Gnomes & Fairies in Gardens- Oh my!

Like gnomes, fairies are among the magical wee folk that have long been fixtures in fables, myths, and ancient folklore.  Fairies bring luck, prosperity, and health to those whose gardens they inhabit, and, in fact, there are quite a few fluttering around the headquarters at PHAG on a daily basis.  So, when it comes to Fairy Gardening, we're the experts!

While you can literally convert any container into a fairy garden, the fairy gardening starter kit is a great place for the amateur fairy enthusiast to begin!  It includes everything you will need to create a garden for those playful, jovial creatures to frolic about when you're not looking.  More advanced fairy enthusiasts can shop for a range of miniature decor sets and accessories in PHAGs garden shop!

No interest in fairy gardening?  That never stopped a fairy from spreading a little dust!  Fairy dust is a sparkling, powdery substance that comes from magic crystals. According to the Elder Council of Fairies, close friends of PHAG, it is to be used by humans to add magical life to any space in a time of need (e.g. a hot night out at STIR lounge or an Atlantis cruise)!  Oh, and don't forget to make a special wish with each sparkling pinch!  Now, let your imagination run free, Fairy!

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A Real Garden for Foodies. . . For real!

Green Zebra tomatoes. . . Siam Queen Basil. . . If you're a real foodie, then having that "something special" that turns an ordinary meal into an experience is truly what your heart desires!

These Foodie Garden kits provide a sure way to get the freshest, most imaginative ingredients straight to your table.  Featuring hand-drawn illustrations by famed artist, Joel Holland, each of these clever Foodie Garden kits includes everything you need to get growing:  soil, seeds, even a portable tin planter. Choose from Basil-O-Holic with sweet, lemon, and Siam basils; XXX Pepper with Pepperoncini, Habanero, and cayenne chili peppers; or Tomato Takeover with Black Krim, Green Zebra, and Roma tomatoes.

Looking for other ways to turn an otherwise ordinary meal into an experience?  On Thursday, April 24, 2014, participate in Dining Out for Life!  It's the 24th Anniversary of the charitable dining tradition that began in Philadelphia, PA.  This year, more than 150 restaurants across the Delaware Valley will donate 33% of the night's proceeds to benefit men, women and children with HIV/AIDS.

So tell us, where will you Dine Out For Life, and what will your Foodie Garden grow?

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Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How do Your Comics Grow?

April is National Lawn & Garden month, and we're here to do our part in spreading the word!  Yes, you read our post title correctly, it's a comic geek's dream- a comic book that grows (and multiplies)!

Research cited by the National Gardening Association confirms that nurturing plants is universally good.  In doing so, attitudes toward health and nutrition are improved, community spirit grows, and kids even perform better at school!  Products like this colorful comic jacket of "The Gardener," support just that.  This easy-to-use kit contains two sheets of hand-made, recycled, plantable seed paper filled with mixed herbs.  To plant, you simply lay a single sheet on the soil, lightly cover with a topcoat, and water.

When it's this easy, what's the excuse not to join the celebration?  Come on, plant a comic this month, and help raise the spirit in your community!

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Gardening that doesn't "Succulent!"

It's a win-win anytime you can find a creative way to reuse combined with bringing a little "life" inside your home or office. Our suggestion, upcycle an old container and fill it with a succulent plant. Succulents require little maintenance, so they're incredibly easy to take care of. They add a bit of charm to any space making great house plants (and gifts)!

The first step (and probably the most enjoyable) is to choose a container. Rather than a conventional pot, upcylce an old mug, vintage creamer, jar, or can to use as your planter. The options really are endless! If you like the look, but don't have any of these items handy- hit up a yard sale, or pick a charming tabletop piece from your favorite retailer. Either way, a non-traditional container will give the plant a unique and attractive home that looks good in the center of a table, on a desk, or a patio.

The next step is to get dirty. As we mentioned, caring for succulents couldn't be easier, so to plant them, no green thumb is required. Once you have selected your container(s), fill them with potting soil and place a succulent on top. When using succulent (echeveria) cuttings, they root easily, so it shouldn't take more than three weeks.

Finally, show your new plants a little TLC. You don't have to water succulents frequently (usually about one or two times per month). Be careful not to over water the plants since the water can't escape from the container. Succulents can live in these beautiful containers for a long while, just be certain to give them plenty of access to bright sunlight!