Archive for the ‘Landscaping’ Category

If you’re anything like me, the idea of supporting life for an entire garden sounds virtually impossible. After researching ways to grow vegetables without having a lot of space or sunlight in my yard, as well as very minimal gardening experience in general, I ran into a great idea called container gardening. 

Benefits of Container Gardening

Container gardening is basically like having a portable, mini garden.  You can grow as much, or as little as you like.  You can also move your container to any location that you choose.  Personally, I have a back yard that is consumed by large trees that produce an abundance of shade.  Although this is nice when the heat is unbearable, it puts a serious damper on my gardening dreams.  The idea with container gardening is that you can create a garden anywhere you want.  Most of the sunlight I receive is right at my front door.  Using the container gardening idea, I can plant a little tomato plant in a pot and keep it right by my front door where it will flourish.  

(Photo Credit: HowStuffWorks.com)

Types of Containers

Some of the most popular choices include terracotta, ceramic and plastic pots.  However, finding an old container from the garage will work perfectly too. Items like old watering cans, buckets, or an old wheelbarrow will work just as well at a much better price – FREE!

When choosing a container, consider how much weather the container can handle; an old can that is prone to rust wouldn’t be appropriate in a rainy climate, for example. Also consider what it is that you will be planting.  Finally, when choosing a container make sure there is a drainage hole somewhere.  When you decide to garden in a container you will need to water your plant often and as such, will need to make sure you have some type of drainage method.  This will eliminate the potential for drowning your plant.  If there is a container you have your heart set on using, but there is no drainage you can always make your own by carefully using a drilling needle.

Garden Bugs

One small downside to gardening is the bugs. One of the easiest ways to keep bugs out is to keep your plant well groomed and watered as bugs are more likely to attack when your plant is stressed or wilting. You can also purchase (or capture) a handful of lady bugs and have them make their home in your plant.  Lady bugs will get rid of aphids while causing no harm to your plant. You can also either rid the bugs with your hand, or bring you container into the kitchen and spray the leaves (remember to spray under the leaves also) with the sink hose.

What To Plant

Considering the size of your container, you can plant anything you want in it!  Vegetables will need a slightly larger container to accommodate lots of water and provide room for roots to develop.  However, if you just want to grow some beautiful flowers, you can use a smaller container.  A few ideas are lettuce, tomatoes (special dwarf varieties, or compact cherry tomatoes work best in containers), herbs, peppers, or a variety of flowers.

(Photo Credit: Olive-Trees.net)

I’m so excited to go purchase my very first tomato plant to care for.  Having it right next to my front door should allow me to be a very successful first time gardener.  At this point the only issue I foresee is keeping my two year old sons fingers out of it!

It’s Earth Day today, and in fact, it’s the 40th Earth Day to be celebrated since its inception.

In the past forty years we’ve come a long way in changing our ways to protect the earth, but as much progress as we’ve made we still have a lot of work ahead of us. Remember Al Gore on the scissor lift pointing out the spike in data? We need to make sure he doesn’t have to reach any higher than he already is to show our impact.

The inconvenient truth about getting on board with greener practices is just that, it can be slightly inconvenient to abandon our old routine and commit to a new one. It can be inconvenient to buy products that may cost more money. It can be inconvenient to actually think through all of our actions beforehand. But, in the end, if everyone took more time to consider their actions, maybe the end result would be a healthier planet for us and for our future.

Here are some of my resolutions for the coming year to help out the Earth, maybe you’ll want to add these resolutions to your list too:

1. Avoid “hypernesting”:  Hypernesting is a term I recently read about from the Apartment Therapy book The 8 Step Home Cure by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. It’s the perfect name for the increased interest homeowners have of buying more and more things to outfit their home. With all the buying going on, and not a lot of getting rid of anything we are faced with an overload of “stuff,” hence, a constant need to “organize”.  But, as Gillingham-Ryan suggests, it’s not so much that homeowners “are in need of more organizing; we need to manage our consumption, let go of our stuff, and learn how to restore life to our homes.”

Managing our consumption is the key. Stop buying simply to buy. Just live simply. The less you consume, the less waste you’ll produce and the less waste that will go to landfills. Every time I go to Target or Ikea, I’m going to re-think my impulse purchases to make sure they are actually things I really need.

2. Make My Home More Energy Efficient: While my home could do with a new set of windows, I’m not sure my budget is going to allow for it. But there are other smaller things I plan on doing like lessen my use of vampire power, run of all of my laundry on cold, turn of lights when I’m not using them, and researching other tricks for reducing my energy use little by little.

3. Start Composting : Ok, all I have to do for this one is get the appropriate receptacles and convince the people I live with that it won’t smell. I grew up with a compost heap and have always felt guilty living life without one ever since. I think this year it’s time to get back into the habit, especially since I’ve been working more on gardening than ever before.

Composting is a great way to keep bio-degradable waste such as fruit and veggie scarps out of the landfill and back into the earth. Here’s a helpful government website to get you started.

4. Use Green Cleaning Products: I’ve already started purchasing greener products such as Seventh Generation cleaning supplies for my home. But, I really want to look into more options, Such as baking soda as an all purpose cleaner, and a lemon slice as an anti-bacterial agent for cleaning cutting boards.  I’m sure there are so many more of these eco-cleaning tips that are just as easy and affordable.

5. Consider a Rain Catchment System: I would love to be able to set up a rain catchment system at my house to have a water source for gardening, or even washing my car. Check out my previous post on these cool systems.

6. When Doing Home Improvements Use Eco or Recycled Products: If you’re going to be remodeling, think about the impact of your materials. While there is an array of beautiful, new recycled and sustainable materials, you may also want to consider re-using older materials. At the Rebuilding Center in Portland you can find hundreds of reusable windows, doors, and even sinks and bathtubs. Instead of adding to the landfill, why not re-purpose something so it never becomes junk in the first place.

For more about green building and an eco lifestyle check out our Green Living Section.

One day, after studying the ugliness of my backyard, I decided that I was going to have to do something about it.

Normally, the average person would think about what they would want to do with their backyard, research their options, and then do it.

What did I do? I tore up my entire backyard, that day. I did not even stop to think about the details, such as: cost, labor, materials, weather, etc…

Now I am looking at a giant dirt mess. (Yes, that is my actual yard)

(Photo courtesy of Angela Zander)

Because I have never had a yard or let alone any living plant life that I was responsible for I am not sure why I thought I would be able to tackle something like this and have the know how of what to plant, when to plant, what to plant flowers in or how to build a wall for my elevated flower bed.  Looking back, I see that maybe I should have started with a Chia Herb Garden. Well, what’s been done is done and now I have to fix it and turn it into something beautiful.

Before I can go any farther I need to decide what type of material I am going to use to elevate my flower bed. Once that is done, I can plant the grass.

After looking into what is available to me for creating my raised flower beds, I decided that these following materials were at the top of my list on cost effectiveness, availability and level of difficulty to construct.

River Rock – This gives a very natural look that you can customize to the size and shape that you want your flower bed to have. Most companies will deliver the rock to your house for a small fee.

(Photo Courtesy of Ace Outdoor Services )

Brick – Brick has a very clean look but it will cost a little more. If you have the time and the sunshine for this, it does look very nice. I found several deals in the local newspaper and on www.craigslist.com for people  trying to sell pallets of brick at a decent cost. The only down fall is that it may not be in very good condition.

(Photo courtesy of Your Garden Care )

A Stone Wall Kit (plastic rock) – This is not quite as cost effective as brick and rock but it is put together very easily and is low maintenance. This is a nice look and will stand up to the weather. However, this isn’t the best idea if you want “organic” material.

(Photo courtesy of Home Improvements Catalog)

With so many options to choose from I was having a hard time deciding. I want my flower bed to look nice, a little rugged and be cost effective. After, seeing what was out there I have decided to go with river rock.

I have talked to several gardening companies and quarries and have established that it will take 4.2 tons of River Rock costing me a little over $400 dollars. To find out how many tons of rock you will need, you will multiply height by the length and then divide by 17. (For my needs that would look like 51 linear ft x 1 ft 4 in divided by 17)

Now that I have figured out what I am going to do, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am excited to see what the finished product will look like.

Now, if it would only it would stop raining so I could plant the grass seed!

Ah Halloween: it’s the season of sugar rushes, repurposed white sheets, and humiliated pumpkins.  Aside from all the fun things there are to do to get ready for the spookiest night of the year, it’s a good idea to take quick stock of your home’s porch and walkway areas. 

If you’re expecting little goblins and Bob-the-Builders to arrive at your door come the evening of the 31st, you’d better be ready to receive them in safety, and style.  If you’ve ever been a kid, you remember how excited you got at Halloween, and having to scramble around in a floor length sheet? Add to the mix that you were probably already a little bit clumsy, and then add large amounts of sugar… forget about it…it was a small miracle I managed to get anywhere on Halloween as a kid. 

Photo Credit: Superstock.com

When Your Porch Takes Center Stage

Parents and kids alike are sure to be appreciative if you’ve spent just a little time clearing your walk of fall leaves, and any other debris that could potentially prove slippery.  Also double check for cracks in the pavement or cement and patch them if you can.  If you’ve got steps up to your door, clear and inspect these as well so the sugared-up little Cinderellas and Spidermen don’t wipe out on your doorstep. 

Remember also that lighting is crucial to make your home’s exterior inviting and safe.  (It’s also a good way to improve curb appeal so you can enjoy the benefits long after the toilet paper has been removed from your trees.)  Line your walk and porch in solar powered garden lights, and you’ll be ready to warmly welcome family and friends for all the coming holidays.

Just stumbled across this amazing backyard on Design*Sponge. It’s the home of Meredith Kleinman, an interior designer and painter, and she has truly made me covet her home.

The interior is beautiful, but it’s the exterior that really got my attention.

The wood deck is complete with shaded sitting area. The three sided bench is a great use of custom carpentry, and takes the outdoor patio to a whole new level, perfect for family use or social gathering. Of course there needs to be a convered dining area too. And don’t miss the concrete work making the floor. 

Then there is the small sunroom with amazing tiny tile work just behind the sitting area. I love the return of tiny tile installation like this.

Then there’s the Japanese style bathhouse complete with outdoor shower. The sunny California weather is perfect for outdoor showers. And this one, complete with wooden Japanese inspired hot tub creates the perfect space.

If this doesn’t inspire you to start creating your own backyard oasis, I don’t know what will!

(Photo Credits: Design*Sponge, Meredith Kleinman)

I maintain that brisk temperatures are no reason to keep you indoors.  After all, there’s good growing season left, and your garden can be taking advantage. It’s also the prime time to get your lawn ready for the conditions ahead. 

Before the coldest of the weather hits, you might want to aerate your grass and lay down any of the fertilizer you may want to add.       Photo Credit: flickr

You can even start planting in the late summer to harvest some early fall crops.  Species especially suited to cooler environments include spinach, pansies, and garlic.  It’s also a good chance to get your bulbs in the ground for next spring and plant some grasses, which bloom in the late summer and early fall. 

Another great strategy for your fall time gardening projects might mean investing in a cold frame.  These great little gadgets are lightweight, easily portable, and insulate plants or shrubs from the harshest of temperatures.  If you’ve put in bushes or shrubs and the weather is set to get colder sooner than expected, cold frames are a great way to protect your investment and enjoy the foliage in the spring without worry.

I’ve been basking in the beautiful sun non-stop for the past few days. In Portland, with almost 300 days of the year being grey, rainy, and cold, it’s essential to enjoy the sunny days while I can.

So while living it up on my front porch, I often wish I had a more ideal set up for enjoying the outdoors.

What would that ideal set up be? Why, an outdoor kitchen of course!

(Photo Credit: Cosmopolitan Horticulture Services)

It’s entirely possible to create a home away from home in your backyard. No need to keep walking in and out of your home to entertain outdoors, you can install and create everything you need right there in your backyard.

Outdoor kitchens can include everything from a gas grill, a refrigerator, wet bar, ice maker, sink, built-in stereo or TV, and pretty much anything else you can think of. You’ll need to call in a professional to make sure you have the right plumbing, and wiring, but the end result will be worth it when you can spend endless hours enjoying the sun and warm weather.

As a kid, I spent summers on the family ranch.  Idyllic? You bet.  Dirty? Absolutely.  Maybe that’s why I like the idea of outdoor showers so much.  My German grandmother kept an immaculate house, and none of us dared enter covered in field grime and dog hair. 

We used a hose snaked through the patio trellis to clean up before we were allowed back inside for supper.  More often than not, this was an event in itself, as we enjoyed water fights and got ourselves ready to cannonball into the pool.  Years later, my grandparents would improve on our methods by adding more permanent plumbing for an outdoor shower off the back patio. 

Combine Fun Styles and Great Function

You don’t have to be farm residents to understand the usefulness of the outdoor shower, as it lends itself to a wide variety of tasks.  Maybe you’re:

• An avid outdoor exerciser?
• An enthusiastic gardener?
• A weekend warrior bent on improving your back deck, your landscape? 
• Into beachy activities at a vacation home?

This might be the perfect solution for you to keep the interior of your home a little more pristine. 

Also handy for families with kids, an outdoor pool, or abodes close to the beach, showering al fresco is a fun way to encourage the littler, or even bigger, members of your family to make life a little easier by leaving the dirt, sand, and whatever else outside.

Options for personalizing your outdoor shower and getting creative with the design might get you started thinking up how an outdoor shower could fit into your home’s landscape:  

Photo Credit: Sunset