Month: September 2020

JoyAnne Wreaths Tutorial#1: How to make a Hydrangea Wreath

~ McArtor ~ 2 Comments
Wreath made from Hydrangea grown in our backyard

My mother had a thriving business making dried floral arrangements  for over 15 years.  Through trial and error she discovered the best techniques for drying flowers, collecting objects in nature and creating stunning arrangements, wreaths and topiaries, including a system for creating beautiful long lasting hydrangea wreaths.  Our Garden Plot wants to give mom a space to show the techniques she perfected as owner of JoyAnne Wreaths. Our hope is that these tutorials will help others create their own decorative pieces or even their own small business from the beautiful gifts found in nature.

This summer my son’s video production company, Amberillian Productions worked with mom to create the first video in the  JoyAnne Wreaths  tutorial series. 

Mom spent many years perfecting her craft. She is now 82 years young. She creates lovely floral arrangements for friends and family members but she no longer sells her work. There are more tutorials on the JoyAnne Wreaths tutorials page along with the opportunity to make a donation to support JoyAnne Wreaths and any future tutorials.

Please let us know if the tutorial was helpful or if you have any questions. We welcome your ideas for future dried flower arrangement tutorials, too. Thanks for watching and reading!

Where do the frogs and toads go in fall and winter?

~ McArtor ~ 1 Comment
Frog visitor peeking in on us through front door window
Our contemplative frog visitor

We miss our nightly visitors.   Spring through summer frogs and toads of varying sizes came to our front porch light. We saw them balance on the light bracket with legs folded in a prayer pose or on the rounded light with legs sprawled in a grip hug.   They clung to the light with an unbreakable stillness and cool stare despite the insects circling them. We checked the light every night and counted our frog and toad friends. Since the cool fall weather arrived, our front porch light is bare. Only a few bugs and moths flick around it.  Where did our frogs and toads go?

The Ecologist’s Notebook provides an in depth answer to this question. Frogs and toads are preparing warm habitats (a hibernaculum) in the ground under plants, leaves, and compost material. They are ectothermic creatures and depend on the heat of the environment to maintain their body temperature. The biologist in the Ecologist’s Notebook article describes the miraculous biochemical changes in frogs and toads as they prepare to hibernate in winter. A complex process that basically increases glucose and creates a sort of cellular antifreeze that keeps their frozen bodies alive.

How can we help our dear frogs and toads? Keep some piles of leaves in our yard, and maintain our compost pile. If we see a frozen frog or toad in our yard this winter, cover it with some dirt and leaves and let it be, it is hibernating.

Enjoy your winter rest friends!