Tag Archives: container gardening

Long Holiday Weekend Ahead: Outdoor Activity Suggestions to Kick Start Your Plans

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With the long weekend coming up, and the Seattle area weather forecast predicting lovely sunshine for first half, thoughts about being outside may be on your mind. Would you like your 4th of July weekend plans to include gardening, outdoor entertaining or bbqing? Here are some helpful suggestions from Real Simple to kick-start your agenda.

Gardening
Container gardening is a quick and fun way to get your gardening fix. Plus, plant containers add amazing splashes of color around your yard and home. Take a moment to look at 22 different container garden suggestions, with photos and instruction, to spark your imagination. Or maybe you have spot in your flower beds that needs some sprucing. Planting a garden by color might be the oomph factor your garden space needs. It’s important to have a plan when you hit the garden center near you. That way, you can shop smart to purchase the best garden plants and gear for your gardening needs.

You’d like to garden, but have a black thumb? Real Simple has you covered: The Black Thumb Guide to Gardening.

Outdoor Entertaining
If you are looking forward to watching fireworks from your back deck, or have friends over to enjoy a bbq, you’ll probably be sitting outside. What does your patio furniture look like? If it could use a good scrub, here’s a photo guide which includes instructions for cleaning outside furniture, no matter what material it is made from. Do you need some ideas of a party theme or outdoor decorating tips? Check out 30 Tips for Easy OutDoor Entertaining for creative inspiration! Need 4th of July or pool party suggestions? Here’s a Summer Party Planner to get you started.

BBQing
Is grilling going to be an important weekend activity for you? Nothing’s better than a grilled burger– with 10 Gourmet Burger Recipes, there’s something to please everyone who loves a burger hot from the grill. Maybe you are hankering for some Americana? This All-American Summer Menu includes recipes for Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon and Dry Rubbed Baby Back Ribs. Are you a bbq novice? Check out Grill Like a Pro ; you’ll be up to speed and impressing your guests in no time! There’s some tricks to setting up a beautiful and functional outdoor table, but with this guide to Easy Backyard Entertaining , you can glean suggestions to keep the food bug-free and keep clean-up quick, so the hostess can enjoy her guests rather than spend hours doing wash-up.

Cheers a fun, relaxing and safe 4th of July weekend!

Brighten Up Your Fall Days With Some Garden Color: Ornamental Grasses

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http://kayele.net/A sensational  way  to add fall color to your garden is to plant some ornamental grasses. Master gardener Joe Lamp’l wrote in his article In Fall, Ornamental Grasses are in their Glory, “In fall, ornamental grasses are in their glory as they turn shades of gold, bronze and ruby… Consider adding a few of these underappreciated plants to your yard. They’re easy to grow, attractive, versatile and beneficial to wildlife.” Ornamental grasses not only offer punches of dynamic color on crisp fall days, their texture and growing habits add visual interest to a planting. They aren’t picky— they can be planted in your garden space or in patio containers.

A majority of ornamental grasses are deer-resistant, as they can withstand the occasional nibble from local deer. The grasses also provide habitat and seeds for birds. Another bonus from planting ornamental grasses is slope stability and the enriching of soil conditions from the plants’ deep root systems.

For most people, the best reason to grow ornamental grasses is their beauty. ~ Joe Lamp’l

If your garden spaces or containers could use a fall makeover, consider planting a few versatile ornamental grasses. Their tendency to remain pleasant looking throughout the winter months make them fall garden champions! Sunset.com shares suggestions for 3 different fall container gardens to display on your patio.

Photo Courtesy of Kaye