Creating a Family Garden When You Have Little Space

When you have a family, the garden is often one of the most important areas of the property.  After all, it offers a fantastic place for outdoor dining, relaxing, and entertaining.  Furthermore, it offers a place for the kids to play.  You don’t have to worry about your humble abode getting messy when they’re outside.  But all is not lost if you have a small garden.  Today we have gardening tips on how to create a family garden with little space

 

 

gardening ideas

 

 

Here are some ways for creating a family garden even when you don’t have acres of land:

 

basil varieties

                                                           Basil Large Leaf Albahabaca Vertical Garden

 

 

Grow plants vertically

We all love to grow plants in the garden. After all, they can look beautiful and bring some much-needed color to our yard.  If you do want to grow some flowers, you could always go vertical.   For example, you could grow them up a wall.  Additionally, you could get a vertical structure which you can lean against your wall or use a trellis.  Consider using containers to grow plants.  Growing vertical means you and your family still get to have fantastic plants without having to use a ton of space.  And it can make your garden look unique rather than the traditional flower borders around the yard!

 

 

garden furniture

 

 

Get furniture which stores away easily

When you have a small garden, it can make it tricky when it comes to your outdoor furniture.  Most families enjoy dining outside, but if space is limited that could be a problem.  However, there are some ways you can still have a good outdoor table and chairs without using a ton of space.  Get a Rattan Cube Set,  It comes as a compact cube for easy storage too.  It actually opens up to be enough seating for six people.  And when you are not using it for eating, it can actually convert to a coffee table with some comfy seats!  Another idea, skip the table and rely on just chairs.  Just put a blanket on the grass and have a lovely picnic!

 

Make the most of your corners

Make sure you are using the corners.  A lot of people skip this option, but if you have little space, you should make the most of them.  After all, they may be ideal for a small chair or for plant pots.  And you could even put a BBQ there for your outdoor cooking. Therefore, don’t leave them bare.  If possible, ensure you are making the most out of all the areas in your garden.

Finally, consider growing vegetables in containers.  After all, you may not have space for a greenhouse, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying fresh vegetables.  Furthermore, check out my tips on container gardening.  We hope that you have found our tips on creating a family garden useful.

 

You may also like:  Tips for Creating an Herb Garden in Your Kitchen via LawnStarter Pittsburgh

                   

9 Tips to Increase Your Vegetable Garden Production

Backyard vegetable gardening is an ancient practice that has survived centuries.  Vegetable gardens allow you to eat homegrown crops all year round.  As promising as this may seem, it is unfortunate that many vegetable gardens do not really reach their full potential. The size of your garden may seem limiting, but there are ways to improve its production.

 

 

how to increase vegetable garden production

 

 

Here are 9 tips to increase your backyard vegetable garden’s production:

 

A Closer Look at Your Growing Medium

This may seem a bit cliché but it doesn’t reduce its importance. Your garden soil is basically the environment your vegetables would sit in. With this in mind, any improvement – directly or indirectly – on the soil would have an effect on your backyard vegetable gardening production. Get the soil tested by your local agricultural agency.   Add fertilizers and lime as well as synthetic and organic nutrients if needed.

 

backyard vegetable gardens

 

Use of Quality Seeds and Seedlings

While the soil may be the environment the vegetables will sit in, the quality of the seed or seedlings would determine the level of production. You cannot invest in poor quality seeds and expect a good production.  Investing in improved seeds and seedlings can help improve the general production of your vegetable garden.

 

Understand the Principle of Spacing

Most crops, if not all, have a required spacing. Plants attain different sizes when matured. The required spacing is one that would maximize the entire garden space and still allow for proper growth of the plant.

 

The shape of Your Beds

Another way to increase your vegetable garden’s production is to provide more space for your plants.  Raised beds, roll and square foot gardening are all effective methods for backyard vegetable gardening.

 

You May Need to Interplant

If you are working with limited space, you may want to interplant different crop types.  Educate yourself on compatible vegetables that can be planted together.

 

Understand Sunlight Direction and Requirements

Anyone who owns a backyard vegetable garden knows the effect of sunlight on plants.  It is usually advisable to locate gardens in the south facing part of the house. This allows the garden get optimum sunlight as the sun travels from east to west. By increasing the amount of sunlight reaching the plants, your will get a better harvest. Get an idea of the sunlight requirements of the vegetables you are planting.  From there position the garden in a way that gives it better access to sunlight.

 

garden pests

 

Controlling Pests

When it comes to crops or a vegetable garden, nothing is more of a nuisance than pests. Prevention of pests infiltrating your garden should be considered as well has how you can prevent it.

 

Weeding Properly

Just like pests, weeds can become a nuisance to your vegetable garden if left unattended. Weeds compete with crops for nutrients and space. Manually remove any weeds.  You can also use organic methods to prevent weeds.

 

Mulch It All Up

Mulching provides a protective layer to the top soil. Depending on the mulching material used, mulching can also add nutrients to your soil. Additional nutrients to the soil would help increase production. While they both have their advantages, it is best to use organic mulching materials over non-organic materials.

So, you know how to increase vegetable garden production.  A bigger harvest will allow you to enjoy fresh produce during the winter months.

 

About the Author:  James G. Craig is a gardening enthusiast who splits his spare time between growing vegetables, preening his flower gardens, and blogging about his experiences at the Gardener Corner.

How to Prepare Your Soil for Next Year’s Garden

Backyard vegetable gardening requires gardeners to  prepare for next year’s crops, literally starting from the ground up.  The growing season may be coming to an end, but your job as a gardener is far from over.   Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on how important garden soil preparation is. We are all aware that a plant’s success begins with the quality of the soil in which it is planted.

 

 

 

garden soil preparation

 

 

Follow these self-sustaining methods to ensure a healthier garden next year:   

Tidy Things Up

Clear out dying plant, pesky weeds, and other debris. Uproot vegetables to rid the soil of lingering insects that might be nesting in them. Often times they will lay their eggs in the vines on the surface. If left to rot, the eggs can easily survive through winter and cause issues upon hatching in spring. For composting, it’s okay to save some plants and twigs as long as you’re confident they aren’t hosting any diseases. They make great additions to your compost heap and pass on nutrients to future crops. 

Consider Planting a Cover Crop

If you’re like most gardeners, you might long for fresh dirt under your fingernails and a spade in hand. Instead of daydreaming about the first buds of spring, why not create your own hardy winter garden? Be sure to choose plants that root themselves deeply such as Crimson Clover or Winter Rye. Once spring arrives, it’s important to cut these plants short and incorporate them into the soil to halt growth. Allow approximately three weeks for your winter garden to decompose before planting new crops.  

 


 

Add Plenty of Nutrients

Whether your soil will be vacant for the time being or not, it still requires a bit of care. Look to your compost heap, or even freshly fallen leaves, for all your soil prepping needs. Be sure to dig deep when mixing compost into raised beds for optimal decomposing. Don’t have any compost? No need to fret! Head over to your local supermarket or hardware store to purchase natural fertilizers and/or manure. If you’re in a time crunch consider ordering online from reputable sources, like Nature Safe, for your garden needs. Top off your soil with store-bought mulch or make your own with shredded dry leaves.  

By following these steps, you’re well on your way to starting next year’s garden on the right foot.  Garden soil preparation is key.  So, begin these projects immediately after your final harvest for the best results. Thank yourself for it later when you’re reaping the benefits in spring.

About the writer: Emma is a freelance writer currently living in Boston, MA. She writes most often on education and business. To see more from Emma, say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2

Raaya Garden Hose Nozzle Review #RY_GARDENER

raaya garden hose nozzle review


I received this Raaya Garden Hose Nozzle for free or at a discount in exchange for an honest review.  I needed an additional nozzle for a hose in the back of my house.  This particular hose is used to wash off the picnic table, deck, and outdoor furniture.  I hate taking the nozzle off one hose and moving it to another.  So, I was looking forward to receiving the set and putting it to the test.

The package finally arrives.  The nozzle is heavy and quality made.  It comes with 2 connectors, 4 washers and 2 O rings.  You won’t have to worry about leaks for quite some time.  It was easy to attach to the connector and to the hose.  It has a nice grip and the handle is easy to apply pressure to it.  I love that it has a little triangle on top that can be used to hold the handle in place.  You can set the handle and let the hose do the work.

 

garden hose nozzle review

 

The handle is ergonomically designed too.  This feature is important to me because of my carpal tunnel.  It’s heavy, but it doesn’t add a lot of weight to the hose.

The nozzle has several water streams.  First, the full stream is what I use to wash the car or clean off the deck and outdoor furniture.  It is powerful and does the job.  It’s perfect for cleaning off the driveway or the vinyl siding on the house.  This is a plus.

The one negative on this nozzle is that the streams are not marked.  I would not use the full stream in my garden or shrubbery bed.  It’s too powerful for tender plants and it would blast the mulch from the shrubbery beds.  Because the nozzle is not marked, you have to literally turn the knob on the hose to unmarked settings and just wait and see what stream you arrive at.  It’s not a show stopper, but it is an inconvenience. Other than that, I would recommend this nozzle.

 

 

5 Ingenious Ways to Encourage Kids to Play Outside

There are many parents who would like to see their kids spend more time playing outside.  Modern children love their gadgets, but they must also  learn that the great outdoors is waiting to be discovered.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on encouraging kids to play outside.

 

 

encouraging kids to play outside

 

 

Let Them Care for the Plants

Is there a chance that your little ones might be interested in caring for your plants?  Most children love to water plants, dig out weeds, and anything else to keep the plants healthy.

Many youngsters really enjoy looking after plants because it gives them a great feeling of responsibility. Why not try this out to see how much they enjoy doing it for a few days.

Eat Together Outside

Eating outside is something that most children enjoy doing when given a chance.  Put a lunch together, and eat at the picnic or patio table.  Can you imagine how much fun they would have.

By doing this you can introduce them to the pleasures of being outdoors. With a bit of luck they will then carry on playing out there once you have all finished eating.

Add Some Outdoor Toys

Possibly the simplest and most effective way of getting children to play outside is to add some outdoor toys in the garden for them. After all, they may simply not go outside because there is  nothing for them to do.

Some cool garden toys such as kids trampolines, balls, tennis nets and other exciting stuff will give them lots of new ways to have fun outside. You might even find  that some of the grownups in the family enjoy playing outside as well.

These toys will give them a terrific option when they have friends over or when you plan a birthday party for them at home.

Grow Vegetables

Another hobby that can get youngsters outside more often is growing vegetables. This is a wonderful activity that can bring the whole family benefits.  For example, healthier eating, lower shopping bills and the chance to live a more environmentally friendly way of life.

This is something that should be suggested rather than forcing them to do it. If they enjoy growing their vegetables then they will probably start to spend more time outside doing other things as well.

Get Some Pets

Some pets can also do a terrific job in getting the kids to stray outdoors more often. For example, a rabbit is the kind of pet that most youngster love to play with in the garden.

An alternative to getting your own pets could be to make your garden more bird or animal-friendly.   Encourage local wildlife to come and visit the property. The kids can then enjoy getting out to look for their little visitors.

There are many clever and practical ways of encouraging younger members of the family to put down their gadgets and head outside to play. Why not give a couple of these ideas a try and see how they work?

 

Katrina, is a proud mom of two gorgeous girls who loves writing about home improvement, decor and contributes regularly on various blogs and online publications like Mother2Motherblog.com

RAAYA Hand Spray Nozzle Review

 

gardening tools, water hose nozzles

I received this Raaya Hose Nozzle at a discount in exchange for an honest review of the product; however all opinions are my own.  This post may contain affiliate links.  Compensation from affiliate links will be used to sustain Mother 2 Mother Blog.

product review, Raaya Hose Nozzel

The nozzle on my current hose had seen better days.  I had purchased it years ago, and it was starting to show wear.  I get soaked each time I make an attempt to water my garden.  There was as much water coming out of the hose and spraying me as there was going into the garden. The shower feels great on a hot summer day, but it’s not always convenient to have to track water through the house to change your soaking wet clothes.  It’s not a great feeling on early spring or late summer days either. Burrr!

The nozzle fit perfectly on my current garden hose.  It is a quality made product that I was hoping would water my garden without watering me.  The nozzle is ergonomically designed.  This feature is important to me because of my carpal tunnel.  It was also longer than the nozzle that I was replacing, which was a plus as well. It added a few inches on to the length of the hose, which helps in watering plants in hard to reach places.

The nozzle  has 9 different spray streams.  Fan, cone, shower, soaker and flat to name a few.  I love to use the shower stream for my vegetable garden and the soaker stream for new plants just emerging in the garden.  I was excited to find that the head on the nozzle pivots.  This is a great function because it makes watering in hard to reach places easier.

 

Image-Raaya-Hose-Nozzel2

 

Finally, the nozzle fit perfectly into the notch the hose cart.  Clipping the nozzle onto the cart keeps the hose from unraveling or ending up on the ground.  I couldn’t find a negative with this nozzle.  If you’re looking for a replacement or if you’re buying your first nozzle, I highly recommend the RAAYA Garden Hose Nozzle.

 

Garden Dos and Don’ts For The Nervous Parent

It’s common knowledge that the more that kids are outside, the happier they are. It boosts health, their immune system and their sense of curiosity and wonder. It’s just a given: there are health benefits to playing outside and there are benefits of a playground.  Parents today see the world is a dangerous place, or at least it feels that way.  The days of 1970s latch-key kids are long gone.  That generation of parents has been replaced by a generation who see danger rather than a safe neighborhood.   So, we’re going to share a few gardening tips for the nervous parent.  There are gardening dos and don’ts if you have children.

Furthermore, an enclosed garden can help ease a parent’s fear of allowing their kids to wander around the neighborhood.  Children can still play outdoors, and you can protect their environment.  Check out our tips below.

 

 

 

gardening, gardening activities for kids, kids gardening

 

 

 

Here’s a list of dos and don’ts to help you create a great outdoor space for your children.

 

DO: Make It Secure

First, a privacy fence is invaluable tool in helping to keep your brood from prying eyes.  It’s also great for keeping them inside the perimeter of the property where you can keep an eye on them.  If you have a part of your garden that is overlooked, consider a gazebo or similar, which has the double impact of protection from the sun and a place to rest.

 

gardening, garden ideas,

 

 

 

DON’T: Install A Pond

Image From: WikiMedia Commons

 

There’re a couple of caveats to this one.  Parents must teach children to respect the water.  That’s a tricky task with youngsters who want to catch or watch fish and dragonflies.  Keep temptation away until they fully understand the dangers of drowning.  However, if you can’t resist a pond, ensure it has sloping sides so any child (or creature) falling in can clamber out.

 

DO: Focus On Soft Landings

Children are going to stumble in the play area or fall off the swing set.  It’s almost inevitable. You need to ensure the ground that they’re landing on is friendly, no matter what the weather. Grass and mud dry out in summer heat and can be as hard as concrete. Sand is a popular choice, as long as it’s kid-friendly.  You can also use wood chips or mulch in your play area.  Unfortunately, they’re not as forgiving, but they’re better than bare earth.

 

DON’T: Allow Tree Climbing

I know, I know – it’s a childhood dream! Every kid wants to climb trees!  Ensure the tree is strong enough to hold your child’s weigh. Tree branches can be deceiving.  Besides, being large doesn’t make them strong.  Children moving along them can cause them to break with the additional weigh.  Building a tree house is a viable solution. If not, call in a tree expert to assess the tree for weakness and have weak limbs removed.

 

DO: Give Yourself A Vantage Point

Finally, try and organize your garden in such a way that you can see it all from one spot.  Hiding places, such as behind sheds, can bring extra dangers.  Block off those areas if possible.  Remove any trees if you must to ensure you can see the entire garden area with a quick glance.

 

If you can’t implementing all of our gardening dos and don’ts, implement those that will provide the most safety for your kids.

 

 

Turn Your Garden Into An Outdoor Living Space

 

gardening, outdoor living space,

 

Is your house a little cramped? You’re not alone. When it comes to living space, we never seem to have enough.  With a little ingenuity your space dilemma can quickly change.   The solution is right under your nose. Transform your outdoor living space with our gardening tips.  Also, take a look at these surprising ways your can transform your garden:

Create A Beautiful Canopy

One straightforward and quick way to transform your garden into a living space is to build a wooden canopy.  A canopy provides plenty of shade.  It allows you to enjoy your space when temperatures soar.

Get Fired Up

In the evening temperatures can drop rapidly.  Having a fire pit in an outdoor communal areas is a great idea. With a fire pit, everyone can gather around in the evening. It’s a great way for family to enjoy marsh mellow and hot dog roasts.  Also, fire pits come in all shapes and sizes. Campbell Hill has a massive, but attractive stone fire pit that’s designed to churn out the heat. Building an extra large fire pit is a great idea if you plan on using your outdoor space for parties and gatherings.

Outdoor Eating

Outdoor kitchens are ideal for those who love to cook in the open air. They’re a step up from your average BBQ too. The best outdoor kitchens marry outdoor living with indoor comforts.

To make your kitchen fit in with the rest of your garden, you could upcycle or use salvaged materials from your garden. For example, some designers have married upcycled garden chairs with modern outdoor kitchen units.  Others have experimented with beautiful, yet varied, stone tiles and slab pavers.

What could be a better venue to cook your homegrown food?

 

garden, outdoor living space, outdoor kitchens                                                                                                                  Image Flickr

 

Texturize

One thing you can do to create an amazing atmosphere outdoors is to use texture.  Textured concrete walls are in vogue.  These walls add a depth and mood to your outdoor living spaces. Use wall lighting to highlight all the recessed crevices in the wall and create shadows.

Make Seating Sociable

If you want to make the outdoors an attractive place to live, the right seating is a must. Don’t go for generic outdoor seating. Choose something that’s comfortable and invites family as well as guests to sit down and mingle.  Corner seating is a great option.  It gets people gathered around and talking. There are plenty of outdoor seating options from which to choose.  Decide the purpose for your area.  Is for reading, mingling or dancing.  You decide.

Light Up Your Paving

Lighting is important in outdoor living spaces. Install garden lamps alongside paths.  Rope lighting can enhance the edges of your travel routes.  It provides ambiance, and helps everyone see where they’re going at night. Also, if you have a deck or paving, experiment with lighting around the edges. A well-lit paving area can generate a beautiful effect.

Make Canopied Areas Comfy

You want to make your outdoor space as comfortable as possible. In canopied areas, consider using knitted throws and cushions to increase the coziness. Curtains will help make the space feel more inviting.

Are you thinking of transforming your garden?  Which of our tips would you consider implementing?

 

Gardening Accessories You’ll Need This Fall

Die-hard gardeners know that a good pair of galoshes can turn a rainy day into a productive one in the backyard vegetable garden. However, do not overlook any of the other gardening accessories that can make your yard work easier too. These accessories will come in handy whether you’re harvesting, weeding, planting or cleaning up this fall. We have a few tips below.  

 

 

gardening, fall gardening, gardening

 

 

 Knee Protection
If you suffer with knee pain and standard strap-on knee pads make you uncomfortable and sweaty, try a garden kneeler wave pad instead. This foam-constructed pad not only cushions your knees, but protects them from sharp and rough elements as well.  When you’re not gardening, use it around the house while cleaning.
Tool Organizers
When working in the yard, a garden caddy can keep you from stretching and reaching for tools that you use as you go. Plus, it saves time because you won’t have to try to find tools that were placed in the soil in between use. When it is time to tidy up the yard at the end of the season, don’t overlook the importance of a tool storage rack to keep everything in place until the growing season begins again. That way you won’t have to look for everything in the spring. Some racks even come with casters to allow for easy mobility. Make sure the rack you use has a grid bottom. This allows for air circulation and reduces the probability of rusty tools.


A Gardening Apron with Pockets
Even if dirt on your clothes doesn’t bother you or you use a bucket caddy for tools, a gardening apron with pockets comes in handy. The storage pouches work well for harvesting vegetables or fruit, leaving your hands free for other tasks. Additionally, you’ll save time on doing laundry by protecting your clothing, even if you wear separate gardening apparel.
Adjustable Hoes
Whether you use scuffle, draw, push or chopping hoes, your body will benefit from the adjustable kind. Longer hoes cause less back pain, but don’t work too well with raised beds. Adjustable hoes provide the best of both worlds. Plus, every family member can regulate the length of each for their comfort.
Fall is the ideal time to pick up gardening accessories. That’s when many Central Farm and Garden stores have end-of-season sales. Even stores in zones with longer growing seasons lower prices during the cooler months to make room for new inventory. Not only are these accessories beneficial in the fall, they will all benefit garden endeavors during the rest of the year as well.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

You may also like:  Container Gardening Is the New Black

Container Gardening Tips for Flowers

Container gardening tips for flowers are the topic for the day.  Container gardens can bring decks, patios, front porches and sidewalks to life. Today, I’m going to share a few container gardening tips and gardening tricks for flower container gardens. So, you can add containers to benches, tree stumps or any other areas that needs a bright spot.

Next, the best way to save money is to start plants from seed.  You can start them inside under a grow light and transplant them into containers in the spring.  However, not everyone has the time or desire to take that route. So, if time isn’t on your side the clearance rack on your local Walmart or Lowes is a good place to start.  I enjoy seeking out plants on clearance that are on the brink of death and nursing them back to health.  Seeing them flourish in a container or in your yard is so rewarding.  

 

 

 

flower container gardens

 

Again, I find the best bargains at Lowes, Home Depot and Wal-M art clearance stands.  Creeping Jenny, a Spike and French Marigolds fill the container below.  I companion plant marigolds with my tomatoes and peppers in my vegetable garden every year too.  I purchased a few extra pots of marigolds on clearance and decided to incorporate them into the containers on my deck.  Spikes, Sweet Potato Vines, and Creeping Jenny  are my most expensive plants during the summer.  Unfortunately, I have never seen them on sale or clearance.

 

 

Container Gardening Tips for Beginners:  

 

So, Creeping Jenny is an invasive plant.  But, it is so beautiful in containers.  Actually, planting it in containers is the only way to control it. When I planted the Creeping Jenny initially, I wasn’t expecting it to return year after year.  This is the third year that it has returned in the pot below. The contrasting color (light green) of the Creeping Jenny, and it’s ability to hang over the pot’s edge makes the pot come to life. 

This pot contains:

  • 1 Spike
  • Yellow Marigolds
  • Purple Petunias
  • Creeping Jenny 

 

 

flower container gardening tips

 

 

 

I carried on the French Marigold and Spike theme on the other side of the deck.  Since I planted the Creeping Jenny in one container garden on the deck, I planted a Sweet Potato Vine in my other container.  Planting the Sweet Potato Vine on the side of the container garden allows it to cascade down to the floor of the deck.  I’ll be planting this trailing vine again next year.  Sweet Potato Vines can be pricey, so I’m going to try growing my own next season.

 

This pot contains:

  • 1 spike
  • French Marigolds
  • 1 Sweet Potato Vine

 

 

 

 

 

flower container gardening tips

 

 

 

Additionally, Moss Roses fill this pot along with a Spike, which give the plant some height.  This plant is easy to grow, and can take hot, sunny spaces.  I love that it produces pops of color all summer.  If you’re lucky, this plant will return for several years.  It produces beautiful flowers in a variety of colors.  White, pink, yellow, and red flowers brighten this spot.

 

This pot contains:  

  • 1 Spike
  • Moss Roses

 

 

 

flower container garden tips

 

 

 

Finally, my boxes that I use on my deck railing always filled with petunias.  I change colors periodically, but purple, red and white are the usual colors.  Occasionally, I add in pink. I add Vinca to create a trailing effect.  I usually add 3 Vinca to my boxes; however, this year I only added 1 and used more petunias.  It really cut the cost of the expenses for the 4 boxes.

This box contains:

1 Vinca
Variety of Petunias 

 

flower container gardening tips

 

 

 

Get creative and mix what you love in your containers and watching them come to life.  You can use simple designs or get elaborate all depending on your space.  Also, head out to your local flea market, yard sale or clearance isle and grab a few pots this gardening season.  

Last, container gardening is a great way to bring in color and liven up your outdoor living space.   So, try a few pots on your deck or patio this summer.

You may also like these Container Garden Ideas.