Now is the time to think about planning for next year's look for those wonderful container and garden planters. If you haven't kept a Journal this past season, now may be the time to start. With the New Year approaching, select a color Journal and start writing down those ideas for new arrangements for next season. We will pass along ideas as we receive them from our friends and customers. Merry Christmas!

We are always looking for a creative way to get food out to the birds during the Winter season. One project that even the children love to do is to hollow out a large apple and mix enough birdseed and peanut butter to fill the crater. Make sure that you have enough peanut butter to hold the seeds together well. To attach your apple to a tree limb or hang from a hook, just insert four nails evenly around the apple leaving enough room at the end of each nail to attach string or raffia lengths. There you have it!

Just a couple of reasons that I can think of to grow in pots and containers - not all plants are suited to the soil conditions in your garden or the soil in a specific place in your garden. You can have just the soil you want in your garden planter, container or urn. Have the look desired anywhere in your garden setting is just one good reason to grow with outdoor containers.

It seems that cooking and gardening do go hand in hand! You can grow your own rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) for that turkey stuffing in your garden container indoors and outdoors. The miniature rosemary Christmas trees are everywhere this time of year. You can use your "tree" and decorate for the season and/or just snip off a few stems to use in your turkey stuffing. Rosemary can last many seasons; however, they will need to be moved to larger pots as they get bigger. They are tough little plants and can stand dry climate and low sunlight for a period of time. Keep them watered well. One of the easiest ways to do this is to simply place a handful of ice cubes on top of the soil. The cubes melt slowly and reduce the change of water puddles around the planter.

Even though it is late in the season, I always get inspired by a visit to the nursery. At this time of year there are so many bulbs available for forcing, colorful plants and arrangement ideas for your planters. Retrieve those garden urns and planters from the storage area and get going.

Even without the very acid garden soil, you can enjoy these wonderful Azaeleas in your Garden Pot and Planters. Make sure you pot up your container with ericaceous compost first. Azaeleas come in a wide range of colors from pure white, to deep pinks and reds. Some even have a wonderful smell - doesn't that make you think Spring! Plant your Azaelea in the center of your container and surrond it with campanulas that hang over the sides. Top with your compost. After the Azaelea has finished blooming, you have the campanulas for the balance of the season.