HOLIDAY 2019
Magic of Winter Snow Globe BRING THE
INTO THE WARMTH OF YOUR OWN HOME WITH A
Joyful Gifts
AVAILABLE AT
10380
AVAILABLE AT
10241 10240
feeding the birds with new ideas™
Add a little Green this Holiday Season Traditional Christmas Swag Add your own decorations to dress it up or keep it simple. Our Traditional Swag measures 20” long.
Incense Cedar Bunch Inspire your creativity by accenting your outdoor and floral displays with this fragrant, holiday favourite. Weight – 1.5 lbs
Silver Oregonia Bunch This fresh green serves as a wonderful decorative filler, stays green and white through the holiday season, while adding visual interest in your holiday décor. Weight – 1.5 lbs.
AVAILABLE AT
CONTENTS 4
Where Do Bugs Go In The Winter?
9
A Holiday Welcome
10
Holiday Ornaments Aren't Just For The Christmas Tree
12
Plant with Four Season Interest
14
Ways to Combat Stress during the Holidays
15
Timesaver Breakfast Casserole With Bacon!
16
Go Wild with Fashion
22
Beat The Winter Blues With Bulbs!
This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and Crawfords Garden Centre. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer.
HOLIDAY 2019 • 3
Where Do
BUGS GO in the Winter? By Leah Ruehlicke
Many bugs hibernate
Many bugs don’t embrace that jet-setter lifestyle and instead, hibernate in places close to home. For example, large wasps often seek shelter in the attics of houses or barns. Others find shelter in tree holes, or under logs and rocks – and they get quite creative in staying warm in these places! The Mourning Cloak Butterfly, for example, builds up glycerol in its body, which acts as a type of natural antifreeze. Others burrow deep into the soil, where the temperatures are far warmer than they are above ground. Ladybugs hibernate, gathering in groups, while living off of their own body fat. So if you see one ladybug, there will surely be more to follow.
Teamwork makes the dreamwork
Honey bees stay in their hives during the winter, huddling together in clusters to stay warm. Can you bee-lieve that they are able to raise the temperature by vibrating their wing muscles?! Honey bees are able to find all this energy by consuming approximately 30 pounds of stored honey during the winter months.
Embracing the cold
Very few insects are active in the winter, but the nymphs (or ‘immature forms’) of dragonflies, mayflies and stoneflies live beneath a layer of ice in ponds and streams. They utilize the winter months to actively feed, and then emerge as adults in early spring.
W
hen the snow falls and that cold winter air blows down from the North pole, we humans have the luxury of curling up by the fire in our cozy pajamas and holing up indoors. When we do have to go outside, we bundle up with hats and mitts to keep ourselves warm. What do bugs do when it’s cold outside? They don’t have warm, winter boots for their feet (and they certainly don’t have cozy pajamas to put on!) So how do they deal with the cold winter months?
Some bugs migrate
Just like birds, some bugs escape the cold weather by going to a warmer region. For example, Monarch butterflies are not able to survive cold winters, so they migrate south and west each autumn to escape the cold weather.
Insects prefer when cold temperatures are stable. They hate when it freezes and thaws, then re-freezes and thaws once again. They also appreciate a nice, thick blanket of snow. This insulates the ground and keeps the temperatures underground surprisingly comfortable. Insects which choose to hole up and remain fully inactive throughout the winter undergo a state in which their growth and development are temporarily paused. This is called “diapause”. Their development begins again once they join the world in the spring and start buzzing around again! Overall, despite not having mitts and boots and warm fireplaces to curl up in front of, bugs have their own way of embracing that winter wonderland. Snow? Freezing temperatures? No problem – doesn’t “bug” insects at all!
4 • CRAWFORDS GARDEN CENTRE - 905-878-0223 - CRAWFORDS.CA
From the
OWNERS
W
elcome to the Christmas 2019 issue of Crawfords holiday Magazine. It seems so quickly that we pass from season to season here at Crawfords, always looking toward what is in store for the next one, but what do we love most about the Christmas season? Slowing down. Enjoying all that the season has to offer, the gathering together of friends and family, the sharing of food and drinks, laughter and love, and the creation of cherished memories. Around Crawfords, it’s such an exciting time as we prepare all of the things in-store that will make your holiday season oh-sospecial. Transforming the garden centre takes countless hours from our creative and hardworking staff. For us it’s more than just the ornaments for the trees, the giftware for the shelves, and the greens for the arrangements; it’s the amazing things that are created from all of these pieces. We take such great pleasure in showcasing to you all that we have to offer, knowing that we have something for everyone’s style and budget. Our calendar of events has a great lineup of workshops that guarantee a fun and relaxed atmosphere where you can learn new tips and tricks with friends and family to create something great to take home! Check them out online at www.crawfords.ca or follow us on Facebook to get the most up-to-date listings.
Don’t forget, we love to host as well! Gather eight or more friends and we’ll make a class just for you! We invite you to join us this holiday season to come and experience all of the wonders that Crawfords has to offer. From indoor décor and gifts, fresh table centrepieces, fresh wreaths, garland and greens, and ready-to-go outdoor arrangements, the holiday season has never been easier or more stress-free. Let us help you decorate your house inside and out, and truly make your house feel like home this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from Chris, Sarah, Madeline, and the Crawfords Crew!
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HOLIDAY 2019 • 5
S E A S O N AL D E C O R AT I N G
BY CRAWFORDS DESIGN TEAM
Summer
Spring Winter
Fall Planters are the perfect finishing touch to your outdoor space. What a great way to accessorize and add colour to your garden or commercial property! Let our Design Team do all the work and create these beautiful planters for every season. info@crawfords.ca 6 • CRAWFORDS GARDEN CENTRE - 905-878-0223 - CRAWFORDS.CA
Calendar of E
VENTS
LOOKING TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON? Make and take something beautiful home or just learn some of our tips and tricks. We’ve got a fantastic line up of classes and seminars covering indoor and outdoor decorating and creating. Check out www.crawfords.ca or Facebook for the most up-to-date calendar and make sure to give us a call or email to sign up; our classes fill up quickly!
Family Get Together? Girls Night? Staff Party? Did you know we love to do private classes too? Bring in your group of eight or more and we’ll do a class just for you! Budget, choice of creation and day and time is up to you! Contact Sarah at info@crawfords.ca or call 905-878-0223 to book.
HOLIDAY 2019 • 7
FRESH WREATH & GARLAND SHOPPE AT
CRAWFORDS
Come in and see the area’s largest selection of fresh wreaths and garland. We have an amazing selection of fresh garland for indoors and out, including Boxwood, incense cedar, mixed Western greens and many more. Fresh wreaths are ready to go as they are, or can be dressed up any way you please. Something to suit every style and budget!
SPECIAL OFFER
5
$
SPECIAL OFFER
OFF
FRESH GREENERY GARLAND
Limit one coupon per visit. Cannot be combined with any other offers. EXPIRES: December 8, 2019
8 • CRAWFORDS GARDEN CENTRE - 905-878-0223 - CRAWFORDS.CA
5
$
OFF
ANY FRESH WREATH
Limit one coupon per visit. Cannot be combined with any other offers. EXPIRES: December 8, 2019
A
Holiday WELCOME
T
is the season to welcome friends and family home for the holidays. We all want to create a warm and inviting entrance to greet our guests. No matter your style, size of home or budget, there are great ways to dress up and deck out your entrance for the holidays this year.
Add some cheer by swapping for a fun, festive welcome mat!
A beautiful, lush outdoor arrangement with fragrant evergreen foliage, including Princess Pine, Incense Cedar, and Silver Oregonia will be a welcome touch to your front entrance. Decorate it with woodsy Sugar pinecones, faux waterproof berries, and accent with pretty red cardinals – these finishing touches will create interest and charm. Don’t forget to add an elegant wreath to your front door, finished with a beautiful festive bow.
Decorating Tip:
Use ornaments with a range of materials to add interest and variety to your tree.
Visit your local garden centre to shop the new 2019 Holiday Collection!
© 2019 Allstate Floral, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
HOLIDAY 2019 • 9
HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS aren’t just for the
Christmas By Dianne Visser
10
F
or 11 months of the year, I am a retail store manager, but when Christmas time rolls around in November, I turn into a designer. I love Christmas, and I love the challenge of decorating and using holiday items in a different way. Ornaments are not just for the tree; I use ornaments everywhere! Yes, I do mean everywhere and in every room.
Tree!
There is the traditional use of ornaments in garlands and wreaths, but there is also the more modern use of ornaments in jars, vases, bowls, and wine glasses. Using the same colours of ornaments ties together any mismatched pieces. These work out nicely on kitchen counters, dining room hutches, bookshelves and on window ledges. If you have some smaller ornaments, use them for napkin rings, adding a festive touch to the dining room table. Hanging small ornaments from cabinet doors is quick and easy. I like to make a swag with a few pieces of greenery and then a few ornaments. These can be hung on doors, from light sconces, bannisters, headboards and more. A romantic collection of different sized and shaped candlesticks works well on the mantle or side table. Add an upside-down ornament in place of the candle, a few springs of greenery around the bottom and voilà!
Try finding one or two narrow ribbons in the same or contrasting colour scheme. Then use them to tie ornaments from a light fixture or chandelier; it offers an instant festive wow factor. Don’t stop there, tie ornaments onto the banister in between each rung or make a curtain of ornaments by tying them onto the curtain rod at different lengths. The winter sun shining through the window will offer a wonderful shimmer to the room. For the kid’s room, borrow a toy truck, or doll carriage to fill with ornaments and mixed with building blocks. I would suggest you use the non-breakable ones where little hands can reach. You can highlight one or two special ornaments with an ornament stand or a branch from a tree. The branch can be used naturally or painted to match the theme, placed in a vase or propped up in a pail of sand. Utilize the ribbon once again to tie the ornaments to the branch and you have an elegant addition without having to set up another tree. If you have a lot of pictures hanging in your home, consider removing everything from the frame (picture, glass and backing), then tie an ornament so it is framed in a threedimensional way. For the front porch, I like to fill old wicker baskets, vintage suitcases, picnic hamper, kid's wagon or a lantern full of ornaments mixed with pinecones and pine branches and strings of lights for a welcome that sets the mood for the rest of the house. I hope I have inspired you to think outside the box and turn the ordinary into extraordinary! Merry Christmas!
HOLIDAY 2019 • 11
PLANT WITH
Four Season INTEREST By Lindsay Flatters
L
ooking out into your yard this time of year can easily bring on the winter blues. However, with a bit of careful planning, you can create an attractive four season garden to save yourself from dullsville. Spending the winter months dreaming and scheming is ideal because it forces you to look at your garden’s structure without any distraction from the colours of spring and summer. Remember to keep in mind that many perennials will die down to ground level in the winter, so the simple addition of shrubs and evergreens will give some back bone to your yard. This seemingly subtle background during the spring and summer months will become the star of the show in the winter months. Focusing on features like bark, berries and different textures and shapes can be the key to transforming the faded landscape into something beautiful. Your local independent garden centre can help you find some great choices to add next year. Evergreens are a simple and easy way to add texture and all season greenery to the landscape. Try Boxwood, Cedars and Junipers or a combination to create this look. Using a variety of upright, mounding and spreading evergreens dotted throughout your yard will make a consistent background year round. This can come in especially handy when needing to block an eye sore of some form or another, whether it be an ugly utility meter or a nosy neighbour’s view into your yard. There is a huge range of varieties to choose from to suit almost any location. Some tried and true selections include: Green Velvet Boxwood as a nice tidy globe form, Fairview Juniper as a great upright focal or Baby Blue Spruce as that significant estate piece.
12
Choosing plants with either different coloured bark or different textured bark is a great way to add that special interest that you’re looking for. Try one of the many varieties of dogwood with either striking red or yellow branches to add an unexpected pop of colour. Silverleaf, or Ivory Halo Dogwood are great options for bright red, while Yellowtwig Dogwood is a great choice for that fresh citron exclamation. Or maybe for a different textured bark, a Burning Bush with its famed ‘winged’ branches might be the answer. For something dramatic and different, look at Copper Curls Lilac tree. The unique bark on this tree will definitely turn heads. Faded late season flowers remain subtle, yet effective. Ice crusted florets or dainty paper petals are a real hidden beauty in the late season. Try leaving the blossoms on your Hydrangeas, or some of your perennials like Coneflower or Sedum. Not cutting back the flowers on your plants can also be a benefit to attracting wildlife to your garden in the winter. Birds love the seed heads of Coneflowers especially, so make sure to leave a few of these. Berries and fruit can be a real bright colour highlight against the monotone nature. Crabapples hold onto their fruit well into the winter season, which
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look like sugared jewels when the frost collects on them. There are a number of other shrubs that display their bountiful berries late into the year like American Cranberry, Cotoneaster or, if you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, Holly (Zone 5). Having plants with fruit and berries are also a great way to attract different wildlife into your yard. Birds, squirrels and deer are just some of the creatures that will enjoy feasting on these treasures. Ornamental Grasses are a graceful point of texture and movement in a winter garden if you leave them untouched from the growing season. The highlight however, are the plumes or tassels that dance above the foliage. Choose options like Feather Reed Grass, Switchgrass or Silver Grass varieties that are both hardy and sturdy. Take a look at the different silhouettes that trees and shrubs can take. Globes, spires and vase shapes, try adding a variety to your landscape. The graceful arching branches of a Weeping Peashrub or a Weeping Crabapple might be a fantastic focal point. So time to take advantage of this opportunity, embrace our beautiful Canadian winter season, and grab your notebook and start planning for winter interest in your garden. Find the subtle beauty in the often overlooked.
EA IN WINTER
ER MM U S IN HOLIDAY 2019 • 13
WAYS TO
COMBAT STRESS
Holidays
during the
By Mandy King
T
he holidays can be the most fun, and the most stressful time of the year. Whether it’s that routine seems to fall to the wayside, healthy habits tend to feel less important, or it’s generally just busy all around, the combination always seems to contribute to more stress than you may be prepared for. As a nutritionist, these are some simple recommendations I give to my clients so following the holidays, they feel good mentally and physically, and are not in need of a holiday from the holidays!
1. Make a plan
It’s no surprise the holiday season will be busy, but you can stay on top of it with a plan. Being organized with your calendar is a quick and easy way to reduce stress. By late November or early December, you should have an idea of all the parties and gatherings you will be attending. Once you know your social schedule, carve out time for everything else, including holiday shopping, cooking, and exercise.
2. Move, daily
Keeping up with your exercise routine will help reduce holiday bloating and give you a nice endorphin boost to help with your energy levels and mood. That being said, don’t let your exercise schedule be a source of stress. If you’re travelling for the holidays, outside of your routine or just want to relax, it can be difficult to fit in a workout. Just making time to get moving or going for a walk outside can reduce stress, increase happiness and boost energy in 90% of people. Remember to schedule it in and try to do it earlier in the day before other commitments get in the way.
3. Meal plan & prep
Meal planning and doing a little bit of meal prep, once a week, is the best way to make healthy eating easy and attainable year-round. The holidays should be no different. Keeping up with your regular eating habits, at least through the day, can help you feel your best despite holiday indulgences. If you know you have several big dinners, plan to start your day with easy breakfasts like a high protein smoothie or egg muffins, which you can make in advance. Make a one pot meal like turkey chili or roast a bunch of veggies and some chicken breasts to put over a bed of greens if you need a quick meal. 14
Eating out equals less healthy food and a lowered ability to manage stress. You get the equation, so have your healthy food prepped and ready when your belly starts growling. If you want to get in to this but aren’t sure how, you can check out our weekly meal plans here: http://www.healthyeatingandliving.ca/meal-plans.
4. Take your gardening indoors
Exercise and self-care should count as “non negotiable me time”, which is when no matter what’s going on, you stop doing it and you take whatever amount of time (say 30-60 minutes) and do something you love to help you unwind. Plant therapy is a very useful tool for unwinding and you don’t have to let the cold weather deter you from enjoying it year-round. In one study, subjects were asked to perform a stressful task and then asked to either perform 30 minutes of gardening in their allotment gardens or 30 minutes of reading. While both groups experienced a decrease in stress, the gardeners experienced a significantly greater decline in stress (as measured by salivary cortisol, a stress hormone), as well as a full restoration of positive mood. There are also plants known to specifically relieve stress and improve mental well-being, such as aloe vera, the snake plant, lavender and mint. I hope these tips are useful for you! Don’t forget to enjoy the holidays as they will be over before you know it.
TIMESAVER
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
with bacon!
T
his easy overnight breakfast casserole is quick to prep in the evening and then baked up fresh and delicious in the morning! Cheese, bacon, bell peppers and green onions are layered with bread and soaked in a seasoned egg mixture. This is the perfect meal to serve on a holiday morning or for guests.
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
• 12 slices egg bread or any type of bread will work, cubed
1. Cube bread and leave out overnight or place in the oven at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes to dry slightly. (Do not brown or toast it).
• 12 slices crispy bacon crumbled (or 1 cup diced ham) • 3 green onions sliced • 1/2 red bell pepper finely diced • 4 cups grated cheddar cheese • 6 eggs • 3 cups milk • 1/2 teaspoon each dry mustard, salt, & black pepper
2. Combine eggs, milk, & seasonings. 3. Layer 1/2 of the cubes in a greased 9×13 pan. Top with 1/2 of the bacon, green onions, red peppers and cheese. Repeat layers one more time. 4. Pour egg mixture over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 3 hours). 5.
Remove from fridge and let sit on the counter while preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered with foil 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. (If you are baking 2 pans increase cooking time to 60-80 minutes).
NUTRITION INFORMATION Calories: 377, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 138mg, Sodium: 582mg, Potassium: 269mg, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Protein: 19g, Vitamin A: 16.1%, Vitamin C: 8.4%, Calcium: 40%, Iron: 10% (Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
HOLIDAY 2019 • 15
Go Wild By Sherri Christodoulou
I
remember the days when I was younger and more carefree. My main concerns were: what I was going to wear and what to do to fill the hours in the day. I was a free spirit; wild at heart. Fast forward to today. I still wonder what to wear each day, but now question when I will find the time to complete the to do list. Although wild at heart, the spirit is tamer; I have to be responsible and not always do what I want, but can most definitely wear what I want. This season will be one of my favorites since prints, especially animal prints are back with a vengeance. Take your pick: Zebra stripe, Snakeskin, Tiger-stripe, Leopard or Cheetah print; even if you add a few pieces to your fall-winter wardrobe this year make them animal prints! A tiger-stripe tunic with black leggings make a courageous statement. A snakeskin duster over pants and a top add a wow factor; whether at the office, out for the evening or running errands. The addition of pattern and colour variation will keep animal prints fresh and exciting. Think cheetah with floral! If you are a bit more reserved, printed leggings under a long solid colour tunic sweater will give you that touch of an untamed feel without being so bold. This season‌.
Be Brave and Go Wild! 16 16
Fresh
Centrepieces
Playing hostess or looking for a hostess gift? A fresh table centrepiece is the perfect thing! We’ve got a great selection of centrepieces, large and small, ready to go or let us design something just for you. Have a favourite dish? Bring it in and we’ll do an arrangement right in it, or choose from our wide selection of containers in-store. Candles or not? Bows and ribbons? Natural, glitzy or traditional? We can make something to suit any style!
Custom
FRESH GREENS ARRANGEMENTS Turn your front door into a conversation starter with our unique fresh-made outdoor arrangements. We’ll make them in any style and colour scheme you like.
We always have a great selection of pre-made arrangements in stock, made daily by our design team. For a truly unique addition to your décor, think Crawfords Garden Centre. HOLIDAY 2019 • 17
Extraordinary
CHRISTMAS GREENS
A
t Crawfords we offer a variety of holiday foliage that you simply don’t find anywhere else. With competitive pricing and qualified staff to provide you with information about each type of product and decorating advice, you won’t have to make multiple stops to purchase all your winter urn needs. Different types of foliage will take your pot from ordinary to extraordinary!
SPECIALT Y GREENS MAGNOLIA
Large leaves with a glossy green front and velvety brown back • A fantastic addition to any holiday containers, wreath or table arrangement
NOBLE FIR
Staple green bough from West Coast • Very versatile for use in arrangements, wreaths, and swags
OREGONIA
Similar to boxwood but light green and cream variegated leaves • Great filler for containers
• Excellent needle retention for long-lasting creations
• Pairs beautifully with magnolia leaves
• Great for all-natural, winter container • Perfect size to “nest” pinecones, artificial fruit or shiny baubles
• Stiff backing makes it perfect for door swags
• Transitions a pot from “Christmas” to winter as it has a different texture than the traditional Christmas foliage
• Adds texture
V A R I E G A T E D & G R E E N H O L LY
Branches have either dark green or variegated leaves • Prickly leaves – great for floral arrangements, submerging in water, placing on food trays
DOGWOOD
Twigs finish off a holiday container beautifully by adding height and dimension • Bunched together they make a perfect focal point or bold statement • Red, green and yellow twigs available
• A must-have for the holidays
18 • CRAWFORDS GARDEN CENTRE - 905-878-0223 - CRAWFORDS.CA
• Will keep true colour all winter
S E E D E D E U C A LY P T U S
Beautiful grey-blue colour, draped effect • Excellent for adding detail and class to a holiday arrangement • Available in dyed burgundy as well, and can easily be spray painted the colour of your choice
ILEX BERRY
Classic, rich red berry synonymous with holiday decorating
BLUE BERRIED JUNIPER
Stiff, silvery green branches with clusters of blue berries
• Brightens up any outdoor arrangement, wreath or indoor table arrangement
• Great vertical accent that fills open spaces
• Where climate does not allow for outdoor use, weather proof berries are a great alternative
• Perfect for wreaths, or indoor floral arrangements
SILVER FIR
Beautiful fan-shaped evergreen • Gorgeous, dark green needles with silver backing • Excellent for making door swags
GLOR IOU S GR EEN S
INCENSE CEDAR
EARLY BIRD SUPER SPECIAL! Get three of our mix and match greens bundles for just $18!
Beautiful draped effect for planters and wreaths alike
*Cannot be combined with any other offers
NOV. 8- 1 0 O N LY
• Prized for its bright golden buds • Wonderful aroma and lacy foliage
BASIC GREENS WHITE PINE
Excellent for structure and weeping effect • Provides great colour and texture in projects big and small • Limitless uses
CEDAR
Great for filling containers with dense colour
BALSAM
Great container filler
• Excellent weeping habit gives holiday containers a high-end look
• Excellent colour contrast between greens and blue
• Many varieties available, but most popular are Ontario and B.C. cedar
• Lovely citrus-like fragrance
HOLIDAY 2019 • 19
ADD SOME I M PA C T W I T H . . .
Floral Picks & Sprays When decorating for the holidays, artificial picks and silk flowers are a great way to add colour and impact to your home dĂŠcor. Picks are low maintenance and provide endless options for different themes.
An easy way to tie all your decorating together is by adding matching picks to wreaths, garlands, trees, lanterns, tablescapes, and gift wrapping.
20 • CRAWFORDS GARDEN CENTRE - 905-878-0223 - CRAWFORDS.CA
OUR FINE
feathered friends
T
his season at Crawfords you’ll find a great selection of bird and nature-themed items. From indoors to out, you’ll find this theme carried out naturally, everywhere. A beautiful, natural nod to the outdoors this holiday season. Indoors, you’ll find trees adorned with cardinals and berries, blue jays, chickadees, robins and doves in a variety of colour themes. They’re great for everything from a table setting to a mantle, or a centrepiece to a wreath—not just for trees. You’ll find birds showing up everywhere this season!
Outdoors, you’ll see our famous outdoor containers done up to showcase nature at its finest. Feathered friends like the chickadee pair beautifully with birch poles and cones, cardinals show their colour with vibrant berries, and blue jays burst with colour and cream berries. You’ll also find a great selection of bird feeders, houses, and feed, great for a gift or to enjoy at your own home this winter! Whichever bird style suits you, enjoy bringing the colour and interest of our fine feathered friends to your home, both indoors and out this winter.
HOLIDAY 2019 • 21
Beat the
WINTER BLUES with Bulbs! By Tanya Olsen
O
ne of the ways I love to beat the winter blues is to surround myself with flowers. The smell, the colours and new sense of growth tell me spring is on the way. During the winter, fresh flowers from the garden are hard to come by, but with a little effort and planning, we can trick a spring blooming bulb into flowering earlier than it would if you planted outdoors. Called forcing and much like growing a seed, forcing a bulb allows us the opportunity to grow our own flowers and nurture life from start to finish.
When I order bulbs for our garden centre, I select two kinds of forcing bulbs: one that does not need chilling (Amaryllis and Paperwhite Narcissus) and those that need a cold spell to promote a bloom. Hyacinth, large flowering Crocus, dwarf Daffodil, and Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) are all excellent choices for forcing but need some chilling time before they flower properly.
22 • CRAWFORDS GARDEN CENTRE - 905-878-0223 - CRAWFORDS.CA
FOR EASY BLOOMS: For fresh blooms all winter long, plant several batches of bulbs, each batch a week apart. Amaryllis are ready to plant and ready to bloom! Sometimes decorative and wax-covered, they are a big bulb - about the size of your fist and produce a collection of red, pink, orange or white trumpet-shaped blooms atop a tall stem. The other bulb that does not need any chilling are Paperwhite Narcissus. To force these successfully, choose your favourite container, fill with soil or layers of coloured gravel and plant so the bottom third of the bulb is buried. Water, place in a warm location and fragrant blooms will be yours three to five weeks after planting. If your bulb is wax-covered, just place in a warm room and let nature takes it course – no soil, water or chilling required! If using gravel, layer the gravel up to 4” deep and plant your bulbs the same way you would with soil. Water so the bottom of the bulb barely touches the top of the waterline. If the water comes too high up on the bulb, there is a risk of rotting the bulb.
HOW TO FORCE BULBS THAT NEED CHILLING: Crocus, most Hyacinth and Tulips need chilling to mimic the cold winter months. Before chilling, follow these easy steps for success and don’t be afraid to snuggle your bulbs together so they touch! • Choose your favorite pot or a larger glass container and fill with gravel or good potting soil. • Plant bulbs four to six inches deep (my rule of thumb is twice the depth of the bulb), and water like you would outdoors. When I feel adventurous, I layer my bulbs in a larger, deeper container – Narcissus on the bottom, then Tulips and Crocus near the top, so there will be multiple heights and blooms come the dead of winter.
don’t store the bulbs with fresh produce as the gases from fruit and vegetables can inhibit flower production. • Keep the planted pots between 35° and 45° Fahrenheit (2° to 7° Celsius) until you see green tips (6 to 12 weeks). • When the tips emerge, put the pot in a warmer location (60° Fahrenheit or 15° Celsius) with indirect light, until the leaves are a few inches long. • Once flower buds appear, move your pot to into a bright, warm room.
• Chill your planted pot in a cold frame next to the house, unheated shed or cold room. The refrigerator works too, but
CONTAINER CHOICES: Use your favourite ceramic or clay pot, repurpose containers from your summer succulent planting or raid Grandma’s cupboard for a beautiful glass vase. Using clear glass will allow you to create a work of art, with layers of coloured gravel. Glass will also allow the kids to learn about root structures while they watch the bulb grow!
Available at
HOLIDAY 2019 • 23
IT IS NOT CHRISTMAS without the
Perfect Tree Timeless with many styles to suit your décor. Branches are fully hinged for easy assembly.
SHOWN HERE
LENNOX PRE-LIT
with LED lights, 10 year warranty
8689 #5 SIDEROAD, MILTON, ON | (905) 878-0223 | WWW.CRAWFORDS.CA