The white, trumpet shaped flowers on an Easter lily represent life, purity and hope - the very essence of Easter. They are one of the most popular gifts given for an Easter celebration.

When purchasing one, you should look for full, compact greens, rich in color. Only the first two or three blooms should be open, with a few tight buds closer to the top. As the closed buds begin to swell, and the beautiful petals on the Easter lily curl back, they will reveal a long narrow throat with anthers at the tips of the stamen. It is best to remove the anthers before the pollen turns yellow and dusty, so that it doesn’t stain the petals. The upper blooms open about two days apart from each other, as the open flowers on the bottom of the cluster begin to wither. Cut the older blossoms from the stork with sharp shears to keep your lily looking attractive.

In your home, be sure to shelter the lily from direct sunlight, drafts, and heat, which may be too strong. Instead, bright filtered sunlight and moist soil will help the plant to thrive. Continue to water the plant, even after all the blooms are gone. The stem should continue to bear green leaves for a bit, and after they have all faded, cut the stem down to the soil.

Towards the end of May, the weather should warm up, and the threat of frost will pass. High winds and sandy soils are common in Rockaway, so we must choose a safe place in your garden to plant your Easter lily. Loosen your soil and add compost to ensure proper drainage and airflow. Plant the Easter lily six inches deep, and place two inches of mulch over the soil. Fertilize with a complete fast-release fertilizer a few inches from the stem, and welcome your Easter lily back in June!

Visit us at Flower Cart Florist for beautiful potted Easter lilies as well as tulips, hyacinth, gardenia, freesia plants, calla lilies and so much more. Perfect for your garden or Easter celebration! We are also offering seasonal decorations, spring wreaths and Easter baskets for your little bunny!

It may sound surprising, but did you know that something as simple as having flowers around can brighten your everyday outlook? It's true. Harvard University has released the results of a study that you'll want to see to believe. Turns out that flowers can boost your mood, instantly! 

According to the study, people who lived with flowers for just a few days felt more compassionate toward others. They had less worry and anxiety. Simply waking up in the morning to a bunch of blooms can provide a dose of daily inspiration and chase away the blues. Try keeping a small vase on your nightstand so that they are the first things you see when you wake up. That's when moods seem to be lower, and the flowers provide the biggest boost. Pick a few stems from your garden and arrange them in a common living area such as the living room or kitchen, where your family spends a lot of time, and improve the well-being of everyone in your household. What an inspirational idea to invite into our homes! 

Carry over the impact of flowers to help lift our spirits at work and bring a boost of energy and revitalization, with a brightly colored bouquet for your desk. Share the enthusiasm with your co-workers and especially, with your boss. 
In fact, creative performance and problem-solving skills improve substantially in workplace environments that include flowers and plants. 
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Sending flowers to celebrate a special occasion, to extend sympathy wishes, or just as a pick-me-up is a sure way to get a smile! The study explains that every person who received flowers as a gift felt instant delight and satisfaction. 100 percent of participants responded with excitement and happiness. Pretty amazing! That's why these studies are recognized in magazines such as "O, the Oprah Magazine", "Working Mother", and "Woman's World." Big efforts are being made to spread the knowledge, so join us and discover the real emotional benefit of fresh flowers… now there's living proof!

TIP 1: Crush Clutter
Nothing creates a feeling of claustrophobia faster than too much stuff. Before you can clean anything, you have to get rid of some those unused items causing clutter. Consider donating it

TIP 2: Upgrade Your Cleaners
“Before you get all Martha Stewart all over your house, it’s a good idea to make sure your cleaners aren’t leaving a trail of air pollution and toxic residue behind,” advises Betsy of Eco-Novice.com. If the labels on your cleaning products say “harmful or fatal if swallowed” or “Danger: corrosive” you probably shouldn’t be spreading them around on the surfaces you, your family, and your food touch, every day. The good news is, it’s remarkably simple to make your own safe and effective cleaning products. 

TIP 3: Make Your Own Cleaning Equipment
No need to go out and buy a lot of disposable cleaning cloths and dusters. After all, they’re just going to get dirty, so why not upcycle them out of stuff you’ve already got lying around?

TIP 4: Prioritize Rooms
One thing is certain: if you try to cram all your spring cleaning into one day (or even one weekend) you’re going to be exhausted before you’re halfway through. Many people take a month-long approach to cleaning, focusing on the areas most in need of attention, and working their way backwards. Remember, we’re not talking about a quick pick up: Spring cleaning is about deep cleaning the nooks and crannies that are often overlooked.

TIP 5: Think Squeaky Clean Air
Even though they’re dirt’s favorite place to take a vacation, surfaces aren’t the only thing in your home that can be dirty. Indoor air pollution is a real problem in a world where chemicals abound. Blogger Lindsay Dahl has 10 tips for cleaning up indoor air, like changing your furnace filters and skipping the fabric softener.

TIP 6: Get Organized
Once everything’s been washed, wiped, and scrubbed squeaky clean, it’s time to get organized. Hopefully you’ve moved a lot of stuff out of its usual spot while cleaning, and the put-back process is a great time to develop a system that will keep everything orderly until the next big cleaning. The best way to get organized is to make sure everything has a place. Sometimes you have to create a place (like buying a bakers rack or making a shelf for your growing collection of spices), and sometimes you have to ask yourself whether things that don’t have a place should be kept around at all. 

Article ref: http://inhabitat.com/spring-cleaning-6-green-tips-to-organize-and-simplify-your-home/