10 Farmers Make 12 tons of Nitrogen Fertilizer Disappear.

Last year, ten Pennsylvania farmers took on AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST's "Best Management Program Challenge" to grow their field crops using less nitrogen fertilizer than the recommended levels nitrogen fertilizer. The results of their year long experiment are good news for the environment and the wallet! In 2008, these farmers reduced a total of 24,658 pounds of nitrogen that otherwise would have been applied to their fields. Not only did these farmers remove thousands of pounds of nitrogen that could have ended up clouding the Chesapeake, they did it at a fraction of the cost of other nitrogen removal strategies—at only $2.74 per pound versus the up to $8-9 per pound it is estimated it could cost tax payers to remove the nutrient through other means. It isn’t just farmers that can make a difference; you can do your part too! Whether you live in the Mid-Atlantic or in the plains of North Dakota, water always makes its way downhill. Find out what you can do: check-out the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s nitrogen calculator and take a challenge of your own!

GETTING INTO HOT WATER...with roses!

As we quickly approach Valentine's Day (our pre-book roses were actually ordered 2 weeks ago), our thoughts turn to roses.

The old saw is to put roses into cold water. While there are benefits to water - and air temperature - being cool, it is important not to shock your cut-flowers, whether they be roses or any other type of flower. The ideal temperature for refridgerated cut-flowers is around 42 degrees, and that's where commercial operations (farms, shippers, wholesalers & florists) target. Maintaining that temp through the channels of distribution are essential to longevity.

In reality it is the continuity of temp as much as the temp itself. Like food items and beer, cut flowers tend to fail rapidly in "temperature-cycling." The shock is too much.

Back to the point at hand. Cool water -rather than cold - is best for your newly arrived roses. Ideally, being winter, if you have the choice of a warm room versus a cooler one, you will get significantly longer vase-life in the latter. Caveat here is to make sure the room is well above freezing at all times.

Cut your roses at an acute angle before putting them into water, and perform this step every 2-4 days for longer vase-life. Always use the preservative packaged with your fowers, and besure to use clean water and containers. If you have an old vase, wash it first. Bacteria is the #1 enemy of cut-flowers.

Lastly, on occasion, rose stems will "wilt." They will actually bend over and face their drink like so many people I know 2 hours after the ball drops on New Year's Eve. The exception to the above is in this case. Cut back the woody stem hard, and place the stems into HOT tap water. Say a "Hail Mary." Your roses are pretty well gone by this point, but if you pray and follow this step, you might well "resurect" them. .

It happens...

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE POINSETTIA

Indigenous to Mexico, the "Flor de Noch Buena," was first brought to the United States in 1928 by then incumbent US Ambassador Dr. Joel Roberts-Poinsett. Known to grow taller than 15 feet, the colorful Christmas flower actually gets its appearance from its "bracts," vibrantly pigmented leaf-sections that surround the true-but-uneventful blossom.

Taste of Greater Middleborough

Be sure to see us at the fifth annual Taste of Greater Middleborough, to be held on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the National Guard Armory. Tickets are already sold out for this popular event, but if you're a lucky holder you are in for a treat. Procedes benefit the Veteran's Memorial Park.

FLOWER POWER -- NOT JUST FOR HIPPIES

"Flower Power," the hippie mantra, was not just a passing fad but a theme with staying power, as it turns.

Recent university studies, including those at Texas A&M, Rutgers University & Harvard suggest that flowers - specifically, being around flowers - not only boost mood and productivity, but also creativity.

'Prevention,' 'Health,' 'Woman's World,' and many other news sources now feature articles and stories relating the new data on flower & live plants benefits.

Research suggests that mood-boosting flowers and potted plants raise levels of dopamine, the hormone which controls infomation-flow through the brain. By altering brain chemistry, flowers relieve anxiety, reduce stress, enhance mood, and indirectly improve sleep, relationships and human bonds, and create a general state of well-being.

Of course, most of us already knew that anyway!

Autumn Oak Point Presentation 2008

October 7, 2008 -- OAK POINT BALLROOM
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 James Reynolds will be returning to speak at the OAK POINT GARDEN CLUB. Mr. Reynolds has appeared a number of times at Oak Point and his presentations on floral design and the industry have always filled the room. Be sure not to miss this autumn's presentation. See Ann Farrell or the Oak Point Social Activities director for more information.

FLOWER SCULTURES

Flower sculptures, or "shapes," are a specialty at REYNOLDS FLOWERS. Although complex and time-consuming, the process can actually be broken down to manageable steps, the first of which is to establish a small scale drawing. This "thumbnail" determines the proper proportions and angle the object will be sketched from. Sometimes three-dimensional, sometimes flat on, the smaller sketch is the determining factor in what the finished product will look like. From this work, I scale-up using the "grid method," transferring the sketch directly to dry styro board, then cut out the form. The remaining steps are entirely floral. I prefer to work with flowers in their natural state but when an item is just unavailable, I use specially formulated floral paints. There is not a color I can't make - even if there is no such flower. Each stem here on will be individually "picked" and the "sculpture" will be shaped as gradually as an elaborate cake or clay form. Generally speaking, any floral painting will be done before the blossoms are arranged. The background may be foliage or fluted ribbon. Final details such as line or minute objects are worked in to suggest scale and alignment, individually, on a piece-by-piece basis.