Vertical Gardening

March 9, 2015

Obviously the age-old way to garden is to garden horizontally, on the ground – no one even thinks twice about that one. But what if you changed the way you gardened to a vertical format? Oh the possibilities!

vertical-planter-pouch

New to our selection of products this spring is a vertical gardening pouch from Esschert Design. This pouch is an easy way to grow herbs or flowers in a small space and in a condensed way. Plus, the pockets are made of tarpaulin, which makes them extra strong and holds water well.

Along with this new vertical gardening method, we’ve also been thinking of other ways to create a vertical garden. Here are some of the creative ideas we found…

vertical-garden1 (Source: Pinterest)

vertical-garden2 (Source: FytoGreen)

vertical-garden3 (Source: A Beautiful Mess)

vertical-garden4 (Source: Pinterest)

vertical-garden5 (Source: MiCasa)

(Source: BuzzFeed)

Hopefully we’ve inspired you to try a new type of gardening this summer! If you want to see more vertical gardening ideas, check out our pinterest board!
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How to: Start Begonias Indoors

February 24, 2015

Gardening, Weekend DIY

begonia-how-to
Begonias are wonderful plants for shaded areas and can give you a lush, full plant with huge blooms if grown correctly. Since they require a lot of warmth and some patience to get to this full state, many gardeners prefer to begin their begonia tubers indoors during the late winter months. Starting your begonias indoors is a fairly simple process and means fuller plants later in the summer season!

begonia-instructions1 Follow these simple steps:

Plant tubers in later winter, hollow side up, just below the soil level in a moist peat compost mixture. Use shallow seed trays or small pots with good drainage and place on a window sill or other location that receives indirect sunlight. Be sure the temperatures for this location does not fall below 60 degrees F. Cover tray or pot with paper or plastic wrap to promote sprouting. Watering sparingly until growth begins.

Once the tubers begin to sprout (approx. 4 to 6 weeks), development becomes more rapid. Remove the plastic wrap or covering and give them maximum light but still shaded from strong direct midday sun. Water regularly, never allowing the soil to dry out completely but being sure not to let them sit wet as this can cause rotting. An application of good liquid plant food will improve and quicken growth.

When the threat of frost has passed, move the plants outdoors. The tubers can be left to remain and grow in the pots or transferred to an outdoor garden bed. Begonias thrive in semi-shade and do not do well in hot mid-day sun. They dislike dry conditions so be sure to provide them with ample water, especially in periods of hot weather. Remove all the wilted leaves and flowers during the growing season to encourage flowering throughout the summer months.

Brilliantly-colored begonia blooms in a unique hanging basket or watering can will add a splash of color on the deck, under the overhang, or even on a shepherd’s hook in the backyard! Check out our Begonia Gardening Kits which include a planter (hanging basket or watering can), begonia tubers, and a soil disk!

Happy gardening and enjoy your begonias this summer!
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Lantern Fairy Garden

July 18, 2014

Gardening, Outdoor Decor, Weekend DIY

The Vintage Hanging Lantern is a staff favorite here at Willard&May. Its whimsical qualities add an extra dynamic to any fairy garden. Make your fairies fly when you hang this lantern!

For this example: we added river rocks for a foundation. To add a soft quality, we put some moss over the rocks. We then arranged some mushrooms and a friendly gnome.

The Classic Wood Lantern makes a great starting point for a portable fairy garden. It comes in three different sizes, so you can pick which one will work best for your project!

For this example: We started with a simple, shallow blue pot for the base. We added river rocks for a nice contrast. To top it off, we placed some fun fairy garden accessories in the center of the pot. Continue reading for some awesome suggestions on what plants you can get from your local garden center for your fairy garden!

Above are the different sizes the wood lantern comes in. You can create a simple garden with a fairy or two or add a classic look to your outdoor living space. These lanterns have doors to allow ease of use.

If you are looking for some greenery to add to your garden, below are a couple of suggestions from our resident horticulturist:

Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
Golden Clubmoss
Air Plant
Miniature Ferns
Baby Tears (Soleirolia)

Let your creativity flow with these fun DIY fairy garden lanterns!

Spring is Almost Here!

March 7, 2014

Birds, Gardening, Gifts, Store

Most of us are extremely sick of this winter, but don’t worry, winter can’t last forever! The cold is just grasping on and sticking around longer than normal, but fear not, Spring is almost here… you can already tell since daylight seems to stick around a little longer each night!

Everyone here at Willard & May is really excited about spring coming up! Here are our top reasons why we enjoy Spring:

1. The weather is warming up, finally! Be sure to watch the temperatures rise with these cute & stylish thermometers.

Herb Pattern Thermometer – $10.00

Blue Blossom Ceramic Thermometer – $24.24

Froggy Thermometer – $11.00

2. The birds are returning to the yard, so get out your bird feeders and bird houses! Use this modern bird feeder; a great addition to your yard. Bring back the song of the birds!

Modern Bird Feeder – Only $20.00

3. You can scratch that garden itch by starting your seeds indoors or by planting herbs or annuals. Check out these small leaf-patterned pots on a tray, there is nothing quite like the vibrancy of new spring leaves. A great way to cheer you up after this long harsh winter we have had!

3 Elm Pots on Tray – $13.00

There are so many great reasons to love Spring! Tell us what you love about spring – we’d love to hear.

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Winter Rejuvenation

January 10, 2014

Gardening, Gifts, Store, Weekend DIY

Every year around this time is the time to start putting away all of those Christmas decorations you put up. So since it’s January and the month of new beginnings, we thought it would be fitting to share some tips to rejuvenate your house this winter:

CLEAN & ORGANIZE! After you take down your Christmas tree and pack away all of your Christmas decor, clean and let those windows sparkle! With a clean house it makes rejuvenating your home a breeze. Cleaning gives you a fresh slate to work with. While cleaning, get rid of anything you haven’t used in a year. If you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s very likely that you still won’t use it this year – make some more space for things you actually use!
Consider a new layout! Changing a room’s layout can make a huge difference + it’s free and simple. The new layout can also create a better traffic flow than before. Is everything that’s organized in the most beneficial location? If not, it’s time to make the move!
Instead of putting your usual decor back in its original spot, find a new place for it. Change it up — that’s what January is all about!
Make some updates! Now is the time to update an old piece of furniture whether it’s painting or reupholstering a chair. These little things can make a huge difference!
Mix it up. Take things from your bedroom and swap them with decor in the living room! Make things interesting and see your decor in a whole new light!
Tray Chic: Use trays to corral smaller items together. They are perfect in the living room, for instance, to group candles with a floral accent. Or perhaps you could place one in the bedroom to display your perfume. You can find trays at Willard & May that are perfect for any of these examples and more!
With winter reaching most states, it’s gloomy, snowy, and nothing really grows. Which makes Willard & May’s Faux Forever Terrariums great for rejuvenating your house and bringing in some greenery. Willard & May has a variety of different terrariums to choose from and you can even customize them yourself!

wm-refresh-color You can find these refreshing items and many others at willardandmay.com [Clockwise from top to left: Forever Terrarium-Grass | Forever Terrarium-Square | Forever Terrarium-Cylinder | Forever Terrarium-Bubble | Forever Terrarium-Large Bubble | 3 Elm Pots on Tray | Colorful Sleek Lanterns ]

With these tips, your house is sure to have a fresh and rejuvenated feel. Help get yourself out of that winter funk and ready for the spring! We’d love to hear what you think or what you’ve done to rejuvenate your living space — let us know your ideas to help with winter home rejuvenation in the comments below!

Amaryllis Autumn Decor

October 16, 2013

Gardening, Gifts, Pin Inspiration, Store, Weekend DIY

Amaryllis are truly a one of a kind flower. They are one of the easiest bulbs to bring bloom and can be grown indoors or outdoors for an extended period of time. Its botanical name is Hippeastrum, so don’t be fooled if you come across that name. Amaryllis come in a variety of shades of red, pink, salmon, orange and white. Some can be striped or multicolored. Amaryllis are the perfect way to brighten up any cold day.

Here at Willard & May we treat each pot as if it were a small garden or tiny yard. One amaryllis in a single pot can look a bit lonely, but when staged in groupings or massed in one pot, they are dramatic. To ensure flowering we like to stagger the plantings.

Here are a few quick tips on amaryllis:

Planting Period: October – end of April
Flowering Period: Late November – end of June
Flowering Time: 6-10 weeks
Larger bulbs produce more flowers
Always store un-planted bulbs in a cool place between 40-50 degrees F and out of sunlight to prevent them from pre-mature growth
Plant bulb up to its neck
Use a nutritious compost when planting

During the holidays amaryllis are a great accent in your home decor. Use some of our ideas for showcasing your amaryllis. Take a look at how we like to showcase the beautiful amaryllis in the fall!

Set a potted amaryllis inside a holiday wreath with accents of berries, beads, pumpkins or pine cones for an instant and easy centerpiece
Showcase your amaryllis in an entryway to create a warm holiday welcome to your guests as they enter your home
Add cut amaryllis blooms to a tall, clear vase filled with cranberries, pine cones, acorns, etc., in the base for a colorful bouquet, perfect for a centerpiece or a great accent to a mantle
Add greenery and candles around your vase or pot of amaryllis for a simple and easy centerpiece

(Source: Willard & May, Photo Credit: Stephanie Osiecki)

(Source: Hannas Sjarmerende Jul)

(Source: Party Resources)

The possibilities are endless, this colorful flower is sure to be a great part of your celebration. You can find these amaryllis bulbs at Willard & May + receive FREE shipping on amaryllis!

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Fall Gardening/Cleanup Checklist!

September 20, 2013

Beautiful Outdoors, Gardening, Store

Find out what you need to be doing in your garden once the harvest has ended! Use these tips to help your fall gardening and cleanup a breeze! Also, check out our garden tools to assist you!

Tips:

Water! Give all your plants a good drink so it can last them through the winter
Shop for fall planted flower bulbs: Tulip World
If you have deer or rabbits eating your plants & flowers, try out animal repellent or deer netting; or plant things that animal pests don’t eat, such as: daffodils, siberian squill, and fritillaria
Remove all rotten fruit and debris from the ground – infestations last through winter
Leave dried flowers, ornamental grasses, & seed heads to provide food for birds in flower beds & borders. Rake the leaves as needed but keep it off the grass as it can suffocate it
Mulch to maintain soil quality and protect perennials from frost, using weeds (with not seeds), cocoa hulls, grass clippings, leaves, & straw.
Dig up and store indoors any tender bulbs, such as gladiolus, cannas, dahlias, and caladiums, that you want to store over the winter and re-plant next spring.
Empty all pots and store indoors for the winter, even plastic containers can crack and clay pots can shatter
Plant shrubs and evergreens
Till your soil for next year
Clean tool blades with vegetable oil and handles with sandpaper
Plant your spring blooming bulbs! October is the month to plant tulips, daffodils, crocus and more. Be sure to plant in clusters – they look the best this way and it allows you work in plenty of compost into the soil. And lastly, be sure to water well after planting.

Happy Fall!

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Gardening without Getting Gardeners Hands! + FREE GLOVES!

August 30, 2013

Gardening, Store

Gardening can take a toll on your hands and skin but, just because you garden doesn’t mean you can’t have soft groomed hands! Use these tips to help fight getting tough grungy gardener’s hands. Read below to find out how to receive a pair of FREE gloves!

(Source: Willard & May, Photo Credit: Stephanie Osiecki)

TIPS

1. One of the most simple and obvious solutions would be to wear gardening gloves as much as you can. Sounds simple right? Well not necessarily. You might think oh “I’ll just do this quick little thing without gloves” and before you know it, you just weeded your entire garden without gloves. Your hands hate you at this point. Also, if you aren’t wearing the proper gloves it can affect your hands as well. Choosing the right glove for the right project is crucial to maintain your gloves and your hands. So make sure to have a pair for different types of gardening.

Thin pair: use for weeding, transplanting, and harvesting. Find gloves as close to being bare skinned as possible with your hands being protected. With these you are able to feel what you are doing.

Thick pair: use for heavy duty tasks

Make sure to take care of your gloves so they can last as long as possible. Keep them stored and out of the rain when not in use.

If you make a purchase of $15 or more at Willard & May receive a pair of FREE GLOVES & 1 PACK of TULIP BULBS!

(Colors of gloves may vary: pink, lime green, or blue)

2. Not only just wash your hand well but make sure to use a nail brush. That’s what they are there for! Use it to get out all that dirt under your nails and gently brush off any dirt on your hands so it won’t dry and crack on you. To make it easier to clean make sure you keep your nails short. Short nails are easier to clean and less likely to snag. Just a warning, wearing nail polish while gardening will most likely chip so don’t go out and get a manicure and then that same day go gardening. Get all your gardening done and then treat yourself once it’s all finished!

3. Exfoliate and moisturize! We all know that we should always keep moisturized, especially when you garden to get rid of all your dry skin and cracks. Here at Willard & May we like to use our Gardeners Bar Soap! It contains pumice to make cleaning off tough dirt after a long day in the garden a cinch! The natural vegetable oil will help keep your skin hydrated. It also acts as an antibacterial. It contains: natural coconut oil, palm kernel oil, pumice stone, glycerin, and tetrasodium.

(Source: Willard & May)

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR FREE PAIR OF GLOVES!

Check out more of our great items at WillardandMay.com! Do you have any other suggestions or tips? Let us know and comment in the section below!

Gift Kits for Mother’s Day

May 2, 2013

Birds, Gardening, Gifts, Store

Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12th and time is running out if you were thinking of buying your mother a gift online! Send her a gift that matches her passion – what is she passionate about, other than being your mom? :)

Does your mom love to cook? Does she love to get her hands dirty in the garden? Love to watch the flying creatures in her yard, the birds and butterflies? What about if she doesn’t have a green thumb but still loves plants? If your mom falls into any of those categories, we’ve got you and her covered! Check out the gift kits we put together with your mom in mind – and don’t forget to order by Sunday, May 5th for delivery in time for Mother’s Day!

For the Mom’s that Love to Cook….
Herb Growing Kit
9068

For the Mom that Loves to Garden…
Garden Deluxe Collection Gift Kit
8001

For the Mom that Loves to Watch the Birds…
Bird Lover Collection Gift Kit
8007

For the Mom that loves Butterflies…
Butterfly Lover Collection Gift Kit
8003

And for the Mom with a Brown Thumb…
Forever Terrarium Collection Gift Kit

Check out all of our Mother’s Day Gift Kits on Willard & May and show Mom how much you love her!
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Spring DIY Projects

April 24, 2013

Birds, Gardening, Outdoor Decor, Pin Inspiration, Weekend DIY

We’re over a month into spring and well, for most of us, it quite frankly hasn’t felt much like spring yet. Seems like Mother Nature is perhaps a bit confused? Here in Wisconsin we’ve been plagued with the opposite of a drought – never ending rain and very non-spring like temperatures. Some of our friends further north are even getting more snow!

Whether the outside says it’s spring or not, it can still be spring inside your heart. To get thinking spring, check out these fun DIY ideas that incorporate spring ideas – and let’s hope all of these April showers do in fact bring May flowers!

Hose Wreath Tutorial by Create.Craft.Love.