Fall Vegetable Gardening Click Here.

The last week in September is the time to replace your mulch under your Roses and Red Tip Photinia to prevent diseases on next year’s leaves. Rake up any fallen leaves before replacing the mulch.

As the weather cools, this is a good time to plant shrubs and trees. When planting in the fall, it provides less stress on the plant and the roots start to get established in the ground. SuperThrive is the recommended concentrated solution of plant vitamins and hormones used to encourage plant and root growth and to revitalize stressed or dying plants. SuperThrive is not a fertilizer and can be mixed with your favorite liquid fertilizer. Dosage recommendation for transplanting or weekly use: ¼ of a teaspoon per gallon of water, or for larger projects 3 ounces to 100 gallons of water. To revitalize stressed or dying plants use: 1 ounce to five gallons of water and water the root zone or drip line. Then water every 3 – 5 days ¼ teaspoon to 1 gallon of water at the root zone or drip line. For bare root roses use: 1 ½ teaspoons per 5 gallons of water and soak for at least 30 minutes. Depending on your plant’s condition you may use weekly or monthly.

During drought or stressful conditions, it is wise to water established shrubs and trees. The recommended rate for trees is 15 gallons of water per each trunk diameter a week. Break up the amount of water to twice a week and use SuperThrive as recommended above.

I found another good additive to mix with water that will help get your new transplanted plants established. It is called Recharge from Real Growers. It’s a professional strength microbial superpack. Recharge helps and promotes stronger plants within 48 hours. I was skeptical, but I tried it and it really does work. That’s why I would recommend it when adding new plants to your landscape. You can mix Superthrive and Recharge together in water for excellent results.

Bermuda grass seed should be planted no later than September 15^th to ensure that the seeds germinate and become established before winter frost.

Brown Patch fungus is more apparent in the fall months. Prevention is the best cure by watering your lawn early in the morning before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.

Mid-September is the last feeding for your lawns. Fertilize your lawn with a winterizer weed and feed to prevent spring-time weeds.

My photography is on display on different websites including my own HibiscusAndMore.com. The other sites that have my photography are: www.fineartamerica.com/art/cheryl+meola When you need images as stock check out the links below.

Need floral stock photography? Click here. Need botanical stock photography? Click here.

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Cheryl+Ann+Meola   

https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/210785031/cheryl 

Cheryl has written several books on gardening available on Amazon Click on the links to view. Landscape Gardening, Butterfly Gardening, and Houseplants.

Happy Gardening. ©Cheryl Ann Meola 2023. Certified Texas Nursery Professional #1282

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

 

Creating Green Harmony in Work and Home Spaces

Image via Pexels

Creating Green Harmony in Work and Home Spaces

With emissions from burning fossil fuels rising, sustainable living and working practices have never been more urgent. Beyond the environmental implications, integrating nature into our homes and workplaces can profoundly benefit our well-being and productivity. This guide from Hibiscus and More outlines several benefits of home and work environments closely connected with nature, underscoring how this connection contributes to our planet's health and our personal and professional lives.

Smart Tech for Greener Homes and Workspaces

One of the first steps in aligning our living spaces with nature is through the adoption of smart home technologies. These innovations go beyond reducing our carbon footprint; they bring simplicity and efficiency to our daily lives. Smart thermostats, energy-efficient lighting, and solar panels are examples of how technology can harmonize with environmental goals. These systems conserve energy and offer unparalleled convenience, allowing us to manage our homes remotely and more intuitively.

Nature's Boost to Creativity and Problem-Solving

The presence of natural elements in our surroundings significantly impacts our cognitive functions. Studies have shown that being in or near nature can stimulate creative thinking and enhance problem-solving abilities. This connection is particularly beneficial in work environments, where innovation is often crucial to success. Natural views, indoor plants, or even photographs of landscapes can provide the mental stimulation needed for creative breakthroughs.

Get an Online Degree

Earning a degree from a flexible online university can significantly contribute to sustainability efforts. Online programs reduce the need for physical commuting, minimizing carbon footprints and resource consumption. There are plenty of areas in which you can specialize, too. For instance, if you’re interested in computer science, consider this option to learn more about optimizing energy efficiency, creating smart technologies, and supporting data-driven sustainability initiatives.

Natural Light for Reducing Eye Strain and Headaches

Eye strain and headaches are common ailments in our digital world, where much of our work is done in front of screens. Natural lighting in workspaces can mitigate these issues. The softness of natural light – as opposed to the harshness of artificial lighting – is easier on the eyes, reducing the risk of strain and associated headaches. Further, natural light has been linked to better sleep and improved mood, contributing to overall well-being. 

Green Workspaces and Productivity

The correlation between green workspaces and productivity is backed by substantial research. UCLA reported a notable 16 percent rise in employee productivity in companies with green policies. This increase can be attributed to the improved air quality, natural aesthetics, and overall healthier environment that green workspaces provide. Plants, in particular, have been shown to improve concentration and reduce stress levels, directly impacting productivity.

Improving Mood with Regular Exposure to Nature

Our emotional well-being is deeply influenced by our surroundings. Regular exposure to natural settings has been proven to improve mood significantly, reducing feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness. This is especially important in our homes, where we seek refuge and relaxation. Incorporating elements like indoor plants, natural materials, and maximizing natural light can create a serene and emotionally supportive environment.

Reduced Noise Pollution for Peace and Tranquility

Urban environments are often characterized by high levels of noise pollution, which can be a source of stress and distraction. Natural environments typically offer a more peaceful setting. In workspaces, the inclusion of natural elements like water features or plants can help dampen noise, creating a quieter and more focused atmosphere conducive to productivity and mental well-being.

Purifying Air with Plants and Natural Elements

The air quality in our homes and offices plays a crucial role in our overall health. Incorporating plants and natural elements into these spaces helps purify the air, reduce pollutants, and boost oxygen levels, which is particularly valuable in urban areas where air pollution is more common. Many houseplants, especially those from tropical environments, excel in improving indoor air quality. To learn more about specific plants that improve air quality, check out Grow Fresh Air, a book offering practical guidance on selecting and caring for air-purifying houseplants. Visit Grow Fresh Air to discover more.

Enhancing Employee Satisfaction and Morale

A nature-connected workspace can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and morale. Natural elements in the workplace create a more enjoyable and pleasant environment, contributing to a positive workplace culture. Employees who feel good about their work environment are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and satisfied with their jobs, which can reduce turnover and improve overall workplace dynamics.

Adding Aesthetic Value with Natural Elements

Finally, the aesthetic value of natural elements cannot be overlooked. Natural elements bring beauty and a sense of calm to home and work environments, making them more enjoyable and pleasant. A well-designed space incorporating natural elements can be a source of pride and joy, which contributes to a positive emotional state and overall well-being.

A Guide to Creating Green Harmony

Integrating nature into our living and working spaces is not just an environmental imperative but a pathway to enhanced well-being, creativity, and productivity. By embracing sustainable living principles and recognizing the intrinsic value of our natural surroundings, we can create spaces that nurture our planet and foster our physical, mental, and emotional health. This harmonious relationship with nature is vital to building a sustainable, healthy, and productive future for ourselves and generations to come.

Hibiscus and More specializes in high quality nature photography – we look forward to hearing from you!

Hibiscus and More now features Fine Art Prints and Merchandise. Click to order.

Cheryl now features her botanical photography on two stock websites. Need the Image as Stock? Click Here.  Shutterstock.

Need the Image as Stock? Click Here.  Adobe.