5 Tips for Longer Lasting Arrangements

This summer, when you bring home a fresh bunch of flowers from the farmer's market or grocery store, invest a tad more effort than usual and extend the life and enjoyment of your blooms!

1. Before you dive in and start arranging your flowers, make sure you cut or pull off ALL of the foliage on the stems that may end up at or below the water line of your vase. We all know that bacteria thrives in moist environments with a food source...so starve that bacteria by removing any extra snacks from the vase!
2. Step away from the junk drawer, place those old scissors on the counter, and no one gets hurt! A dull pair of scissors will pinch the ends of the stem, reducing the their ability to freely draw up water. This is why you also want to refrain from sawing the ends off with the pairing knife you just used to peel your kiddo's apple. Keep a nice sharp pair of clippers on hand for occasions like this.
3. While we're on the subject of cutting, you may have heard that flower stems should be cut at an angle. This is true simply because an angled cut creates more surface area for the flower to draw in moisture so you can get the most life out of your arrangement. 
4. Have a funky smell in the house on warm summer days that you just can't put your finger on? It's probably the water in your flower vase telling you it needs to be changed. I know it's a lot to ask, but if you swap out the water in those vases daily, you will have the joy of those blooms around much longer. Your very best bet is to use the packet of flower food that came with your blooms. If you picked your flowers from the yard or bought from a farm, you can use a scant amount of bleach in the water, but the flower food is formulated for the best results. You can purchase flower food from your local craft store, or check with us if you would like a larger quantity.
5. Finally, to get the most out of your flowers, cut the stems as short as possible. It's no fun to sit at table where the flowers from the grocery store are towering like a skyscraper in a giant vase (from the delivery six years ago when you had your tonsils out). First of all, I'm down here. Ahem...down here! Besides, I doubt looking across the table into a forest of stems is the look you're going for. The top of blooms are where the excitement is, so chop that forest down and get creative with containers! You're not breaking any rules by using your Fiesta Ware pitcher instead of a vase this time. Or consider ransacking your cabinet of cool serving dishes you enjoy only when company comes. Shorter stems are not just about aesthetics either! The shorter the stem, the less distance the water has to travel to keep the blooms hydrated. It's a win-win really. Actually, it's a triple win, because now I also get to see you from across the table!