green Archives - An Appealing Plan

May 2, 2012April 2, 2023

High Style Planters As Clothing??

“Searching for clothing with room to grow? Look no further than Egle Cekanaviciute’s six-piece “Seed” collection, which doubles as a series of wearable planters. Using potato sacks and tailor’s muslin, the LIthuanian designer deftly manipulated familiar silhouettes to accommodate a sprawling assortment of living flora. Beneath the superficial whimsy, however, is a profound sentiment about human creation—specifically, our fundamental helplessness against “the power of nature.””

If you follow my posts you know I am a huge gardener, anything Eco lover, recycling, design, etc… everything that this collection stands for, BUT, even I’m not sure I could wear these and be serious. I mean as it is, at almost 6′ tall I am a pretty tall girl, and having a tree growing out behind me would just put me over the top!

That all being said, I love the concept and am pretty much jealous I didn’t come up with it…Would have loved to be at the runway show and see it in its glory.

As they stated, Fashion you can Grow with. Would you buy them?? Have an appealing day. ~ kf.

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April 16, 2012April 12, 2022

Sunday Morning Container Gardening on ABC Action News

This past Sunday I was luck enough to be invited to the set of the Tampa Bay ABC Action News to discuss container gardening. Check out the video by clicking on the picture to the left.

Of course I was worried about getting soil all over the clean red carpet, but I managed to keep it under control and didn’t make too much of a mess after all.

WHY CONTAINER GARDENING?

There are many reasons to start gardening in containers:

Bad soil or poor soil
Portability
Vines or aggressive plants can be controlled with containers rather than planting in the ground
Change seasonally or to match a theme
Use on patios, entranceway, pool decks – where you can’t normally plant
Use as a barrier for pools or condo areas where you are not able to plant in the ground

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE YOUR PLANT SELECTION?

Where will this container be placed, will be the biggest factor determining what plants you will select. Will it be inside or outside; full Sun, full shade or somewhere in between. Consider how much time you would like to spend caring for the containers? Once you consider these factors head to your local nursery and you will find a vast array of plant in very color that will work for your requirements.

DON’T LIMIT YOURSELF TO JUST FLOWERS

Containers with the most visual appeal and interest combine flowers, with edible plants such as herbs and vegetables. As long as you select varieties that will need similar conditions they will all live happily in one container. For a medium size container choose one or two herbs, one vegetable that will do well in a container and one flower plant. For larger container choose bring in another flowering plant or slow growing herb. By growing herbs at home you will be able to get creative and try new recipes and always be ready to dress up a table when entertaining.

DON’T BE INTIMIDATED

YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG. Just give it a try. If a combination doesn’t work try a new one. Gardening is a process and always changing.

Enjoy it.

Happy Planting. ~kf.

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April 11, 2012April 12, 2022

EcoFest 2012. Be there and be GREEN!

EcoFest 2012 is a community event organized by Learning Gate Community School to celebrate the many businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Tampa Bay area dedicated to the principles of sustainability – Ecology, Equity and Economy.

EcoFest 2012 will be held on April 14, 2012 on the school grounds in Lutz, Florida. The event will be open to the public from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Admission to the event is free.

There will be live music, workshops, demonstrations, informational booths, green living products and services. Some local artists, green businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, organic farms and gardens with produce. All vendors must supply their own tables, chairs and tents. In addition, we encourage you to become an EcoFest 2012 sponsor to highlight your green brand within the community.

Presentation	Speaker	Time
How to Conserve and Store water as our natural resource	Virginia Overstreet – Water Wise	10:25am
The Scoop on Chicken Coops – The Care & Well being of Chickens	Joey Holloway – Halloway Farms	10:30am
Growing Scientists Hands-On Environmental Projects	Jim McGinity – Learning Gate	11:05am
Garden Containers – easy gardening for everyone	Kray Funch	11:30am
What is composting, and how nature processes organic materials	Monica Ragukas	11:45am
Project Based Learning at Learning Gate Middle/High	Summer Solomon – Learning Gate	12:15pm
Rain Barrels – How to effectively store rain water & how it benefits us	Shelly Stein	12:45pm
Greening Your Environment – How you can inspire others to be more eco-friendly and earth conscious. Let’s come together and learn how we can all be a part of the solution!	Lisa Custer – Going Green Tampa	1:00pm
GATES High School Presentation	Patti Girard – Learning Gate	1:00pm & 2:00pm
Why is Learning Gate an Award Winning Green School?	Susan Burell	2:00pm

March 19, 2012February 10, 2015

Starck Design meets Electric Golf Cart = V+

Always on the hunt for new and green designs I came across a recent Wall Street Journal Style & Travel article interviewing one of my favorite designers Philippe Starck regarding his latest creation: “French designer Philippe Starck hates cars. They’re noisy, dirty, anti-social, masochistic and they bring out the worst in people, he says. He recognizes, though, that people sometimes need locomotion. To that end, he has created an electric vehicle, which is on display this week at the Geneva Auto Show and will retail for about $40,000. The pared-down design of the V+ Volteis by Starck—it resembles a golf cart more than a car that could withstand urban use—seems to prioritize form over function. “If you look at the electric vehicles on offer today, they’re unbelievably bad. The designers are taking out the engine, putting an electric motor in its place and don’t really think about what it should look like,” says Mr. Starck.”

Super cute AND Functional! I am in. I will take two please. {one in grey and one in yellow of course}.

January 23, 2012April 12, 2022

Gardening: INside or OUT. WoollyPockets Are the Answer.

What is a WoollyPocket??

“Woolly Pocket was founded in 2008 by brothers Miguel & Rodney Nelson. …out of a personal need for a simple, DIY-consumer friendly system for gardening vertically, not yet available on the market. …they invented the breathable Woolly Pockets with internal moisture control that are made from recycled plastic bottles in USA. Now, the Nelson brothers are turning the gardening industry down side up. And the Woolly Pocket family is also helping millions of students learn nutrition and gardening through their Woolly School Garden program by creating a living garden classroom for students K–12.”

I have seen them for sale and have wanted a space to use them. Currently living with out the garden space of my dreams I have decided to bring it inside, and plan on placing them in my bathroom as well as master bedroom. Stay tuned for

my progress as I continue my 2012 plans!

The images are just a few examples of how you can use them as well as the full description of how they are made.

Happy Growing! kf.

Perfect for any area indoors or outdoors where moisture protection and water conservation is desired.

1. HANGS SIMPLY Wally has easy fasteners and anchors that work on masonry, drywall, sheetrock, wood and metal walls. Hardware included.

2. SMART WATERING Water Wally’s back panel (the tongue) with a wine bottle or a long spout watering can. Wally’s tongue wicks water down directly to the roots. This conserves water and promotes plant health.

3. AUTOMATIC WATERING For larger installations, insert optional drip irrigation behind Wally’s tongue.

4. PROTECTS WALLS Military-grade moisture barrier ensures that your walls stay dry.

5. SELF WATERING Reservoir allows tongue to continue wicking water to the roots.

6. STRONG, HEALTHY ROOTS Breathable felt allows moisture to evaporate and allows plants to air prune.

7. ECO-FRIENDLY Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (PET).

Happy Growing! kf.

January 11, 2012July 30, 2015

Free-Range Chicken Gardens: How to Create a Beautiful, Chicken-Friendly Yard from Timber Press

Added to my book list!! LOVE the chickens! and Gardens!!

“Many gardeners fear chickens will peck away at their landscape, and chicken lovers often shy away from gardening for the same reason. But you can keep chickens and have a beautiful garden, too! Fresh eggs aren’t the only benefit — chickens can actually help your garden grow and thrive, even as your garden does the same for your chickens.

In this essential handbook, award-winning garden designer Jessi Bloom covers everything a gardener needs to know, including chicken-keeping basics, simple garden plans to get you started, tips on attractive fencing options, the best plants and plants to avoid, and step-by-step instructions for getting your chicken garden up and running.

For anyone who wants a fabulous garden where colorful chickens happily roam, Free-Range Chicken Gardens is the guide that will bring the dream home to roost”

via Free-Range Chicken Gardens: How to Create a Beautiful, Chicken-Friendly Yard from Timber Press.

January 6, 2012April 12, 2022

Trend: Healing Charcoal

I LOVE everything at terrain {an unbeliveable garden & home shop in Glenside, PA. They are also planning on a second shop in Westport, CT in 2012} and pretty much want to just live there full-time. I receive their twitter updates, facebook posts and company emails. I usually dreamily look at them wondering how I can recreate the product or look for my home, but this was different and definitely in-line with my January 2012 “new beginning / grow” feeling.

They have brought in a line of products by MORIHATA International Ltd. Co., {a Japanese design /culture / lifestyle producer and distribution company located in Philadelphia, PA}, which made me stop and add to my cart and buy it right away. The entire Binchotan Charcoal collection includes towel, pumice stones, facial soap, and more. The claim is “Binchotan charcoal is believed to have a multitude of beneficial effects. Whether used dry or wet to absorb chemicals in tap water, enhance blood circulation in a hot bath, stimulate healthy soil in the garden, or balance negative ions in your home, Binchotan charcoals are a natural way to boost overall wellness.” I am starting with the charcoal sticks bag to see how it goes. I will be waiting for my package in the mail and looking forward to my first energizing bath!

The below information is a combination of details from both their sites.

“Kishu Binchotan is known for the best quality charcoal for purifying water and air. Binchotan charcoal is activated through an extremely high burning temperature and rapid cooling process. Because of the micro cavities walls, Binchotan absorbs chlorine and other chemicals from tap water while releasing natural minerals into it. Binchotan has an alkaline effect (PH Level 8 – 8.5), it soften and improve the overall taste of water. Bichotan can be re-use it up to around 3 months. It can be recycled it by breaking it small pieces place into your plant soil for creating micro water and air cavities in the soil.

Best Uses for Binchotan

1. To purify drinking water, add 1/4 pound of Binchotan to a pitcher of tap water. The charcoal will help release ions to increase the water’s pH, release natural minerals, and absorb chemicals.

2. Add Binchotan to a pot of cooking rice to emit infrared rays that will help retain the taste of the rice, absorb any chlorine in the water, and release natural minerals.

3. For a purifying bath, add approximately one pound of Binchotan to hot bathwater. Infrared rays emitted by the charcoal will help enhance blood circulation and keep the body warm and relaxed long after the bath.

4. Keep dry Binchotan by electrical appliances like the television, microwave, computer, or mobile phone, to help block harmful electromagnetic waves.

5. Kept dry in various spots around your home, Binchotan charcoal will help balance the charged ions in your environment to freshen and purify the air around you.

6. To keep closets, drawers, and refrigerators fresh from odor, dampness, and mold, a stick of dry Binchotan can be kept inside to absorb bacteria and unpleasant scents.

7. Once your Binchotan has reached the end of its indoor use, improve soil health by recycling it in the garden. Mix broken pieces of charcoal into new soil, or apply it over a garden bed to improve the movement of air and water through the soil. This transformation will help increase microbial activity, alkalize the soil, and reinforce trace elements; creating an optimal environment for healthy plants.”

Wish me luck! ~ kf

December 23, 2011April 12, 2022

On the Road: NYC ~ Finding Inspiration on the Street

If you are like me, each city you have been to has locations and memories about it that you associate with being there and will become your list of “Favorite Things About ____” (insert city name here). Growing up in the NY tri-state area, New York has always been the city for me with the longest list of favorite “things”. I feel the most comfortable there over most cities and towns and has the best memories associated to it. My trip last week allowed me to experience not just my usual favorites but experience new places, locations and add to my list of loves. (more on those next week…)

At the top of my list would be the availability of unexpected plant material. Especially during the winter season when the trees have lost their leaves and the center medians are bare of color {except nighttime when Park Avenue is aglow with trees}. The availability of flowers, greens and supplies on street corners, small bodegas, the flower market and more established floral shops is mind-blowing. Don’t think too much about what colors or plants you are meant to use, simply grab a little of everything place it in a container and it will work as a centerpiece. I promise!

I love being inspired by something new I see. Or this year something from the past, the small tree on Lexington & 96 marked Charlie Brown Tree $10 became the star of the mantle.

Enjoy your holiday decorating and being inspired by even items on the street!

December 21, 2011April 12, 2022

Holiday Dream?: Roadside Fresh Cut Greens

While driving on a familiar road hunting for greens for a client I thought I saw a mirage. Quickly making a U-turn and almost getting my mother-in-laws car stuck in a fresh mud puddle, I pulled into the driveway of what looked to be a private home on the property of a large tree nursery. I parked and approached my dream wagon.

The floor of the wagon had been covered with burlap to add to the rustic feel of the whole experience. The greens had been freshly cut, possibly even that morning. The varieties – due to the nursery stock – were something you can not find in most markets. The various trimmings were then placed in large black tubs which had been nailed down to the wagon and labeled with Sharpe written on duct tape (add that to the list of uses..). There was a large coffee container with “Happy Holiday’s ” written on it to be used as an honor system payment center, complete with change.

Over the course of the week I was in town working, I was able to stop by a few times and each visit I encountered other happy patrons who were also noticeably grateful for this decorators dream on the side of the road.

kraylfunch_12.9.11_NewHopeGreensWagon_web-3

Thank you to the family who had this vision and placed a simple but perfect wagon of greens at the end of the drive. It will remain in my memory of Christmas 2011 as a wonderful natural green mirage.

kraylfunch_12.9.11_NewHopeGreensWagon_web-2

See you next year!