20 Next Level Outdoor Space + Garden Hacks You Need To Know

I like to think of myself as an Urban Gardner. I have strange small spaces, odd shade times, and the city at my doorstep; with all, it's hustle, bustle, and congestion. Still, gardening is my therapy, so I work with what I've got. Sometimes, that means getting very creative. Below are twenty of my favorite gardening hacks, especially for those urban gardeners out there like me, trying to grow everything you can in a concrete jungle... 

And last... I'm trying this over the weekend!!

To see how-toe and more garden hacks, check out my Gardening Board on Pinterest.

Grow Organic Strawberries In 5 Easy Steps. No Green Thumb or Garden Needed!

Nothing annoys me more than when I spend WAY too much on a pint of strawberries, only to get them home to find the center three covered in mold. It drives me crazy. You would think after paying $6 for a freaking pint of strawberries, they wouldn't be crap! Wrong.

So, if you too are sick of paying way too much for crappy hothouse strawberries, then keep reading my friend. For under $20 you can grow your own strawberries! No big garden, green thumb or tons of space needed.


Step 1: Pick a pot 

Strawberries grow well in pots, hanging baskets, and of course, in the ground.  Pick the spot and growing contraption that's best for you.  I chose a strawberry pot because it came with the house. (Easy enough)

Step 2: Get the goods

You will need:

1. Pot/hanging basket/ Topsy-Turvey hanging bag thing
2. Organic potting soil
3. NON-GMO Strawberry bulb plants (I went to a local nursery and got 15 bulbs for $10!)
4. A perfect spot for the strawberries to grow. 

Step 3: Watch the how-to video (not mine, but a super short and complete how-to)

              


Step 4: Plant the plant!

Step 5: Water and Wait

Most plants will bear fruit within 6-8 weeks of planting!

5 Ways To Prepare The Garden For Fall's First Frost

Whether you like it or not, winter is coming. The telltale signs are everywhere. The trees are beginning to show their beautiful colors, each passing morning ushers in cooler temps paired with dense fog. Oh, yes, winter is coming, and for some, the first frost is days away. 

Before you pack it up and head into the cave for winter, do these five things to protect your garden from winter doom.

How to Organically Drive Out Garden Pests

Just when I thought growing my own veggies was going to be easy, bugs showed up on the scene. Lots of them. The evil little bastards have eaten at least a leaf or two on every plant, and the Roly Poly keep beating me to the strawberries!

THIS MEANS WAR!

Organic, War. Being that the issue is in my organic fruit, veggie and herb garden, my tactics are reduced to equally organic and nontoxic methods.

Since this is my first year having to deal with bugs on this level, most likely thanks to a mild winter allowing the bugs to overwinter and multiply, I have quite a battle ahead. You see, I don't want to actually kill anything. More like, drive the bugs away.

After a few hours of research, to my delight, there are many, many organic ways to control garden pests! Below are the top five most agreed upon ways to organically prevent and drive out garden pest.

1. Healthy soil is essential-Since garden pests feed on mostly dying and decomposing matter, crappy soil is like a buffet. It's essential to start with healthy soil and compost. All gardening experts agree, don't guess at what your soil may need, take it to a nursery or state lab, and have it tested. You will receive a detailed list of what your soil contains and what it is lacking. so worth it. I needed to add iron to mine! 

2. Crop Rotation. Did you know, the pest get comfy in your garden, so the more you switch it up on them, the better. According to Bonnie Plants:

"To keep the vegetable garden healthy, avoid repeating the same planting plan in the same spot. This practise, called crop rotation, can feel a bit like juggling, but it’s important to prevent crop-specific pests and diseases from building up and carrying over from one season to the next in the soil. If you move the crop, the problem has no host on which to live. Ideally, rotate a vegetable (or vegetable family) so it grows in a particular spot only one year out of three."

3. Companion or Intercropping planting- By definition, Companion Planting is the establishment of two or more species in close proximity so that some cultural benefit, such as pest control or increased yield, may be achieved. Not only is companion planting essential for growing the right crops in the right 'bed' position, companion planting can also be used to fight pests!

Click on the photo to enlarge

4. Use Nature to fight nature! Use the guide above to arrange the below plants in the garden to ward off pests.

The following can be used all over the garden and in containers to create a sort of barrier throughout your garden and outdoor sitting areas.

5. Soaps, Oils and egg sells to the rescue- Should the pest be so out of control that immediate and swift action is necessary, using things like essential oils, insecticidal soaps, smother the little pest, while organic material like egg shells and garlic can drive them away. 

TIP: Pull out any weak plants. They may already be infected. If not, they will attract predators. Pull the plant and dispose of it away from the garden area.

FACT: Ducks are the best defense against slugs. They are reportedly sharp slug-spotters!

Mind Blowing Pool Noodle Hacks You Have To See To Believe

**Today, I am partnering with The Original Designer Pool Noodle company to show the many, many amazing ways you can use your pool noodles in and out of the pool! All Opinions are my own. 

With summer around the corner, many of us are pulling out last summer's pool noodles to find a few needing to be retired. Before you throw them away, check out the pool noodle life hacks below. I've already done the boot-hack to store my winter boots!


I present a few Mind Blowing Pool Noodle Hacks You Have To See To Believe:


Even, PBS, knows pool noodles have exponential uses, check out their mega Pool Noodle Obstacle course.

How's this for genius, a life-size Lincoln Logs House made from pool noodles!

The Seasonal Home shows how to make festive holiday decorations with pool noodles, including Large Faux Chrismas Candy decorations!

This DIY Faux Roman Column from Epbot is OFF -THE-CHARTS!

LOVING This DIY Pool Noodle Rope Lamp from Refab Diaries! BRAVO!

This Pool Noodle Pirate Ship is fantastic!

Three cheers for The Joys Of Boys Pool Noodle Goal Post! So smart!

Totally making these DIY Pool Noodle Witch Legs and shoving them in the bushes.

Or, go big with this DIY Pool Noodle Spider.

Of course, no pool noodle list would be complete without showing the garage door bumpers. then paint to match! Or not.

One word, Sweaters!  Great for pants, but YES! for sweaters. I hate the bend from folding over sweaters on a hanger.

My personal favorite is this pool noodle boot shaper trick. I did it before putting my winter boots away last week. Totally works.

BONUS: Need some Lumbar support in your car? Or desk chair?

Again I want to thank The Original Designer Pool Noodle team for motivating me to start a conversation about the many many uses of pool noodles. To check out their wide range of  pool noodle designs, and rafts or to find a store near you, click here!

The Pool Noodles pictured above top left-- the Jelly Bean, Flip Flop and Party Balloon designs I have and love!!! Talk about never wondering if it's your pool noodle or not, when at the pool. They are super soft too!!  

20 Insanely Cool Urban Gardening Hacks

I like to think of myself as an Urban Gardner. I have strange small spaces, odd shade times, and the city at my doorstep; with all, it's hustle, bustle, and congestion. Still, gardening is my therapy, so I work with what I've got. Sometimes, that means getting very creative. Below are twenty of my favorite gardening hacks, especially for those urban gardeners out there like me, trying to grow everything you can in a concrete jungle... 

And last... I'm trying this over the weekend!!

To see how-toe and more garden hacks, check out my Gardening Board on Pinterest.