文章
Andrea
2017年05月22日
I’ve always loved having edibles in my garden. It isn’t a new idea, cottage gardens in Europe traditionally combined growing vegetables for the family along with table flowers, due to the small spaces most people had in those times. And cottage gardening continues to be one of the most popular gardening styles, because of the charm and possibilities that those type of gardens hold. I suppose there is something satisfying about an ornamental edible garden that touches on our needs for survival, but acknowledges our need for beauty. And so it perseveres, but edible gardens for beauty lost their appeal in the new century. Fortunately, with the new awareness of “green” living, and the DIY movement in design, gardeners are looking at their spaces in new ways. We don’t plant any longer within a structure of “rules”. We plant, and design, for that matter, leaning towards trying things that are new, pushing the envelope a bit, and being unique.
Ornamental edible gardens are becoming hot… with small spaces common and the desire to grow at least some of our own food, we need to see this more!
Some easy guidelines for growing ornamental edibles?
Remember to balance edibles that have a short growing season with edibles that are evergreen, or at least last all season. You don’t want a big hole in your garden when the lettuce is down for the summer.
Edibles can include herbs, veggies, fruits and some flowers too!
Remember texture is very important in an edible garden.
Don’t forget that the color of fruit or veggies affect the design as well. Hot peppers look great in glossy green, but add a pop of red when they mature!
Remember the basics… shade plants in shade gardens, sun in sun gardens. That having been said, most edible gardens will do better with 6 hours or more of sun a day. Some edibles, such as lettuce and some herbs, prefer afternoon shade. Plan accordingly.
Watch for pests, and treat as necessary. However, integrating herbs into your edible design can actually help minimize some pest problems.
Some ideas for ornamental edible plants?
Red and green leaf lettuce.
Cabbages
Other greens, such as red swiss chard and celery.
Herbs
Artichokes
Edible flowers such as roses, day lilies, pansies, nasturtiums and honeysuckle
Fruit trees and bushes. Blueberry blushes are especially handsome plants.
Still not convinced an ornamental edible garden can be beautiful?
Cabbage and tulips!
A pretty lettuce border.
Herbs used in a formal design.
Cabbage in a boxwood border.
Herbs in a beautiful combination border by Rosalind Creasy.
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文章
Abigal
2017年05月22日
If it’s finally time for a new patio, or to redo the old one, there are lots of cool options other than just boring concrete! These 9 creative patio floor ideas can be done without a contractor, and can be done in weekend. All of them transform your space into an outdoor room worth showing off! It doesn’t matter if your patio surface has seen better days, or if you are just bored with it… try one of these projects. Our feature photo below, is from ‘Coates Design‘ in Seattle. These are simply oversized pavers laid in a bed of sand, then filled with decorative gravel.
If you would like to get a full tutorial on how to build a paver patio, then ‘Young House Love’ has it for you! Lot’s of pics, and good instruction that can be adapted for several different looks, including the more modern look above.
Same technique, different material! This side yard patio features circular pavers of different sizes set in a random pattern. From ‘Mod Frugal‘.
Don’t want to pay for all those pavers? Not a problem. We found this reusable plastic mold from ‘Quikrete‘ that allows you to create pavers (on sand, like above) with concrete mix and these molds.
Want a more traditional “feels like it’s been here forever” look? Then learn how to build a brick patio from ‘HGTV’.
Can you tell this technique we’ve been featuring so far is pretty much “the thing”? Here is another option for a Modern Mid-century look using these decorative concrete blocks laid on their sides. From ‘Fresh Digs‘.
So if you already have a concrete patio, but you don’t want to have to tear it out (NOT fun and NOT a one day deal!) then you have options. ‘Home Depot’ shows us how to lay deck flooring over a concrete patio. Looks amazing! You have to jump on over and see the finished project.
Want a modern, clean look? ‘Build Direct’ has these interlocking deck tiles that do the job, again, right over existing concrete!
Lastly, you could use recycled Envirotile to recover your patio, from ‘Home Depot‘ They even have a tutorial on installing the tile for you!
If you would like to get a full tutorial on how to build a paver patio, then ‘Young House Love’ has it for you! Lot’s of pics, and good instruction that can be adapted for several different looks, including the more modern look above.
Same technique, different material! This side yard patio features circular pavers of different sizes set in a random pattern. From ‘Mod Frugal‘.
Don’t want to pay for all those pavers? Not a problem. We found this reusable plastic mold from ‘Quikrete‘ that allows you to create pavers (on sand, like above) with concrete mix and these molds.
Want a more traditional “feels like it’s been here forever” look? Then learn how to build a brick patio from ‘HGTV’.
Can you tell this technique we’ve been featuring so far is pretty much “the thing”? Here is another option for a Modern Mid-century look using these decorative concrete blocks laid on their sides. From ‘Fresh Digs‘.
So if you already have a concrete patio, but you don’t want to have to tear it out (NOT fun and NOT a one day deal!) then you have options. ‘Home Depot’ shows us how to lay deck flooring over a concrete patio. Looks amazing! You have to jump on over and see the finished project.
Want a modern, clean look? ‘Build Direct’ has these interlocking deck tiles that do the job, again, right over existing concrete!
Lastly, you could use recycled Envirotile to recover your patio, from ‘Home Depot‘ They even have a tutorial on installing the tile for you!
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文章
Abigal
2017年05月21日
Repurposing is a craze that is not going away any time soon, and it shouldn’t! We all need to think about things in a new way to prevent waste, and it helps that it is a lot of fun to use your creativity to make old things into new. I especially love to use old things in the garden… Ok, it sounds dumb, but I feel like Mother Nature appreciates it just a little more when it’s used to enhance the great outdoors. Corny, yes. But hey, it makes me feel good. These thrift store DIY garden projects are just the thing for a rainy Saturday (or a sunny Monday!) to help you decorate your outdoor space. Our feature photo above, is from ‘Ruff by Margo‘. She gathers great ideas for old windows, and her reader Jennifer sent this one in, with a window box attached. So charming!
From ‘Gumption Decor’ I love this DIY file cabinet planter! I’ve seen these projects before, but wondered if they could hold up to all that weight of the soil. They fixed this problem by having a wood liner made from scrap wood. A little spray paint and wheels, and a very cool, contemporary planter! (BTW, you need to make sure you have a solid bottom on the file cabinet, these run about $10 at my local Goodwill!)
Pam at ‘House of Hawthornes’ made this DIY mosaic bowling ball yard art from… well, yes, a bowling ball. This is an easy project with some caulk, grout and some craft store gems. I would love one that was all aqua blue! Easy to follow tutorial with photos.
Ingenious much? ‘Gadget Sponge‘ created these repurposed up cycled bird feeder for ‘Birds and Blooms Magazine’! Pretty…Cool… And a good tutorial too!
Another repurposed bird feeder that requires almost no work? An old outdoor lantern with the glass removed… Perfect! If you find those cheap brass kinds, use a spray paint with an antique or hammered metal finish on the outside. From ‘Real Simple’.
Ok, this one is a cuuuttteeee. Vanessa at ‘Tried and True’ has a full tutorial for you to learn to make her DIY acorn bird feeder. A wooden bowl from the thrift store and some wire mesh make this adorable! Let’s just hope the squirrels don’t catch sight!
From ‘Ann’s Garden Path’, these hanging chandeliers from wire baskets are really clever, and easy and inexpensive to make. The wire baskets are from thrift stores, and they are lit with a $1.50 Target solar light. Hang them on Shepard hooks, or I love the idea of hanging them in a tree with a little table and two chairs just underneath. Quaint, huh?
‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ turned ordinary thrift store salad bowls into the most adorable garden toadstools I ever saw. If you have kids and want to teach them the magic of a garden, this is the project for you. (Or, even if you don’t!) Step by step photos. Love this!
From ‘Morena’s Corner’, this DIY tea pot bird bath is really a piece of vintage art. I love how she reminds us not to paint the top, inside portion of the bird bath. It can’t be good for them! And I really like the soothing green she chose… just enough of a color pop that the piece stands out in the garden, but not so much as to clash with it’s surroundings.
Use a thrift store spring form pan to make these DIY stepping stones from ‘Home Hardware’. Very simple tutorial. Project with the kids this weekend?
Make a terrarium from a repurposed light fixture with this idea from ‘HGTV Gardens’. Easy! Oh, and they have full instructions on caring for a terrarium too!
This dresser turned plant container from Kay Basset is via ‘Flea Market Gardening‘. Great site with a lot of thrifting ideas!
Ok, this last one from ‘Lily Pad Cottage’ I’m throwing in there for two reasons… 1. Even thought she made this amazingly smart DIY fire pit table top from scratch, this could be made using the top of a thrift store dining table as well. 2. It’s smart!
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