How to Build a Fairy Garden

Since Spring has decided to show up a little late this year and a lot of the ground is still covered in snow, we haven't had much of a chance to get out into the garden to get ready for the upcoming seasons.  So what do you do when you are itching to garden but the weather isn't cooperating?  Garden indoors!  We love creating terrariums and fairy gardens.  Our company stores in South Windsor, CT and York, ME have everything you need to build your own Fairy Garden at home.  Stop by and check out the gardens created by our in house team and then build your own at home following these 5 simple steps.

How to Assemble a Fairy Garden or Terrarium
1.  Place a layer of small stones at the bottom of your chosen vessel.
2. Add a layer of activated charcoal.
3.  Add a layer of Sphagnum moss to help with drainage.
4.  Add the potting soil and plants.  Choose small plants, ivy and different mosses that do not grow too fast. 
5.  Give your terrarium plants indirect sunlight and mist with water as needed.

An example of a completed Fairy Garden



 Small details make your garden unique!

 

 

 Your garden can be any size

 

 

 

 

Make the most out of your herbs this Spring!

 

 

Have you purchased fresh herbs, used a small portion and then have the rest go bad before you can use them? Or do you have a full garden already that needs trimming?  Here are some helpful tips on how to get the best use of your herbs whether purchased at a store or grown in your own garden.

 

How to keep herbs fresh:

Wash and dry herbs. Cut off ends of stems. Place in glass of water. Cover loosely with plastic bag and refrigerate. You can also purchase herb keepers such as this Compact Herb Keeper that helps to extend the life of your fresh cut herbs.

 

How to refresh and wash herbs:

If leafy herbs are slightly limp. Cut a portion of the stems off. Gently rinse them and then submerge them in ice water. Swirl them around and let them sit for about 10 minutes allowing any dirt to settle to the bottom. Lift them out of the bowl, do not dump them into strainer or salad spinner or the dirt will get on the herbs again. Spin in salad spinner or pat dry with a tea towel or paper towel. They are now ready for use.

 

How to freeze herbs:

This solution allows you to save herbs for several months and you can use them at your convenience. Though all herbs can be frozen or dried, some herbs freeze better than dehydrating.  For herbs like basil, parsley, chives, oregano, mint or tarragon, freezing is an option that works well.

Here are three different ways to freeze herbs:

Start by washing the herbs and dry them thoroughly. If herbs are from your garden wash in salted water. The salt will kill any bugs that may be on the herbs. Make sure to label and date your freezer bags.

1.       Chop leftover herbs. Transfer approximately 2 tablespoons herbs into an ice cube tray. Top with water and freeze. Once frozen cubes can be removed from the tray and stored in plastic freezer bags in the freezer for future use. By measuring out the herbs you will know how much you are adding to your future recipe.

 

 

2.       Another great way to freeze herbs is to make an oil based paste.  Chop your herbs. Mix about 1/3 cup of olive oil with 2 cups of herbs.  Then freeze in the ice cube trays. Once frozen cubes can be removed from the tray and stored in plastic freezer bags in the freezer for future use.

3.       Remove leaves from stems and place on a cookie sheet. Place in your freezer for several hours. Transfer leaves to a plastic freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. Store in freezer until needed.

How to dry herbs:

Sage, mint, rosemary, and oregano dry well. Place on wire cookie racks and allow to sit until dry, several days. If you have a gas oven place herbs on a baking sheets and set them in the oven with the door closed. The pilot is enough heat to dry the herbs nicely and they retain their color better than drying them on the counter. Once dry remove the leaves from the stems and place in airtight glass jars.

Another method to dry herbs is to clean and dry the herbs. Place on a paper towel and heat in the microwave for 30-40 seconds. Place in air tight container. Best used within 3 months.

Making Way For Ducklings

We have a new resident at Stonewall Kitchen in York. She's a bit shy and prefers to keep to herself, but every once in awhile she gets up and takes a swim or a quick walk just to stretch, before all of her eggs were hatched, now she sits and waits. Her name is Molly; Molly the Mallard.

We are delighted that she has found a sunny, peaceful spot on our property to sit and wait for her eggs to hatch.  If our calculations are correct, this could be any day now. Our front pond generally has ducks swinging in for a swim, and a soak in the sun during the warmer months, but this is the first one that has decided to take up residence for a month of nesting. 

It is quite amazing to witness, especially early-on when her hubby duck would come to get her for a swim and then would stand guard - flying right above - until she was safe and sound back to her nest.

Not knowing too much about mama ducks, I decided to do a little bit of research. This is what I learned.

The mama duck lays her eggs over a period of days, usually a few at a time, between 9-15 eggs. Once she has laid all of her eggs she will no longer get up. It takes the eggs 28-days to hatch from the time she has laid her last egg. When they do hatch she will lead them all to a body of water, probably our front pond. 

The father takes no part in caring for the eggs or young and this is probably why we have not seen him since she laid her last egg.  It also appears ducks do not mate for love but out of necessity.

We are fairly certain our duck is a Mallard. The female mallard is a mottled brownish color. She has a dark brown head and a dark brown strip running through the eye. Her bill is orange with bits of brown and her feet are orange.

So now we anxiously await the ducklings arrival; just in time for Mother's Day, maybe? And we will be sure to make way for the ducklings.

What are you doing for Earth Day?

Happy Earth Day! What will you do for the Earth today? Your action doesn't have to be large; even starting a garden in your own backyard can be good for the earth. Find more green ideas and make your pledge at: act.earthday.org.

If you pledge is gardening, we can help! Flowers mixed in with vegetables can make for a very attractive garden. Did you know that here at Stonewall Kitchen we had beets growing among the flowers? Below you can see guests stopping to admire the purple beet leaves.

The most wonderful part about our gardens is their beautiful and elaborate design. Every time you walk by there is something new and unique to see! So, as you begin to plan our own garden we hope we can inspire you with some of our garden decor ideas!

Also, stay tuned for updates about this year's garden! Do you remember last year's post about Jonathan's secret garden project? Well this year he has something even bigger and better planned...stay tuned!

End of Summer in our Gardens

See the full photo album on our Facebook fan page. Want to come and see the gardens for yourself? Enter our Weekend Getaway to York, Maine Sweepstakes!