Guest Post - 12 Garden Ideas to Brighten Up Your Home

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An indoor or outdoor garden is a great way to brighten up your home on the inside and outside. Growing plants, vegetables, and herbs can help anyone feel more relaxed and give them something to do on a boring Saturday afternoon. The good news is anyone can have a garden, even if you live in an apartment, you just have to decide what type of garden is right for you. Here are some garden ideas to brighten up your home. 

Elevate Your Garden 

Infuse your home with warmth and charm by welcoming Rhode Island Red chicks into your garden. These adorable chicks not only add a touch of liveliness to your outdoor space but also provide fresh eggs and natural pest control. Consider creating a cozy coop or designated area for Rhode Island Red chicks, allowing them to thrive while bringing joy and vitality to your home environment.

Indoor Garden Ideas

1. Herbs

If you can't have an outdoor garden, then consider an indoor herb garden. Herb gardens are popular because you're not just growing plants; you're growing something you can enjoy or eat. There are different types of herbs you can grow, and you can find a variety of display options, including magnet pots that you put on your refrigerator if you don't have enough countertop or windowsill space. 

If this will be your first time starting an herb garden, consider starting with an easy herb, like mint, that you can grow in soil or water. When your mint has grown, you can add it to tea leaves to give your tea a minty taste. 

2. Hydroponics

If you want to have an impressive indoor garden, consider hydroponics that uses indoor cultivation units that allow you to grow your favorite vegetables indoors. If you live somewhere that gets snowy, cold winters, you can begin growing anything from carrots to tomatoes in your home without worrying about snow or cold weather.

3. House Plants

If you're someone who prefers to get delivery for dinner, then growing edible plants might not be for you. The good news is you can start a garden of indoor plants just about anywhere in your home to make it feel brighter and more peaceful. Depending on how many plants you have, you can even make your home feel like an indoor jungle.

4. Terrarium

Terrariums bring nature indoors by giving you an indoor mini garden with its ecosystem. While terrariums might sound like they take up a lot of space, they don't have to. You can find anything from a tabletop terrarium to a large terrarium online. You can also create your own terrarium with a variety of plants, including succulents and moss. 

Terrariums are simple and easy to maintain and don't require a lot of space, making them a great solution for apartment dwellers. 

5. Go for Easy Plants

If you've never had an indoor garden before, consider getting plants that are easy to maintain at first. Succulents and cacti are affordable for any budget and typically the easiest plants to maintain because they don't require you to water them often. Not only that, but they come in a variety of sizes so you can have a succulent in every room or on every table.

Outdoor Gardening Ideas

If you have space outdoors to grow your garden, then you can have a larger garden complete with all types of plants, including vegetables, herbs, and even flowers. Here are some ideas for outdoor gardens.

6. Try Edging

If you truly want to make your garden stand out from the rest of your yard, try to cut your lawn into a defined shape or edge your lawn so it doesn't grow into your garden. You can cut your grass into any shape you want, like a circle or square, or you can make your garden into one of these shapes and cut your lawn around it. 

7. Make a Container Garden

You can use containers for potted plants anywhere in your garden, but they look best on a porch or patio. You can put anything in a pot, including vegetables and flowers, and they're a simple and organized way to maintain a garden. 

Container gardens also work best if you don't have a lawn. You can easily grow a nice garden near the entrance of your home to give it better curb appeal. 

8. Paint a Backdrop

No matter what type of garden you have, consider giving it some flare with a backdrop in the form of paint. If your garden backs up to your house or a fence, consider finding a bold color for behind the greenery. Of course, you should also keep in mind what you're painting. Black makes the perfect backdrop for green, colorful plants, but it may not be a great idea to paint your entire house black. 

9. Create a Vegetable Patch

A vegetable patch can be grown even in a small area of your lawn, and it gives you the most natural, delicious vegetables to eat for snacks or to throw in your favorite salad. To make your vegetable patch, corner off part of your lawn or existing garden and prepare the soil. Next, you'll plant your vegetables and can start growing your food. 

10. Add Seating

While you shouldn't put a chair in the middle of your garden, you can create an outdoor seating area that can complement your garden, enhance your outdoor living space, and give you somewhere to sit so you can look over all of your hard work and watch your plants grow. Whether you have a patio or a deck, you can choose from a variety of seating options, including swinging loveseats, papasan chairs, and more. 

11. Hang Baskets

Hanging basket gardens can help you enhance your home in the front yard without digging up your lawn. If you want to add more color to your home's exterior or freshen up your garden with a new plant, consider getting a hanging basket or multiple hanging baskets filled with beautiful flowers. 

12. Keep Your Garden Safe

Finally, if you want your garden to thrive, you'll need to keep it safe from pests. Make sure to invest in a smart pest plan to help keep insects and other critters out of your garden so you can maintain healthier, and more vibrant plants. 

Additionally, you should aim to keep your pets out of your garden. This can be beneficial for the health of your pet if you're growing something that might be dangerous to their health. You can easily pet-proof your garden with a small fence or train them to stay out of your vegetables with reward-based training. 

Your Home Garden

Home gardens don't have to be time-consuming or difficult to maintain. The first step to brightening your home with a garden is figuring out whether you want to invest in an indoor garden, outdoor garden, or both. 

Marné Amoguis

Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.

The Different Benefits of Organic Fertilizer for Houseplants

Now that the chilly season has sunk in, it’s time to put even more focus on those plants inside the house. Whether you’ve got a whole garden inside or a few plant babies speckled throughout the home, you have to take proper care of them now. We all want a fully blooming plant, but how exactly do you get that when they’re not getting much sun?

One answer? Fertilizer. You may only think that’s an option for outdoor plants or your grass, but it’s not. In fact, it may be the one thing your indoor plants really need to succeed.

So how do you find the right one? First things first—go for organic. Chemical fertilizers may have their own benefits, but organic is always better when it comes to what’s inside your home. Below, we’ll talk more about the different benefits of organic fertilizer. Check it out!

They Improve the Soil

Ever gotten a plant where the soil just doesn’t feel right? That may result from several factors, but one thing that will help that and your plant is organic fertilizer. Fertilizers help to improve soil texture, boost water retention, and increase crucial bacterial activity within.

And when your soil improves, your plant improves. But how is organic fertilizer different from synthetic fertilizer? Synthetics will deplete soil nutrients, leaving your soil and your plant unproductive.

They Protect the Plant

As we mentioned, a good organic fertilizer will help protect your soil, but it’ll also protect the plant itself. Quite a few synthetic fertilizers may use specific ingredients that cause damage to the roots and leaves of your plant. With organic fertilizer, you’ll hardly ever see that occur.

They’re Easier To Use

Maybe you’ve freaked out about touching synthetic fertilizer—you’re not alone. Sometimes you’re not sure what’s it in, and that’s a pretty scary thought. But you don’t have to worry about that with organic fertilizers.

In fact, these fertilizers are just as easy to use—just shake, spray, or mix it in with your soil—but they don’t come with the unknown ingredient list!

They’re Safe for You

The last benefit of organic fertilizers, but certainly not least, is just how safe they are. Organic indoor plant food is safe for your closed-up house in the colder months, safe to touch, safe for pets, and, best of all, safe for the environment as a whole.

If you’ve been looking for a way to up your “green” game, switching to organic fertilizer for all your safe house plant babies is just what you need!

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Garden on a Budget

Spring is the perfect time to upgrade your garden. The air gets warmer, the sun shines brighter and you add an extra hour to your day - so you can spend more time outside working to cultivate the perfect garden! 

Not everyone has an unlimited budget to dedicate to craft an outdoor oasis - and that’s okay! There are lots of things you can do to create a beautiful garden area on a budget. You can still show off a great space without breaking the bank. Here are some ways to upgrade your garden without blowing your budget.

Think Ahead

If you want to create a garden, don’t just do it on a whim. Even though the idea might pop into your head, take some time before purchasing any big items to plan out your garden area. Consider how much you want to spend, what theme you want, the types of plants you want to have and whether or not you want your garden to provide you with food, herbs or just have flowers. 

Consider your climate, too - you don’t want to plant fruits and veggies that don’t grow well in your area. Take some time to visit some landscaping and gardening centers to talk with the professionals about what grows best when and how to best plant in your space. 

Don’t forget to measure your garden space! You’ll want to ensure your garden oasis isn’t overcrowded with plants or barren. Take a few moments before shopping to measure around the spaces you want to plant. Write down the measurements, take pictures or even sketch out a sample blueprint to use when discussing garden upgrades with the local outdoor stores. You’ll find that those considerations will save you money in the long run because you won’t be running back and forth to the store to find and return plants that don’t fit the areas where you want to garden.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

One of the best ways you can save money on an outdoor project is by looking into sustainable options for your garden. Ask your neighbors for planters they’re not using, upcycle items from yard sales or other second-hand stores and look for ways to DIY different things in your yard! You can easily turn an antique bicycle into a garden planter, or consider building an air plant frame to hang on the fence in your garden. Not only do these things give you a fun activity to do in the fresh air, but you can add some unique decor to your garden space that doesn’t force you to go over budget! 

Less is More

You don’t have to fill your garden area with huge plants and shrubbery. In fact, if you have a small garden, consider adding a few smaller plants or a vegetable like mushrooms in a growing kit. Then, incorporate some smaller decor pieces, such as some personalized garden stones, between them to create some natural space between the plants. The personalized touch will really let you enjoy the space more. Plus, purchasing plants that might not be full-grown can save you a lot of money. They will continue to grow after you purchase them. Adding trees to your garden area? Find ones that haven’t yet started to bloom - they’re much lighter than ones that are flowering. Not only will they be easier to plant, but they will also help you stay within your budget. Don’t forget that the all-year plants will typically be less expensive to purchase than the seasonal ones. You’ll save time and money going with plants classified as ‘annuals,’ which grow all year regardless of season or climate.

Also, consider the outdoor furniture you’ll be adding to your garden. Consider some wooden fold up chairs and a table to use rather than a large patio set. This way, when the weather starts to get a little bad, you can easily transport your outdoor furniture inside, safe from the elements. On top of that, collapsible furniture can fit into smaller spaces really well. Even if you have a larger outdoor space, if you want the focus to be on the greenery, smaller furniture is the way to go. 

Don’t Neglect the Front Yard

Even if you’re sprucing up your backyard, your front yard still deserves some love! Consider some small decor pieces in the front yard, such as walkway lights or a few personalized yard signs. Yard signs are great for the front yard, especially if you have a graduating senior or a military family member coming home. Walkway lights are perfect if you live in a more rural area that doesn’t have street lights. Your guests can find their way to your front door with ease, plus the motion-sensor lights serve as a bonus security feature for your home.

Include Your Friends

Another expensive part of garden upgrades is the labor. If you purchase large greenery from garden stores or nurseries, sometimes the companies will offer to plant the items for you - for a price. If you have any friends that know the dos-and-don’ts of landscaping, consider asking them for help, or watch some YouTube tutorials to curb the cost of installation and planting. Host a garden party, and invite all your friends, family and neighbors that live near you to come over and help you with garden activities. The kids can help shovel dirt, and everyone can lay down patches of grass, set up furniture or hang string lights. Building a fence? Find friends who are handy with saws and nail guns to assist you in installing and woodworking. Don’t forget to provide them with a hearty meal at the end of the day to thank everyone for helping you out! 

You can still create a meaningful, beautiful outdoor space without blowing your budget. Remember to carefully plan your garden, upcycle your materials and enlist the help of your friends to minimize the labor costs. As long as your garden space becomes an area you want to spend time in, that’s all that matters.

Gardening Ideas that will Make your Garden Look Amazing

While we all fantasize about having acres of property with lush lawns extending into shady orchards, huge flowering borders, and a kitchen garden, the fact is that if you live in a city, your square footage will be limited.

Small garden ideas, on the other hand, may be just as inspiring, and your lack of room didn't stop you from dreaming big. Smaller gardens, patios, and roof terraces may still be elegant, quiet retreats, and although you might not be able to fit in that orchard, there are lots of tiny garden plans that will provide you with just as much pleasure. It's simply a matter of being resourceful with the space you do have.

Using decking to divide a patio or terrace into different heights will actually make the room feel larger and zone separate regions. Using built-in planters or tiered levels to provide seats will eliminate the need for cumbersome furniture. Simply add some lovely banquette-style cushions and you're done.

Potted plants, which can be readily moved about and interchanged, are a more flexible option than boundaries. Is there a lack of room for plants? Consider things from a different perspective. If money isn't a problem, invest in a stunning living wall; for rental apartments or a more budget-friendly option, place potted herbs and plants on high shelves to free up floor space. There are lots of tiny garden ideas to get you started, as you can see...

1. IN A SMALL GARDEN, DON'T USE DECKING AND CHOOSE TILES INSTEAD.

The use of tiles instead of decking or pavement is a popular garden style right now, and it's a design that works well in tiny spaces. When utilized on the floor, pattern may draw the eye away from the room's proportions, so choose a pattern that will play with perspective in your space.

If you have a narrow garden, use a horizontal design to pull the eye outwards, and vice versa if you have a shallow garden, use your tiles to add length. If a strong tile or paving doesn't suit your style, utilize the plan to create a comparable space-expanding effect with a neutral tile or pavement. For smaller gardens, a lengthy herringbone pattern is ideal.

2. USE MIXED MATERIALS TO ADD A LOT OF TEXTURE.

Texture is important in tiny garden ideas, just as it is in smaller inside areas. Its texture may be utilized to blur the borders of your garden, adding interest to the space. Plants are an easy method to provide a variety of textures, so use a variety of sizes and forms when selecting plants for a modern garden. If you don't have green thumbs, you may create texture to your garden using materials like decking or patio pavement, fences, trellises, and even furniture.

With clean stone floors, bedded plants, exposed brickwork, and sleek, slatted wood fence, this tiny outdoor space seems quiet and calming.

3. CONTAINER GARDENING IS WORTH TRYING.

As previously stated, we all desire fields of flowers, but container gardening may be just as lovely and vibrant, albeit on a smaller scale. Choose pots that reflect your personal taste - square concrete for a more modern look, terracotta for all the Mediterranean feelings, or antique pots from eBay if you want a more classic English look. Pick pots and plants in a range of sizes and heights to create a display that rivals any flower meadow, whichever aesthetic you opt for.

4. IN A SMALL GARDEN, CREATE ZONES

It may seem strange to want to divide a tiny garden into smaller pieces, but by dividing your area into 'rooms,' you create mystery, and the uncertainty of where the garden's limits stop may hint to greater space.

Large plants, hedges, trellis, and custom gates may all be used to divide your garden, depending on the aesthetic you want to achieve. And be sure to leave lots of freedom to wander among the different rooms; rather than completely separating them, you want to give them the impression of separate zones.

5. 'EXPAND' A SMALL GARDEN WITH MIRRORS

A simple tiny garden concept that can make a small garden appear larger in the mirror. It's basic design 101 that they make rooms feel brighter and loftier, and gardens are no exception. You might put a huge basic mirror to the back wall of your garden to 'double' the area, or go for something more discreet and traditional with an antique mirror covered with climbers, depending on the aesthetic you want.

6. DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS.

Small gardens, too, can manage color — this modest patio, for example, exudes a wonderful, calm exotic vibe. Although the room is small, the turquoise wall pushes the eye outward, making it appear larger. There's also the modest mirror, which expands the area, and the bright tiles, along with the unified pattern, make it feel almost like an extra room going off the kitchen.

7. USE A FIRE TO MAKE A SMALL GARDEN FEEL COZIER.

Adding a fire to a tiny garden is a wonderful concept that will only add to the space's warmth (in a positive way). The simplest and most straightforward option is to construct a firepit and arrange comfortable seats around it, but if you're short on space, take inspiration from this lovely landscape and have a fire built into a boundary wall for a true outdoor living room vibe.

8. IN A SMALL GARDEN, CREATE LEVELS

Creating distinct zones inside your garden by adding levels is a fantastic tiny garden idea since it not only makes the area more fascinating, but it also makes it feel bigger. You might create a sunken garden or seating area, or you could create a raised lawn or garden, as seen in this design with stairs rising up from a patio area. 

9. EVEN IN A SMALL GARDEN, THINK BIG

It's tempting to keep everything tiny in a small garden - small plants, small pots, and small furnishings – but keeping everything in proportion with your small area will just make it appear congested and smaller. Instead, try for some huge, eye-catching plants that will create drama and draw attention away from the limited space.

10. TRADITIONAL GARDEN FURNITURE SHOULD BE REMOVED.

While hammocks may appear to be a gimmick, they are the ideal piece of garden furniture for those with little space. They take up no floor space and may be simply stowed away if the garden is needed for entertainment. A beautiful hanging chair might work just as well if a hammock seems too hippyish.

11. MAKE THE MOST OF THE VERTICAL SPACE

When you're short on floor space, look above for places where you can add some greenery. Plant trees that will grow upwards rather than outwards, and use climbers to line the boundaries of your garden. You could even plant a living wall and skip the borders to free up additional ground area for a grass or patio.

12. USE YOUR IMAGINATION WITH WALL TILES

This is a great little garden design, and by covering a dark brick wall with lighter tiles, the room feels instantly larger, brighter, and more like a garden than a tiny courtyard. The floor tiles have a similar space-enhancing effect, and the festoon lights and olive tree provide a festive touch — there's plenty to be inspired by here.