We invite you to submit a picture of your backyard for a chance to win a Gift Certificate from Creative Blossoms.

Send pictures to creativeblossoms@nycreativeblossoms.com before August 31st. Pictures will be posted on the website and the winner will be chosen on September 8th.

We can’t wait to see all your hard work!

UPCOMING WORKSHOP: GOING GREEN!

We are presenting a workshop at the Macon Public Library located at 361 Lewis Ave, Brooklyn, NY –  time TBD. The purpose of this workshop is to provide information to homeowners and individuals interested in learning how to be more efficient and save money.  Another reason for the workshop is to provide information on how to get “Green” money.

What does it all mean? Going Green involves actions that work to save the environment. For example, recycling, using low-energy appliances, conserving water and a host of other actions people can take. Going Green works to help save the planet a great way to save money. The U.S. government is even paying people who own homes to go greener in the form of tax breaks and tax credits.

Here’s a list of simple but effective tips to helping your household go green and also save some green… as in money.

1. Install Low Energy Light Bulbs.

2. Trade Thirsty Plants and Landscaping for Drought or Low Maintenance Plants.

3. Use More Natural Products to Decorate Your Home Instead of Manufactured Products (water saving shower heads, toilets and faucets).

4. Let the Government Pay You To Go Green – consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in the home can receive a tax credit.

5. Decorate With More Plants Instead of Plastics – EPA studies confirm indoor air pollution affects more people than outdoor pollutions because of low air circulation indoors and the number of manufactured products such as plastics, glues and paint located inside homes. This is a growing threat for the many African Americans who suffer from respiratory ailments such as asthma, sinus problems and other allergies.

Keep posted, more information to follow.

SATURDAY, June 13th @ 11:00 AM

WORKSHOP

COMPOSTING A Demonstration and Question & Answer Session

Composting is the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for adding to houseplants or enriching garden soil. It is the way to recycle your yard and kitchen wastes, and is a critical step in reducing the volume of garbage needlessly sent to landfills for disposal.

USING COMPOST

You don’t need large flower beds or a vegetable garden to use compost. Here are the most common applications:

1.  Mulch: Apply compost up to 3″ deep around trees and shrubs and in planting areas to suppress weed growth, provide a long-term supply of nutrients, conserve moisture, prevent soil erosion and compaction, and moderate soil temperature changes. Especially effective in fall and spring.

2.  Topdressing: Spread compost 1/8″-1/4″ deep on top of existing lawns with a spreader or rake. Finished compost should be sifted or “screened” to remove clumps and twigs. Build a simple, inexpensive sifter using hardware cloth and a frame of two-by-four lumber.

3.  Sidedressing: A 1″-2″ layer of compost can be spread around vegetables (especially tomatoes, peppers, eggplant), shrubs and flowers during active growing season to replace nutrients and protect root systems.

4.  Soil Amendment: Mix 2″-3″ of compost into the top 6″-8″ of heavy clay or sandy soil with a mechanical tiller, garden spade, or shovel. Compost will improve drainage and moisture retention, prevent compaction, supply nutrients and make existing nutrients more available to plants.

5.  Potting Mediums: Sifted compost (1/3 part) can be mixed with potting soil and vermiculite or perlite to create a superior potting medium.

SATURDAY, June 13th @ 12:00 PM

SOIL TESTING

The best lawns and gardens have one thing in common — good soil. A soil test allows you to choose plants wisely. You can also make changes to your soil so that the plants you are trying to grow can do their best.

A soil test is a process by which elements (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, manganese, copper and zinc) are chemically removed from the soil and measured for their “plant available” content within the sample. The quantity of available nutrients in the sample determines the amount of fertilizer that is recommended. A soil test also measures soil pH, humic matter and exchangeable acidity. These analyses indicate whether lime is needed and, if so, how much to apply.

Bring a sample of your soil for testing on Saturday, June 13th between 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. We recommend 2-3 baggies tagged from different areas of your yard.

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Saturday, May 2nd 10am—4pm
Where: Lewis Ave. (from Decatur to Halsey)

9-11am- Street Tree Stewardship Training (Brownstone Books)
10-11am-Container Garden Workshop (Creative Blossoms)
10:30am-Free Landscape and Garden Consultations with landscape designer Bryan Quinn, owner of One Nature, LLC. Visit One Nature’s consultation table for free advice on how to develop your property in a sustainable fashion. An expert in horticulture, landscape architecture, construction, and city planning, Bryan has more than 10 years experience in sustainable design and lives in BedStuy. Bring photos of your property or just questions for your free design and construction consultation! (Lewis and Decatur)
11-1pm-Eco-friendly Kids Workshops w/ EsterGrace & reGeneration (Marlene’s Hair Stylist & Lewis Gallery)
12-3pm-Toy Swap: Swap out your gently used children’s toys (Little Red Boutique)
12-3pm-Kids Clothing Swap: Sponsored by Bklyn Clothing Exchange – Bring all your clean, unwanted, out-grown children and baby stuff to swap with others. Leftovers will be donated to a local charity. (Lewis Gallery)
1-2pm-Bring a Little Nature to your backyard with a Painted Birdhouse (House of Art)
2pm-Composting Workshop w/ Master Composter, Lol Fow (Bread-Stuy)
2-3pm-Container Garden Workshop (Creative Blossoms)
3pm-Making Local Produce Work—Cooking Demonstration (Peaches)
4pm-Tree Give-A-Way (Therapy Wine Bar)

Loads of info on recycling will be available throughout the day!

WORKSHOP: CONTAINER GARDEN

Join us for our first Workshop on Saturday, May 2nd from10am-11am, and 2pm-3pm! We are offering a FREE CONTAINER GARDEN WORKSHOP – we will demonstrate how to plant window boxes and planters.

There will also be a plant sale to help you decorate your own personal containers/planters.

Major Flower Holidays 2009

Valentine’s Day – Sat., February 14th
Palm Sunday – Sun., April 5th
Passover – Thurs., April 9th
Easter – Sun., April 12th
Secretary’s Week  – Mon. – Fr., April 19th – 25th
Mother’s Day – Sun., May 10th
Father’s Day – Sun., June 21st
Grandparent’s Day – Sun., September 13th
Rosh Hashanah – Sat., September 19th
Thanksgiving – Thurs., November 26th
Hanukkah – Sat., December 12th
Christmas – Fri., December 25th
Kwanzaa – Sat., December 26th

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