Life in Bloom

- Season 3

(2021)

Host J Schwanke visits the world-famous Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch- in California, and learns its history. Also included: "fields of flowers" to grow in your own garden, fields of flowers to hang on a wall, and a flatbread that includes fields of flowers field.

Hearts and Flowers is a popular sentiment and the focus of today's episode. We'll take a look at several ways Hearts and Flowers combine to express feelings of love to those who are special to us, today on Life In Bloom. J joins Ms. Margo - the bonereader to share her handmade soaps, Flowers petals- and heart shaped ice- infuse flower cocktail hour.

Today on Life In Bloom we're all about pollinators and pollination. Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Dragonflies, even Bats - all have critical functions that contribute to growing flowers and food. We'll learn what Pollinators do and discover ways to assist them in their vital pollinating activities. J visits Aberdeen Apiary and bee keeper Jason to find out more about Bees, Honey and Pollination.

Today on Life In Bloom, plants, blooming and otherwise, are the focus. We'll look at ways plants can improve the health of your home, we'll include a plant in a beautiful bouquet, and experience a bit of Monstera madness. J talks about how NASA uses plants to clean the air, and shares the best plants to include in your home for clean air, health and wellness.

Today on Life In Bloom it's all about Lilies. These flowers, derived from bulbs, provide bountiful blooms when cared for properly. We'll visit an expert lily grower - Benno Dobbe- and show you some fun and easy arrangements that you can create from a single bunch of Lilies- from the grocery store, and I'll create a festive Day Lily hors d'oeuvre."

Today on Life In Bloom we're cultivating a passion for purple. I'll show you precious purple violets from an Italian Grower in the Historic San Francisco Flower Market, easy Purple centerpieces, and a regal showstopper arrangement that features home-grown Lilacs. We'll also visit a Clematis farm in Florida and create a Lavender Martini.

Today on Life In Bloom we're Celebrating Life with Flowers. I'll show you many, wonderful ways to remember special people we've known with love and joy. Including a visit with my dad- Melvin Schwanke- as we return to the design table- and create arrangements side by side. I'll show you to personalize a Tribute for Life for a fisherman - and create a heart felt Memory Garden with flowers and a picture. It's all about sharing some personal memories with Flowers>

Today on Life In Bloom pour yourself a cup to enjoy, as we explore connections between coffee, tea and flowers - including recycled grounds, blooming teas, themed arrangements, and - we'll learn about Mary Chalmers Brown, creator of this popular, vintage dinnerware pattern: Franciscan Starburst, as seen on many Life In Bloom episodes. We'll coffee and tea- as an inspiration for creating flower arrangements- inspired vessels and more.

Mum's the word, today on Life In Bloom, Chrysanthemum, that is. We'll explore the many shapes sizes and colors of this durable, long-lasting flower. We'll learn how they're grown with my Friend René Van Wingerden at Ocean Breeze- one of the remaining flower farms that still grows Chrysanthemums in America, I'll show you a fun craft, we'll even have a Chrysanthemum Cocktail - say that 3 times fast.

Today on Life In Bloom, we're immersing ourselves in something vital to flowers - and all life - water. We'll visit a flower farm with extensive water reclamation- Kendall Farms- and visit with Jason Kendall about what they grow- and how they navigated a California Wildfire. I'll create some water-centric arrangements, that include submerged flowers, and floating flowers- and enhancing water to increase the vase-life of flowers.

Most people - including myself - could stand to spend a bit more time with nature. On today's show, we'll do just that by visiting Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids Michigan and learning about the vision of the founder Mary Jane Dockeray. I'll visit my Butterfly Friends Laura Golinski- and her kids- Zoe, Doc and Millie and learn what it takes to raise Monarch Butterflies - and I'll share a couple of recipes too.

Today on Life In Bloom we're featuring a timeless flower - the Sunflower. I'll make several arrangements using this popular bloom, create 3 dimensional wall art from permanent sunflower blossoms, and I'll visit a clever baker- from Cyclops Bakery- who creates exquisite flower cookies and more. It's time to let the sunshine in with Flowers, of course.

Today on Life In Bloom it's all about making time for what makes us Happy - so naturally we'll pick a popular bloom, make some arrangements from Tree Peonies that always bring a smile, I share my favorite dish ever: Turkey Noodle Ring- and take a visit to the Historic San Francisco Flower Market- one of my favorite places on the planet- where we'll visit friends- and stop and smell the roses.