Low-Carbon Living Continuation: Steps to Follow (Part 2 of 2)
Published on July 23, 2015 by Susannah Shmurak
As the summer blooms, it's the perfect time to spruce up your garden with some DIY projects. Here are some inspiring ideas from July 2015 that reflect perennial gardening principles, applicable in any year, including 2015.
Layered Hedges
Create attractive, low-maintenance borders or foundation plantings by planting two or three rows of complementary shrubs, such as Hydrangeas and butterfly bushes, to form layered hedges. This technique adds a touch of elegance to your garden, providing year-round appeal.
Shrubs in Containers
Swap annuals for dwarf or trailing shrub varieties in pots on your porch for a look that can last multiple seasons and even be brought indoors for winter protection. This is an excellent way to add lasting greenery to your outdoor spaces.
Birdcage Flower Planter
Repurpose an old birdcage filled with small potted flowers and sheet moss as a decorative planter. This whimsical addition will add charm to your garden or porch, making it a unique and eye-catching feature.
Chop and Drop
An eco-friendly garden cleanup method, "Chop and Drop" involves cutting back dead plant material and leaving it to nourish the soil naturally. This practice prepares your beds for upcoming seasons, making your garden more sustainable.
Products Mentioned
In addition to these DIY ideas, various products were discussed in the article. These include the Natural Cedar L-Shaped Raised Garden Beds, Jora JK270 Composter, Corn Gluten Organic Fertilizer, Stainless Steel Compost Keeper, Farmstead Raised Garden Bed, Natural Cedar Raised Garden Beds, Wildflower Farms Eco-Lawn Grass Seed, Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose, and VegTrug Raised Garden Planter - Natural Wood.
The Corn Gluten Organic Fertilizer, for instance, is a natural pre-emergent herbicide with a composition of 8-0-0 and weighing 40 lbs. The Jora JK270 Composter features a tumbler design for easy rotation and has a capacity of 9.5 cubic feet. The Wildflower Farms Eco-Lawn Grass Seed is a mixture of 20 different wildflower species, weighing 5 lbs. The VegTrug Raised Garden Planter - Natural Wood has a weight capacity of 220 lbs. The Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose is 50 feet long and has a slim diameter of 7/16". The Farmstead Raised Garden Bed is made from recycled plastic. The Stainless Steel Compost Keeper has a capacity of 5 gallons.
These products, along with the DIY ideas mentioned, provide a wealth of inspiration for garden enthusiasts looking to make the most of their outdoor spaces this July. For more July-specific gardening tips, focusing on maintenance, refreshing containers, and preparing beds for fall is advisable. For historic or dated DIY ideas specifically from 2015, archived garden magazines or blogs from that year may be the best sources.
- Adopting a green home lifestyle by implementing the "Chop and Drop" method and planting shrubs in containers can help create a long-lasting, sustainable home-and-garden.
- A unique way to update your home-and-garden is by repurposing an old birdcage as a birdcage flower planter, adding a touch of charm to your green home lifestyle.
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