Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Home for the Holidays

That's my own shadow (a little creepy) as I inspect the lights from the outside of the Phelps-Hatheway House.
Last January I was asked if I would be interested in decorating the historic Phelps-Hatheway House for Christmas.  I was flattered and intimidated and.... couldn't say no! What an honor it would be to work on this amazing home rich with history in my hometown. 
Over the past year I have daydreamed, researched and daydreamed some more for what could be done inside and outside on this property.  This week, my dreams are becoming a reality as the house is decorated.

If you are in the Connecticut area, I really hope you come see the house and what I have done to decorate it this year. The deadline is fast approaching to attend the opening night and cocktail party this Friday, December 4th.  Please call 860-247-8996 x23 to reserve your spot. 

Tickets to tour the Phelps-Hatheway House and seven other private homes on historic Main Street are available with details at www.ctlandmarks.org The tours of these decorated homes are only available this Saturday, December 5th from 1-6 pm.  The Phelps-Hatheway House is also open on Sunday, December 6th from 1-4. 
 
Check out what The Courant had to say about it HERE!
A work in progress... see you this weekend!
Come see all six, yes, six Christmas trees and the entire first floor of the Phelps-Hatheway House decorated in a Naturally Elegant Design!

Cheers,
Julie
 

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Holiday Decorating Workshop


Halloween is this weekend, which means Thanksgiving is around the corner and Christmas is like a month away.  I might be rushing things a little, but don't these holidays just sneak up on us so quickly?

They do for me, and that's why I'm offering another fabulous workshop on Holiday Decorating this Wednesday November 4th! Sign up NOW and be sure to bring a friend. As they say,

the more the....merrier.....!!!

Holiday Decorating

Just in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays-Julie Harrison, landscape designer and WFSB’s Garden Guru on Better Connecticut, will demonstrate creative decorating ideas for the home and garden. Everything from exterior entryways to mantles and tabletops, Julie will offer fresh ideas using materials in unique ways. Call your friends and sign up for a fun night out while learning new holiday decorating ideas!

 Instructor: Julie Harrison -Registration closes on November 2nd and/or earlier if enrollment reaches maximum capacity. 

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2015 
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 
Age: Adult (high school students  interested in gardening are welcome) 
Location: Suffield High School’s - Agriscience - hosted by the Suffield Agriscience Center
Fee: $10.00
Sign up Here: http://www.suffieldrec.com/info/default.aspx

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Spring Flowering Bulb Class- Don't Miss This One!

On a beautiful October day in New England, you might be captivated by a kaleidoscope of fall foliage, crisp air and warm sun. The thought of spring flowering bulbs like Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths has been filed away for a few months. 
 
Unless you are a gardener. 
In which case planting and dividing these bulbs are on your to-do list, right now!  
 
The beauty that these spring blooms bring starts with planting them in fall.  I'm offering a class all about it on October 21, 2015. 
 
"Julie Harrison, landscape designer and WFSB’s Garden Guru on Better Connecticut will discuss different types of spring flowering bulbs, planting times and methods. Tired of deer eating your tulips? Julie’s got great alternatives and tricks to have beautiful blooms in the spring garden and she’s sharing them all!" 
 
Please visit my website to sign up for this event. It's going to be fun, informative and I promise a very generous giveaway! Click HERE to sign up!




 


Space is limited and you must sign up in advance, you reserve your spot now by clicking HERE! 

Monday, June 15, 2015

Natural & Effective Pest Sprays for the Garden

Garden pests, they pest all of us! Whether you're new the gardening scene or well-seasoned with a garden trowel, there is one guarantee with gardening: there will be pest problems.  The good news is that garden pests can be controlled without the use of harsh chemicals, very affordably and my recipes are easy to make too!
These are my three favorite garden pest concoctions that I always have on hand.
Powdery Mildew Spray: After a lot of rain or a period of high humidity (Connecticut has been experiencing both lately) the chance for powdery mildew to start growing is pretty good.  Especially true if you're a Bee Balm, Perennial Salvia or a Phlox.
Get ready for this fancy recipe....... Mix 4 cups Water with 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda. 
Yup.  That's it.  And it works.  Really well.  
Just mix it up in a spray bottle and spray all of the foliage top and bottom that's showing signs of the white mildew and your problem is solved. 
Plant Bug Spray: Whether it's Aphids, Japanese Beetles or some other bugger that you can't identify beyond the damage of spotted, chewed up or lacey leaves, try mixing up this spray for any foliage that's being dined on:
4 cups Water
1 tablespoon Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap (I like to use the Peppermint 'flavor')
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Just mix these three ingredients and watch the bugs start packing! Spray on foliage and reapply after rain or about once a week if you have overhead irrigation. 
Weed Killer: Like the commonly used herbicide--- rhymes with Wound-Up----- This magic formula will kill or severely damage anything it lands on.  Plant nerds like myself call it non-selective.  So this is the perfect weed killer for areas like patios and walk ways where you want to eliminate plant growth.  This formula works best when applied on a hot dry day.  When plants are a little stressed to begin with, this spray will push them over the edge.   
4 cups Vinegar
1/4 cup Salt
1/2 tablespoon Dawn Dish Soap (for whatever reason the blue seems to work best)
I hope you find these pest solutions helpful! 
Please share this post with your friends and share with me what you do to control pests in your own garden! 
 


 

Monday, May 4, 2015

Looking for Fun?

Then join me on May 13th for my next event of the spring: Gardening with Julie!

Tips and Tricks to garden and decorate like Julie 12 months a year. 
 
This talk and demonstration uses some of Julie’s most popular topics as seen on her segment “Better Gardens” on WFSB’s Better Connecticut Show.  This is an interactive and educational talk so bring your garden questions and ideas to share!  This event is brought to you through the Suffield Park and Rec, but registration is not limited to town residents. 
 

All are encouraged to join me but you MUST sign up in advance.  P&R rule, not mine! :)
 
It's going to be a great time! You. Don't. Want. To. Miss. This!!!
 
 
Find all of the information on my website by clicking HERE.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Orchid Class with Julie

If you love Orchids, keep reading.
If you hate Orchids because you've never had good luck with them, KEEP READING!
Yes, especially YOU!!
I had no clue what I was doing at 14 when I bought my first Orchid plant with my hard earned babysitting money.  Guess what happened to my first Orchid? I killed it.  Imagine me...an Orchid murderer! Gasp!
I've learned a lot since that first Orchid and now nearly every room of my house is graced with at least one.  Orchids are really a lot easier than most people think and once you get the basics down you will be rewarded big time!
This spring I'm offering a few classes through the Suffield Park and Rec Department and the first is Orchid Basics! (You can sign up by clicking HERE
Anyone can take the class- you don't need to be a Suffield resident!
Here are the details:
 
Orchid Basics
 
Description:     Phalaenopsis: This workshop introduces the Moth Orchid as an easy Orchid for beginners. Julie will discuss this Orchid’s growth requirements, their natural habitat and briefly review their plant structure.  Julie will demonstrate how to ‘dress up’ an Orchid for the home and one Orchid will go home with a lucky class participant.   
Instructor:       Julie Harrison-Landscape Design
Registration deadline is Monday April 20 and/or when enrollment reaches maximum capacity.  Limited enrollment.
 
Date:               April 22                        
Day:                Wednesday
Time:               7:00-8:00 p.m.
Age:                18 and older               

Location:         Suffield High School-Agriscience Building 
Age:                adult but high school students interested in gardening are also encouraged to enroll.
Fee:                 $10.00


Please forward this email to a friend and sign up for this class! Sign up HERE

Thank you!
xo Julie

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Setting the Easter Table

Eggs nestled in a nest of green mums.

Hello there!

What would an Easter table be without Hydrangea?
Thought I forgot about blogging didn't you?
 
Eggs in small terracotta pots act as place cards.

Here I am!

Lots of layering and texture make for a wonderful tabletop!
It's spring and that means this gardener is busy, busy, busy.  Thankfully another blogger wrote an excellent article on my Easter tablescape design. 
Grapevine wreaths served as napkin rings with a small chocolate treat tucked in.

 I hope you read about it HERE. 


You will find an interesting article and lots of great pictures of my design thanks to Heather Conley Photography
This bright Herend china and spring flowers echoed similar colors.

Enjoy this weekend and Happy Easter!
 
xox Julie

Monday, February 9, 2015

Pinkin' It Up For Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I've been adding pink, hearts, and everything romantic from my decorating bag to the house this month. 

I purchased this Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) from Costco- for the large white flowers- not the existing decorating.  This is how it came into the house:
The first thing to go were these plastic coated sticks.  I think the look was supposed to be ice coated branches, but if Elsa was behind them, she must be loosing her touch.  I just had to... let them go.
This single glitter covered pine cone was a little too Christmassy and I didn't like it sitting up so high.  This had to go too.
I can't decide if I love or hate this container yet.   What's your vote?
 
Ok, for the fun part!!!

First, I dropped the Orchid into this PINK clay pot.  To hide the plastic liner and dress it up a little, I added some sheet moss to cover the 'mechanics'.  I'm kind of crazy about sheet moss lately and find that adding it to orchids is especially effective.

Next I wanted to remove these metal wires that were supporting the flower stem, but I was afraid of damaging the plant. 
So, I grabbed some adorable PINK ribbon and wrapped a bit around each support.    

Easy right? And I think super sweet in PINK for Valentine's Day! What are you doing to dress up your plants?  Visit my website at www.juliesharrison.com I want to hear from you! XOX Julie