Q: Anytime you pick up flowers from the store or florist, you'll want to refresh the stems by trimming them an additional half an inch or so, even if they've already been cut. This also applies to flowers that have been delivered or cultivated in a greenhouse. To put it simply, always trim and prune fresh flowers, no matter where they came from. Get in the habit of dumping out and replacing the water in your flower vase every morning, or as soon as it starts to get murky. Fresh flowers need a lot to drink, so don't hesitate to top off the water level if you notice it getting low. Be sure to add a pinch of plant food to help your flowers flourish. To refill the water in large decorative arrangements, tilt the vase over the sink to empty it, then run fresh water over the stems using a watering can or measuring cup. Waiting too long between waterings can lead to rot, which causes the blossoms to wilt and produces an unpleasant smell. Since cut flowers have been separated from their root system, they won't be able to survive as long as they would in the soil (no matter how fresh they are). You can prepare your flowers for their new environment by sprinkling half a packet of organic plant food into the vase prior to inserting them. Plant food contains essential nutrients as well as antimicrobial additives to slow the growth of mold and bacteria. You can purchase plant food at any gardening center or greenhouse, or in the home-and-garden section of most supermarkets. Alternatively, you can whip up your own plant food at home by combining 1 tablespoon (14.8ml) of sugar, 2 tablespoons (29.6ml) of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon (4.93ml) bleach and adding them to 1 quart (0.95L) water. Pour the mixture into the vase. Most types of flowers fare best in mild, moderate conditions. Temperatures between 65F (18C) and 72F (22C) are ideal, though a couple of degrees higher or lower shouldn't make too much of a difference. Make sure your flowers get plenty of sunlight, but situate them away from the most intense glare to keep them from overheating. Some heartier species like roses and orchids prefer a warmer environment. It's safe to store these flowers in hotter areas, such as your kitchen, or even outdoors on a sunny day. It's fine to keep your flowers' water at room temperature. You can also try adding a couple small ice cubes to the water, which may help the blooms survive a little longer.
A: Cut precut flowers again as soon as you get them home. Change the water daily. Add plant food to the water to keep the flowers nourished. Keep your flowers somewhere cool.

Q: Take the viable seeds and wash them thoroughly to remove any pulp or other matter. Soak them in a small amount of distilled water for up to 24 hours. Many seeds require a period of cold, moist conditions to begin the germination process. In nature, this is achieved when seeds sit in the ground over the winter. You can mimic these conditions through the process of stratification. For grape seeds, the best time to begin stratification is in December (the northern hemisphere winter). Prepare a bed for your seeds. Fill an airtight bag or other capsule with a soft medium like wet paper towels or sand, vermiculite or peat moss that has been dampened. Peat moss is the best choice for grape seeds because its anti-fungal properties will help eliminate seed-damaging mold. Tuck the seeds into the bed. Cover them with about 1/2" (1.25 cm) of growing medium. Refrigerate the seeds. The ideal temperature for stratification is a steady 35-40 F (1-3 C), so the refrigerator is a good place for this process. Keep the seeds refrigerated for two to three months. Do not allow them to freeze. In early spring, remove the seeds from the refrigerator and plant them in pots filled with good soil. Plant seeds individually in small pots, or in larger pots with at least 1 1/2" (3.8 cm) between them. Make sure your seeds stay warm enough. To properly germinate, the seeds need daytime temperatures of at least 70F (20C) and nighttime temperatures around 60F (15C). Use a greenhouse or warming mats to keep your seeds at the correct temperature. Keep the soil moist but not too wet. Mist the surface with a fine spray of water when it starts to look dry. Check for growth. Grape seeds typically take between 2-8 weeks to sprout. When your seedlings have grown to about 3" (8 cm), transplant them to 4" (10 cm) pots. For the healthiest plants, keep your seedlings indoors or in a greenhouse until they have reached a height of 12" (30 cm), have a good network of roots and have at least 5-6 leaves.
A: Prepare the seeds. Stratify your seeds. Plant your seeds. Transplant your seedlings.

Q: Shelves are perfect for showing collections, photographs, and items that are not used every day. Shelving comes in a variety of different materials such as metal, wire or painted wood, and can be accessorized to match the decor of the room. You can find shelving at many department, homeware, and hardware stores. Shelves don't have to be for purely decorative items. You can use shelves that are within easy reach to display favorite books and toys, and also to showcase your child's interests. Don't put heavy items on them, though, as these may fall and pose a safety hazard. Shelves can be placed in many different areas of the room, including above windows, dressers, and desks. Generally, though, it's best to avoid hanging shelves directly above the bed. Storage bins will also give your child a sense of independence for being able to access their own things, and they'll teach them responsibility and how to organize their items. Storage bins can be kept within shelving, wooden cubes, in a wardrobe, or on the floor. You can even get bins that slide under the bed. Having books that are easy to reach and enjoyable to read will encourage your child to continue learning about what interests them. If the bookcase is large, make sure to secure it to the wall for safety. You could create a reading nook by placing a few comfy pillows in a corner, and filling a low shelf with your child's favorite titles. Underbed storage will help to both organize and keep clutter out of sight. Clothes, toys, and books that aren't frequently used can work well in under-bed storage. Some beds come with built-in drawers for extra storage space. However if you child's bed doesn't have these, you can buy long plastic storage containers from most department stores which are designed to fit perfectly beneath a bed.
A:
Hang shelves on the walls for displaying your child's belongings. Use storage bins and baskets for toys and games. Fill a bookcase with your child's favourite books. Use under-bed storage if the bed is high enough.