Getting outdoors to enjoy some fresh air, to get a little exercise, and to find something beautiful in nature that makes us smile can be so important. So gather up your family and get outdoors! Try one of these five outdoor activities to explore your backyard, your neighborhood, or just about anywhere! 1. Become a citizen scientist and explore the animals and plants in your backyard Your backyard is full of creatures and plants – birds, … [Read more...]
New Trellis for The Front of Our House
2020 was the year for home renovations, wasn't it? We had the siding replaced and removed a fireplace that we never used. And many of our neighbors had remodeling work done too. We had to severely trim down the azaleas at the front of the house so that the contractors could reach the fireplace and the siding. We made the decision to remove the bushes entirely and create a new design for this spot. I was fine with removing these … [Read more...]
Add Structure, Style, & Color to Your Garden with a Trellis & Flowering Vine
This content includes affiliate links. I get a small percentage of the sale for purchases made through links in this post. However, I use each product I review and only recommend those that I like and have worked well. Read my disclosure for more information. When I decided that the raised bed in my front yard needed a little height to give it added structure and color, my first though was some sort of permanent structure, whether it be … [Read more...]
Landscape Solutions for the Base of Trees
Updated: July 8, 2017 Leaving the base of the tree bare can often look unkempt or out of place since it's not easy to mow right up to the edge of a tree or to even weed-eat around it carefully. Plantings or mulching around the base of the tree trunk can not only help protect roots from the mower's blades, but also make your existing trees a part of the landscape design and reduce the amount of weed-eating that is necessary. Here are some of my … [Read more...]
Gecko Succulent Wall Planter
Succulents make great living wall plants because they don't require a lot of water or care. If you pick the right succulents for your particular light conditions, you'll have a cute and interesting vertical garden on your wall! These two succulent wall planters fit the bill perfectly. I found them at the Jack Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gecko planters at a zoo - perfect! The succulents are nested in a wire frame and rooted in peat moss … [Read more...]
A Living Wall of Shade Plants in a Colorful Pattern
You never know where you will come across amazing gardening ideas or unique plants. I wouldn't necessarily think a zoo is a great place to find gardening ideas, but on a recent trip to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I came across this gorgeous display of functional landscaping. In a shady corner, near the otters and turtles, the retaining wall has been created out of shade plants in a diagonal pattern planted between the concrete … [Read more...]
Don’t Throw Out that Old Bird Bath! Make It a Planter
One of my neighbors recently sold their house and as the new owner was cleaning out some debris from the yard, I walked over to introduce myself. I noticed he had an old, chipped, worn concrete bird bath in the trash pile, so, of course, I asked if I could have it. He even helped me load it into my hatchback! Upcycle An Old Bird Bath: How to Convert Your Bird Bath into a Planter When your bird bath can no longer hold water for the birds to … [Read more...]
Painted Pine Cone Table Decoration
This is a fun, pretty, and surprisingly easy project that makes a great table decoration. You can make it to match your decor for year-round use or you can pick colors that are holiday-themed. My living room has teal, lime green, and white colors in it, so I selected paint that would coordinate well with my furniture and decorations. I had fun making this and it was near-instant gratification. The project only takes about 20-30 minutes to … [Read more...]
Got Bad Soil? Go With A Container Garden
Post Updated: November 8, 2016 The soil around my parents' house is pretty much Mississippi clay. When it rains, it holds the water for a long time, but it dries out to a hard shell in the sun. This makes it difficult to grow eye-catching plants around the house. They don't want to work too much with the soil because plants that are so close to the house can also trap moisture against the sides of the house and cause rotting problems. This … [Read more...]
Restore metal outdoor furniture to “like new”
A few years ago, I bought a really cute patio furniture set which was composed of a small metal table and two matching metal chairs. I put them on the front porch under the arbor. They were great for sitting and drinking a cup of tea and watching the hummingbirds feed at the cross vine. When I moved into my new house, I put them on the lawn in the backyard. Unfortunately my backyard is a haven for mosquitoes, so for the year that I’ve lived … [Read more...]