Timing Is Everything: When to Plant Your Lawn 

Timing is everything when it comes to growing a lawn. The right time and date could make the difference between lush growth and patchiness. The optimal planting time depends on both your preferred grass variety and local climate conditions.

Cool-Season Grasses 

Fall is the time for planting cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue in cooler climates. Cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall offer ideal conditions for seed germination and establishment. Trying this in late spring or summer would likely prove unsuccessful.

Warm-Season Grasses

When growing warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia in warmer regions, late spring to early summer should be your focus for your lawn-growing efforts. Like beachgoers soaking up sun rays at an outdoor picnic on July 4th, warm season grasses thrive under direct sunlight. Plant them at any other time than this and risk failure.

When Not to Grow a Lawn

Timing doesn’t just depend on temperature and weather conditions. There are other factors that could scupper your lawn-growing efforts as well. Be mindful of these conditions when making the decision whether to sow seeds.

During Drought Conditions

It would be like asking a goldfish to run an Olympic marathon: not likely. Insufficient water supplies can hinder seed germination and stress young plants, often leading to failure. Patience should be practiced during times of drought. Wait for Mother Nature to provide relief in the form of rainfall before beginning your lawn-growing journey.

When Soil Quality is Poor

Growing a lawn on poor soil quality is destined to end in disappointment. If your soil is compacted or lacking key nutrients, take time before planting to improve it through soil testing, aeration, and adding compost or fertilizers. All these techniques could transform barren landscapes into lush gardens full of vibrant life.

Extreme Weather Conditions 

Extreme weather conditions should also be taken into account when considering lawn care. Sweltering summer heat waves can scorch young grass seedlings, while planting during freezing winter temperatures is similarly fruitless. Your lawn would appreciate having more hospitable conditions in which its roots can flourish.

Pest and Weed Control 

Maintaining a healthy yard requires keeping an eye out for weeds and lawn pests. Act quickly when dealing with weeds by either manually pulling them or applying appropriate herbicides. Monitoring for insects using eco-friendly insect control methods will prevent damage to your grass without harming beneficial organisms. Check regularly for common lawn fungi and diseases to address them promptly as well.

Conclusion

Achieving an impressive lawn requires patience and planning. Understanding when it is best to plant, depending on grass type and environmental conditions, is crucial in creating that lush emerald-green carpet of grass. Avoid planting during extreme weather conditions, periods of drought and when soil quality is inadequate. With proper patience and planning behind you, your lawn could soon become the envy of the neighborhood.

The post When to Grow a Lawn and When Not to appeared first on InstantELLA.

A Vegetable Patch

If you are someone who likes to have somewhere that they can let their love of growing things and nature come out, then a vegetable patch is a fantastic idea. Not only is this good as a hobby, it’s also fabulous as you are able to grow some of your own food, saving you a little bit of money in the long run if you are successful. 

A vegetable patch might sound like a lot of hard work, and it is, but if you’re willing to put the effort in, then we don’t see why it wouldn’t be a fantastic solution for you.

A Seated Area

It’s also a good idea to add a seated area to your garden so that there is somewhere for you and your family or friends to sit when the sun comes to say hello. If you don’t have a patio or any decking, then this should be the first step. You need somewhere to put the seats, else you’re just going to be rocking back and forth on the mud all day, or sinking into the ground if it’s wet.

Once you have got that sorted by a Local Hardscape Company, you can then get your seated area set up!

A Lower Maintenance Space

The final thing that we’re going to say is that you should create a space that is low maintenance if you don’t have the energy to do things you don’t like. You can still have a vegetable patch if you enjoy doing this, but you could also look at getting fake grass if mowing is one of your biggest hates. If you take a look at an artificial turf cost calculator, you can work out if it’s something that will fit into your budget or not, and then you can go from there.

So, there you go then. These are some of the things that you can do to make your garden work for you a little better if that’s not happening right now. We understand that you might not have a lot of time to make this happen, but that’s okay. You can take your time and turn your garden into a place of your dreams over time, it doesn’t have to be completed all in one day. Just think carefully about what you want and what you don’t want, and then you can go from there.

The post Are You Ready To Make Your Garden Work For You? appeared first on InstantELLA.

It’s common knowledge that gardening is hard work so try and spread your tasks out rather than attempt them all at once. Here are a few jobs to put on the list.

Clean Your Tools

You can’t keep your garden trim and tidy without the use of your tools. If you want your tools to do a good job, they have to be well maintained. If they’ve been sitting in your shed covered in mud and grass all winter, you may have some work to do.

Wash your tools clean with water and brush off any stubborn dirt. When your tools are clean, oil them to prevent them from rusting. Try and remember to wash them clean after each use.

Kill Weeds

It’s common for weeds to show up as spring starts. You may begin to notice them more obviously as the weather gets warmer. They’re usually found in lawns and flower beds, and even in the cracks of patio stones.

It’s vital to use weed control to kill any weeds in your garden. Not only can they quickly take over and spread but they also steal essential nutrients from your lawn and plants. 

Tidy Flower Beds

Along with the rest of your garden, your flower beds go through harsh winter weather like wind, rain, and snow. If you find debris in your flower beds, remove it and dispose of it. You may spot fallen, dead leaves or trash that has blown in from neighboring gardens.

Once you remove this debris, your flower bed has a better chance of getting sunlight, water, and nutrients to the root of your plants. You can also trim the edges of the beds to make it look neater.

Get Rid of Pests

Gardens are like havens for some pests but pests are always destroyers. From the smallest bugs to caterpillars, rats and everything in between- no-one wants to find pests in their garden. Fortunately there are ways you can deter pests from making a home in your garden.

The best way to do this is to make sure that your garden is clean and tidy. This eliminates the chance of pests finding food or places to hide. You can use pest repellants but these can harm your plants so using natural methods is favored. For instance, putting broken eggshells into your soil is a great way to keep slugs away. There are other methods to check out, so if you’re worried about any damage to your garden, consider looking into Mosquito Control to get your space back from aerial insects!

Trim Bushes and Trees

Spring is the perfect time to trim back bushes and trees. It’s likely that they’ve overgrown throughout the winter and may be causing a hazardous obstacle in your garden. Similarly, overgrown trees can be a danger to life in strong winds or could cause damage to your property.

You can easily trim bushes yourself with the right tools. However, trees can be more complicated. You may need to contact a professional to cut down large branches if your tree is particularly tall.

Plant Summer Seeds and Bulbs

If you like to look out at an array of color in your garden when summer arrives, it’s time to start planting. There’s a wide variety of flowers that will be ready for summer if you start planting now. For instance, lilies, crocuses, and iris are all ideal for a colorful garden and work well in the same space together. If you have a raised bed to use, even better. Additionally, if you want a quick way to get a lush, green lawn this summer, consider installing sod. Choosing the best sod for your Florida property (or elsewhere) can help you avoid the long wait that comes with seeding. Sod establishes quickly and gives your yard an instant boost of greenery, letting you enjoy your outdoor space sooner.

Clean Your Patio

Like the rest of your garden, your patio has likely taken a hit through the winter. It may look dirty and covered in debris. The good news is, patios are often easy to clean, especially if you have a jet wash to hand. Remove the debris and jet wash your patio to remove dirt and grime.

If you have any stubborn stains left, you can remove these with soapy water and a brush. Look over the stones to check for any cracks or holes. It’s important that these are fixed as soon as possible because they can weaken your patio flooring and invite weeds and pests to stay in your garden. Of course prevention is the best cure, so keep any of this from happening by investing in some Edmonton acrylic patio covers, so it stays clean from the get go.

Garden Sustainability

Your garden is a natural environment so it only makes sense to keep it as natural and as sustainable as possible. One of the ways you can do this is to start collecting rainwater. Your plants, flowers, and lawn will need to be watered during the summer but that doesn’t mean you have to do it with your hose pipe.

You can also think about starting to compost. Compost offers your plants rich nutrients and the best growing environment. It takes patience to create your own compost but it’s certainly worth it in the long run. Moving beyond soil and water management, planting native species is also a meaningful way to support a sustainable garden. Native plants are naturally adapted to your region’s climate and ecosystem, generally requiring less water and fewer chemical inputs, while providing vital support for local pollinators and wildlife. To assist with this, reputable providers such as Direct Native Plants typically offer a wide selection of native trees, shrubs, and perennials specifically suited to help you create a thriving, eco-friendly landscape.

Clean and Treat Garden Furniture

You’ll never use your garden furniture more than during the summer months. Whether you’re spending time alone in your garden or entertaining guests, your furniture must be in good condition. Start by cleaning your furniture with some soapy water to remove the dirt.

Once your furniture is cleaned, you should treat it. You can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Treating your furniture will ensure it can stand the test of time by avoiding damage from the sun or spillages.

Invite The Right Wildlife

Although it’s important to keep pests away, the right kind of wildlife should be welcome in your garden. By planting wildflowers, you’ll encourage bees into your garden which is a must for the environment. 

You can also use bird feeders and bird baths to welcome all different kinds of bird species to your garden. They’re fascinating to watch and beautiful to hear on a summer morning.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, take a look at the rest.

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Really, who doesn’t love that? While it’s easy to achieve a riot of colors during the spring and summer, maintaining a colorful garden throughout all seasons requires thoughtful planning and strategic plant choices. Oh yes, there might be a lot of work that needs to be put into this, but at the end of the day, it’s entirely worth it! So, here’s exactly what you need to do in order to achieve a beautifully vibrant and colorful garden through all seasons!

Install Your Lawn The Right Way

Improper lawn installation can mean your grass isn’t always greener. There’s not a lot worse than a lawn that starts turning yellow or brown – especially during the winter. You can combat and prevent this with Hydroseeding & Sod Installation Services that help you install a much healthier lawn. 

The combination of hydroseeding and sod installation means your lawn is installed with better irrigation and easier access to all the nutrients in the soil beneath. As such, it requires less maintenance yet can appear much greener and more luscious. When winter rolls around, you’ll have healthy grass that’s not patchy, creating a very vibrant garden space! 

Select a Diverse Array of Plants

One thing you really need to keep in mind is that the key to a colorful garden year-round lies in diversity. So, you’re going to have to choose plants with varying bloom times, foliage colors, and textures. Just by incorporating a mix of perennials, annuals, shrubs, and trees, you can ensure that different sections of your garden are in bloom at different times, providing continuous visual interest. If you know that there are certain seasons that you struggle with, get specific with your search. You can shop fall garden plants with ease, keeping your place looking lovely every season of the year.

You can either go to your local plant nursery or even check out some online seed shops to get the best deals and basically any variety you’re after. Usually, when shopping online, you’re going to have no information on when to plant and how to care for them, something you don’t tend to get when at a plant store. 

Pick Evergreens for the Winter

Fall is basically known as fall because of the fall of the leaves. So when winter comes, all the leaves are gone, and so many lawns are barren during this time. While many plants shed their leaves during the winter, evergreen plants maintain their lush foliage throughout the year. Incorporate evergreen shrubs and trees with colorful leaves or interesting textures to add structure and visual appeal to your garden during the colder months. 

You don’t have to add a lot of these, but adding a few (and even some winter flowers) is going to massively help out in making your garden look and feel lively when your neighbors are entirely dead. 

Plan for Year-Round Blooms

So, this is one of the biggest things you’re going to want to pay attention to the most! You’ll want to just go ahead and do some research and carefully select plants that bloom in each season. So, you might want to think about getting some spring bulbs, summer annuals, fall-blooming perennials, and winter-flowering plants that can create a seamless transition of color. 

You can even consult with local nurseries or gardening experts to identify plants that thrive in your specific climate and soil conditions. Also, something else that a lot of avid gardeners do is to get a greenhouse and, basically, every season, try to grow some plants. 

It’s worth landscaping your garden so that you can plant the right blooms in the right areas. Take a look at Eden’s Garden Design for potential services in landscaping so that you can take advantage of successfully growing plants and flowers in your garden.

Consider Seasonal Foilage

So, one thing you have to know if you don’t already, is that foliage can be just as captivating as flowers! So, this means that you’re going to want to just go ahead and choose plants with leaves that change color throughout the seasons. 

For instance, maples exhibit brilliant red and orange hues in the fall, while certain varieties of barberry shrubs showcase vibrant foliage in shades of red, orange, and purple. This is just an example, but it’s ideal to pick something that has some vibrancy, as this is going to help out massively in creating that colorful, magazine-worthy garden! 

There Needs to be Strategic Planning

Not just planning, but planting, too! Basically, this means that you’re going to want to create focal points by strategically planting groups of colorful flowers or ornamental grasses. Honestly, it’s going to be focal points that really become the show-stopper in your garden. Plus, it’s those luxury gardens (like show gardens) that always have some type of beautiful focal point, so wouldn’t this be something that you’d like too? So, by clustering plants with similar color schemes or complementary hues, you can intensify the visual impact and create a cohesive and harmonious garden design.

There Needs to Be a Lot of Maintenance 

When it comes to any garden, especially one that’s meant to be vibrant all year round, you’ll need to keep in mind that it’s a lot of work. While it’s not a full-time job, you can expect at least once a week that you’ll need to go out to the garden and get some work done. So this can include doing things such as pruning and deadheading, keeping your garden well-watered, fertilizing as needed, and addressing pest and disease issues promptly to ensure the health and vitality of your plants. But, of course, you could always hire a gardener to get the job done for you. 

The post What You Can Do for a Colorful Garden in Every Season appeared first on InstantELLA.

How successful your garden will be this year, depends to a great extent, on how you prepare your soil or soil mix , what you decide to plant (herbs, perennials, annuals or a mix of these) , where in your garden you plant them and what time of the year of you plant these. Equally important for me, however, is the aesthetic and look of the garden, which in a significant way depends on mulching because no matter how much effort you put into the other areas of gardening, even a few pesky weeds, gone unchecked, can destroy the look of your garden.

Mulching is tiresome, but should not be ignored. It is advisable to check the condition of your mulch at the beginning of spring. If it still looks the same as when you laid it down, then it is probably good for another year, otherwise it needs to be replaced. Replaced mulch, if done properly lasts for at least a year.

Last year, I broke down used packing carton boxes, put these sheets of cardboard down on the soil & dumped regular mulch (bark & wood chips) over it to prevent weeding. It worked pretty well throughout summer but now in spring (month of March) I see those weeds poking out by the dozens. Moreover, using too much mulch encourages termites. This can be dangerous when mulching is done close to the boundaries of the house, leading to termite infestation.

These drawbacks of traditional much i.e. bark and woodchips, has led me to do some research on alternative mulching options.

Pebbles, Rocks & Gravel

5 Alternatives To Mulch In Flower Beds

Rock, gravel, pebbles and other stones can be applied to landscaping features such as flowerbeds to suppress weed growth and retain moisture. Pebbles and rocks are an excellent mulch alternative for flower beds. Pea gravel can come in many different shades of white, gray, rust, ecru, and can even be translucent, though that usually costs more. This is a popular option because of how aesthetically pleasing it looks, making it one of the great alternatives to mulch.

Pros:

• Does not decompose like organic mulches, and therefore seldom needs replacement.
• Resists wind, is heavy & stays in place, effectively preventing weeds from coming up through uncovered spaces.
• Effective in retaining soil moisture and minimizing weed growth.
• Economical in cooler climates, where heat retained by rock mulch can extend the growing season.

Cons:

• Does not provide nutrients to the soil and therefore aren’t a good choice if you’re looking for a nutrient-rich mulch alternative. But this can easily be remedied by  fertilizing your lawnto the soil to give your plants and flowers more nutrients.
• Can be difficult to remove if you decide to switch to a different type of mulch a season or two down the line.

Pumice rock

Also known as volcanic rock or lava rock, pumice rock is one of the best-used mulch substitutes out there. Borne out of the superheated earth, it is basically whipped volcanic glass that is made up of tiny air bubbles. This means that pumice is a lightweight volcanic rock that makes it perfect for use as a soil amendment as well as mulching option. It compliments flowerbeds and other decorative plants with its bright rusty color. The airy rock is also ideal for use with cacti and succulents as well as other plants that require excellent drainage and air circulation. Plus, the porosity of pumice allows microbial life to thrive while maintaining soil structure better than perlite.

Pros:

• Highly resistant to the weather and breaking down. During a hard rain, the pumice helps decrease the amount of soil the water can carry away.
• Lightweight and somewhat easier to remove than heavier pebbles and stone.
• Retains moisture and provides extra aeration to the soil. The porous surface of pumice helps absorb water and insulates the soil, decreasing moisture loss during dry periods.
• Prevents fungi and mold from growing, and is an unsuitable living environment for insects.
• Highly decorative and lends visual appeal to your garden. Crushed pumice in relatively small pieces sees the most use in landscaping, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only option. You can also use large pieces of pumice as decorative elements, especially in a rock garden or arid landscape. Pumice can be stacked or spread around large boulders to provide contrasting colors and textures. Decorative pumice requires relatively little maintenance, but is much lighter than other stones and may require occasional restacking.

Cons:

• More costly than other alternatives, hard to find an easy supply.
• This very light material can also be scattered by hard rain or strong winds or torrential rainfall.
• Can heat up in prolonged sunlight which may damage sensitive or weak plants.
• As an inorganic mulch, pumice does not decay, but it can mix with the soil over time, becoming less effective.

Cocoa Bean Hulls

Cocoa Shell Mulch: Tips For Using Cocoa Hulls In The Garden

Like peanuts and pistachios, cocoa beans have hulls that are removed before being eaten or used to prepare food or drink. These hulls can be used as one of the organic alternatives to wood chip mulch. They offer the same benefits as bark mulch—it keeps weeds at bay, protects plants and prevents water evaporation—but it also smells and looks amazing. Using cocoa hulls in the garden is an excellent way to increase soil vitality and is an attractive top cover for both flower beds and vegetable patches.

Pros

• Organic cocoa mulch, which contains nitrogen, phosphate and potash and has a pH of 5.8, adds beneficial nutrients to the soil as it breaks down slowly over time.
• Cocoa shell mulch not only retains water well, it also insulates plants, which keeps them cool on hot days and warm on chilly ones.
• Natural and works well. Cocoa shell mulch suppresses weeds from growing, so you don’t have to weed as often.
• Repurposed material. Unlike mulch made from wood chips and shredded bark, spreading cocoa shell mulch across your garden reuses a product that would otherwise get discarded.
• Aesthetically pleasing and looks colorful. Cocoa shell mulch has an especially glamorous look compared to most mulch. Its deep brown color resembles soil and sets off plants nicely. Plus, it won’t bleach out. The color only darkens with age.
• Smells great. The cocoa hull’s chocolatey scent smells sweet. You can’t say this about any other mulch. The aroma should last for several weeks, if not longer.
• Encourages earthworms to hang around (or really, under) your garden. You want these critters in your soil because they aerate the soil and release nutrients into it. Basically, they work as little natural fertilizers.

Cons

• Can be expensive and more difficult to obtain compared to other mulching options.
• Lethal to animals when eaten. It is a good option for those of us who do not own pets otherwise make sure to fence off your garden to keep out curious cats and dogs or other animals.

Pine Cones

5 SURPRISING WAYS TO USE PINE CONES IN THE GARDEN

Found end mass on the forest floor, pine cones are abundant and easy to source no matter the time of year. They are a free renewable resource with plenty of applications in the garden. Collecting them provides yet another ingenious way to garden for free. You can mulch with pine cones by keeping them whole. Or you can break them up by processing them with a wood chipper or by running them over with a lawnmower.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly.
• Costs less
• Retain water, oxygen, and nutrients well.
• Promotes plant health. Pine cones & needles decompose and add nutrients to the soil, just like other organic forms of mulch.
• Visually pleasing. Scatter whole pine cones around flowers or shrubs where dogs or cats dig holes. Use them as border mulching option and create a design. Scatter them on top or mix them with other organic mulches such as pine straw or cedar chips for a natural look around trees and shrubs. Use whole or shredded pine cones around perennials.
• The brittle pine cones act as stiff barriers to pet scratching or digging. Top stiff scales as prickly protection against animal vandalism.

Cons:

• Pine cones, due to their pine resin content, are highly flammable. Do not use them around homes or barbecues where a stray match or spark could set them ablaze.
• Some pine trees are susceptible to fungus disease. Do not use cones with small black specks or other fungus-type spots.
• As pine cones are slow to decay, they provide little and slow organic benefit to annual plants.
• Must be cautious with acid levels in soil (high acidity levels). Use dried out pine needles because they are less acidic. use them around acid loving plants like blueberriesand azaleas. Otherwise, you can sprinkle some baking soda on the ground as you apply the mulch to help neutralize soil pH.
• Whole pine cones are bulky and, though common around forests, are not readily available in urban areas. Whole or shredded pine cones are not suited to slopes or in pathway areas due to their irregular shape and resin content. Both characteristics make cones slippery and unsafe for foot traffic.

Rubber mulch

Rubber mulch is a unique mulch alternative. Rubber mulch is made of 100% recycled rubber, usually from reclaimed tires. It offers a few advantages over organic mulches. It insulates soil from heat and cold, allowing soil temperatures a couple of degrees higher or lower than wood mulch provides. Because rubber is non-porous, water makes its way directly to the soil underneath without absorbing into the mulch. It also reduces fungus and unwanted plant growth, acting as a very good weed barrier.

Pros:

• Has an extremely long life. Lasts significantly longer than organic/wood mulch and cuts down on the use of trees and other organic mulch material.
• Resists fading or blowing away.
• Repels insects like termites and carpenter ants.
• Reduces fungus.
• Keeps soil moist and insulated
• An effective and sustainable alternative to wood mulch because it cuts down on the use of trees and other organic material – recycles material that would end up in a landfill and lasts significantly longer than wood mulch, making it a viable alternative.

Cons:

• Can be expensive.
• Definitely flammable.  Not recommended that anyone who lives in an area where there are wildfires or has a pond use rubber mulch.
• Excretes chemicals – Similar to rock mulch and doesn’t provide nutrients to the soil. It can also leach small amounts of chemicals into the soil, which can be harmful to some plants.
• Can harm the soil, kill algae, plankton, snails, and fish.

Related Post: Best Cordless Leaf Blowers

The post 5 Alternative Ideas To Using Traditional Mulch In Your Garden & Flower Beds appeared first on InstantELLA.

There are many other services offered by landscaping companies. While the local gardening services offered depend completely on the company, here are a couple of services you may not know can be done by landscapers. In addition to basic lawn care and garden maintenance, many landscaping companies provide specialized services. These can include irrigation system installation, outdoor lighting design, and hardscaping, which includes patios, retaining walls, and walkways. If you are lucky, you will find a full-service landscaping company, like The Yard Butler, who can help you with all your landscaping needs.

Patios/Pergolas

Summer Fun DIY: How to Customize Patio Covers Yourself

If you assumed that you would need to call someone in construction for these services, you aren’t alone. As noted, landscaping companies can pave and lay stone. They can build the patio and create the perfect space for when you want to hang out in your backyard.

Pergolas are arches or framework used for garden decor or shelter. Imagine a small awning made completely from wood. It has a support post in each corner, and instead of a roof, it has a bunch of evenly spaced beams forming the top part. This allows sunlight and plant growth if desired.

They can be used to grow vines on, the vines grow on and around the beams that form the supports and the roof, or for shelter if you decide to have a cover put on it. Pergolas are sometimes built over patios as they look fancy. Many landscapers can assemble these as well.

Lighting

50 Amazing Examples of Interior Design & Architecture

When it comes to lighting, you probably think of electricians. Landscapers are trained to assist with lighting that revolves around your yard. This mainly involves small lighting systems that can be used to light your patio, water feature, or garden. These lights are nice because they will allow you to enjoy time in your yard even after the sun goes down.

Again, this won’t be an extensive electrical system like the one in your home, but it can involve a variety of lights used to light up whatever outdoor space needs some light.

Paving

Image Source

Have you ever thought about replacing your gravel or dirt driveway with a paved one? Many people have, and many people do just that. Who would you call to do so? As I think about it, I don’t know who I assumed did this job before learning it can be done by landscaping companies, but now I know.

Landscaping companies can come remove the gravel and put in a nice, paved driveway for you. Paved driveways look nice, don’t get washed away in the rain, and are great if you want to put in a basketball hoop.

Conclusion

I never thought I knew everything about landscaping, and I am glad to know that landscapers are available to help a number of our yard needs. Whether you want some nice planter boxes built, a waterfall installed in your garden, or a nice, clean paved driveway there is a landscaper near you that can help out. Look them up today!

The post 3 Services You Didn’t Know Were Done By Landscapers appeared first on InstantELLA.

Wood pallets are flat, wooden structures that are usually used for shipping large orders of objects as a way to stack them one on top of one another. You might have seen them while walking down the aisles of superstores like Costco and Walmart, containing the extra items the store has in stock.

But what you may not know about these wood pallets is that they can actually be used in so many other ways beyond just shipping, including creating your own cute home décor.

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The nice thing about them too is that you can buy them from suppliers, like Challenger Pallet, or you can go to the superstores and find ones that have been discarded or on sale.

Here are five ways you can use these wood pallets in your home and create cute out of the ordinary.

A rustic pallet wall

10 Creative Ways to Reuse Wood Pallets

If you want to add a nice and cool focal point to a room, you can take some pallets made of wood and break them down to construct a pallet wall.

This would be a great use for some of the more well-used pallets that you find, because the more beat up the wood is, the better and more rustic the wall will appear.

A cute entryway bench or sofa

40 Fantastic Ways Of How To Reuse Old Wooden Pallets

Does your entryway just need a little extra something?

A great and affordable way to make that entryway look more presentable is to construct a bench or sofa out of wood pallets.

Not only will it look super chic but it will be super affordable and you can customize it to the size and appearance of your liking.

Some nice planters

DIY Vertical Pallet Vegetable Garden on Wheels

Everybody loves plants, but sometimes it’s hard to find a place to put them while keeping them well-contained.

A great DIY idea that takes care of both of those issues are some planter boxes built from wood pallets.

If you need to know how to put them together it’s very easy to hop online and find several ways on how to build them.

A great-for-entertaining deck cooler

64 Creative Ideas And Ways To Recycle And Reuse A Wooden Pallet

Whenever you have company it’s good to have a place for everyone to be able to just reach over and grab a cold drink, and this deck cooler is a great way to have that available.

It only takes a couple pallets to put it together, and you can also make sure to have it be the size that you need and want.

And once you’ve built it, it’s a great excuse to have friends over and put it to good use!

A fun lemonade stand

Orlando Lemonade Wedding Inspiration from Wings of Glory Photography + Dogwood Blossom Stationery

Are your kids begging you for some extra money? Have them help you with this lemonade stand and they will be able to be entertained as well as have a great way to earn some cash!

This is a DIY the whole family can contribute to and customize to their liking and then use every summer to sell some refreshing lemonade and make some spending money.

The post 5 Ways to Use Wood Pallets in Your Home appeared first on InstantELLA.

Check out these three garden types and how they can work for you and the natural wonder you have in mind.

Urban Garden

10 steps to start an urban garden

Bringing your urban garden to life is all about getting creative with your space. You can use sections of your patio or balcony, your rooftop, and even the railings of your deck or fence (Pressure washing can clean them up if they aren’t at their best). Use pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes to house your vegetation while still leaving room for you to move around and spend time in those outdoor spaces at home.

Flowers always work beautifully in these areas, usually being places that get plenty of sunlight while still getting protection from the harsher elements like wind and hail. They also add to your curb appeal in a way a new coat of paint never could.

Looking for something a bit more practical? You can pair up things like beans, carrots, and squash or lettuce and herbs in the same containers. You’ll have fresh vegetables for dinner without being overrun. Need some seeds or garden supplies? No problem, you can usually find some good deals here at your local store.

Family Garden

How to Plan a Farm and Garden to Feed a Family

While this garden may not technically be meant for a large family of parents and children, I like to call it a family garden because it can take up a large space in the yard and function as a place everyone can work in and benefit from.

You have the option of making a fun design statement here by planting straight into the ground or putting in some beautiful raised beds to keep the yard looking tidy and your garden easy to navigate. With this garden space, you also have more options in what you can plant. For instance, if you like to bring summer out in your garden, planting a palm tree is an ideal choice. Look for palm trees for sale online to find one that fits well in the space you have. Palm trees also provide a lot of shade for flowers, plants and produce in your garden.

You can keep it simple with a few rows of carrots, tomatoes, and green beans, or you can dream big with rows of corn and tiers of strawberries. Not into edible plants? Stock up on some fun trees and bushes to compliment your blossoms. With a big garden like this, you’ll get big results, but you’ll also need to manage the weeds carefully and consistently.

Community Garden

Best Practices in Community Garden Management to Address Participation, Water Access, and Outreach

If you live in the big city where you don’t even have a porch to place a potted plant on, a small plot in a community garden is exactly what you need. There are a variety of community plots with a variety of rules, but many of them are free or have a minimal fee for use.

You can still plant whatever fruits and vegetables you would like, but you have the added perk of interacting with a fun gardening community. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with gardeners who can give you the best advice to grow beautiful flowers or delicious cucumbers–advice you might not get anywhere else.

This is a fun place to not only bring your ideas to life but get inspired by the ideas around you. It will get you outdoors in a way you could never get back in your seventh-floor apartment.

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Some foods are easier to find without GMOs than others, and many people have decided that they are better served growing their own or shopping local rather than hunting through the aisles of a grocery store chain. And if you’re not sure where to start, here are 4 foods where you should try to go non-GMO.

Soy

Laura Soybeans by SoyaJoy

Soybeans are some of the most heavily modified crops, but with a little effort, you won’t have too much trouble growing your own. Be smart about where you buy seeds and make sure they are organic or non-GMO.

If you like fresh, go with green soybeans. They can be eaten in a variety of ways, and being ready to harvest every 2 weeks or so, you can acquire some soybean storage for the months after that first frost in the fall.

Milk

Experts Explain The Real Difference Between Organic And Non-Organic Milk

The milk options you’ve had in the past have decreased, especially considering that higher levels of hormones in your dairy could be linked to various cancers and other health conditions. Even with animals that haven’t been injected, there are concerns about those that feed on GMO crops and how this consumption affects their health and ours.

It may be more difficult to raise your own cow or goat, especially living in the city, so some great options in this case would be to look at organic or non-GMO brands available in your area. If you live in an area with locally raised dairy animals, you can often make purchases directly from the producer. If animal products are not for you, there are plenty of milk alternatives including soy, almond, rice, and powdered milk–just don’t forget to check the label.

Sugar Beets

HERSHEY’S GMO SUGAR SECRET

Several years ago, the sugar beet industry decided to make a full conversion to GMOs, but recently there has been a shift back toward non-GMO sugars. It is still pretty safe to say these sugars contain GMOs, so you may want to go with an alternative.

Advocates for non-GMO foods recommend going with cane sugar, and with the amount of sugar that can be found in almost anything you buy, you should check your food labels, too. If it simply says ‘sugar’, it likely comes from GMO sugar beets and you can put it back on the shelf.

Apples

HOW TO AVOID GMO APPLES

GMO apples have gained attention in the last few years. Instead of consuming varieties that have been modified to avoid browning and bruising, plan to plant your own apple trees.

It will take a few years before you are eating your own homegrown apples, so pick your apples up at a trusted orchard in the meantime. Keep in mind that a hybrid is NOT GMO, so eat as many of those Honeycrisp apples as you’d like.

Your Lifestyle

How to Source Non-GMO Seeds

With the hundreds of options at our fingertips today, it may take time to find the best products for your lifestyle; however, it also means that there is at least one product out there that will fit your lifestyle and health needs, whether you create it yourself or find it with a trusted seller.

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9 Vegetables you can grow indoors no matter what the weather

And not all of us just have a greenhouse lying around at our disposal. So, some friends at Sugar Producer Magazine, the pros in sugar producers, have compiled this awesome list of plants that you can grow right from your own kitchen.

Tomatoes

Small Space Indoor Vegetable Gardening

Tomatoes are a great food item to grow inside. All you need is a pot, good soil, and a source of light. Start the seeds for the tomatoes in a muffin tin or egg cartons, and then move them into a pot once the sproutlings are about 2 inches tall.

Carrots

The 16 Best Healthy, Edible Plants to Grow Indoors

Who doesn’t love carrots and a little ranch for a good healthy snack? Just make sure you have a deep enough pot for this crop. You’ll want about 8 inches of soil for short carrots, and about 12 inches for long carrots.

Leafy Greens

How to grow your own vegetables year-round without a garden

Leafy greens, like spinach and lettuce, are a great kitchen crop. You can start as many as 15 seeds in one wide pot (or a long pot that fits the length of a window sill). Once they are grown, you can pull leaves off as you need them and more will continue to grow back.

Yellow Squash

Growing Squash Indoors

A good source of light, a large pot, good soil, and plenty of water will make this plant a wonderful crop to grow in your home this winter. If it has everything it needs, you’ll be able to produce enough squash to last until the outdoor growing season.

Herbs

How to Grow Herbs Indoors

Herbs are a great window sill plant. They need good sunlight and an appropriate amount of water (this is dependent upon each variety of herb), and then you’ll have great flavor to add into your cooking. And let’s be honest, live herbs can get expensive at the grocery store, so growing them on your own is a great way to go.

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