I'll admit it: I don't really like carving pumpkins. I always have grand plans, but by the time you head to the patch, select just the right one, gorge on popcorn balls, look for the carving tools, spread the newspaper, and begin the epic cleanout process...I'm kinda over it.
Renting can be a real buzzkill sometimes, but we find ways to deal with the non-permanence of it all. In my case, I got stuck with one of the only units in my apartment complex that doesn't have a window over the kitchen sink, leaving me without a windowsill to display the indoor herb garden I've wanted for years and cats who would attack my garden anywhere else. Since above the sink are kitchen cabinets that I cannot drill through (for fear of losing my deposit), I found that a tension rod was the perfect solution to my problems! By planting my DIY indoor herb garden in a hanging flower box, I could hang the garden from a tension rod resting between two cabinets for a drill-free DIY!
Renting can be a real buzzkill sometimes, but we find ways to deal with the non-permanence of it all. In my case, I got stuck with one of the only units in my apartment complex that doesn't have a window over the kitchen sink, leaving me without a windowsill to display the indoor herb garden I've wanted for years and cats who would attack my garden anywhere else. Since above the sink are kitchen cabinets that I cannot drill through (for fear of losing my deposit), I found that a tension rod was the perfect solution to my problems! By planting my DIY indoor herb garden in a hanging flower box, I could hang the garden from a tension rod resting between two cabinets for a drill-free DIY!
Believe it or not, I use to be a professional plant killer. Turns out, with a little love and care, keeping plants alive is really not that hard! You just need to know a few key tips. So today I'm sharing 10 low light houseplants (I actually own all of these) that are tough to kill (because I haven't killed them yet!). So, if you want to introduce a few plants into your home, but you're not sure you can keep them green, here are some you might want to look into!
What do you do when you run out of horizontal space for houseplants? Go up! A vertical garden made of wall-mounted plants is easier to put together than you might think, and we have a step-by-step tutorial to show you how to make your own.
Gardening can be a rewarding experience that produces beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables, but it can get expensive if you're not careful. There are ways to cut back on spending though, and today we're sharing 15 of our favorites. Keep reading to check out lots of clever tips that will keep your green thumb and your wallet happy.
Blooming flowers and fresh rain can only mean one thing: spring has definitely sprung! That means summer will be here before you know it. If getting your backyard in order is on your to-do list but you're having trouble getting started - don't fret! You don't need a total landscaping overhaul for your yard to feel refreshed and inviting. Sometimes it's just a matter of hanging up some string lights or creating a simple fire pit. We've rounded...
Blooming flowers and fresh rain can only mean one thing: spring has definitely sprung! That means summer will be here before you know it. If getting your backyard in order is on your to-do list but you're having trouble getting started - don't fret! You don't need a total landscaping overhaul for your yard to feel refreshed and inviting. Sometimes it's just a matter of hanging up some string lights or creating a simple fire pit. We've rounded...
Hummingbirds are good for your garden ecosystem, and very entertaining little creatures. It's easy to fall in love with these tiny, charismatic birds that whiz around with little concern for us (unless you're getting too close to their food sources--then they'll give you a talking-to, and maybe even try to chase you off). A visiting friend who saw them for the first time in person on my front porch said he felt like he was in an animated Disney movie. If you're ready to attract them to your own yard, you just need to bribe them with hummingbird food, and maybe a few other amenities. Read on to learn how.
Hummingbirds are good for your garden ecosystem, and very entertaining little creatures. It's easy to fall in love with these tiny, charismatic birds that whiz around with little concern for us (unless you're getting too close to their food sources--then they'll give you a talking-to, and maybe even try to chase you off). A visiting friend who saw them for the first time in person on my front porch said he felt like he was in an animated Disney movie. If you're ready to attract them to your own yard, you just need to bribe them with hummingbird food, and maybe a few other amenities. Read on to learn how.
As I'm sure we're all aware by now, I have the world's WORST brown thumb. I've been known to commit plantslaughter with hardy creatures like mint and calathea that other people swear are impossible to kill. So I thought I'd put together a list of the plants that have shared a house with me and survived against all odds. I consider them my 'go-to hardy houseplants' - if they've thrived with me and my brown thumb, then they can live through anything!
Growing your own herbs is incredibly satisfying. Not only do they take up very little space, they take your cooking to new heights as you start experiment with different flavor profiles, you can even read our guide to choosing your own here.
Being a homeowner is a big responsibility, and while there's plenty to take care of inside you home, don't forget about the outside, either. If you've ever looked into the cost of hiring a professional landscaper, you know they're not cheap. Fortunately, there are a slew of inexpensive and affordable DIY landscaping ideas at your disposal, so long as you're willing to get your hands a little dirty. From the front yard to the back, barbeque pits to bistro lights, here are 59 ways you can affordably improve your outdoor space.
While I like to dream about becoming a skilled gardener someday, the reality is I have a terrible brown thumb and I kill most plants I touch. I think a lot of my garden woes have to do with inattentiveness though - I forget to water my leafy friends, fertilise them, or do anything that might come close to caring for them. Terrible right?
I, in typical millennial fashion, am obsessed with houseplants. It's a recent obsession, one I only came upon over the past two years. It all started with a single succulent that I scooped up for free because someone was going to toss it in the trash. I took that succulent home, and shortly after, learned how to propagate it. My one succulent turned into two, and then three, and from there on out, I was hooked. While I'm a few (dozen) houseplants away from being a true #plantlady, I can dream of being as green-thumbed as these 15 women. Keep reading for my favorite plant ladies that you should start following on Instagram.
Photo: Rachel Jacks
Spring and summer is growing season, but that also means it's time to trim your yard. Trees, bushes, and shrubs need to be kept in shape, and to do that, it really helps to have sharp tools. It's faster and easier to cut with a sharp blade, plus it's better for the plant. In just a few minutes, you can actually sharpen garden tools yourself.
Yard work is hard enough without trying to do it with dull tools...
Photo: Rachel Jacks
Spring and summer is growing season, but that also means it's time to trim your yard. Trees, bushes, and shrubs need to be kept in shape, and to do that, it really helps to have sharp tools. It's faster and easier to cut with a sharp blade, plus it's better for the plant. In just a few minutes, you can actually sharpen garden tools yourself.
Yard work is hard enough without trying to do it with dull tools...
After a long and harsh winter, it's a privilege to get outside on the weekends and do a little bit of "spring cleaning" in your outdoor spaces. Taking care of the little things now will set you and your plants up for success, so you both can enjoy that sweet, sweet sunshine all summer long. Here are the basics to tackle as you work on your spring yard maintenance:
I was a junior in high school when my cat, Donut, came into my life. She was a rescue from the local ASPCA, and she's been my ride-or-die ever since. Because I was young when I got her, I didn't understand all of her needs. Over the last decade of us living together, the space that Donut takes up in my home grows larger and larger - because like any other living thing, she needs more than water and shelter to thrive. She needs play. She needs nutrients. She needs a place to sharpen her talons other than the side of my armchair. And just how I want only the best for my own health and wellbeing, I want the best for hers, too. Which is why it's important that she gets her greens (or in this case, cat grass).
I'd love to be a plant lady (I hear this is the new cat lady!) but there's one problem...I can't seem to keep my plants alive. No matter how hard I try, I was not blessed with the gift of a green thumb. Instead, my house is filled with fake plants so that I can enjoy the greenery without the constant fear of killing them. I also have cats, and it's difficult to find plants that are nontoxic to pets, and they generally leave the fake plants alone. Fake plants can be really beautiful, so I've rounded up a variety of fake plants with the potential to make your home look like it's part of the outdoors!