Blossom's Wild Herb Lavender Farm

Within the next month we will be offering an easy to make Succulent Wreath, but for now, here are the fun instructions.
1.  Submerge wreath in water for an hour or until all air bubbles escape.
2.  Place wreath on waterproof table with hanger at 12 o'clock.
3.  At 12 o'clock stick pencil in wreath and with your thumb gently open wide enough to fit in Sempervivum plug, avoid breaking fishing wire.
4.  Gently place Sempervivum in whole.

5.  Repeat with another whole about 4 inch down creating a mini triangle with the sempervivums.
6.  Repeat the process  around 8 o'clock 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock.
7.  You are now ready to move on to the 9 Sedum's in Kit. Place sedums in between Sempervivums in a triangle format.
8 . You can add succulent cuttings at any time to fill in hole if you choose.
9.  Keep your wreath flat for about two weeks before hanging it. The succulents need this time so their little roots can anchored into the wreath.
10.  While it’s horizontal, use your wreath as a centerpiece or table decoration by the front door or on the patio – just be sure to keep it protected from rain.   Do not water until wreath is dry, you will surely rot the plants if too much affection is given.
*Putting a focal element off-center, at 5 or 7 o’clock, creates more visual interest.

Thank you for supporting our American FAMILY Farm!

Blessing, Gayle Zimmerman

I have been keeping myself busy with creating living wreaths from plants that tolerate neglect....  I am planning to try herbal plants - but I feel that they will need much more attention to keep alive...  I am hoping to have them ready for the holiday Season...  The wire frames are handmade and take very long to stuff with moss.....  Then there is the planting and there are lots and lots of plants.... this is why the cost is costly but they will last for years and besides you can steal cuttings which is simply easy to root.

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them.

Gayle at Blossom Farm

It has been about a week since my daughter moved out of state, sorta missing her today.  I made cold cucumber yogurt soup and I know she would have enjoyed it.   The other two boys I live with will not eat anything green.
I also want to thank for the folks that sent me a kind word and poems....  I remember meeting someone a few months ago who told me her son after college just joined the service....  I thought how horrible for that mom, but she told me as long as my son is happy, I am happy, so that is my advice I am telling myself.  
So if you have a garden filled with cucumbers, try this soup it is surprising good.

Ingredients 
2 cucumbers, peeled, seeds removed
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups lowfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbs. dill, chopped
Directions 
1.Mash the garlic with salt and then add all the other ingredients in blender
2.Add additional salt to taste.
3.Refrigerated at least two hours before serving to allow flavors to mingle.
4.Serve chilled. 
Optional:  Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and add a teaspoon of good olive oil.  ENJOY! GAYLE

A tapestry of sensational succulents, will last for years. Use as a wreath or as a table centerpiece.

Handcrafted nine to eleven inch sphagnum moss wreath - the actual size with plants is over 11" in diameter. Planted with winter hardy living succulents from our very large collection of hens and chickens and stonecrops.
This wreath: Easy to care for for and will last for many years. Comes with separator legs and 6" long hanging chain. Can be used as a center piece or hanging. Plant mix might vary form the one pictured on our website, but we insure that it will be a large amount different textures and hues.

A tapestry with sensational succulents! The plants have a way of capturing the imagination with beautiful flowers, and interesting foliage and textures, making them irresistable.

Forgetting to water is not a problem. They thrive on neglect, so if mom or sending a special gift for someone that loves plants but tends to forget they need love too, this is a wonderful idea! But they will need water on occasion. Best to hang part shade.

Click here to visit the lising on local harvest.   If you have question about this please email me at:    hello-AT-blossomfarm-DOT-com

Have a great Day!  Gayle

Create a tapestry in a pot with sensational succulents! The plants have a way of capturing the imagination with beautiful flowers, and interesting foliage and textures, making them irresistible additions to the sunny, well-drained garden. Because of their small size, they are also ideal candidates for the urban garden, giving city gardeners the option of growing a wide range of plants in even the most confined of spaces. Perfect for containers where forgetting to water is not a problem. They thrive on neglect, so if mom or sending a special gift for someone that loves plants but tends to forget they need love too, this is a wonderful idea!

Rock gardens are not hard to maintain, which is great for gardeners. In fact, most care simply involves removing weeds on a regular basis. Even this task will diminish as the rock plants establish themselves and fill in any gaps where weeds might grow.

Folklore: Sempervivum and Sedum are considered ‘Old World Treasures’ and are associated with mythology. During early centuries in Scandinavian countries, they were called Thor’s Helper’ and were believed to drive off demons and guard homes if planted on roofs. The Romans called them "Beard of Jupiter" and planted them on roofs to guard against lightning.

THE BLOSSOM FARM GROWS OVER 40 VARITIES.

HAPPY PLANTING, GAYLE