EcoSphere Pods

Photo: A couple of my live shrimp resting on coral

I recently received a really unique and wonderful gift and I had to share it with you.  This clear glass container holds a self-sustaining, mini-ecosystem with live miniature shrimp.  Only light is needed to keep their world in a perfect plant-and-animal balance: algae and bacteria are eaten by the shrimp whose waste supports their regeneration.  It is the perfect addition to my desk and a nice stress reliever!

Photo: Round EcoSphere (left); Pod EcoSphere (right)

If you would like an EcoSphere Pod, you can find them on Amazon or at Wind and Weather.  They have them available in different shapes and sizes with prices that range from $59.95 to $149.95.  Wind and Weather's site says to allow 1-2 weeks for delivery, and that a delivery signature is required.

DIY Blooming Gifts Under $25

I have seen potted bulbs in flower catalogs sell from $60 to $90.  Even inexpensive, hardy bulbs like daffodils have been sold for hefty prices.  You can easily create such a gift by potting some bulbs in a planter of your choice.

I chose to plant some daffodils in a light weight and inexpensive 10" golden yellow fiberglass pot.  The blooming daffodils were about $3 per pack at Home Depot.  I planted a bunch closely together to get a more dramatic, rich effect.     

Double Duty Wall-Mount Jewelry Armoire

1.  Wall-Mount Photo Frame/Jewelry Armoire

Worthington Antique Walnut Photo Collage

Sick of the clutter on my dresser, I decided to chuck my eclectic collection of jewelry boxes and opt for a jewelry armoire.  I chose a wall-mount jewelry armoire that doubles as a photo frame, and I am very happy with my choice.  By utilizing my wall space, I freed up space on top of my dresser.  My jewelry is still organized, easily accessible, and neatly tucked away.

 

2.  Wall-Mount Mirror/Jewelry Armoire

SEI Wall-Mount Jewelry Armoire with Mirror, Walnut

I have a friend who has a wall-mount mirror/jewelry armoire.  She loves it.  Her wall-mount armoire stores all of her jewelry, and she can easily try on her accessories in front of the mirror.

3.  Wall-Mount Photo Frame/Mirror/Jewelry Armoire

Wall Mounted Jewelry Armoire with Photo Frame in Antique Black

Here is a wall-mount jewelry armoire that combines both photo frame and mirror. 

          

Kombucha Tea

I normally do not like green tea, but I try to drink it for its many purported health benefits (e.g., cancer-fighting properties, weight-loss aid, lowers cholesterol levels, combats mental fatigue, etc.).  My favorite green tea is Yogi's Green Tea Kombucha.  Today I was surprised to learn kombucha is a Manchurian "mushroom."  Who knew "mushrooms" could be yummy?

Kombucha is actually a combination of different elements, which include lichen, bacteria, and yeast.    The mushroom itself is not eaten.  Rather, a tea is made by fermenting the mushroom for about a week in a mixture of water, sugar and green or black tea, with apple cider vinegar or a bit of previously made tea added.  The mushroom can be kept in that mixture to reproduce "daughter mushrooms."   These daughter mushrooms can be used to produce more tea.  

Kombucha is believed to be a natural energy booster and detoxifier that may also help slow or reverse the aging process and may help fight serious diseases like AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis.  

I am happy with my Yogi Green Tea Kombucha, but for those of you who want to try brewing kombucha at home, you might want to check out the following: 

Kombucha Brooklyn sells Kombucha Home Brew Kits.   

Betsy Pryor, "Kombucha Phenomenon: The Miracle Health Tea: How to Safely Make and Use Kombucha"

Yogi Echinacea Immune Support

Yogi's Echinacea Immune Support tea is my new favorite tea!  It is so delicious that I do not need to add honey or lemon to it.  I brew a cup as soon as I feel a cold coming on, but it is so yummy I drink it all the time.  Safeway and Target carry this brand.  If you have a hard time finding them or want to save money, you can purchase them online.  

Yogi has other great teas.  Among my favorite for the cold season are Yogi Throat Comfort Tea, Yogi Ginger, and Yogi Lemon Ginger.  Yogi also offers a Cold Season Tea Sampler Pack.

Last time I checked, it cost $5.79 for a box of 16 tea bags at Safeway ($0.36/tea bag).  I have seen them on sale for $1 or $2 off the regular price.  You can get even greater savings by buying them in bulk  online at $15.82 for a pack of 6 boxes and enjoy more than 50% in savings ($0.16/tea bag).

Price Break Down (Per Tea Bag)
        Regular Price:  $0.36
                 On Sale:  $0.24 - 0.30
      In Bulk Online:  $0.16*

*Free Shipping on orders over $25

Tips to Maximize Savings on Online Garden Orders

1. Use Cash Back Sites.  Use online cash back sites.  I use EBATES.  Before making a purchase I see if the retailer is listed at their site.  If it is, I click on their link that re-directs me to the retailer.  By clicking on the link, I receive a certain percentage off my purchase.  These extra few seconds can make a big difference.  I joined EBATES in 2009, and since then I have received $974.23 cash back.    It is FREE to join EBATES.  To join today click here.  
2. Use Coupon Codes.  Performing a simple google search for coupon codes can result in great savings.  For example, I googled "Michigan Bulb coupon codes" and found a coupon code that ended up saving me nearly 50% off my purchase.  EBATES also lists available coupon codes under retailer links.         
3. Combine Cash Back Sites with Coupon Codes. 
4. Use Price Comparison Tools.  For pricey items, use Froogle (i.e., a google product search) to compare prices from various vendors.  Froogle allows you to sort your results by price (including shipping and tax) and also by vendors.
5. Split the Costs with a Friend.  Garden catalogs offer a great selection of unique, hard-to-find plants.  However, shipping prices or minimum quantity requirements can make these purchases less attractive for cost-conscious apartment gardeners.  To save on costs, combine orders with a fellow apartment gardener, family member or friend.  
6. Take Advantage of Guarantees.  Michigan Bulb, Co. offers its customers a life-time guarantee on their plants.  "Any item that does not grow and flourish to your complete satisfaction will be replaced free--with no time limit--for as long as you garden."  For novice gardeners who have not developed their green thumb yet, this life-time guarantee is a nice comfort.      

Continue to use these tips on all your online orders to maximize your overall savings!

If you have any more online saving tips, please feel free to post them in the comment section. 

Starting the New Year: $20 or $40 off Michigan Bulb Coupon Code

Garden catalogs are pouring in, and I am excited for another year of gardening.  This year I want to focus on my flower garden, and Michigan Bulb, Co. offered a good selection of beautiful flowers at a great deal.  See coupon codes below.

I have ordered:

• Sorbet Peony
• Green Envy Coneflower   
• Patty's Plum Poppy
• Rainbow Lewisia Mix
• Mixed Dutch Iris
• Crocosmia "Emily McKenzie"
• Twinkle Toes
• Passion Mixed Begonia
• Double Tuberose
• Hardy Orchid Mix
• Tea Cup Plant
• Banana Cream Daisy
• Hardy Mixed Carnations

Michigan Bulb, Co. Coupon Codes:

1. Get $20 off $40 purchase with coupon code 0817581 Exp. 2/11
2. Get $40 off $80 purchase with coupon code 0817588 Exp. 2/21

Four Things to Consider Before Planting a Balcony Garden

This article from Urban Sustainable Living discusses four things to consider before planting a garden on your balcony.  Specifically it talks about getting permission from your landlord, balcony weight limits, neighborly consideration when watering plants, and pollination issues.
For the full article, click here.

Weed Dating in Vermont

I came across this article on "weed dating," and I had to pass it on.  

  

What is weed dating?  It is basically speed dating with a practical purpose.  "Weed dating takes place on farms among rows of sprouting produce. Participants weed a row with a potential romantic interest, then move on to another row and another partner. At the end of the day, some people might have cultivated a mutual interest — and no matter, the field is freshly weeded."  The down side is that participants are charged $10 just for the "privilege" of weeding and meeting new people.    

Click Here for the Full Story .

I don't know if "weed dating" will gain popularity in other states, but you can still potentially make new connections and avoid paying a fee by volunteering for an organization or cause that you are interested in.  You may even get additional benefits for volunteering your time.  For example, volunteers for the University of California of Berkeley Botanical Gardens who volunteer at least 30 hours of their time can get free parking, shop discounts, and more.  

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds

I harvested sunflower seeds from my garden today.  I knew the sunflowers were ready for picking because the flower petals were gone, the leaves were brown, and a few seeds were already loose.  I just cut the stem, and rubbed my thumb across the seeds to loosen them.  Most of the seeds fell out effortlessly.   For the stubborn seeds I used a spoon to work them out.  My thumb is not fond of splinters.  

I am going to save some seeds for planting next season, but I am going to roast the rest.  This will be my first time roasting sunflower seeds.  I am going to follow the instructions on the National Sunflower Association website.  

I really enjoyed growing these flowers.  The blooms are large and showy, they last a long time, and I get a nice treat from them at the end of the season!  

Adding a Little Whimsy

You can add a little whimsy to old plants by placing fake birds among the foliage.  I bought this bird at Michael's craft store for $2.29.  They had a variety of fake birds available in assorted sizes, and they even had speckled bird eggs for sale.

Point Reyes Light House

Hi everyone!  I know I have not posted in a while.  I have been extremely busy with relatives and helping with weddings, bachelorette parties, and baby showers!  I have been taking mental notes of some new gardening topics I think are worth blogging about, but in the mean time, I wanted to share a few photos of my trip to Point Reyes Light House.  If you have not visited Point Reyes National Seashore (California) you should.  This place is absolutely beautiful and full of life and pleasant surprises.  If that is not tempting enough consider this---"a recent study by the University of Wisconsin found that only one spending category out of nine was actually shown to make us truly happy, and that category was leisure."  Ray Martin, a financial advisor, says "money spent on experiences such as a trip, versus material items, such as a car or a dining room set, will contribute more to your overall happiness."  I whole heartedly agree.
 

Photo 1: View of the coast from the path to the Light House.

Photo 2: I love how some plants can thrive just about anywhere.  

Photo 3:  Only one of the many views of the coast line.  We spotted several whales here!

Photo 4: Do you see the lizard here?

Photo 5:  Point Reyes Light House 

Photo 6:  302 steps back to the trail.  It is really not that bad at all, and there are a couple of rest stops along the way.   

Desert Gardens in Old Town San Diego

I visited Old Town San Diego, which is considered the "birthplace" of California.  It is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California.  I spent the afternoon checking out some creative goodies in outdoor and indoor shops, watching the horses, and eating some good grub at Barra Barra Saloon.  I noticed a wonderful assortment of potted cacti and succulents.  Many of them were in or just outside the Barra Barra Saloon.  I liked the use of unconventional containers like the wheelbarrow (See Photo 2-3), but I fell in love with the cacti/succulent screen/divider (Photo 5).

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

Photo 7

Photo 8