by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

March has arrived and with it comes spring, what a perfect month to get plants started from seeds. Now that the winter has fled, getting your hands in the dirt is a great way to welcome spring and get your garden growing.  Follow the steps below and you will be growing seedlings in a snap:

1.   First on your list is getting containers, they can be plant pots, a kitchen serving dish, egg cartons; even old yogurt containers can do the trick very well. Wash them out thoroughly with hot water to ensure a clean, fresh start for your seeds.

2.  Potting mix is next on your list and a soil less peat mix is always a good choice and can be purchased at your local nursery.

3.  You will need plastic bags for keeping the warmth and humidity in.

4.  Labels for marking the seeds so you know what’s what.

5.  Let there be light!  You will need a good natural light source, or you must purchase a plant light if you don’t have a bright, florescent light at home.

So now it is time to start planting the seeds and here is how to do it:

1.  Fill your containers with potting soil, almost to the top of the container and moisten
the soil thoroughly before planting.

2.  Different seeds need different preparation before planting so read the directions
thoroughly before planting the seeds, some may require soaking before planting and this will be critical to their growth.

3.  The rule of thumb when planting most types of seeds of seeds is to make a hole or trench about twice the diameter of the seed.  With much tinier seeds it is best to place them on the top of the soil, uncovered.  Plant the seeds about an inch apart so that they have room to grow and better air circulation and you will have easier access to the seedlings when you need to transplant them.

4.  Now it is time to make a mini greenhouse for your little seeds as they need light and heat to germinate and grow.  You can use a plastic bag to cover the seeds and secure them in the soil with small stakes.  The greenhouse will make a warm, moist environment for the seeds and help them achieve optimum growth and don’t forget to place the seed containers where they will get light, but NOT direct sunlight.

10. Now you will have to be patient as germination can take a days or months.  When you see the seeds sprouting up through the soil remove the plastic and place them in brighter light but not too bright yet. Keep the soil moist but not soggy at this stage as they young roots can easily get waterlogged.

11. Always handle the seedlings by the leaves and not the stem as leaves can grow back but a damaged stem can mean the end of a well tended seedling.

12. Gradually increase the light intensity and then move them outdoors to a sheltered area, away from critters that will see your seedlings a delicious meal.  Animals and slugs can undo your months of hard work in moments so take care when choosing your outdoor spot.

Growing plants from seeds is a fascinating and worthwhile venture and a great way to say hello to spring.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

What sight heralds the coming of spring more than the yellow daffodil? They are our March flower and as spring arrives on March 20th what bloom could be more appropriate.  Seeing clusters of daffodils swaying in the breeze is one of the most cheerful reminders that winter is over and spring has sprung.

As a member of the narcissus family the daffodil has the tell-tale centre trumpet which is surrounded by a ring of six petals.  Yellow daffodils are the most popular and commonly planted of the species and yet there are white, cream and pink versions of this delightful bloom.

The botanic name for the daffodil genus is Narcissus and although often thought of as a very English flower they are native to Asia, North Africa and Europe.  They are usually an early spring blooming flower yet there are some species that flower in the fall.  The daffodil has been highly cultivated and there are numerous types of this flower with new variations created each year by horticulturalists.

The most common way to have a garden full of daffodils is to grow them from bulbs.   The bulbs should be planted in autumn well before the first freeze arrives, this gives the roots time to take hold and get ready for the long winter ahead.  When choosing a spot consider that daffodils flourish best when in partial sun and shade as they are really a woodland flower; they can survive with full sun but it is not optimum for their growth.  Plant the bulbs in well drained soil as daffodils do not like to have soggy roots.

When choosing daffodil bulbs make sure that they are firm and look and smell fresh, any bulb that is soft and feels light and hollow should be discarded; bear in mind the larger the bulb the larger the plant will be.  Plant the bulbs in a hole that is at least three times as deep as the bulbs are in width; the bulbs are  tapered at one end so plant them with the thinner end pointing upwards towards the top of the hole.  Cover with soil and a good, organic compost and water lightly; adding a layer of mulch will help retain moisture and warmth during the winter months.

The daffodil, the daffodil wherever it grows everyone knows that spring has officially sprung.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

It is the middle of winter and February is a chilly time of year in most parts of the country. It is often a bleak time outdoors and spring seems far off. Most gardeners are longing to get busy but this is the season of rest for those green thumbs so what can you do to get inspired? This is the perfect time of year to take a trip to a local botanical gardens, it will invigorate, inspire and illuminate your gardeners mind and give you some great ideas to take home with you. It is the perfect place to remind you of all that can be achieved in the garden and to get some great ideas for your own.

In colder parts of the country there may not be too much to see outdoors, but the greenhouses will have a myriad of plants and flowers display that will stimulate your senses and remind you that spring is just around the corner. The hot house and succulents’ area will encourage any indoor gardening ideas, bring a pad and paper to make notes and jot down ideas.

Most botanic gardens have talks and photographic exhibitions throughout the year, check out their calendar and see what is going on this month, then treat yourself to a horticultural event that will lift your spirits and encourage you to expand your horizons in your own backyard.

Some botanic gardens offer courses and maybe this would be the perfect month to jump in and try something new, people just like gardens are always growing and changing and an interesting course could be the inspiration you need to make some changes in your garden that you have been longing to do.

So go botanical and February will seem as bright as May, now that’s inspiring.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

In the midst of winter it is hard to believe that spring is around the corner as the weather is still cold and the garden is still in slumber. For kids itching to be in the great outdoors February can be a bleak month but a wonderful way to see color and life in the garden at this time of year is to encourage birds to come and visit the backyard and the best way to do that is to feed them and they will keep coming back for more. Winter is a hard time for all animals seeking food and shelter so feeding the birds is a considerate thing and the kids will enjoy seeing them return day after day. Here are some great tips on how to feed the birds:

• Birds like to feed where they feel secure, away from predators. So place a feeder up high where cats and squirrels can’t get to it or if you choose a ground feeder put up a mesh fence around it to help protect the birds.
• Suet is a great choice for birds that eat insects. You can purchase suet at most meat counters or buy it as a cake with seeds and berries in it. It is a delicious treat for birds in the winter but not in the summer as it can spoil in the heat and become rancid quickly, not very appealing. String popcorn and cranberries together and hang them on trees and bushes in the garden, this is a fun task for kids to participate in and  an added bonus is that the garden will get decorated but hopefully not for long.
• An age old favorite for kids and birds alike is to smear a pinecone with peanut butter and cover it in bird seed, then hang the pine cone from a tree string or ribbon and see how the birds love it.
• Don’t forget that water is very important at this time of year as well and in very cold climates purchasing a bird bath heater is a good idea, never ever add anti-freeze to the water as it is poisonous to all birds and animals.
• Always store your bird seed in a dry, cool spot in a rodent proof container. Do not use seed that has been stored for a long time, if in doubt throw it out. Feed the birds and your family will have hours of bird watching pleasure and the joy of knowing that you have made another living creatures life easier during the hard winter months.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

February is here and with it comes Cupid, the messenger of love. Violets are this month’s flower and I am sure that Cupid held a posy of violets in his hand whilst drawing his arrow as they are the sweetest bloom. They have delicate, richly colored petals and their leaves are appropriately heart shaped.

Violets family name is Violaceae and it is often called, sweet violet, garden violet, blue violet or viola.  Violets are usually considered perennials but a few of them are annuals.  When you hear the word violet it conjures up the image of something richly purple or violet as the name suggests, yet this is not always the case with this flower as the fan shaped petals can be blue, cream, yellow, white or a mix of two colors.  They have a beautiful, strong scent that has been replicated in candies and perfume all over the world.

Violets petals are edible and have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, the whole plant can be used to make a delicious and healing tea.  Syrup can be made from the petals and leaves and it is used to help with sore throats and the congestion caused from colds.  Adding the petals to a salad is a wonderful way to add beauty and flavor to a meal.

Violets are an easy to grow plant and they make quite a splendid show in a flower bed, on a windowsill or in pots as they are rich in color and grow profusely in the right conditions.  They enjoy cooler climates and do not like the hot heat of summer; they are perfect for the first show of spring when it is slightly colder. They grow well in most soils, but a good fertilizer will help when you first plant them, remember to keep the plants moist but not too wet.  When they are well established make sure that you deadhead the old blooms this will keep them blossoming for a longer period.  Although they like colder climates and can survive a light spring frost they will not make it through a hard freeze, so plant them in the late spring in colder climates.

Violets have always been considered a symbol love and the Ancient Greeks used the petals in love potions. Today a beautiful posy of violets can have the same effect as their beauty and sweetness makes them deliciously romantic.

by Nicholas Walker, Brand Ambassador for kathy ireland Designs – Jardin

In the depths of winter the garden is a sleepy place and for kids who are wide awake and full of energy this can be a challenge; yet, there is always a way to bring the outdoors indoors and get little hands working.  Working with seeds is always a thrill for children, the idea that something so tiny can grow into something big is a revelation. But instead of growing something in the earth why not let their imaginations grow and use the seeds to make art instead.  It is an easy, fun and inspiring way for little gardeners to get busy, using both their minds and their hands; the tactile element is always a big plus with kids.

So here’s how to grow some art:

1.  Gather some seeds.  The fun part is selecting many different shapes and sizes of seeds,  even bird seed or sesame seeds are a great choice for your art project.

2.  Use sturdy construction paper, bright color always makes a wonderful background and the thicker the paper the better.

3.  Take a glue stick or any craft glue and use them like a crayon, making shapes and designs on the paper for your seed art.

4.  Sprinkle the seeds on top of the glue and shake off the excess and hey presto you have a  an outdoor work of art that is an indoor success. When the glue has thoroughly dried you could paint over the seeds for a more colorful effect, or sprinkle glitter over it to add some sparkle to the project.

5.  Another good way make art from seeds is to take each different seed and glue or tape it to the paper and then get your little Picasso to draw the plant or flower that the seed would become if it took root and grew.  Your little gardeners’ will love growing their very  own garden on paper.

Plant a seed in kid’s imaginations and grow some art and some big fun in the great indoors.