She loves you. She loves you not. She loves you. She loves you not. She loves you!

Of course she does. She’s your mother.

This Mother’s Day, you’re likely to send mom a fresh bouquet of fragrant flowers to show her how much you love her back. But before you head to just any online florist, consider purchasing your florals from a certified organic source.

Unlike most conventional options, organic florists have strict environmental standards that prohibit the use of harmful pesticides and exploitative harvesting practices. By choosing an organic bouquet, you’re helping to improve the quality of farm working conditions, protecting delicate ecosystems, and conserving floral biodiversity. What’s more, most organic bouquets are no more expensive than non-organic varieties and tend to last longer, too.

Below you’ll find a round-up of five of our favorite online organic florists, along with reasons why you should “pick” them.

Florist: Organic Bouquet

Why you should pick this one:

Organic Bouquet is committed to sustainability – from the farms where they source their flowers all the way down to their gift packaging – which is made from recycled remnants from a textile factory in India. They participate in carbon offset programs and only conduct business with farms that employ safe and just working conditions. They even have an eco-points program so you can earn rewards toward free products and services.

Florist: Diamond Organics

Why you should pick this one:

Diamond Organics distributes flowers sourced exclusively from sustainable farms in California and Hawaii. In addition to seasonal and organic florals, Diamond Organics offers gift baskets that include organic cheese and wine for the total package. Oh, and they offer free overnight delivery.

Florist: California Organic Flowers

Why you should pick this one:

Based in Chico, California, California Organic Flowers is a small family-run farm that promises flowers direct from their fields to you. They enrich their soil using natural methods that conserve water and promote ecosystems of healthy insects, including lady bugs and green lace wings. Their website features an organic flower calendar which helps you determine the freshest type of flowers that are currently available.

Florist: Oregon Floral Farms

Why you should pick this one:

With a strong commitment to sustainable farming methods and a dedication to local education programs, Oregon Floral Farms is a responsible flower grower with a conscience. Their USDA/TILTH certified farm features a revolving selection of vibrant flowers that are hand-cut, hand-tied and delivered direct to you.

Florist: Kendall Farms

Why you should pick this one:

Kendall Farms is a USDA organic farm in southern California that offers over 115 varieties of VeriFlora certified flowers. Because they own their own water wells, irrigation is less expensive and the savings trickle down to you. They organize their floral selection online according to color, season and flower type so it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Image: Kendall Farms

The post 5 Best Online Organic Florists: Just in Time for Mother’s Day appeared first on EcoSalon.

I’m not a lover of red roses, so it’s a good thing I never receive them. Guess the word is out. Never give her red roses.

I don’t equate scarlet blooms and chunky diamonds with being well loved, despite my mother’s attempts to train me. Court me with orchids and chunky beads and I will purr like cat curled up by a heater vent. But since some of you are traditionalists when it comes to symbols on Valentine’s Day, I shall lead you down the less thorny path of organic and fair trade. Be Mine doesn’t mean be sprayed and be dyed! Let’s have a heart-to-heart about greener ways to share your affection on February 14.

Organic Roses

Roses are ready, but don’t be blue. You aren’t stuck with tainted American beauties. Opt for ones from companies like Fifty Flowers. Whichever assortment you choose, you are supporting organic growers (as we encouraged last Mother’s Day) and giving the thumbs down to chemically-grown, color-altered flowers.

Free Trade and Organic Chocolates

I give my husband chocolates on Valentines Day because it’s important to spread the endorphins….happy, happy hormones released when we eat this gift of the gods. Plus, he’s tired of those goofy, print boxers. We have sung the many praises of chocolate and when buying an assortment, invest in organic and free trade. The lovely box with a single stem is a free trade, limited edition gem made by women artisans in Thailand, and filled with an assortment of amazing organic truffles from Sjaaks, $29.95. Many other online companies offer organic delights, including the Grand Heart from Lake Champlain Chocolates, $39.95. For vegans, order from Sweet Earth Chocolates. This box from the organic, fair trade line, is filled with alternative fillings like caramel and peanut butter are covered in deep, dark chocolate, $22. When shopping online, remember to order early. That’s the best way to shop with a conscience and get what you want on time.

A Card That says I Love You to Women of the World

Why be limited in giving your undying affection? Purchase a Salay handmade paper heart card with dried press flowers, $4.50, made by women in villages of the Philippines at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade company that helps the poor in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Scents and Sensibilities

Don’t bother with sexy lingerie. We strip it off too quickly to enjoy it! Why not cozy up to these chocolate boxers and tee from Sleepy Heads? Soft and organic with hearts in all of the right places, the Life is Good set is $52. The soft drink is questionable but the recycled Mountain Dew can and green foam heart earrings make quite a fun, quirky statement, $9.00 from Repurposed 4 You. Check out a recycled poetry book at Biblio where prices are low and sentiments high. For him, Nautica Oceans green products (cologne, after shave, deodorant sticks) offers that manly, surfer smell without the alcohol. This one is water-based and both the ingredients and packaging is biodegradable.

All of these things are sweet – but there’s always room for the non commercial gesture: a poem you write for someone, a tree you plant in their honor, a dinner you whip up and clean up. You never can go wrong if it comes from the heart.

Love Always,

Luanne

Image: alfaneque

The post A Heart-to-Heart appeared first on EcoSalon.