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Pot 'em in Pumpkins!
It's easy to carve and hollow a pumpkin that will hold potted plants. Pumpkin planters look great on a front porch or as a centerpiece for a Halloween party! You can also put a potted plant as part of your pumpkin carving. For instance, create fabulous hairdo for your jack-o-latern using a fern, or create a spikey Mohawk using a croton. The possiblitilies are endless for pumpkin planters
Once you’re done enjoying them on the patio, plant the entire pumpkin in your flower bed. By springtime you'll have great compost, and depending on the flower/plant you use, it will keep growing!
- Select a fresh pumpkin that is round in shape and not too tall.
- Cut all the way around the stem end of the pumpkin a few inches down from the top with a sharp knife.
- Pierce the flesh of the pumpkin with the pointed end of the knife, following with a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin.
- Make an opening large enough to place a flowerpot inside the cavity.
- Remove and reserve the stem-cap portion of the pumpkin.
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin using a large spoon and either discard or roast the seeds for a yummy fall treat
- Cut a small drainage hole near the bottom of the pumpkin.
- Place a potted chrysanthemum, indoor plant or colorful potted annual inside the cavity. If the plant sits too low, add recycled material such as crumpled aluminum foil or an upturned plastic container to raise the plant. If the plant is too high, hide the exposed portion of the pot with decorative moss or dried grass.
- Display your pumpkin planter on the front porch or inside the house in a cool location away from direct sunlight.
- Prop the stem cap alongside the display for a casual look.
- Remove the potted plant to water; replace after it has been allowed to drain for a few minutes.
Photo from BHG.com
{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, October 26, 2010 }
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Plant a Difference!
This year, pick the pink one - the Pink Ribbon Barbie Mum! You'll benefit breast cancer awareness and the Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Purchase one for yourself or give one in honor of someone’s fight. The beautiful pink mum comes with a decorative pink cover and a plant tag to write the person’s name on the plant. It retails for only $9.99 with 25% of the proceeds benefitting the Tidewater affiliate of Koman.
The Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is dedicated to combating breast cancer at every front. Its service area covers the cities and counties of Accomack, Chesapeake, Franklin, Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and York. Each year thousands of people participate in the Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure. This event is dedicated to playing a vital role in fighting breast cancer in our community.
KOMEN TIDEWATER RACE FOR THE CURE
31st Street Park in Virginia Beach, VA
OCTOBER 16, 2010
"Whether you run, walk or stroll, discover with every step your power to change the world!"
{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, October 12, 2010 }
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It's a fact... Make a Scarecrow, Make a Difference
- McDonald Garden Center's annual Make a Scarecrow, Make a Difference event is THIS weekend at all McDonald locations and for only $25.00 YOU can help make a difference!
- 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters is Virginia’s only free-standing, full-service pediatric hospital.
- In 2010, the McDonald Garden Center Scarecrow event raised more than $10,000 for CHKD. Since CHKD is a not-for-profit hospital donations such as these are crucial to the welfare of the hospital.
- CHKD Thrift Stores donate enough clothing, hats, ties, belts and other accessories to “dress” more than 500 scarecrows.
- For more than 3,000 years, farmers have been making scarecrows. From the Egyptians to the Greeks to even farmers today, scarecrows solved a common problem for farmers - hungry birds.
- The scarecrow was commonly used in 19th century English Literature. Who could forget the Scarecrow of Oz from L. Frank Baum’s tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This just might be one of the most famous scarecrows of all time.
- All people rely on a good harvest to last them through the winter, and scarecrows, human or straw, help them to have one. Scarecrows are common throughout the world. In Britain, they are called mommets, tattie bogies and hodmedods. Other places around the world scarecrows are known as jack-of-straws, scarebirds, and shoy-hoys.
- There’s no limit on how creative your scarecrow can be. Use straw to stuff pockets and sleeves to fill in any holes. Glue fabric strips to create patches. Add your own accessories, such as hats, gloves, scarves and even shoes.
- Making a scarecrow together is a great family project. By working together as a family you can create a fall tradition that is proudly displayed in your fall décor. It is also a perfect team building activity for groups like the girl scouts, boy scouts, businesses or even sports teams.
It’s a fact, make a scarecrow and make a difference!
{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, October 5, 2010 }
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