This is my first post of the season. It is yet another cold rainy day here in Nova Scotia. And there is not much to speak of in the garden. I have complete bloom envy:( this spring has been just miserable here. But complaining about the weather is one of the things Nova Scotians do best and I am no exception.

So since there is anything worthy of mentioning in the garden. I thought you guys might enjoy having a peek at something else I have been working on. As some of you may remember I live in the woods where moss abounds. So I decided to put all that moss to good use making moss topiaries which I plan to sell at our local farmers' market.

I dried the moss in the dark to hold it's colour. I used drywall compound in the bottom of the containers to hold the trunk (branch) in place and the used hooks and hot glue to secure the moss to floral foam or styro balls. I intentionally made imperfections to create a more realistic look. Which seems to have been successful because when I showed them at our Garden Club district convention I had countless seasoned gardens ask me how large they would grow.

I know that they may not be in everyone's taste but I love them!!! They remind me of girlhood fairy tales.

I hope I have some blooms to share soon.

Carrie

Great job and thanks for showing us!
Ps. the Bellis plants I started from the seed you sent are blooming now!! ;-) thanks again
CMK

Another thing I'd love to know is how you rid the back of the moss of dirt and when you do that - I mean, just after collection or when dry.

Can they go outside? In the open or on covered porch?

Enchanted, Rosie

Annette

CMK, I made the spiral topiary from twisted newspaper wrapped with floral tape (all hot glue, no hooks on this one). P.S. I am so glad that your seeds germinated.=0D

Rosie, total dark isn't necessary in drying. In fact the first moss topiary I made was last August as a decoration for my daughters birthday tea party. I made it with fresh moss and roses. The moss dry nicely after the party just sitting in the house. I perked up the colour by spraying it with green food colouring and water. The moss will bleach out even after it is dried when exposed direct sunlight for an extent time. However the food colour technique will fix it up. I think your garage would be ideal for drying as long as the humidity is low.

As for cleaning, I do this as soon as it is collect. I brush and shake any needles, leaves, bark or dirt off with my hands first. Then if extra cleaning is needed I put the moss in water. Of course it take a lot longer to dry so I try to ovoid it. I try to encourage my moss to grow over rocks as much as possible. the shape is perfect and it eliminates dirt.

These ones should not go outside. But I am going to try to make ones with a more water prof compound than drywall and spray them with a permanent die to help with bleaching. I will let you know how I make out. I hope this helps.

GGG- I have thought about it asking gift shops if they might be interested in caring my topiaries. Actually I have been writing emails most of the morning. I also tried wedding rental suppliers and coordinators.

I have been a stay at home mom for the last twelve years (my enter adult life) so putting myself out there for the first time is a little nerve racking. But I have woken up everyday for the passed twelve years and done something I loved so if I am going to work outside the home I don't want tomorrow to be any different. I am hoping my passion for flowers and natures art will be appreciated.

Carrie

Don't worry about putting yourself out there because those are just stunning. Can you use Etsy in Canada? I really think you could go into business with those.