What’s New in the Garden 

With spring just around the corner, Brenda's Blumenladen is transforming into the gardener's paradise! We have all you need for seed starting, taking care of the birds and anything else you need to get pumped for the upcoming season!  See what's new below, as well as a few fun winter projects for indoors.

New!  The most stylish rain boots ever! These functional and versatile rain and garden boots are here to keep you dry while splashing through the rain and the muck! These boots feature a high quality premium insole for maximum comfort, cotton liner and are 100% waterproof. The wide opening makes it easy to tuck your pant cuff into the boot. Sloggers Boots are a trusty companion on you adventures. Made of a resilient resin that is flexible and not too stiff, they are tough and long wearing. The pattern is embedded into the boot's material so it will never wear away. Easiest clean-up ever, just hose 'em off! They are proudly made in the USA at a factory in Gardena, CA. Women's sizes 6 - 10
Paisley Gauntlet Gardening Gloves as seen on Desperate Housewives! This gauntlet glove with paisley pattern offers the perfect combination of fashion and function in the garden. Cotton sateen stretch fabric in a designer paisley print is strikingly stylish.  But the paisley pattern gloves are functional as well, with sturdy synthetic leather palms and longer cuffs for greater protection. There is also a bungy-like cord at the top of the cuff for tightening the cuff of the gauntlet glove around your arm. Better Homes & Gardens and several other magazines, have featured these paisley pattern gauntlet gloves.
Cow Wow- A solution to “Poo-lution!” Cow Wow is 100% natural liquid compost made from nature's finest fertilizer - dairy cow manure.  It naturally provides the nutrients your plants, turf and soil need to thrive. Cow Wow Liquid Compost Concentrate replaces the mess and odor of dry compost.  After diluting, you simply spray it on or use it as a soil soak.

Indoor Winter Projects for you and the Kids!

Need a fun indoor project for the kids during these bitter cold winter days?  How about a soda bottle terrarium?

Just stop down to Brenda’s Blumenladen for a few supplies and you will have a day of learning and fun with the kids!!

Throw in a small conversation about condensation and how the water will gather along the sides of the bottle and ‘rain’ on the plants. Kids thoroughly enjoy this plant science lesson disguised as a cold winter day project. The used soda bottle makes it a ‘green’ lesson, as well.                        

What you will need:

• 1 or 2 tiny plants
• 1 2-liter soda bottle with cap
• Scissors
• Small stones or pebbles to allow extra water to flow down to the bottom and not waterlog the plants.
• Houseplant soil
• Spaghnum moss or Spanish moss – this will act as a screen so the soil won’t settle into the rocks beneath as the water flows through. It’s also pretty as a finishing touch on top of the soil.
• Activated charcoal – acts as a filter that purifies the water as it cycles up and down the terrarium.
• Little plastic animals – optional

How to build the terrarium:

1. A parent needs to cut the bottom off of the soda bottle about 1/3 of the way up. Set the top aside.
2. Put a handful of stones at the bottom of the bottle (1-2 “ deep).
3. Sprinkle some charcoal over the pebbles.
4. Place some moss over the charcoal.
5. Add the soil to the layers.
6. Now, add your plants.
7. Add some moss over the soil and between the plants.
8. Place little animals around the plants if desired.
9. Put the soda bottle/terrarium lid over the top, squeezing the bottom so the sides are tucked into the top piece. If you want, cut a little slit on the edge of the bottom piece to help the lid go on.

 Terrariums can also be made using any kind of glass vase, jar or any container.  If it does not have a lid, cover the container with clear plastic wrap.  Keep your garden moist with a plant mister and enjoy your indoor garden!

A few other fun winter projects are:

·        Build a birdhouse!

·        Decorate terracotta pots to use in the spring or to start seeds in early!

·        Watch seeds grow! Many plants can be successfully grown indoors by children, including the pits and seeds of many grocery items.

2010 Plant of the Year The Perennial Plant Association has announced the 2010 Plant of the Year- Blue False Indigo.  This native species has been popular with gardeners for years because it offers year-round interest and it's easy to grow. Baptisia australis Blue False Indigo features 12" long spires of intense blue flowers in mid to late spring.  After the flowers have faded, the soft blue-green foliage forms a sturdy, shrub-like clump up to 3-4 feet tall and wide.  Taking place of the spent flowers are 3" long puffy seed pods that emerge green and then turn to black in late summer to fall.  They remain throughout the winter providing interest in the landscape. Available at Brenda's Blumenladen!