Is it ever too late in the season to plant and garden? I don't think so. Even though it's July, I'm still planting and today I'm sharing how to create cute container gardens using colorful and versatile Deco Planters. These fabric pots are water-tight and perfect for both water and terrestrial container gardens. They even come in a hanging version! I'm going to show you both container gardens - water and soil. (This post contains affiliate … [Read more...]
Planting Tips for Your Garden
May 23, 2017 By 8 Comments
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Planting season is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the smell of fresh dirt and enjoy planting new items in the yard and garden. Some of you may not be as enamored with the process as I am, so I'm sharing my planting tips. I already shared a few easy gardening tips with you a couple weeks ago. A climbing hydrangea from our local … [Read more...]
Easy Gardening Tips with Miracle-Gro
May 2, 2017 By 4 Comments
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Gardening is one of my favorite past-times during the warmer months. It's good therapy being with Mother Nature and enjoying fresh air. Even weed pulling can be pleasurable, provided you don't have too many. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite, easy gardening tips that I've learned over the years. Beautiful flowers and vegetables can be yours … [Read more...]
Garden Planning Ideas for Your Home
March 25, 2017 By 2 Comments
As I write today's post about garden planning ideas, it's 75 degrees outside! No wonder I'm in the mood to start thinking about what to plant this year. Crocus have been blooming all week and the daffodils are halfway up. I've even noticed my Virginia Bluebells poking their way up through the soil. This is always such an exciting time when the Earth gives birth to all that's beautiful! I'm sharing inspirational photos to help you plan your own … [Read more...]
Garden Pots and Plants to Brighten Your Home
March 21, 2017 By 5 Comments
Are you itching to get outside and do some planting? Here in Illinois the spring weather can be finicky so you're never quite sure when you can begin planting. We've had snow as late as the end of April. To bide the time until planting season, I like to get a little creative with garden pots and plants. (This post contains affiliate links.) One of my favorite spring vignettes is this cheerful one with pink flowers and green plants. I tucked a … [Read more...]
How to Care for Poinsettias
December 16, 2016 By 1 Comment
Bottle brush trees are my favorite Christmas decoration, but a very close second on the favored holiday decor list are poinsettias! I love this flower's festive color and bushy shape. Many people find this holiday flower a bit finicky, but with a little knowledge you'll know how to care for poinsettias. A quick email to our local greenhouse resulted in permission to take photos of their beautiful poinsettias. Shady Hill has so many … [Read more...]
Fall Landscape Features with a Splash of Water
November 4, 2016 By 1 Comment
Orange, red, and yellow leaves are falling all around our yard, which means we'll soon be raking and bagging them. I had hoped to get outdoors with my camera to capture the riotous colors, but I just never found time. Lucky for me, I work as marketing communications manager for a water gardening company with talented photographers. Tony and Lisa took amazing photos of fall landscape features, and each one showcases water of some sort. Aquascape … [Read more...]
Create a Paradise with a Backyard Pond
July 9, 2016 By 2 Comments
What comes to mind when someone says "backyard paradise"? Do you have visions of your yard dressed like a vacation resort with all the bells and whistles? Chances are you envision comfy outdoor seating, waves of beautiful flowers, and areas for the family to gather and enjoy the great outdoors. For me, a paradise isn't complete without a splash of water, because when I go on vacation I'll always choose a waterfront location. So when I think of a … [Read more...]
What’s In My June Garden
June 25, 2016 By 4 Comments
Our summer has been filled with Little League Baseball which means it's been a challenge to spend time in the garden. I've managed to get out first thing in the morning, before the games begin, and do some weeding and watering. I planted extra flower beds this year with cutting gardens so I can enjoy fresh flowers in the house all summer long. While those flowers are still maturing, I thought I'd show you what's in my June garden.On this … [Read more...]
Tips for Growing Strawberries
May 31, 2016 By 9 Comments
Last spring hubby planted strawberries in our vegetable garden and I wasn't too happy about it. You see, I've spent years pulling wild strawberries in our flower beds that just won't go away. Their fruit is small and sour and wild strawberries constantly shoot out runners so they're difficult to get rid of entirely. I shouldn't allow my distaste for one variation of a plant to turn me against all varieties, because we're now enjoying the sweet … [Read more...]
Garden Planter Ideas: Farmhouse Friday
April 22, 2016 By 3 Comments
Farmhouse Friday comes a little early this month since the first day of the month fell on a Friday. Our farmhouse blogging group chose garden planters as the theme for April and I thought I'd share examples of garden planter ideas I've used around my house, along with a few other ideas for you. Take a look, and then visit my fellow farmhouse bloggers at the end of this post.Most of my garden planters are pretty simple. I've never been a big … [Read more...]
13 Ideas for Decorating with Succulents
February 13, 2016 By 3 Comments
Most people enjoy live plants in their home, but they don't have any because they're afraid they'll kill them ... and then what's the point? Add a little greenery to your home by decorating with succulents. They're an easy plant to grow and come in a wide variety of shapes and shades of green. To help inspire you to grow succulents, I'm sharing a round-up of 13 ideas for decorating with succulents. I love these charming little green plants. … [Read more...]
My Mid-Spring Garden
May 15, 2015 By 10 Comments
Our May weather typically swings back and forth like a pendulum between warm days and cool days, with a soft rain tossed in here and there. Today was cool, tomorrow promises warmer breezes. Earlier this week I stepped out into my mid-spring garden garden to snap a few photos after a gentle rainfall. Last weekend I managed to get quite a few annuals planted, like this beautiful pink tuberous begonia. Did you know there are over 1000 species of … [Read more...]
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
