Flowers make gifts that are constantly received well. They are suitable for almost all occasions, birthdays, thank you, and especially most suitable for a special someone. We all love great deals, and sending flowers is no different. High quality flowers in a hand bouquet, a vase of flowers or other arrangements should be at a reasonable, affordable price. Here a few tips to ensure a great deal.

When florists fіrst started offering online flower delivery services, nо onе cоuld hаve predicted hоw thе industry wаs gоіng tо explode. Today, nоt only cаn yоu ordеr а wide assortment оf flower bouquets thrоugh thе Internet аnd hаvе thеm delivered fresh tо somеonе yоu care about, but yоu cаn ordеr а wide assortment оf othеr gifts fоr home оr wоrk delivery aѕ wеll.

A bіg bouquet оf fresh cut flowers iѕ а grеаt wаy tо tеll someоne thаt yоu love them, congratulate someonе оn а job wеll done, оr send sympathy and condolences whеn yоu can't bе nеаr somеonе suffering heartache. Yet, thеrе iѕ а special WOW! factor thаt cоmes wіth deliver gifts wіth sоmething а lіttlе unexpected.

Image via gardening-savvy cafe 

I joined a community gardening project over the weekend. We partnered with a local scout troop to clean, weed and ready a vacant lot for a flower and vegetable garden. It was an amazing experience. With every pile created we were that much closer to creating something beautiful. It was especially great to see the pride and excitement of the neighborhood. The residents couldn't wait to care for the garden and keep it going.

After the weekend, I was so excited about the progress made in such a short time that I wanted to organize a community garden in my own neighborhood. I started searching for resources and groups that might be able to guide the process. 

I found great information and guidance from Kansas City Community Gardens, including a 5 step plan to creating your own community garden that includes identifying the goal of the garden, how the garden will be structured and creating a budget. Be sure to check out their site for volunteer opportunities, too! 

Have you participated in a community garden? Tell us about it. We are so proud to see Kansas City growing!

We recently read a great post over at Pipper's Flowers that provided customers some food for thought when ordering flowers by phone or online. The author reminded everyone to first, and foremost, call a local florist to place your order. 

Larger companies, or wire services, receive your order and then partner with a local florist to fufill that order. Remember that only a portion of your order goes to the local florist and that as much as 20% of your spend goes to support that wire company vs. a local florist in your community.

Vertical gardening is popping up everywhere - in urban neighborhoods, on the sides of buildings and even in the kitchen. We are loving all of the amazing vertical and container gardens out there. Further proof that you don't need a lot of space or expensive materials to create a beautiful garden. Just a little inspiration.

Check out some of the vertical gardens that are inspiring us.

Vertical vegetable garden from a hanging shoe bag. Genius! We like the idea of using other household items like soda cans, cereal boxes and plastic fruit containers to start your garden, too. Image via @pinterest and full DIY instructions on Instructables. 

Create a vertical succulent garden to hang outside. Very low maintenance - give it the occasional spray of water and you're set. Image via Flora Grubb Gardens. 

Vertical gardens are even showing up in the kitchen. Check out this herb garden! Might just start cooking a little more if we had this! Image via ApartmentTherapy 

Have you started a vertical or container garden? Tell us about it.

If you need a little more inspiration, check out our Vertical Garden board on Pinterest for more images and an easy to follow tutorial.

Handmade is everywhere - in the home,  the clothing we wear and in the garden. We are so taken with the talent, originality and simplicity of these Etsy finds that we had to share. We might be a bit obsessed with flowers. Do you favor floral housewares and jewelry? 

Nestled Mini-Bowls with Flowers (Kiss - Crisp White) by balleybowls via Etsy

Two (2) Hand Blocked Tea Towels from papatotora via Etsy 

Custom Made Ruffle Rose Pillow - Large from TheFunkyBoutique via Etsy 

Provence Flower Earrings with Ametrine Faceted Drops by GojoDesign via Etsy

Great things are happening at Ranchview Floral & Interiors. Stop by our Kansas City flower shop for 50% off all home furnishings, furniture, accessories and greeting cards. This is not a "selected items" sale, everything thing in the store is on sale right now. What are you waiting for?