Make Your Own Window Box Planter

You can build your own window box over the weekend. It just requires a few tools, some patience, and some beginner woodworking skills. Making a window box from wood is a perfect project for a novice. Your choices are cedar or cypruss and both woods are known for their longevity. Building a window box is fun so let's move straight to some step-by-step instructions on how to do it.

To keep things simple, let's focus on building a 36" long window box and let's use 3/4" thick cypruss wood. Cypruss wood stock can be attained from most local lumberyards in a variety of dimensions. For window box purposes, a 1" x 8" board is recommended. For this box we will need roughly 12 feet of length. Now, miter the board at 34.5" three consecutive times such that you have three boards, one for the bottom, front, and back. We'll use screws to join these boards more tightly. Place two boards up against each other at ninety degree angle and use wood glue between them. You want to make sure you use a wood glue designed for exterior purposes. Once glued, shoot a few brad nails along the joint to hold the two boards together temporarily. Next, countersink three small holes through the boards in preparation to pass screws in to more securely join the boards in a ninety degree fashion. A countersink drill bit is one that drills a pilot hole deep and a big hole shallow so that the screw head can sink pass the face of the board. Drill three countersunk holes: one on each end and one in the center. Next, sink a screw into the boards so that they grab tightly. The butt joint should show on the bottom of the box. Repeat the same steps to fasten the back board to the bottom boards. When you've finished that, the only thing remaining will be pieces for the side ends.

For fastening of the side pieces I recommend again using gorilla glue and brad nails to quickly secure the piece to the box. Next, countersink some holes and then screws to joing the side pieces. The side piece should be cut to size first. Once the side pieces are attached, the structural assembly of the box is complete. Next, use a drill with a 1/4" drill bit to drill drain holes in the bottom. I recommend placing a hole in each corner of the box and one in the very center where water will likely migrate to the most. Next, caulk inside the box to seal all the inner joints. This will reinforce the box and also keep water from seeping through. Lastly, staple an erosion tarp to the inside of the box. The will filter out water and keep dirt in. That's it, you are now ready to install it and place flowers inside. It's just that easy. If you're not up for the challenge of building a wooden window box every five years, a good idea may be to consider investing in a PVC window box. They are completely water resistant and very affordable. From an investment standpoint, they're usually worth the few extra dollars because they'll last up to 30 years without rotting or maintenance.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About :
Matt Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, a manufacturing company that specializes in affordable PVC window boxes. They sell window boxes directly to the public at affordable prices and also have custom capabilities.

The Different Types Of Summer Flowers

There's no better way to earn a smirk on superstar's face than by gift unmarked flora. For while we can remember, plants have been the final figure of beauty and grace. On exclusive occasions and at moments we should to definite our feelings, we all corner to flora to be our messengers. A warily elected flower garlanded can say everything we mean to say on different occasions. From lively summer flora to romantic roses and unusual exotic plants, they forever signify the whole gift. At flowerangels.com you will find an extensive mixture of original flora, specially intended and approved.

Everyone agrees that plants can lighten up any incident. Flowers have the rare ability to help us rapid our feelings of happiness, dearest, admiration, gratitude, grief, friendship and so on. Since the seventeenth century, people have been bountiful different meanings to certain types of plants. Today, everybody realizes that there are certain plants that are more appropriate for a given result than others - the tricky part is making the appropriate superb according to the result. With romantic occasions, the excellent is honestly austere: roses are the eternal figure of great passion. If you want to convey a meaning of happiness, you should wish something clear and colorful, like sunflowers. Carnations are traditionally givens on funerals while tulips are appropriate for glad and elegant occasions. Flowerangels.com has the widest slightly unsullied flora some place on the web.

If you have to attend a summer wedding or any other summer outcome, you won't have any disorder ruling a stunning medley of flora. Summer flora came in pastel or clever flag, are delicate or daring and can appealing much adapt to any time. Sunflower represents the summertime best and is great for elaborate arrangements. Aster is also a trendy summer flower which comes in charming shades of pink, blue, fair and purple. Daisies are gentles summer plants and hone for simple arrangements. Lilies have a charming trail and can enhance up any home. Other flora, such as amiable pea or snapdragons are also exceptional gifts during the summer spice.

There are many advantages to shopping for flowers online. First, it's much more comfortable than available all the way out to a florist. Online flower shopping is also decidedly convenient. Haven't you ever onwards about superstar's birthday and sought to make a last thorough gesture? Ordering flowers online is very cursory and it's the only way to recover the setting elegantly. An unfailing online florist will forever be glad to rescue inventive flowers. Furthermore, your posy will be designed impeccably and look just like you sought it to. At flowerangels.com you can order warm flowers with free UK freedom.

Flowers make for excellent gifts on almost any instance. Whether it's a wedding, a birthday bash or a baby shower, there's nothing like a gorgeous posy to let someone know how you feel. Summer flowers are the ones that truly suffer out - the sharp flag and mesmerizing scents will win everybody over. At flowerangels.com you can decide from hundreds of fresh flowers.

Learn about giant sunflower and sunflower seeds nutrition at the Sunflower Plant site.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_741566_27.html

The Many Life Cycle Of The Flowers

Flowers, also called blooms or blossoms, is the reproductive organs of the factory. The prime purpose of a flower is too precipitate the blending of the chap sperm with female ovum to yield seeds and circulate the species. The prime means starts with pollination, which in jaunt causes fertilization, and the leads to the formation of the seeds. There are numerous habits that a bury causes dispersal of it's seeds. It can daub it's seeds by coil or like the blackberry hide and butter it's seeds by use of birds and animals.

Seeds are the next generations, or offspring, and are the major means by which the species ensures it's continuation. The production of many tiny plants on a definite plant is called inflorescence. Besides being the reproductive organs of acme plants, flora have been used by humans all across the world to revamp their surroundings and as an obtain of food.

Every flower has a point object which helps the removal of it's pollen in the most helpful way feasible. Some types of plants are self pollinated, such as some types of sativas, while others want pollination by insects. Plants, such as many types of mints or clover, charm and use bees, bats, birds, etc. to transmit pollen from one flower to another.

Most plants have glands called nectaries on several parts that fascinate insects such as bees. Some plants have patterns termed nectar guides, that help insects like butterflies where to look for the kind nectar. Flowers can also draw pollinators to them by with sense and color. And some plants use a clever parody to draw pollinators to them. Many types of orchids goods flora that look like a female bee in their coloration, odor, and their smooth to draw the gentleman bees to them.

A massive array of flower species are also specialized in their particular figure to have an arrangement of the stamens to make certainly that the pollen grains are transferred to the bodies of the insect when it manor looking for what attracted it in the first place. By the insect's unvarying pursuit of the pollen, nectar, etc. from many different plants of the same species, the insect transfers pollen to the various stigmas of each flower with that free minded precision to all the plants it manor on.

The Many Life Cycles Of A Flower

There are the flora that apply pollen from one flower to the next by using wind. Many of the examples that use this technique enter Birch plants, Ragweed,

Dandelions, Milkweed, etc. These plants have no honest penury to attract insects or other creatures to pollinate them and therefore cultivate to not have quick and jazzy flowers.

The male and female flowers are on the same plant with the male flowers having several long filaments finish in the stamens, and the female flowers having the long soft stigmas. The pollen of entomophilous flowers, (flowers that should pollinators), have the drive to be large-grained, pretty sticky, and opulent in essential proteins, the anemophilous flower, (flowers that need no pollinators), pollen has tiny grains, is very light, non-sticky, and has little or no nutritional estimate to insects or other creatures.

Flowers are a gorgeous and basic part of our world. They can calm our minds and sooth our souls in an increasingly excited age. Plant a backyard and like the real beauty of flowers!

Visit the Sunflower Plant website to learn about growing sunflowers and mexican sunflower.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_741568_27.html

Cheer Up! – Get Well Soon Flowers

Whenever a friend or family member is ill or feeling under the weather, it's always a nice idea to give them a bouquet of get well soon flowers to cheer them up!

Why send flowers?
Everybody loves flowers, and receiving a beautiful bouquet usually results in an immediate smile, even on the saddest of faces. Flowers trigger happy emotions; it's as simple as that! And it's been scientifically proven.

Research conducted at at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, was conducted over a 10-month period involving a behavioural study that linked flowers with life satisfaction. During their research they discovered that flowers are a natural and healthy mood alleviator. Not only did the flowers have an instantaneous impact on the participants' moods, but the test results also proved that after subjects received flowers, the gesture had a long-term positive effect too. The participants confirmed that they felt less anxious, agitated and less depressed upon receiving flowers, which led to a higher level of life satisfaction and sense of enjoyment. The flowers also led to contact and intimate connections being made between the flower giver and receiver.

Even better still, add a gift hamper that includes things such as fruit or a few products for the recipient to pamper themselves with such as bubble-bath, lotions and something for the sweet tooth.

When to send flowers
When a friend or family member is ill, they don't have to be in hospital in order for you to send them "get well soon" flowers. If they are sick in bed or even just feeling a little blue, the gesture would be sure to bring a smile to their face, lift their spirits and lighten up their home or office.

If the recipient is in hospital, having flowers delivered would show that you are thinking of them during this unfortunate time and that you wish them a speedy recovery. It would also brighten up their hospital room which is typically quite dreary.

How to order flowers for delivery
If the flowers are being delivered at the hospital, be sure to have a few details in hand to give to the florists. The florist will have to know which hospital or nursing home the patient is in, the name of the patient and their room number. Contact number for the patient or family member will also be necessary. Once you have all of these details, you can specify to your florist when you would like them to deliver your flowers to the patient. It's recommended that your choice of flowers should be in a basket, vase or a potted plant since hospital do not provide containers for flowers.

In cases where patients are in the intensive care unit, you will need to confirm if flowers are allowed in the room, since some hospitals have a "no flower" policy for these units.

When you choose get well soon flowers, keep in mind that hospital rooms are usually quite small. Choosing something small and cute will be better suited. If the flowers are only to be delivered once the patient is back at home, you can go as big as you please in terms of bouquet or hamper size. No matter the size of the bouquet, by sending some flowers, your friend or loved one will appreciate the gesture. A bright and vibrant fresh flower arrangement or colourful hamper to cheer them up!

About the Author:
Interflora is a professional flower and gift delivery service in South Africa that would be able to proficiently assist you in selecting get well soon flowers.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_679227_47.html

Modern Flower Arrangements

Flower arranging today is more than merely putting together a bunch of bright beautiful flowers in a pretty vase. Much thought goes into the art of each professionally designed bouquet.

The artistic nature of flower arrangement means that no strict rules need to be followed by designers, but there are three very distinct styles into which arrangements can be categorised.

The three styles of flower arrangements
Professional florists would categorise the styles of flower arrangements as such:
Traditional flower arrangements, oriental flower arrangements and modern flower arrangements.

Traditional flower design, also known as Western flower arrangements, is the time-honoured common flower arranging style where the design is enriched with a large number of beautiful, colourful flowers. Apart from the vase in which the flowers are arranged, almost no other accessories are used in this flower style.

Oriental flower design is the general term used to refer to Chinese or Japanese styles, where the focus is mainly on the appearance of the arrangement. The linear style of Oriental flower arrangements emphasise the negative spaces, floral forms and the textures used in the arrangement.

Japanese flower arrangement, also known as Ikebana, focus on the line of the twigs and leaves, rather than on the flowers themselves like in Western designs. The line of the twigs or leaves is combined with a small number of blooms and the design is complemented by the style of the container which is also a key element in the Ikebana style.

Modern flower arrangements are the aesthetic use of clean, sleek lines, but generally all the styling depends on the likes and dislikes of the designer. The design of such an arrangement does not follow the traditional outline of arranging flowers. Instead the use of different accessories is combined with the minimal use of bright flowers. Modern flower arrangements make use of ornamental geometric motifs and clean-lined containers to carry the geometric theme through into everyday life.

Why choose a Modern Flower Arrangement?
The great thing about modern flower arrangements is that there really are no boundaries. This style of flower arrangement is appropriate for most occasions and it is well suited as a gift to both men and women.

Most online florists have a wide variety of modern flower arrangements ready to order, although some would warn you that same-day delivery might not be possible, therefore you should confirm with your florist before you buy these flowers online.

Modern flower arrangements work well as a corporate gifts. Their lines and designs compliment the interior design of most modern offices, reception areas, boardrooms, conference halls, hotels or even wine bars.

The bold sleek design of modern flower arrangements make a statement about the personality of your company which can make a difference in the perception your customers have of your business.

The style of modern flower arrangements makes a strong design statement. With attention to detail, the use of unconventional accessories, the creativity and energy of the design, choosing this flower arrangement style will say a lot about you.

About The Author:
Interflora is a professional online florist based in South Africa with a reputable flower and gift delivery service. Their knowledge and experience with flower styles include an extensive range on modern flower arrangements.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_679245_47.html

Fall Wedding Flowers on a Bare-Bones Budget

Autumn brides have always been a curious bunch, and especially interested in the types of flowers that should grace their bouquets (since ultra-traditional choices, like roses in white, pink or red, don't seem quite right).

That easy-going, nature-loving feel is popular in fall wedding bouquets. Historically that's meant seasonally-appropriate, casual blooms like zinnias, Gerbers, astilbe - often accompanied by non-floral touches like berries, twigs and maple leaves.

But what's happening now is that fall brides (and a larger proportion of all brides) are starting to wonder something else, too: not just what to put on their bouquets, but how to cut back on their costs. Here's why.

A Royal Event ... Means a Buckingham Palace Budget

The cost of fresh flowers at a wedding can be staggering. Newly-minted brides are often surprised to find that even a simple order of personal flowers only (wedding party bouquets and boutonnières) is going to run about $600 plus, not including arrangements for the ceremony or reception. That's a big step up from prom!

Now, it's that very cost that makes fresh flowers so alluring at a wedding. After all, even the comfortably-off among us don't usually live our lives surrounded by fragrant, artful florals. Flowers are beautiful, costly and rare -- just perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime event.

But with economic uncertainty hanging around like that kitchen smell after you pan-fry a salmon, brides are cutting back on flowers. They just can't justify the expense for something so short-lived.

Black-Belt Tactics for Cheaper Autumn Flowers

So if you're a fall bride who balks at $600 for personal flowers and another grand or three for the tables, what to do? Must you ask your maid of honor to grab you a sneezy clump of goldenrod ten minutes before the ceremony? Happily, no.

#1: Be Your Own Pro

Know thyself if you go this route: it's hard enough chiseling out the extra 250 hours it takes to plan a wedding without going postal. But major craft stores are always offering basic floral design classes for cheap. This is a great way to gain some confidence and practice, and get to know the quirks of several specific blooms.

#2: Go Alternative

If you emerge from one of these design classes a dab hand in whipping up boutonnières and posies, online floral wholesalers could be your ticket to lush arrangements a lower cost. Another option: try farmer's markets. Inexpensive and locally-sourced, the flowers also have the advantage of being eco-friendly. Look for mini-sunflowers and dahlias, chrysanthemums and Gerber daisies.

Caution: don't go this route unless you have a dedicated team of proven assistants who can save the day at the last second (thanks, Mom!). Also, this isn't for you unless you have someplace cool and dark to store your blooms until showtime.

#3: Feeling Fine In Aisle Nine

Here's a hybrid option sure to suit many autumn brides: skip the fancy table florals, and go with more bulletproof centerpieces such as pillar candles and hurricane lamps, or bare-branch arrangements. You can always ring these with heaps of rose petals or silk autumn leaves for a luxurious, fuss-free touch.

Then, for personal flowers, check out your local ... grocery store! Here, we've got a semi-legendary chain that produces amazing bouquets in several branches. The quality's top-notch -- you'd never think "grocery store bouquet" -- but the cost is wonderfully low.

And if you want to go even lower (and be even braver), Real Simple has an illustrated guide on whipping together bouquets with single stems from any grocer's floral aisle (just Google "How to Create Beautiful Bouquets from Supermarket Flowers").

Ever wonder where the web's most beautiful fall wedding favors are hiding? Visit FavorIdeas for expert wedding planning help, innovative theme ideas and gorgeous wedding favors, and find this original article at fall wedding flowers on a budget.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_726500_41.html