Blog Posts

What to do about spiders in your garden

1/30/2019

Let's face it - spiders are an unfavorable sight no matter where you see ‘em. Arachnophobia is something we all have to some extent.

But do we over-exaggerate or are spiders something to be truly afraid of?

Well, depends on which creepy crawly you face and where.

Seeing an 8-legged monster while taking a bath or the very fact that you may have one under your bed may surely send shivers down your spine.

But it may actually be quite beneficial to have a small bunch of spiders in your garden.

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5 indoor succulents you simply can't kill

1/24/2019

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through my link I make a small commission at no additional cost to yourself. Thank you for being such wonderful and gracious readers. I am truly thankful for you all!

I was at a birthday party for my daughter chatting it up with another mom.

She was lamenting the status of her succulents.

All dead. She killed every single one.

And she was venting her valid frustrations~ how did succulents ever earn the reputation of being "easy" plants to grow?

Well. Some are easy. Some are not.

String of pearls? One of the most intriguing succulents on planet earth, but not suitable to Buffalo, NY weather. They hate it here!

Today I'm telling you like I would in a face to face conversation which indoor succulents that I personally own have been huge hits for me.

And like you all, I'm busy. I have 3 kids under the age of 8. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Laundry, Homework. Music lessons. Sports. School. Church. Repeat. The cycle never ceases.

Yet these 5 succulents survive and thrive!

71 Comments

A sprinkle of DIY - How-to set up your own irrigation system

1/23/2019

Planting flowers or vegetables requires a lot of time, patience and care. Any avid gardener will tell you that beautiful plants are a labour of love. The same goes for having a lush lawn.

Lawns of vibrant green grass add a totally different dimension to any garden and show that the property is truly cared for. It might require some effort on your part but the rewards are more than worth it.

However, once you have that lush green lawn that you’ve been dreaming of, you will need to carry out regular maintenance to make sure it always looks its best. Checking on the lawn to guard against weeds, conducting daily watering and other garden maintenance can consume a good portion of your time.

Installing one of the great sprinkler systems from SunshowerOnline can help save you a ton of time, especially in the warmer summer months, giving you more time to spend on perfecting your garden.

Continue reading to learn how you can create an effective irrigation system at your property so that your garden always looks healthy and well-kept.

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Getting your garden ready for spring

1/22/2019

At this point in the middle of winter, we tend to get a little blue, in fact this week is the peak point when people notice the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

The reason for this is that the weather is at its coldest, nights at their darkest, and spirits at their lowest after having had the social time of the festive season.

January is the month when most people book a vacation as they are desperate to cling onto something to help them get through the winter.

Now, when it comes to your garden, perhaps the middle of winter is not the time you feel compelled to get into the garden and start preparing for spring, but there’s something hopeful about this process.

It reminds us that winter doesn’t last forever and seasons are just that, seasons - so, if you’re feeling a little blue about winter then now is a great time to get in the garden and start preparing for spring.

In fact, even if you don’t prefer getting in the garden right now, you can still celebrate in the fact spring is coming by looking online at things like gazebo kits to feel more inspired about what you will get up to this spring and summer.

And I just read there are just 57 days until spring!!!

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Garrett Wade Warehouse Sale Spectacular & $100 gift card giveaway!

1/18/2019

I wonder if your family is similar to ours.

Because each year January becomes the month to organize our indoor spaces.

After I fail miserably at following through with the New Year's Resolutions that I didn't even make, I vow to get my life back on track.

Closets get cleaned. Clothes that I haven't worn in ten years get purged. Floors get *gasp* swept and washed.

It's also the time we evaluate what we need for the home and garden.

And there's never been a better time to shop with the Garrett Wade Warehouse Sale in full swing! Now is the time to invest in quality home and garden items that you'll use the rest of your life.

So if your Christmas gifts were lackluster this year, it's time to upgrade on your own.

RYG readers get a special extra 10% off all clearance purchases.

Use code GARDEN10 at checkout! Offer expires February 14, 2019.

And why not win this $100 gift certificate to Garrett Wade to get you started?

How to enter to WIN!

Simply fill out the easy SweepWidget form at the bottom of this post! And what's your favorite part about spring?

22 Comments

The extraordinary Chinese Money Plant ~how to grow & propagate this easy & photogenic plant you can't kill!

1/10/2019

pilea peperomioides - Chinese money plant

You can't kill a Chinese money plant. No matter how hard you try. Don't even bother.

And I shouldn't admit this having a garden blog and all....

Yet when some of my indoor plants bite the dust it doesn't bother me. Inwardly, I think to myself, "at least I don't have to water that one anymore!"

Not so with my Chinese money plants, the pampered ones.

Thanks to Cheri, a very special reader, I am the proud owner of 7 Chinese money plants. Even more now as I have learned to propagate them.

Excellent because they are expensive to buy but easy to propagate.

I'm talking $20-$30 for a tiny 2-4 inch plant! Yikes. And I hope you are not eating right now because you will gag when you see the shipping rates.

So find a friend who has some! Or shoot me an email come spring when they multiply again.

Minimalist and modern, the Chinese money plant is truly mobile home decor! Here's the scoop....

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The wonders of JORD Watches with a $200 glamorous gift card giveaway to JORD!

1/3/2019

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through my link I make a small commission at no additional cost to yourself. Thank you for being such wonderful and gracious readers. I am truly thankful for you all!

Since you had this inkling anyhow, I might just as well blurt it out.

The last time I teamed up with JORD wood watches, friends who saw the post on Facebook were texting me asking how to win.

I responded that it was quite simple. The first person to get two dozen chocolate chip cookies (still warm if possible) to my house wins.

That was a joke, folks.

But obviously they were swooning with delight over my wood watch wanting one, too.

Not that I blamed them. My turquoise JORD wood watch with a zebrawood band is a thriller. Ladies watches. Men's watches. JORD has it all. JORD appeals to all.

So I'm over-the-moon thrilled that JORD wood watches is back with a twist on a watch you don't want to miss!

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the simple form for your chance at a $200 gift certificate to JORD watches!

(All you have to do is provide an email address so you can be contacted if you win!) But if you share this post on social media, you have my heartfelt eternal gratitude!

Are you skipping yet? And how many times a day do you check the time?

43 Comments

Rev up your rustic farmhouse style with Ranch Junkie & giveaway! (Barnwood Shelf ($150) or BOHO Travel Bag ($80!)

12/19/2018

As a mom of three kids I know that playing favorites is just plain wrong.

Enter Ranch Junkie Mercantile and out the window with that philosophy.

Because I don't like Ranch Junkie. I LOVE Ranch Junkie. It's their style. Their unbeatable rustic farmhouse style that charms me to smithereens.

Husband and wife team Erin & Shawn run Ranch Junkie like it's their job. Because it is. Straight out of Texas, folks...this is an all American family running an all American business.

So I'm thrilled for the two winners today who are gonna revamp their style with Ranch Junkie swag today.

First place scores a rustic barnwood floating shelf! (If this trend gets any hotter you'll get burned!) ARV $150ish.

Second place gets a southwestern large weekender travel bag. Go west my friends with this one! Take that vacay. ARV $80!

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the simple SweepWidget form.

For extra good luck, leave me a comment on this blog post telling me why you wanna win!

18 Comments

Anise Cut-Out Cookies - Kris Kringle Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

12/15/2018

Do you have any anise oil in your spice cupboard? How about anise seed?

Go ahead. You can check. I'll wait. Got a little time to burn today. Or not! Silly me.

But if you don't have any anise now is the time to acquire some. Splendid stuff!

Any recipe that has been around and still used after 50 years is a winner. This recipe for anise cut-out cookies (Kris Kringle cut-out sugar cookies) has become a Christmas family tradition.

My grandmother cut this recipe for Kris Kringle cut-out cookies from the local newspaper many, many years ago and tweaked it to be her own. We still have the original clip!

This recipe is so prized that it's practically a family heirloom. So we're going local today with a regional recipe that hails from Buffalo, NY.

It's my pleasure to share our secret with you!

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$85 luxury beauty kit giveaway from Made from Earth!

12/11/2018

It's that time of year. Even the most innocent of Target shopping excursions puts you at risk.

There he is. Or she is. Your old biology teacher. A former student. That co-worker that you can never remember their name.

Holiday shopping brings the most introverted of introverts out of the closet and into public view.

So what are you gonna do? Try to ditch them in the dog food aisle...right? Maybe they didn't even spot you and you're safe?

I mean- you're still wearing those peanut butter stained sweatpants and have zero makeup on.

Phew. Dodged that bullet. Wrong!

Let's put our best face forward this season by embracing friends, relatives and acquaintances with Made from Earth products designed to make you even more beautiful.

Made from Earth has you covered literally from head to toe with organic, holistic and chemical-free face, body, skin and hair products.

So I'm tickled pink for the winner who will score the Vitamin C + Face Firming Facial Kit to spiff up your skin for your most radiant holiday season yet! An $85 value.

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the SweepWidget form.

And please tell me a story about a time you dodged someone you spotted while out and about in the comments below.

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Last minute gifts for her $15 and under...

12/5/2018

power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets

Do you like opening gifts in front of others?

The only thing I like less than opening gifts in front of a crowd is watching someone else open my gift. What if they hate it?

Does she really want more socks, soap and scarves? Nope.

Spending more doesn't equal a better gift or a happier recipient. It's quality that counts.

Because not only do we have lots of family and friends to shop for at Christmas, but there's also the girls' teachers and even bus driver to consider. She's great!

It sure adds up fast. It also forces Tom and I to be frugal shoppers so we can show more cheer.

So here's 15 gifts for under $15 that just about anyone would rave over.

How can I be so sure? Because I've personally tested and tried all products on this list to my complete and utter satisfaction.

4 Comments

Desert Steel Mantel Sculpture & Stocking Holder $325 giveaway!

11/30/2018

There's not too many cacti growing outdoors in Buffalo, NY this time of year.

Okay, that was a joke. A lame one but my best attempt today. Because cacti are so far off our radar in Western New York that it's ridiculous.

So if you live in a colder climate and seek cacti and southwest charm, you'll have to invest in non-living decor to spice up your space.

Enter: Desert Steel. Once again saving the day.

I have a southwest themed room in my home. With a woodburning stove it's the apple of my eye.

This Christmas is a southwest one with my new prickly pear mantel sculpture from Desert Steel!

I am equally beguiled for you and your chance of winning the exact same one to hang your stockings on or just to enjoy year-round as a unique showstopper sculpture.

How to enter to WIN!

Fill out the easy peasy SweepWidget form at the bottom of this post. Good luck!

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13 foolproof tips to pick the perfect live Christmas tree

11/26/2018

Do you have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree complex? That's my struggle each year.

The sad, pathetic and wilting tree calls my name because otherwise it won't have a home for Christmas.

Then I have to stop. Pause. Think. Be rational. The tree is not a pet. It does not have feelings. I'm not doing myself any favors by hauling home the worst one on the lot.

Besides, live Christmas trees start at $50. The nicer ones are over $100 now. In many cases you pay by the foot so I might as well get the best tree for my dollars.

But what do you look for when selecting the perfect Christmas tree?

These are my top tips so that your live Christmas tree doesn't sap your holiday cheer or curdle your eggnog.

57 Comments

The Gardener's Gift Guide with Garrett Wade & $100 Gift Card Giveaway!

11/23/2018

As a former English teacher the only thing I like better than alliteration is giving a great gift to that gardener in my life.

Gardener's are picky about gifts! Maybe it's because we tend to be frugal in general so saving money is paramount. That's partly why we even bother to grow our own food.

With limited resources, I want to give a gift that I "know" the recipient will use and cherish for years to come.

So it's my pleasure to reintroduce you to Garrett Wade, a company that thrives on real and riveting gifts that will rejuvenate that gardener on your Christmas list this year!

Even more thrilling is the $100 Garrett Wade gift card they want YOU to win!

And here's a secret you don't want to keep to yourself! Free shipping to all Raise Your Garden readers with purchases of $50 or more. Order over $100? You get free shipping and this luxury 23 oz. Garrett Wade thermos (a $20 value!)

Use Code: RYGARDEN at checkout. Offer expires 12/23.

How to enter to WIN!

Simply fill out the easy SweepWidget form at the bottom of this post.

And I have a foolproof gift giving tip that will satisfy even the fussiest recipient on your list now.

Before I forget...here's your chance to meet my extended family here!

9 Comments

Boring backyards and what to do about them

11/21/2018

There's a load of reasons why you might not spend much time in your backyard. Those people who aren't very green fingered often close the door and never look back.

Other people may work too many hours to spend any real time here. Others again may find their outside space too overlooked. And then, there are those who don’t go outside because they find their backyards boring.

You know how it goes; you open the curtains, and you wish you could shut them straight up again. There’s nothing wrong with your bare patch of lawn or your paved outside area.

It’s just that they don’t exactly fill you with excitement. They’re like a spare room with grey walls and bland furniture. They serve the purpose, but you wouldn’t necessarily choose to spend time there.

7 Comments

Easy Vegan Pumpkin Spice Banana Ice Cream with just 4 ingredients!

11/18/2018

So I'm eating this vegan pumpkin spice banana ice cream for dinner as I write this post.

Multitasking as usual.

It's not that I'm trying to loose weight during the holidays. It's more that I'm avoiding excessive weight gain Thanksgiving through New Year's.

But the sweet tooth must be satisfied. I stumbled across this recipe in my local paper and have been dying to try it for months now.

The frozen bananas that kept falling out of the freezer hitting my feet each time was a real motivator.

It was time.

Time to try this recipe. Time to clean out the freezer. Done. And it's a slam dunk winner.

I can't believe that this vegan pumpkin spice banana ice cream could satiate my appetite at a fraction of the calories and fat of "real ice cream." No fake or phony ingredients in sight!

Now the ball is in your court. You have to try this one! Vegan pumpkin spice banana ice cream is a party in your mouth.

6 Comments

$380 Tanami stainless steel fire pit giveaway with Desert Steel!

11/12/2018

Can't beat the intoxicating smell of a good fire. Right?

We enjoy our wood burning stove all winter. Totally different than the smell of burnt popcorn drifting from our kitchen.

Come spring, summer and fall, we are equally thrilled over the smoky smell from our fire pit.

There's nothing quite like kicking back with the family and roasting around a good old-fashioned fire.

Summer evenings are for the simmering and savoring of s'mores! And fall and winter are for the shivering who embrace the soothing comfort of a fire.

Nothing beats nestling up with the family as the embers slowly die away. Besides, there's something almost magical about the snap, crackle and popping glow of a natural fire.

So I'm thrilled for your chance to win the Tanami stainless steel fire pit from our old friends at Desert Steel!

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the the easy SweepWidget form.

Tell us the last fire you lit in the comments below. Contest ends December 27th!

54 Comments

Garden prep ~ How-to smother weeds with cardboard, newspaper and compost

11/6/2018

Tom and I delay cleaning up our garden beds for as long as we can.

It's not because we are procrastinating or lazy. It's because we are hoping to leave every last tomato on the vine until we are ready to harvest.

So we wait.

But November is the perfect time to smother weeds and plants that are starting to look shabby.

It's also the ideal time to amend the garden beds. Remember those veggies have depleted the soil of nutrients and it's time to replenish those minerals.

This is the technique Tom and I use to make the gardening kickoff in spring a breeze. Our garden beds are willing and waiting to be planted in come Memorial Day!

No weeding required!

53 Comments

Landscape border patrol with EcoBorder & $231 rubber edging giveaway!

11/1/2018

It all boils down to this....

EcoBorder is easy. It's that simple.

Quality rubber landscape edging that is easy to install. I can do this myself folks. Tom who?

And if you think people aren't looking at your landscaping comparing it to theirs, you'd be wrong. We all compare. Fact!

So I'm thrilled today if you are the winner of the (3) 6 pack EcoBorder "L" in brown, red or black. You'll have 72 feet to work with! Over $231 value!

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the Rafflecopter widget. Easy peasy.

Tell us what color you'd choose in the comments below! Contest ends December 15th!

44 Comments

Pruning primer with $100 tool pack giveaway from Corona Tools USA!

10/27/2018

So a little trivia question for you today.

When is the perfect time of year to prune? Winter, spring, summer or fall? Tell me in the comments below!

But until then, I'm over-the-moon excited to offer some incredible planting and pruning tools from our friends over at Corona Tools USA.

This $100 piece set includes the Corona Bonus Pack with the forged aluminum bypass pruner, Corona sharpening tool and the nylon scabbard with pocket for sharpener.

Winner also receives the ComfortGEL grip trowel, scoop and transplanter!

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the Rafflecopter widget! Contest ends November 26th!

And I'll tell you the time of year that has been perfect to prune for our family.

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10 ways to put those fall leaves to good use & stop wasting them!

10/24/2018

Do you really want to rake the leaves this year? Probably not unless you're desperate for exercise after your Zumba class got cancelled.

Maybe you are more of a leaf-blower type of person anyhow?

As a side note - don't you just love watching kids jump in a pile of leaves? Such joy.

But I digress.

Here's 10 fantastic ways to get those leaves to work for you instead of you doing all the work!

43 Comments

Daisy solar light trio with $175 Desert Steel giveaway!

10/18/2018

What's your favorite line from Shakespeare?

As an English teacher, there are many I appreciate.

One of my all-time favorites is from Romeo and Juliet when Capulet utters "Be quiet, or—More light, more light!—For shame! I’ll make you quiet."

Ironic that this ignorant father is the one who requires illumination being in darkness himself.

You know what he needs....right?

Solar lights. Since they didn't have electricity back then I'm sure he'd find them useful.

So please pardon my silliness today because I'm thrilled for the winner of the Daisy Garden Solar Light Set from Desert Steel.

Yes, that means you win 3 Desert Steel Solar Lights (ARV $175). Use indoors or out!

How to enter to WIN!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post and fill out the Rafflecopter widget. Easy peasy.

You choose the color. Pink, yellow, turquoise or gray. Tell us what color you'd choose in the comments below! Contest ends November 23rd!

49 Comments

Three fabulous fall projects to add to your existing garden

10/17/2018

Your garden looks great. You picked out the best plants to fit in your beds.

You chose the right ones for your hardiness zone, with the perfect positions selected based on watering needs and sunlight.

But something seems off.

Something is missing…

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7 ways to spice up your planters with $260 composite PVC window box giveaway from Good Directions!

10/12/2018

Two words.

Curb appeal.

That's how the Lazy Hill window box from Good Directions is going to change your life. Are you ready for your house to go from bland to bold with some serious window box pizzazz?

It's the season for a stunning array of fall foliage adorning the front of your home.

Window boxes are incredibly versatile. Just think. Pansies in spring. Million bells in summer. Mums in fall. Even tiny Christmas trees to tie you over the long winter. Swooning with delight already?

We are ecstatic for the winner who gets the Lazy Hill Montauk Composite PVC window box from Good Directions. You choose either the 36 inch or the 42 inch sized window box. Whatever suits your dwelling best! ARV: $240 and $260 respectively.

Tell us what you would plant in the comments below!

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN!

Use the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post! Contest ends November 15th!

29 Comments

Which plants to winterize and how to find space indoors for them all!

10/8/2018

I dread this time of year.

It's time to decide who makes the cut. Which plants will be brought inside to survive our harsh, Buffalo winter and which ones I will (big teary gulp) cut loose.

Specifically, I'm talking about my herbs, fragile annuals, and tropical plants/houseplants that have been permitted to bask in summers' glow!

Tough call each year.

But the reality is, there's not enough space in my home for them all. Besides, even if there were, there's not enough sunlight. And I could never buy enough grow lights to sustain them all.

So I must choose. And I need to stop killing the ones that I do keep!

Over the years, I've learned that some plants do better indoors than others. So I'm willing to put forth more effort on their behalf. Some plants have surprised me, too!

If you have ever wondered what plants you should try saving and how-to store them until spring....this post is for you!

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