Photo: blumengardens.com
Butterflies are mesmerizing creatures with more to offer than beauty alone. Because they are nectar eaters, they are great pollinators, and their larvae provide food for birds and other wildlife.
Author Archives: Jennifer Noonan
- Lawn & Garden >
- How To: Make a Butterfly Garden
- Lawn & Garden >
- How To: Plant a Tree (or 10!) for National Arbor Day
Photo: cedarlandforestresources.com
The Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 1972 with a mission toward conservation and education. It’s the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees—they planted over 8.7 million trees last year alone!
- Lawn & Garden >
- So, Who Are Master Gardeners and What Can They Do for You?
Photo: gardeningescapes.com
If you live on a property with a lawn or garden, you should be aware of Master Gardeners.
In 1972, the first Master Gardener program started in Washington State, after the growing suburban population had inundated the Washington State University Cooperative Extension with requests for horticultural information. A group of volunteers was trained to help; the idea took hold; and there are now Master Gardener programs in all 50 states.
Slideshow: 10 New Perennials to Perk Up Your Garden
- Lawn & Garden >
- Add a Little Spice to Your Life with a Culinary Herb Garden
Photo: gardenofeden.blogspot.com
If you love to cook, then you know the value of fresh herbs. Modern transportation and preservation methods make all sorts of produce, including herbs, easily accessible from most of our groceries. But if you want them even fresher, more convenient, and cheaper, consider growing a culinary herb garden. You’ll have fresh herbs at the ready at any time of day, as well as plenty to share with neighbors and friends.
Related: 9 Essential Tools for Every Gardener
- Lawn & Garden >
- Top Tips for Watering Your Lawn
Photo: blackburnsprinklers.com
Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to think about lawn maintenance again. Go ahead and tune up your mower and start focusing on what is required to care for your grass—that includes watering.
Most lawns require about one inch of water per week. How long should you leave the sprinkler running? There’s an easy way to find out. Simply set out a small container and water until it’s holding one inch. If it takes 60 minutes, then that’s how long you need to water your lawn each week.
Related: Watering Well: 10 Sprinklers to Quench Your Garden’s Thirst
Indeed, best practices in watering the lawn can help keep your grass healthy. Here are some top tips:
- Lawn & Garden >
- How To: Dry Your Garden Herbs
Photo: tallgrassdesign.blogspot.com
If you want to keep a little bit of your summer garden with you all year long, you can do so by drying herbs and storing them for use after your plants have fallen to the frost. Drying herbs is simple, can save you money, and imparts peace of mind—it’s nice knowing exactly where your food ingredients come from!
Related: Top Tips on Growing Herbs Indoors
- Tools & Workshop >
- How To: Make a Deck Rail Planter
Photo: Flickr / jencelene
Last year, I was dying to have some deck rail planters to grow spinach and lettuce in, but I couldn’t find any that were the right size (or that I liked well enough for the price).
Related: 10 Inspired DIY Planters to Dress Up Your Garden
So this year, I decided to build my own. For about $45 a piece in materials, I succeeded in making a trio of beautiful, 48-inch planters in cedar. You could make them less expensively in pressure-treated lumber.
Being that stock lumber, a butt joint design, and only basic carpentry skills were involved, I would rate this as an attainable project for a beginner who has some experience with power tools.
- Lawn & Garden >
- 5 Ways to Use Bamboo in Your Landscape
Bamboo is one of the most exotic and eco-friendly materials used in construction. Long associated with Asian cultures and design, this giant grass has been trending in the U.S. for the last few years, especially in flooring. It is strong, beautiful, and thanks to speedy growth, an economical choice for consumers and a renewable resource for producers. Outdoors, there are countless ways you can use bamboo to stunning effect, and here are five ideas to help you envision bamboo landscaping possibilities for your property.
1. EDGING
Photo: oregonlive.com
The varying heights of the bamboo posts in this edging installation give the garden path a timeless, natural look. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a zen-infused stroll along these step stones?
Read the rest of this entry »
- Lawn & Garden >
- How To: Choose a Wheelbarrow
Photo: mooseyscountrygarden.com
With planting season around the corner, it’s time to hit the garage and take inventory: what have you got, and what do you need to get? Act now to ensure you have the right equipment for transforming your wintertime garden planning into springtime reality.
In a small yard, a wheelbarrow might only be occasionally useful, but on larger properties, one-wheeled helpmates of this kind are virtually essential.
Related: 10 “Style Setting” Garden Sheds
If you’re heading out to shop for a wheelbarrow this weekend, it’s more than likely that a slew of options will be available. So on what basis should you choose a wheelbarrow? Here’s a breakdown of the basics:
- Interior Design >
- How To: Strip Wallpaper
Photo: theexperthousepainter.com
How strong is your relationship with your spouse? Do you want to test it? Spend a weekend stripping wallpaper together! Just kidding: Whether you’re working solo or with help from a partner, it’s not so hard to remove wallpaper. As with so many do-it-yourself projects, preparation, patience, and perseverance will be a few of the most valuable tools you can bring to the job.