Caring for echeveria is a task made for those gardeners with brown thumbs. These rosette forming succulents have spectacular flowers that would make you think they need a lot of special care, but these plants actually thrive on a bit of neglect. If you love succulents as much as I do, you will want to…
This guide will show you everything from how to care for succulents through to containers for their display, some DIY projects, and how to propagate them to get plants for free. If you have always considered that a green thumb is something that other gardeners have, but not you, it’s quite likely you have never…
Confused about what to look for when buying succulents? This guide will walk you through the process and give tips on what to look for and what to avoid. This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link. Succulents are…
This gorgeous succulent arrangement started out life as a wooden drawer meant for tools of some sort. The upcycled junk gardening planter got a new coat of paint, some TLC and a few succulent plants and now looks as though it had been intentionally designed for the job. If you love succulents as much as…
Nothing is more attractive to a gardener than getting new plants without having to pay for them. And since succulents are a very sought after plant, it stands to reason propagating succulent leaves and cuttings is a popular project for many gardeners. Best of all, it’s easy and free! Succulents make fantastic houseplants and can…
Re-potting my succulents and cacti was not as easy as I thought it was going be. I had a few that I had neglected for years waiting for just the right planter to put them in. They were a sad little group for sure. I figured that I’d have them re-potted in 20 minutes or…
This metal cowboy boot is gorgeous all by itself, but the star shaped cut outs on the side of the boot make it the perfect container for a whole host of succulents. If you love succulents as much as I do, be sure to check out my guide for how to care for succulents. It…
Propeller plant is tender succulent that has impressively shaped leaves and a spectacular red flower that lasts for weeks. These growing tips for crassula falcata will make sure your plant performs to its best. Crassula is a genus of succulents that are often seen at garden centers in many different shapes. They are grown as…
The weather is getting colder outside, but this does not mean that gardening is over. Read on to get some tips for Thanksgiving cactus care and enjoy blossoms indoors even when there is snow on the ground! Thanksgiving cactus is not the only holiday cactus plant. There are several others. Each one blooms during the…
These top 10 ways to protect the environment at home take very little time to do. It’s just a matter of making a commitment to doing something good for the planet and sticking to that plan. I call this “my environmental to do list.” Earth Day happens in April and lots of people talk about…
Save your money and help the environment at the same time with these DIY log planters. They are rustic and easy to make and look natural in any garden setting. You don’t have to spend a fortune on planters at the nursery store. Like so much else in gardening, start by looking in your own…
It’s time to get your spook on – with creepy flowers, Halloween plants and all sorts of growing things that are sure to make you feel a Halloween mood. Traditional Halloween decorating is done with just a few plants and colors. This time of the year is cold and plants in most areas of the…
Fall greenery is perfect to use when decorating with natural elements. It’s both bold in color and rustic in texture and gives a calming look to any home decor project. I love the feel and look of fall. There is nothing like cool days when the garden starts to die down for winter. It may…
Are you looking for a natural and easy to care for fall arrangement? Try making these DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters. They look great and can be put together in almost no time at all. If you love succulents as much as I do, you will want to check out my guide for buying succulents. It…
Halloween is right around the corner and that means that it is time for some spooky cocktail recipes. Fruity and delicious, this Halloween Witches Brew Cocktail is the perfect way to get your holiday party started. The leaves are falling, the temperatures are getting colder and the holiday season is approaching again. Where on earth…
Don’t you just love fast and easy home decor ideas that add seasonal flair to your home at very little cost? Me, too! This terra cotta pumpkin looks great as a decor item and also does double duty as a candy dish. Win – win in my book! Thanksgiving tablescapes often make use of a…
Old Man cactus has so much character and personality! Even the botanical name – Cephalocereus senilis – hints at the senility of an Old Man! The spiky body of this cactus plant is covered with fine white hair which gives the impression of a frail senior citizen – thus the common name. I first discovered…
It’s time for one of my DIY garden ideas on a budget! This Rotisserie Chicken Mini Terrarium is inexpensive to make and looks great as a table decoration. It is also a fun way to get a head start on spring gardening by using the recycled container to start seeds. Early spring or late winter…
Preparing a homemade mosquito repellent with a lovely aroma and natural ingredients is easy with this tutorial. This DIY essential oil mosquito repellent spray is made with a few common household ingredients, and works well to keep the mosquitoes away. Summer is here. The days are longer and it’s so nice to sit outside in…
Are you bothered by the cost of maintaining a garden? These creative DIY garden ideas on a budget should help to keep your costs down. I’ve put together a list of 30+ vegetable garden hacks that will make your gardening life easier and cheaper. One of the big pleasures of summer for me is tending…
Vegetable gardening in small spaces can be a challenge. My answer to this problem is to build a concrete block planter to use as a raised bed vegetable garden. Concrete blocks are inexpensive and making a raised bed with them is an easy project that can be accomplished in just a few hours. This year,…
Who doesn’t love the look of a lush, green hydrangea bush in their yard, just full of those gorgeous and huge blooms? Propagating hydrangeas to get new plants for free can be done in several ways – hydrangea cuttings, tip rooting, air layering and division of the mother plant. Growing hydrangeas from seed is also…
One of my favorite things to do, especially during the summer months when I am on vacation, is to visit Botanical Gardens and other gardens and nature preserves around the USA. They are a wonderful source, often free, for those who love gardening as much as I do. From the lush and green gardens of…
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has something special in store for both animal lovers and those interested in botanical gardens. This 135 acre zoo and botanical garden was founded in 1966 and is home to more than 1,400 birds, amphibians, mammals and reptiles. Comfortable shoes are a must, since there is a lot…
There are many types of perennials, from tender types, which need to be grown in the southern part of the USA, to very hardy perennials that keep coming back after a freezing winter outside. Budget conscious gardeners have a very good friend when they turn to growing perennials. What is not to like about a…
Vertical gardens make more use of available space by growing vegetables, flowers and herbs up a wall instead of taking up lots of growing space on the ground. I speak to people all the time who admire my large yard and gardens but say “I don’t have the room to do this.” While a large…
