The Bling Bling Flower Ring

I've always told myself that if I am going to make a real go of my own business that I would have a true passion for what I was doing and allow myself to laugh at my mistakes. Heck, for the first time in my life I'm my own boss so there is no one to report to but me!

This past growing season has taught me more than I have learned in my past 35 years of gardening. The people that I have met this summer are genuine and full of true gardening wisdom. Everyone is willing to share their tried and true tips which saves so much trial and error. It is my goal one day to gather all the information and write a book to share gardening advice local to Maine and specific to our region.

Getting back to the reason I started this blog. My friend Erika (part time yard saler and buyer for PPGP) found these really neat flower rings at a shop in Boothbay Harbor. So I had her buy them out and sold them at the shop. They became popular real fast and it wasn't long before there was only one left so I called the store and asked where they got them from. I have been bounced around and no one is returning my calls so I thought I would research them online on my own.

After hours of looking on the internet, I finally found the rings! I ordered a dozen of them along with some mood rings. The package arrived and I was excited to see the rings in all the sparkley colors. Well you can imagine the shock when I opened the package and they were about 10 times the size of the original rings! I laughed out loud and displayed them in the shop despite their massive gaudiness. They have been quite the conversation piece. I still have 6 more if you are interested!

Here are some pictures of the rings - the one I tried to reorder and the one I actually received.

When my friend was driving in front of me the glare from the big ring was blinding me.

FACE PLANT

New idea~

Cut Flowers

They are late this year, but they are in full blossom now and are ready for bouquets! Call to order or swing by and we will make one up for you! We also do arrangements for small events and weddings!
Colorful and longlasting - get 'em while you can!

We deliver within a 15 mile radius of Litchfield.

August 2009 Perennial Swap

Thank you to everyone who attended the perennial swap last week! We had alot of fun!
The GARDEN SORRY game added a new twist to the event. Approximately 15 people showed up and hopefully went home with plants and garden art that they are happy with!

A Very Unique Moth

A customer at the shop noticed this moth on a little trellis. I have never seen one like it...It almost appears as though the black cross on it's back was it's way of blending in with the trellis.
Or maybe it's just a religious moth?

Future Red Hatter!

The picture says it all!

Red Hatters Visit

June 28, 2009
I smile as I write this because I had no idea how much fun the Red Hatters were going to be. The ladies came all dressed in RED and PURPLE with lots of accessories and laughter. Not once did they hesitate to walk the nature trail in the pouring rain! I especially loved their RED umbrella's and RED mud shoes.

The 3 year old future RED HATTER who is the granddaughter of one of the ladies was too cute for words and I mean that!

Thank you ladies for bringing lots of bright sunshine to Petal Pushers Garden Place on such a gloomy day! I want my Grandmother to become a RED HATTER!!!

This head made its own eyes and eyebrows.
Pretty neat!

Only 4 curly wurly's left!

The Peonies are in full bloom and they are the most beautiful flower in the world to me. If there is a smell in Heaven, it is that of a Peony!

Unfortunately the rain is taking it's toll on them. I went out tonight in the dark to cut a bouquet before the next rain comes.

Today has been busy at the shop! I love seeing repeat customers and customers that have been referred by another visitor from PPGP. The people I have met are so kind. The tips we share and the trades we make are so much fun!

I truly can't say I'd rather be doing anything else! My heart and soul are into it and I thank God for steering me in this direction.

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by. I will continue to make your visiting PPGP a memorable experience.

The Curly Wurly Plant

The plant that I've enjoyed most both last year and this year is the Juncas "Curly Wurly" Rush Grass Plant. Like it's name suggests, it curls in all directions and provides funky eye-candy. It looks great in the stone heads I make or in a deep pottery style vase. It can be planted alone or in an arrangement, and makes a great plant for banks of ponds. It's unique curled foliage will certainly grab the attention of both the young and old! This plant likes to be watered, but doesn't like to have its roots sit in water. They are selling fast and we are working off the last shipment of the year. There are about 10 left so if you are interested, you may want to come by this week!

Seeds Seeds and More Seeds

I have spent the last 4 days planting seeds. Some of them are already germinating. My favorite Zinnia's are up about an inch. The cutting garden should be beautiful this year!

Some wonderful people have stopped by the shop over the past few weeks. We have had alot of fun learning from each other. Some great tips from some great gardeners! One of the visitors, Nellie, invited me to her place and I was so amazed. Her gardens are beautiful with rustic fences, fairies, buddahs and so much more. The flowers were absolutely gorgeous and she was so willing to walk through the gardens telling me what everything is. She only lives a mile or two from me and I never would have met her if she hadn't come by. Thanks Nellie!

The stoneheads are becoming popular! More and more people are stopping by to purchase them. I need to get back out and make more.

Every day I feel more and more blessed to be doing something my heart is into. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to share my passion. It's been a pleasure meeting everyone and I do hope to see you all again! I will be scheduling the plant swap soon.

Wildflower Walk on May 3, 2009

A great group of folks joined in for this year's wildflower walk led by Susan Hayward, President of Stanton Bird Club and environmental educator. We always learn something new from her and are very grateful to have had her with us.

On our walk, the plants that were identified growing along the nature trail include: Clintonia or Blue Bead, Patridge Berry, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, Sasparilla, Horsetail, Canada Mayflower, Bell Wart, Mayapple, Christmas Fern, Twisted Rosey Stick, Daphne, Honey Suckle, Star Flower, Jack in the Pulpit and Goosefoot Maple.

It's Mother's Day Weekend and the shop was open for the first time since last fall. It was great to see everyone who stopped by and thank you for your support!

I know we all are getting inpatient with wanting to plant annuals in the ground now BUT remember it is not safe yet unless you are prepared to shelter them from potential frosts. It has been an early spring this year....everything is ahead of schedule but beware that we are not past the risk of frost yet!!!

We currently have in stock: Hanging Baskets, Pansy Flats, and Curly Wurly's are here! If you're looking for an unusual fun plant, you must get yourself a Curly Wurly!

Hope to see you all on Memorial Day weekend when it will be the grand opening for PPGP. We will have tons of fresh and gorgeous new annuals and of course our hardy perennials, native plants and gifts for the gardener. Hope to see you then!

Horse Tail growing down by the brook. This abrasive plant was used for cleaning pots and pans and filing things.

The Brook

Petal Pushers Nature Trail

It amazes me at how beautiful the plants are that we had nothing to do with planting or maintaining. They are simply a gift from Mother Nature.

Spring Flowers

Forsythia Blosoms, April 2009

Trillium, April 2009

Ferns ready to unravel, April 29, 2009 at Petal Pushers Woodland Garden

March 1, 2009

I always think when March 1st hits that spring is just about here. With the next snowstorm knocking at our doorstep, I'm wondering when we will see the grass again. When will all this snow melt and how long will mud season be? I do believe mud season is a fifth season in Maine. It's the period between the snow melting and being able to work the ground.

Tomorrow I will begin winter sowing, which is a process that tricks perennial seeds into germinating earlier. The method I will use is by cutting a milk jug in half and filling the bottom half with soil. I sprinkle the perennial seeds that I saved from last year all over the top. Sprinkle more dirt on top of the seeds (not too much) and tamp lightly. Next, the top of the milk jug is taped back on to the bottom half with duct tape. Remove the cap from the top half and place in a snowbank. Check every week or so. As the weather warms, remove the top half of the milk jug during the day and replace lightly at night.

Next week I will begin to work on my seed order for the cutting and vegetable garden. This year the crop will be flip flopped to hopefully fool the tomato hornworms!