What do you collect? Most people collect one or two specific items and the passion usually begins in childhood. Coins, stamps, and antiques are often first thought of, but teapots have a rich history. The best part about a beautiful teapot is that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. With the varied styles and types available, there are designs that will capture your heart and soul. There are many traditions related to tea and in many countries, tea is a much as a part of history as just about anything else. The history and tradition behind collecting teapots is interesting, but nothing compares to the getting your next teapot to add to your collection!
The Origins of the Teapot – Before you learn about the history of teapots, it’s best to give a little history on the tea itself. There are varying stories as to the origin of tea, one of which gives credit to a Buddhist Monk and the other to a Chinese Emperor. One thing is certain – the first tea plant was brought to China from India in the 4th century. While teapots were not used until much later, the tea leaves were dried and crushed into a powder. The powder was mixed with salt to form cakes. These cakes were placed in bowls of boiling water. It eventually became easier to leave the tea in a powder form and simply whip it with water to form a frothy liquid.
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Now is the time to consider what would work for next year for those who are considering creating a garden room on that balcony or rooftop area of your home, apartment or condo. Your balcony backyard is becoming more and more popular and with a little attention, can become a focal point of your home and wonderful area for entertaining.
Because balconies are usually quite small, space is a major design consideration. The main design principle is to keep the design as simple as possible. The last thing you want is a cluttered, busy look.
One major consideration for those narrow or small areas is to use a square or rectangular container or garden planters that follow the angles and edges of balconies. They will also save space. Hanging baskets, espaliered, and climbing plants will bring the walls to life. The plants themselves can be grown in your containers, easily moved around with the seasons. A trellis attached to the wall is a great place to grow climbing plants and still leave enough room for a small table, bench or a couple of chairs.
Rooftop gardens and some balconies are often blasted by wind and sun, so select plants that are suitable for these conditions. Some suggestions may be Cacti, Kalanchoe, Ivy and many ornamental grasses for they are somewhat drought resistant. Others that may need a little more care are Roses, Citrus, Daisies, Geraniums of course, Bamboo and Conifers. Surprisingly the biggest killer of balcony plants is often overwatering. The urge is great to add water every time you check on the progress of your garden. Beware of being too kind!