Plants & Yard Ideas

When I was growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, my family took a lot of trips to Mississippi to see my grandparents, and on the way back, I remember, there was this one lavender house, right by the interstate, that always caught my eye. This one pale, pale purple home, in a sea of beiges, seemed almost magical.

Jennifer’s backyard was overgrown and her deck had seen better days. After clearing away a good portion of the growth, she knew her backyard had major potential but she wasn’t entirely sure what to do about the deck. Enter gravel! Friend to both budget and mother nature, this alternative choice helped Jennifer build a gorgeous outdoor space. From Jennifer: Before I purchased my house in late 2007, it had lived a maintenance-free life. The yard was completely overgrown.

It was love at first sight for Elizabeth and her patio. And like any good relationship, they’ve inspired each other, supported each other and brought a little color into each others’ lives. From Elizabeth: When we took the tour of our apartment I didn’t even need to step through the front door before I realized that we we’re going to take it. Simply based on the patio.

Previously I wrote about my bare backyard when it was a wasteland of dog poop, weeds and sorrow. Today I’m showing you my new and improved outdoor space, which is now a low maintenance dream. Two thirds of the new backyard is covered with an expansive composite deck. The other section is a rectangular area of gravel with a firepit: Composite Deck: Probably the most ground-breaking — yet largely unsung — feature of the new and improved backyard is the new platform deck.

There’s nothing quite so satisfying as growing your own food—and nothing quite so frustrating as being a would-be gardener with a too-small outdoor space. I have known this pain myself, so I was particularly intrigued when Dabney, our Projects Editor, told me about Square Foot Gardening, a very efficient technique for growing things you can eat. Could this be the perfect way to grow a lot of veggies in just a little bit of space?

This Bay Area front yard had seen better days, but now it is an urban oasis worthy of major admiration—and envy, especially of their lucky friends who get invitations for sunset cocktails but didn’t have to do any of the actual work. If you happen to have a similar project to tackle, this reader submission has the most thorough process description ever seen in a Before & After post. Everything looks so lush and luxurious!

You might remember Jessica’s petite apartment, which was featured in a House Tour (and video) a couple of years ago. Off the bedroom, through that French door, is a teeny tiny balcony, which she just got around to sprucing up, and it’s so worth a look. This tiny balcony seems like it’s only large enough to hold a bistro table and chairs—or even just one chair perhaps?—but a clever makeover makes room for so much more. Absolutely amazing!

Let's unpack the tiny backyard shed phenomenon, shall we?

‘Tis the season for partying outdoors. But what to do when you don’t have a proper backyard in which to throw an al fresco bash? Fret not, my patio-deprived friends. There are still plenty of ways to host a stellar summer soiree without an actual backyard. It just takes a little planning and creativity. From picnics at the park to old-school pub-crawls, here are seven ways to throw a stellar summer fete—no backyard necessary.

It went "from shabby storage shed to chic guest suite."

Even if you don't have a rooftop to use, you'll find garden inspiration from all the ways this couple and their neighbors made use of their shared outdoor space.

Each time a tiny seed transforms into a rainbow of flowers, I feel renewed with hope not just for my garden, but for the world. It’s a reminder that there is a possibility of beauty everywhere.

Most plant parents know that a regular watering schedule is key to keeping your leaf babies thriving. Perhaps you already pump the jams while tackling this important task, but now there’s a soundtrack made specifically for giving your thirsty stems a drink.Created by artist Past Palms, the eponymous EP “is a sonic reflection of yearning for nature in a nature-less place.

There are so many different types of summer solstice traditions around the globe that we could never possibly list them all, but this flower-focused one from Sweden is especially lovely for the occasion. On the night of Friday, June 21, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is gifting travelers flying from the US to Scandinavia a bouquet of seven gorgeous fresh flowers, which they are to put underneath their pillows.

These windowsills use more than just flowers to decorate.

We’ve been enviously reading posts from the Northern Hemisphere about the lead up to summer and meanwhile down here in Australia, we’ve just entered winter. It’s getting really cold and frosty so not much is happening in our garden at the moment.

Indoor plants have seen their fair share of sunken living rooms, mall food courts, and midcentury modern. Let’s take a tour through the houseplant bubbles of yore.

Here’s how to grow your own.

Do you know what a mandrake is? If you’re a botany enthusiast, you probably do. However, if your plant knowledge ends right around “dandelion” and “ivy,” you may not know. It’s a hearty root, but it’s also different from other growing thingamajigs in that it…kind of looks like a human. And if you’re a fan of Harry Potter franchise, you know this more than anyone as to how alive they can seem.

These unusual plants are shooting to the top of our “must-have” list and gaining traction among collectors and plant parents.

This is the perfect time to bring your houseplants outside to promote new growth and overall health.

Sometimes staring out of a window isn’t enough to soothe the senses and clear the mind, which is explains why there’s a sitting on the roof trope we often see played out in our favorite TV shows and films. It appears to be quite peaceful up there, but unfortunately not all homes are equipped with such easy rooftop access. However, window manufacturer Velux has made it so that your skylights can do double duty.

These blooming beauties bring color to your indoor space.

Fresh flowers or a new plant can transform a home as easily as the weather. But personally, I find both of them to be a giant pain in the neck.

If you’ve been looking through our outdoor area-maximizing guides this summer and feeling bummed because you don’t have a big area to yourself to clean or decorate, fear not! There are still plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors in whatever home you’ve got. Here are some ideas. First of all, do you really not have any outdoor space? Or is it just super tiny? Because let me tell you, you can do a lot with a little. As these inspiring small spaces prove.

If you’re reading this story, there’s a good chance you’re a brand new plant parent. Congratulations! After sifting through countless species and asking yourself some serious questions to make sure you’re up for the task, you’ve finally found a plant that you will have to hold, love in sickness and in health, until (plant) death do you part.The only question that remains is how you’ll use your plant.

Red Fox We’re probably not the first to tell you that bees have been disappearing from their hives, never to return, at alarming rates. Colony Collapse Disorder has been an issue here in the US since the 1990s and it’s now occurring all around the world. Among the super-bummer factors believed to be causing CCD is habitat loss. While this is a really large scale issue, there are a few things the average gardener can do to help out.

During the month of March, we’re gathering some of our best problem solvers together into master “Home Remedies” posts to help you make your home healthier, solving one problem at a time. Today, help for all the indoor gardeners out there that struggle with keeping house plants healthy.

Of the many things that have to be in place before you can throw a successful garage sale (like decluttering your house to have enough stuff to sale and picking a good location), you also need to make sure your garage sale is playing by the rules and playing nice. Here are three things to consider before throwing your next garage sale. 1.

These gorgeous blooms are perfect for a container-sized cutting garden.

Fiddle-leaf figs. Monstera deliciosa. Prayer plants and umbrella plants… or is it nerve plants and elephant ears?  Whether through drop-shipping or subscription boxes, access to living plants has never been easier. But how do you keep them all straight? How do you know when to water what? Does anyone know exactly what “bright, indirect sunlight” actually means?Here is your plant guide, from A to Z.

Memorial Day is behind us, which means it’s officially prime backyard time. If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space (even if it’s just a sliver of grass) you’ll want to make the most of it. But knowing where to start can be tricky. We love these gorgeous backyard spaces from past home tours, which offer some great outdoor inspiration. If you have the space, consider creating a variety of seating options — the neutral color palette ties together each of these.

It was in serious need of a spruce up.

Fresh flowers are one of life’s ultimate indulgences: they’re beautiful, they’re fabulous, they’re gone before you know it. Here are 14 gorgeous, ephemeral arrangements from our House Tours and a discussion of just what makes them work so well— besides their own gorgeousness, of course… Danielle’s Charming, Classic Chicago Walk-Up: Ranunculus Ah, the sweetest little cabbages of the floral world.

Succulents are all the rage these days, which means they’re popping up everywhere. In funky containers, concrete planters, wreaths, even bridal bouquets. But as cool as they are — they often come with a hefty price tag — which is why I decided to make my own. Instead of attempting the more common wreath form, I opted for a modern take on the traditional mistletoe kissing ball.

Live without much natural light? These off-the-radar options are for you.

You've got four options.

With the recent onslaught of hot weather, we’ve been scarfing the guacamole and thought it a shame to just chuck the avocado pits. We grabbed a couple of our trusty Spega yogurt glasses and did our best to recall the glory days of elementary school science class. Jump below for a refresher on how to turn your seed in to a little tree…. Straight from the official avocado website: 1. Wash the seed.

For many apartment dwellers, growing flowers and veggies inside containers is the only way to have a home garden. And having a home garden is awesome! Spending time in the sun after being trapped at work all day can cheer you up. Growing your own food, herbs, and flowers is rewarding. Getting your hands dirty will make you feel closer to nature. Plus, container gardens can be as small or as big as you want.

These are the best things we've bought for our plants.

Summer will be here before you know it, which means it’s time to schedule some beach trips, stock up on rosé, and get your outdoor space in tip-top condition.We know what you’re thinking: “What outdoor space?

On many occasions, we’ve been tempted to grow our own potatoes. They’re fairly low maintenance, can be grown in a pot or in the ground, last a fairly long time if stored properly, and can be very nutritious (high in potassium and vitamin C). Here’s more incentive: according to this article, you can grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 sq. feet.

We love the geometry and repetition of a terraced garden, and this little set-up, from the home of Susann Larsson of Purple Area, is an ingenious way to bring the look to your small-space deck or balcony garden. It works perfectly for herbs, which will stay small with constant harvesting… Susann’s lovely little garden benefits from the uniformity of the galvanized steel pots.

We’ve said it here before: plants bring life to all living spaces. If you’re concerned about killing plants, we’ve consulted with a plant expert, Debra Prinzing, to bring you the hardiest ones. 1. Dracaena marginata (also known as Dragon Plant) “It’s pretty sculptural,” Debra says. “Good for the young and modern.” She recommends getting two and putting them on your fireplace mantel or on your entry table.

Q: Can I use house plants to improve my home’s indoor air quality? There is data and research on the value of outdoor plantings and the positive effect on air quality through natural transpiration. It would seem that the same would be true of indoor plants, if well maintained, both in terms of overall humidity levels, and in terms of potential CO2 reduction and biofiltration.Sent by TomEditor: Here’s what our friends at Green Home Guide have to say.

There are a lot of options out there for apartment dwellers who want to compost, and like most things it’s not as simple as one style fits all. It’s about finding what works best for you. Try something! And if it doesn’t work for you… try something else! This is an easy indoor compost option for people who need something cheap, customizable and space friendly.MaterialsA container to house your compost. It can be as big or small as you like.

It’s ok, go ahead and laugh… and then get your mind out of the gutter. But if rare, unusual statement plants cause your heart to flutter, then the Platycerium is for you. This tutorial will show you how to mount your stag to a piece of wood, then properly care for your new living art! Like orchids, the staghorn fern (Platycerium) is an epiphyte, which means they do not require soil to grow but attach to and gain nutrients from other plants, while not harming the host plant.

As someone who has a tough time keeping indoor plants alive, I knew I would never use my antique plant stand for its intended purpose. Instead, it is used to hold an iron kettle (Image 10). Occasionally I shove some cut flowers in the kettle but that’s about as green as my plant stand gets. It seems I am not the only one who has found alternative uses for plant stands.

San Franciscans know Paxton Gate as one of the city’s best garden stores, but you may not know that they also do landscape design. Their portfolio is full of inspiring before and after photos, including gorgeous gardens that started out as leveled dirt lots, overgrown backyards, and scraggly hillsides. If you’re the owner of a weedy lot or an unkempt patio, these photos might just be the kick-start you need to plan an outdoor renovation project.

So many of us battle with our feline friends over the houseplants we’d rather they not eat. Ever wonder what plants you can grow specifically for cats? There are the obvious ones that I’m sure we can all name, but there are some less known plants that will make your kitty very happy.1. Cat Grass (dactylis glomerata)- this is an obvious one, but why spend $4 – $6 a pop at the store when you can grow it yourself?

As spring drifts into summer vegetables like spinach, broccoli rabe, radishes, and peas will finish up, which means now is the ideal time to plant new vegetables in their place. This planting strategy is called succession planting and the goal is to plant food all summer long so you have a continuous harvest. I’ve listed some of my favorite crop combos after the jump, but I am also curious what you are planting in your garden right now.

There’s nothing to fuel inspiration more than a really great set of before and after images. We definitely find that here, with this wonderful front garden renovation at the home of Dee Randolph and David McQuaide in the North Park area of San Diego. Especially wonderful is the replacement of sod in favor of drought tolerant plants.The homeowners also changed the trim color and red tiles on the roof to better compliment the newly completed garden.

Most folks don’t realize how easy (and cheap) it is to grow your own baby greens, even with a very limited amount of space. Just think about all the plastic bags and clamshell containers used for packaged greens that you buy at the store (not to mention how long they’ve been sitting in that plastic before they even get to market). Why not save the packaging and transit time, and harvest your own baby greens at home?

My sister moved into a great little fixer-upper a couple of years ago and this past spring our Mum joined forces with her for a three-week landscaping caper. One of the most striking changes was this fantastic fence project.Even though the old fence had seen better days, the next door neighbors weren’t ready to replace the structure outright. Rather than just sprucing up her side with some paint, Big Sis designed a modern facing to glam up the area beside her deck and patio.

Many traditional neighborhoods need a little boost before they’ll be able to move to grass free yards. This project serves as just that. The yard in front of this home goes from a terrible looking patch of dead grass to a sustainable rockscape. Check out the dramatic transformation after the jump.Without the huge water needs of a typical grass lawn, this yard looks great with minimal upkeep.

People are quite often very surprised at the cost of putting in an outdoor living space and garden. Generally to create a patio, planting areas around it and paths to access it, you might be looking at paying the same as if you were doing small kitchen renovation. It makes sense since you really are creating another room on your house but it also makes sense to go the DIY path in the garden….

What is a garden designer without a dirt level garden to do? Well of course, make the most of the available 150 sq ft balcony. Jenny Peterson, who lives and works in Austin, Texas transformed her ‘L’ shaped balcony from a mish-mash of outdoor ‘stuff’ to a cohesive and relaxing southern inspired place for her to enjoy the outdoors.

I had another post in mind today until a good friend called to tell me about her planting success. She and her husband are trying to move – they have found and made an offer on a new house, but needed to sell theirs. We all know that the market is still in a funny place and trying to recover, so they opted to pull out all the stops and plant a St. Joseph statue to try and ensure house selling success.I had never heard of planting a St. Joseph as a real-estate superstition, have you?

In this before & after project, one clever couple in Los Angeles upcycles an old, abandoned dresser, turning it into a garden of succulents. I think you’ll agree it’s a huge improvement.Curt and Jessica of the blog Grizzly Bear Modern took advantage of an old dresser left behind in the garage of their new home by drilling a few drainage holes in the drawers to create a sturdy vessel for a garden of succulents.

Tim and D’arcy’s backyard makeover is a great example to keep in the back of your mind when buying a house without landscaping. It is a case of turning “nothing into something” illustrating looking beyond what’s there and the potential of an outdoor space…We took a tour of the inside of Tim & D’Arcy’s Modern Eclectic in The Junction and now we’re back to see what they’ve done with their backyard.

Carolyn Chadwick is a master of making beautiful feminine gardens — one of my all time favorite dream gardens was designed by her and it resides in the Greek isles. This garden, which also brings to mind Mediterranean delights, resides in Cologne, Germany.Not only is the design beautiful, but I feel I must point out a few details that make this a real masterpiece.

I like this makeover because the “before” deck looks like many decks extending from city apartments. In fact, cut it in half and take out the hot tub (or, take out the very best parts), and it looks a lot like my own back deck. But all hot tubs aside, I’m inspired to see how some very doable changes totally transform this flat space into a lush outdoor living area.What strikes me about the “after” is how homey it looks.

Sometimes unhealthy, worn-down grass left unattended by previous owners is beyond repair. And if your yard is on the smaller side, like this one, installing an outdoor patio is a better use of the space. Add shutters, shrubs, and window boxes, and instant ambiance is imminent.Liza from Mel & Liza has done it again, this time transforming her ailing back yard into a lush oasis perfect for entertaining.

When it comes to homemaking and child rearing, the Marshall household makes it look easy. They’ve taken this cold corner of their backyard and warmed it up with a little wood and made it a salad-lover’s paradise. The kids think it’s pretty badass too. Want to see what it looks like now?We stopped in over at Pacing The Panic Room to check out the latest work that Ryan and Cole have been muscling away at. Their plan was to grow all sorts of salad greens in the hot Florida heat.

Weeds. They’re polarizing little things, met with hatred by some and indifference by others. I, for one, am not loving the dandelions popping up in my yard this spring, as we’ve been working on a grassy (albeit imperfect) area for our son to play in without resorting to chemicals, and dandelions are foes of grass (especially tender new shoots). Once they spread their ground-hugging leaves, they stifle what’s around them, leaving only dirt behind.

In spring of 2013, I decided to bust out and build a tree house for my daughter Ursula, which I’d never done before. I remember having one as a kid and loving it. I wanted one that I could build in a day, wouldn’t be too high up so as to worry me or other parents, and which was SIMPLE in design to maximize playtime and allow for adding on later. It’s light, open and can go up and down easily.

Steve Martino is arguably one of the most exciting (IMO) landscape designers currently working. Even though he works in a climate that’s nearly the polar opposite of mine (Arizona — and I am in New England), he is on my shortlist of colleagues that I study for inspiration and ideas. This project makes me want to pick up and move southwest — to a deserted grocery store.

Planting season is upon us, so let me tell you a little story of how this garden came to be. When we bought a house last year, I failed to inquire about the summer weather, thinking it would be just as warm and clear as it was on our open house day. NOPE. Instead, I encountered summers full of chilly fog and harsh winds, much to the dismay of my aspiring green thumb.

My boss recently took one look at the Majesty Palm plant in our office and told me to throw it out. True, it was looking a little sad, but it had looked sad before and bounced back—so I had faith it could do it again and tasked myself with saving the plant. Is that because I wanted the challenge or because a Majesty Palm is a large plant and throwing it out would be very… involved? Who’s to say! Saving the plant seemed like the best option on all accounts.

Most people think that having a green thumb is just something you’re born with. Little do they know all it takes to keep your household foliage alive is a little 411. Are you chronically killing your leafy friends? Here are a few reasons why another one might be biting the dust.  Watering: Most folks tend to water their plants when they remember. The watering schedule you should stick to depends on your lighting and your humidity level.

On a humid Saturday around this time last year, I married my husband on an 330-acre organic farm in eastern Pennsylvania. (That’s us above.) It poured for part of that day, but thanks to careful planning — and, you know, being really excited — I barely noticed. 1. Have a backup plan, and know when to implement or drop it. 2. Rain doesn’t have to be a terrible thing. 3. Let the scenery shine. 4. Consider how people will get to, from, and around the event. 5.

I took a trip to the craft store a couple of weeks ago with the intention of picking up a few Christmas decorations. On a whim I decided to DIY my own succulent wreath, and walked out with my arms filled with supplies. I love the idea of decorations that can easily be modified and used year round. When the season is up I plan to remove the bow and hang my wreath outside.