Keep the kids busy these winter holidays…

With the help of Bliss mum’s Sarah and Kylie we have compiled a list of ideas to keep the kids busy and having truckloads of fun these school holidays.

What free activities are there to do in Canberra?
(not from Canberra? no need to leave... just scroll down)

If it’s a sunny day then pack up a picnic and head out to one of Canberra’s great parks. Oh and don’t forget to throw the bikes and helmets in the boot if you’ve got room. 

Here’s our top picks... 
Kambah Adventure Playground, (Springbett St, Kambah) is a top spot for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. There’s several flying foxes, a ‘tarzan’ swing and a space net as well as a picnic area, toilets and a bbq.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is an easy 40min drive from Canberra and a great spot for the kids to explore, with lots of walking trails, a playground and a visitor centre. Check out www.tidbinbilla.com.au for more info.

Yerrabi Pond, off Gundaroo Dr in Gungahlin is great pick for those on the northside. Again, there’s an ‘adventure’ playground complete with flying fox and a skate bowl that caters to beginners and experts alike. If your kids get a kick out of wildlife it’s also a great place to hang out with the ducks. We were going to suggest taking some bread to feed them but on further investigation this appears to be a bad idea (not good for the duckies little tummies it seems!) So, after a quick google, we found these interesting alternatives.

• Grapes cut in half 
• Cracked corn, barley, oats, birdseed or other grains 
• Frozen peas that have been defrosted 
• Duck feed pellets available from farm supply stores

There’s also the Botanical Gardens at Black Mountain, John Knight Park in Belconnen and Commonwealth Park at Lake Burley Griffin. Lake BG is a great spot for older kids to ride their bikes along the paths. 

But what if its too cold to be outside?

Let’s be honest - this is going to be the case more often than not here in the nations capital isn’t it? If you still need to get out of the house then try these options:

War Memorial - free AND educational! 

Monkey Mania at DFO, - bit pricey, particularly if you’ve got more than one but a great spot for all ages. (Older kids can even be left to run wild while parents go shopping) www.monkeymania.com.au/fyshwick 

Got a dino-mad toddler? The National Dinosaur Museum at Gold Creek might take their fancy. Again, it requires a bit of $$ for adults and older kids but is free for under 4’s. Bear in mind though that they aren’t open on Fridays. www.nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au 

Now here’s the cool bit. 
(Non-Canberrans start reading again here...)
Our Bliss mums' top picks for staying at home and having good old fashioned fun!

In the Kitchen...

• Ice and decorate Arrowroot biscuits or cupcakes with lollies, fruit, nuts or sprinkles.
• Grab a cheap packet cake mix from the supermarket and teach them the fine art of adding eggs and milk. (Cook it in the microwave and they will see it rise before there very eyes.)
• Using a pancake batter, make letter shaped pancakes using a pouring jug. Adult supervision required obviously but Kylie says this is her tribes all-time favourite activity.
• Use a popcorn maker or buy microwave popcorn packets and let the popping begin! There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh cooked popcorn is there?
• Play a beginner’s version of Ready, Steady, Cook. Grab 4-5 random ingredients from the pantry or fridge and have them come up with something yummy for lunch.
• Make play dough - http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Play-Dough-L926.html 

  
Craft / Make&Do

• Every kid loves a cubby house. Grab blankets, sheets, chairs and tables and create your very own Grand Design. 
• How about paper aeroplane races?
• Use water-based paints to paint pictures on the windows. Washes off easily with Spray and Wipe.
• Raid the recycling bin and make cities/towns, animals, farms, drums, maracas etc. with milk bottles and cereal boxes. Also grab some texters, tape and scissors. A hint learned from experience here is to give them masking tape instead of cello tape – easier for little fingers to find the end. If they're really serious about their recycled creations then we have some awesome little 'connector systems' at Bliss that might take their fancy - http://www.blissgardengiftware.com.au/index.php?PCID=15072
• Balloon juggling balls = hours of fun and the chance to learn a cool new party trick. They make up really quickly and easily too. Find a great set of instructions here - www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/jugglingballs.htm 
• Ever made a ‘Grassy Head’ – Yet another uber cool activity. Check out http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/grass-heads.html 
• Grab a bag of pipe cleaners from the craft shop and let them go crazy.  Google ‘pipe cleaner craft’ for loads of inspiration.
• If you’ve been blessed with the talent of crochet, knitting or sewing spend an hour or so passing on the art to your cherubs... lots of patience and that aforementioned bowl of popcorn will possibly be required.
• Or there’s always the easier and simpler form of French Knitting for the rest of us. 
• Lastly, get them to perform a play or musical using the instruments they made from the recycling. Film it on your camera or phone and then have Movie Night and play it back on the ‘big screen’ (ie. tv or computer)

Games and puzzles etc – oldies but goodies.

• Hide & seek
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Treasure hunt
• Board games arvo with their homemade goodies and fresh squeezed OJ
• Turn the music up load and have a dance party.

Oh and finally, we can’t go without mentioning possibly the most exciting thing to hit Canberra this season – ICE SKATING in Garema Place? Yes, it’s true! http://www.inthecitycanberra.com.au/skate/ for more info.

Hopefully we’ve given you a few ideas to help you get through the next few weeks.  We welcome little people at Bliss too so if you're wanting to come and visit us for a browse then feel free to bring the kidlets. Tulips Cafe next door has a small playground so you can recharge with coffee and cake while they play. Happy holidays. 

The Bliss team.  

FAQs on Choosing and Caring for Potted Plants : Part 1

By Iain Eaton

Owner and Horticulturalist (ie. expert garden dude) at Bliss.

DESIGN :

Is there any reason I should go for a tall pot or squat?

If space is a consideration then yes, go for a taller narrow pot.

If the pot and plant are going to be exposed to wind, then a shorter wider pot would be safer. You’ll need one with a wider base touching the ground and a lower center of gravity.

As far as the look, this is up to you. It can be so hard going to the shop to buy your Garden Pot and not having a clue which one will look the best. One idea is to pick a few shapes and colours you like, and then paint and cut out cardboard to emulate the shapes you like. A little effort, but much easier than lugging ceramic pots home and back again when you don’t like them! Some shops will let you buy the smallest version of a pot you like to take home and try the colour out, making it easier to bring them back when you know what you want.

Some plants, such as camellias, have a shallow root system and will be better in a shallow, wide pot.

Do darker pots get hotter in the sun?

Yes. Therefore the moisture in the potting mix will evaporate quicker. Also consider how thick the wall of the pot is. Pots with a glaze or with thicker walls won’t heat the soil as much, therefore less evaporation occurs.

MAINTENANCE/CARE

Do I need to seal my garden pots?

My advice is to seal any pot you buy, be it terracotta, glazed, Fibreclay or fibreglass. This will do a few things.  

• Reduce evaporation and keep your potting mix moist for longer.
• It will also stop salts and lime leaching out of the pot and depositing on the exterior. Yes, I have seen this before. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does it can be quite unsightly.  
• If you get frosts, the less water leaching into the wall of the pot the better. If it freezes, depending on the quality of the pot, it may crack.

How often should I water a plant in a Garden Pot?

Unfortunately there is no ideal watering time as there are so many variables. Size of the plant, size of the root ball, the season, direct sun or shade, type of garden pot  (ie glazed/terracotta), size of the pot, type of soil, mulch or no mulch… see what I mean?

The ideal way to know how much water to give a plant in a pot is to give it a good soak and then check the potting mix every day for a few weeks. Do this by digging down at least half way to the bottom of the pot and feel the mix with your hand. The potting Mix must be moist, but not wet. If you let it dry out completely it can be very hard to re-wet, even with Wetting Agent.

If you’re game you can also give your plant a good soak, then wait till it starts to droop. If it takes 3 days then water every 2 days. The problem with this method is that some plants don’t droop, they just die, like conifers.

Watering a newly potted plant

Any newly potted plant must be watered  with the same regularity as it was when it was in its original pot. Of course the roots will spread out into the fresh potting mix in time and as this happens you will not need to water as often.

Do I need pot feet/saucer?

Saucers are obviously good for catching excess water so it doesn’t run out onto your nice deck or paving. However usually they aren’t deep enough to hold excess water for the plant to use. Even if they are, the plant may not always be able to reach it, so don’t rely on this. Also bear in mind that if you expect the saucer to keep the spot under the pot dry, you may be disappointed. They are rarely perfectly water tight, so you will often have a wet patch below the saucer. If you need to keep it dry, don’t put a pot there.

Pot feet are actually better at keeping a spot dry. Yes the excess water will run onto the deck/paving but it will be allowed to dry since the pot is held off the ground.

Do I need to have stones in the base of my pot?

No… but it doesn’t hurt. Potting Mix is designed to drain well. If your pot has adequate drainage holes you don’t need stones in the bottom of the pot.

Can I use soil (dirt) in my pot instead of Potting Mix?

No you shouldn’t. There are a number of reasons, but the main one is water holding capacity/drainage. Garden soils will hold a lot of water. However, when they dry out they will shrink and it is very hard to re-wet them. The water will run straight through the dried out cracks or the down the inside edge of the pot and out the bottom.

Can I use half dirt / half Potting mix?

No, if you want to make it cheaper, use a cheap Potting Mix in the bottom of the pot with the good one at the top. Alternatively if it is a large pot and you want to save on Potting Mix, use old bricks or rocks in the bottom to take up room.

Can I use a cheap Potting Mix?

Yes…. But in my opinion a potting mix must have 2 key ingredients. Slow release fertilizer, and wetting agent. Usually cheap potting mixes won’t have these. Basically a cheap Potting Mix will be composted  bark chips only (hopefully...)

So in short

• You need Wetting Agent, renew every 6-12 months
• Slow release fertilizer, renew every 6-12 months
• If you’ve got an expensive plant, don’t buy a cheap potting mix
• If you’re planting Pansies or Petunias, it doesn’t matter so much

 

What potting mix should I use?

How much do you care for your plant? Is it a keeper, or just annuals? If it is a keeper, ie a lemon, or a standard camellia, choose a quality potting mix. The things to look for are

• Australian standard ticks,
• Good slow release fertilizer, ie osmocote, nutricote
• Trace elements
• Wetting agent

What fertilizer do I use?

The best fertilizer to use in a Garden Pot is a “slow release”. These release fertilizer by osmosis – were you listening in High School science class? Basically it releases as the plant needs it, not harming the plant with an excess of salts burning the roots. These fertilizers will last up to 6 months, unlike normal garden fertilizer which will virtually leach straight through.

For heavy feeding plants, ie Fruit trees, it can be beneficial to use a soluble fertilizer as well as the slow release. These are usually a powder which you mix into water in a watering can.

It doesn’t hurt to add manure, blood and bone, or seasol. But I think the best value of these are as soil conditioners. They add organic matter and nutrient to impoverished soils. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I'll go through some suggested plants for pots and what special requirements each may have.

Your Winter Checklist

Well there’s no denying it – Winter is well and truly upon us, but that’s certainly no reason to pack up and hibernate. The cold outside is the perfect excuse to freshen up your interiors and create a feeling of warmth and cheer. We’re in for the long haul guys - so here’s a few simple but effective ideas for getting your ‘cosy’ on this year.

The Heart of the Home 
Firelight will not let you read fine stories but it's warm and you won't see the dust on the floor.  ~Irish Proverb

Nothing says ‘warm-inside-when-it’s-cold-out’ more than a fireplace right? If you have this special luxury in your home you know it’s often the centre of your family – where everyone gathers in the evening, where you entertain guests, where you snuggle with the one you love... What better reasons are there to make it look super snazzy?

Add a decorative fire screen and fire set (practical as well as pretty!) and a big woven basket or vintage crate for storing firewood. If you have one, use the mantle for photos and vases, the kid’s latest masterpieces or even your collection of ceramic cat figurines. Mix it up whenever you get bored of it. How about hanging a beautiful piece of artwork or even a stunning mirror or oversize clock above the mantle? Or, if you’ve got the room, roll out a shaggy rug and a couple of beanbags in front for long evenings chatting and gazing into the flames.

Snug as a Bug

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, a dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.  ~Robert Montgomery

Don’t forget to bring out the flannel sheets and pj’s. Or if you’re feeling cashed up, splash out on a new set in a colour or pattern you’ve never had before... Oh and for the next few months slippers are going to be your best friend so best grab a pair of those too (may we suggest some Aussie made uggboots?)

Ps. If you’re an electric blanket user make sure you check it regularly for damage or wear.

Smell the Roses 
Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.  ~Chinese Proverb

Ok, so you’re all toasty in your new pj’s and you’ve settled down with a good book... or maybe you’ve got the neighbours over for dinner and you’re all relaxing in the lounge room with a cup of tea and some chocolate pudding - Is it not the perfect time to light a scented candle? Actually, you don’t even need a reason do you? Stock up on natural soy candles for the winter months and treat your nose to something spesh! Vanilla bean, lemongrass, raspberry, French pear, cedarwood, coconut...

It’s all about the ‘ambience’ darling...

Light is good from whatever lamp it shines.  ~Author Unknown

Can we be bold and say lamps are possibly the single best way to make a room cosy and inviting? Have you got one beside the bed? Have you got one in the kids room? Have you got one in the lounge room? Study? Entry? If you answered no to any of these here is what we suggest you do.... GET SOME NEW LAMPS! Now ‘new’ doesn’t necessarily mean expensive either. Op shops are deadset treasure troves for old lamps and if you stick with a reputable chain (Salvos or Vinnies etc) they are generally always checked and tested by a qualified electrician before being put out for sale. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Evenings with the TV

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.  ~Jane Austen

Add a few extra cushions to your couch and pull out a throw rug or two for snuggle time in front of the TV.  The added bonus to this is that you could turn your heating down a degree or two and not even notice – and if you listen carefully you will hear the ‘ka-ching, ka-ching’ from all that money you’re saving...

If you’re in the market for new cushions don’t  be afraid to go for bold patterns and rich colours for added warmth. If you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine you could even churn out a few new cushion covers in a couple of hours (search YouTube for hundreds of how-to vids.)

Oh, and while you’re on YouTube, search for tutorials on how to knit or crochet. A handy skill that not only keeps you entertained on cold winter evenings but will keep you and the family in constant supply of scarves, beanies, cushion covers, tea cosies, jumpers, cardies etc.

What to get for Mum this Mothers Day

 "The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."

~Rajneesh

Even the cluckiest woman alive doesn't truly know what it feels like to be a mother until that little miracle is placed in her arms, and her journey of giving begins! Years of wiping noses, tears and bottoms and dishing out cuddles, meals and pocket money is all in day's work for Mum, with little thought of herself.

So don't you think Mum deserves a little something in return? 

Even when she says 'Don't go to any fuss!' she's really thinking 'Wouldn't it be nice if they did?' So the main thing to remember is that it's Mum's extra special day, so do something for her that she will love (even if it sounds a bit tame for you!).

Here's some suggestions: 

Treat Mum to a family meal. In a recent study of Mother's Day spending, this was at the top of the list. It doesn't matter where you go or what you eat - just make sure Mum doesn't have to cook! Gather the whole clan and head for a beautiful park or café for a long, lazy brunch, lunch or dinner.

A lot of Mums like a bit of physical pampering. A trip to a day spa, massage, or beauty treatment, will often go down well. What about letting her have a sleep in and then bringing her breakfast in bed? An oldie but a goody.

Does Mum like a wrapped gift? How do you know what to get? Take note of her taste. What colours dominate her house? Does she have a hobby? Does she entertain guests? Is she an indoor person or a gardener? Does she like to wear a bit of bling?! These are good questions to ask yourself before gift shopping for Mum. 

Now what about those Mums who don't live nearby? A bunch of flowers ordered over the internet will surely bring a smile to her face. Small gifts like jewellery are easy to post. Or what about sending some updated photos of yourself and/or the kids? Maybe in a frame or an album?

Most popular Mother's Day gifts at Bliss

• Unique handmade jewellery
• Designer doormats
• Dainty plants in ceramic pots (a living bouquet)
• Pretty heat pillows
• Iron wall decor
• Unique kitchenware
• Beautiful handbags
• Gift vouchers

Gift vouchers can seem a bit impersonal, but if your Mum likes to browse and choose her own luxuries then it's as easy as choosing the right store for Mum to indulge herself in. Make it an outing for the both of you!

Treat your Mum this Mother's Day and make her day special.

Bliss & Ecoya - Back Together Again!

We're a little bit smitten with our latest squeeze Ecoya. We had a brief fling early last year but it didn't last... We were shattered to say the least so when the aforementioned delicious dish looked our way again recently we jumped at the chance to bask in that glorious puppy love once again. We're now looking forward to a long and harmonious union!

We have stocked up an all the beautiful fragrant candles Ecoya have on offer and we really want to share them with you.

Ecoya are an Australian company based in Botany Bay who make all natural soy candles and beauty products.  Here's a quick rundown on why soy candles differ from others. Most candles on the market today are made from paraffin wax which is a by product of petroleum refining and as such can often emit unpleasant vapours into your home.  Soy candles burn cleaner and are non-toxic. They also burn at a lower temperature than other waxes and any spills can be cleaned easily with hot soapy water. Because they burn slower than other candles they will last longer too. And finally soy, unlike paraffin, is a renewable resource.

So, now you've had your science lesson lets get to the good bit. The fragrances...

WILD FRANGIPANI - voluptuous with complex buttery intricacies and subtle nuances of rose. A fragrance that builds in layers throughout burn.
 

FRENCH PEAR - spicy cinnamon, star anise characteristics reminiscent of stewed apples with crumble. Hints of all spice, juniper berries, cranberries, nutmeg and tropical fruit.

LEMONGRASS & GINGER - clean and refreshing citrus, lemon thyme and lime. Well balanced - not heavy handed. Hints of African mint.

LOTUS FLOWER - elusive, pineapple, sweet cotton candy notes with a light floral aspect, almost lavender. Warm floral and comforting.

SWEET PEA & JASMINE - light, refreshing, watermelon and cucumber tones, refreshing notes of lavender.

VANILLA BEAN - butterscotch and vanilla tones, mouth watering and edible. Rich, luxurious, dense and full with hints of caramel and toffee.

Need we say anymore?

Plant of the Month – Cordylines

Cordylines add a permanent spark of colour to the garden, and mix beautifully with green foliage plants such as palms and cycads. Although they will survive in quite low light, they need a brightly-lit position for best foliage colour. They are surprisingly hardy and there are several frost-tolerant varieties that grow well in Canberra.

While Cordylines like regular watering for optimum growth, once established they will tolerate dry spells better than most plants. Another great aspect to these plants are all the different colours available. There's everything from black to pink to burgundy to green and yellow. One of our recent favourites at Bliss is the Electric Pink (pictured) - yes it looks just like it sounds!

Cordylines are super easy to propagate as well.  A great solution for when they start getting too tall. Just cut the stem about 5cm from the base. This stump will then produce new shoots and a brand new plant. The cutting you can then divide into 'logs' about 7cm long and plant in propagation mix or even regular potting mix and they will soon strike. Once established they can be moved to garden or pot. The top part of the plant with the leaves can just be pushed back into the soil. It should grow if you plant it in a sunny position, keep the water up to it and perhaps reduce the size and number of leaves.

Unfortunately, cordylines are not just attractive to us though. They're also quite appealing to grasshoppers and snails. If you find you're having problems of the slimy variety give these ideas a try. As far as snails go, it's easy - use traditional control methods like pellets, beer traps or just squishing... (eww!) But for grasshoppers, boil up a cup of hot chillies in a litre of water. When it's cooled, strain the liquid and add a third of a cup of soap flakes. Then spray the plant with this mix. Some like it hot, but grasshoppers don't. 

Plant of the Month – Hardy Water Lilies

Water lilies are the jewels of nearly all water garden designs. These beautiful, low maintenance plants form the colour palette of the pond and now is the time of year they’re looking their best.

There are generally two types of water lilies that will grow in Australia, Tropical and Hardy, but being in the cooler regions here in Canberra your best option is the latter, a frost tolerant plant from the Nymphaea family.

At Bliss we have several varieties to choose from including apricots, pinks, reds, whites and yellows. Some even change colours and are referred to as changeable.

The majority of water lilies produce flowers 10-20cm wide. But there are also pygmy or miniature water lilies varieties with flowers as small as 4cm wide. Hardy water lilies flower during the daytime and generally have their flowers floating on the water surface or only just above it.

How do I keep my water lilies flowering?

Water lilies flower during the warmer months; the time and frequency depend on the variety and also the conditions that the plant is growing in. Some varieties flower more than others, but the key to good flowering is sunlight and food. Water lilies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight in order to flower. Not filtered or reflected light, but directly in the sun's rays. They are also heavy feeders, and as such need a good source of nutrients to give the plant the vigour to grow and produce flowers. Each flower only blooms for 4-5 days so it is important to use good slow release fertilisers to encourage more flowers.

How deep can I plant my water lilies?

To get the best results you need to plant a water lily at the correct depth. Smaller miniature water lilies need only 5-10cm of water over the crown (the growing tip that produces the leaves), making them ideal for planting in bowls and smaller water features. Hardy water lilies prefer the deeper pond water and will grow happily in 40-60cm of water.

Most hardy water lilies have been grown and bred from varieties that originated in the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They will survive severe frost provided that the rhizome's (the crown/root stocks) do not freeze. There are no hardy water lilies native to Australia.

Key factors to successfully get hardy water lilies flowering.

Hardy water lilies vary greatly in their flowering performance. Some will only produce a few flowers per month while others can produce many each week. The white and paler pink varieties tend to produce fewer flowers. Most hardy water lilies will produce flowers within the first year of being planted, however there are some varieties that only flower once they have almost over grown the container. They need to form a colony (multiple) of rhizomes before they can flower.

Day length is probably the number one factor affecting the ability of hardy water lilies to flower. In the southern states of Australia, the day length change is far greater than in the tropical northern regions. In Canberra flowering tends to start late September and carry through to about late March.

Temperature is the second factor that affects flowering. Typically hardy water lilies start to flower at temperatures above 16-18°C. Many of the darker coloured red-pink varieties are susceptible to petal burn at temperatures above 32°C, others that have been bred from colder climate varieties may even slow or stop flowering, in the heights of summer, as it becomes too hot for them.

As with any garden plant, the larger the plant, the more flowers that can be produced. At Bliss we sell only the flowering sized plants, the majority of them in 20cm pots for easy transportation. This is the smallest container that you should grow them in. A smaller container will only allow a smaller root system to grow, resulting in weaker, poorer performing plants.

A plant that is growing vigorously is able to produce more leaves and in turn produce not only more flowers but also larger sized flowers. For best performance hardy water lilies need room to grow and lots of food. We recommend using slow release fertiliser tablets inserted into the soil.

If you’ve ever considered a water lily for your pond or have been thinking of adding another then now is the time to get them in and established before the cooler months arrive.