A cottage garden blends beauty and practicality in a relaxed, welcoming way. It’s a mix of flowers, herbs, and edibles that feel natural yet intentional. In this guide, you’ll learn simple ways to create the look of a cottage garden in your yard. We’ll discuss edging ideas and features that make the style so popular. …
Summer
Keeping your garden thriving during the hottest months can be a challenge. These summer garden tips will help you keep plants healthy and productive. From smart watering habits to protecting your soil, small changes make a big difference. Your garden can stay vibrant even in the heat with the right strategies. Pests, weeds, and sun …
Dinner plate dahlias are showstoppers in the garden, known for their giant, vibrant blooms that can span up to 12 inches across. Growing them successfully requires attention to sun, soil, and consistent care. These dahlias thrive in full sun and well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. They need regular watering and benefit from a feeding schedule throughout the …
This patriotic fruit flag is a tasty and fun way to celebrate the 4th of July. We had friends over for brunch on Sunday, and I wanted to add a festive patriotic accent to our table since the holiday is just a week away. I wanted something that we would eat (I hate wasting food …
It’s time to learn about growing heirloom seeds! Heirloom vegetable seeds have so much going for them. They end up giving you plants that you can’t go to a big box store and buy, they cost less than hybrid vegetables and you can save your own seeds from one year to the next. Have you …
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 …
Are you looking for a drink that takes you to the tropics with each sip? Try my Cuban Breeze cocktail! This refreshing drink combines the richness of Amaretto with the crispness of vodka and the sweetness of pineapple juice. It also offers a delightful hint of almonds, transporting you straight to the Caribbean. There is …
Are you planning a camping trip and looking for some easy campfire recipes that your family will love? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 15 food ideas for camping that are sure to satisfy your appetite and make your outdoor adventure even more enjoyable. From breakfast to dessert, these recipes require minimal preparation …
These tips for growing calla lilies will let you experience their beauty in your garden at a much less cost than from a florist. Have you ever priced single calla lilies at a florist? If you have, you will have discovered that they sell for up to $10 a STEM. Why pay those kind of …
Trying to control squash bugs can seem like an insurmountable task when you find them in your vegetable garden. If you grow zucchini or squash, you may be familiar with trying to deal with a squash bug infestation. These bugs can do a huge amount of damage, particularly to new plants. Young seedlings and plants …
Would you like tips for attracting monarch butterflies to your yard this year? I’ve been seeing them in my garden for a few weeks now. The first Saturday in May is marked as National Start Seeing Monarchs Day. What an appropriate national day for this time of the year! This day was chosen to raise …
If you are fond of growing perennials, you really should try daylilies. They are one of my favorite plants that come back each year. There is such a variety of bloom style, color and temperament. and they are very easy to grow. Beginning and seasoned gardeners love them, and other than a bit of deadheading, …
If you want to attract both butterflies and bees to your garden this year, try growing liatris. This perennial corm flowers in mid summer with a blast of flowers that are a magnet for them. I have 10 garden beds around my home and I’m always interested in growing perennials of all types since they come …
These strawberry oatmeal bars have a luscious fresh strawberry center that sits on a whole wheat pastry flour base and is topped with a buttery streusel crumble. They are the perfect way to make use of fresh strawberries that are so plentiful right now. Every year, about this time, I come back from the Farmer’s …
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when planting. The right type of flowers and color are the key to attracting these beauties. There is nothing quite like the sight of hummingbirds around a feeder, fluttering their wings the way only hummingbirds …
Summer is here and the eating is easy – and so are these Chocolate Watermelon Popsicles. They are creamy and crunchy and super sweet from the fresh summer watermelon. There are many types of watermelons you may not have heard about. You could even switch up this recipe by using a different one than the …
These champagne popsicles are a boozy sweet treat that is just for mum and dad though. ] No kids allowed! I love Popsicle recipes in the summer time. They are easy to make, fun to eat and really beat the heat. Making popsicles at home is a fun and inexpensive way to beat the summer …
It’s time for this week’s garden tour. I love July in my summer garden. It’s the time when everything is really blooming but it is not too hot, yet The color is amazing and there seems to be something new for me each day as I wander around my garden beds. Grab a cup of …
When the summer heats up, I go looking through my recipes of cold summer desserts. There is nothing like a frozen bowl or stick of something to cool me down when the temps are in the 90s. Root beer floats, summer cocktails, frozen fruit and ice cream desserts are on the menu today. If you …
If you love plants with a long blooming season, you will likely have a fondness for growing hollyhocks. This lovely biennial is a popular garden favorite that flowers throughout most of the summer months. Hollyhocks (Puccinia malvacearum) are often found in cottage gardens. They make a great background plant for shorter plants and come in …
These strawberry frozen yogurt pops are a fun and easy way to beat the heat when the temps are rising and you want a cold dessert to cool down. They have a rich red color and are not overly sweet. The taste is summer time fresh! Keep reading to learn how to make this …
Balloon Flower, or Platycodon grandiflorus, is also known as Chinese Bell flower. The common names of this pretty perennial plant come from the plump found flower buds that resemble hot air balloons or Chinese lanterns before they open. Blue flowers are unusual in the garden. Keep reading to find out how to grow this flower with a …
These astilbe companion plants like the same moisture and light conditions and will make a beautifully coordinated garden bed. Astilbe is a gorgeous perennial that is right at home in a shady moist garden. You can grow it alone, but a well designed garden looks better with more than just one type of plant. Keep …
These natural ant killer remedies will help to control the ants in your home in a non toxic way. I am so looking forward to the return of warm weather. With the sunny days come flowers, gardening and time spent outdoors. Unfortunately, with the warm weather also come ants! It is fun for kids to …
Decorating your yard with creative metal yard art can add a wonderful touch of whimsy to your outdoor garden space! I recently spent a week in a lovely cottage in the mountains of North Carolina. It was a great get away with my husband, daughter and her boyfriend. We spent the time driving around the …
This tasty double dark chocolate ice cream is dairy free, gluten free and also great for those on a vegan diet. The warm summer months are the time for a big helping of your favorite cold desserts. It is loads of fun (not to mention tasty) to dig into a bowl of creamy, rich and …