Blog Posts

Pretty in pink cosmos garden torch from Desert Steel & giveaway! (ARV $59)

4/12/2018

Consider this a fair warning. Once you start collecting garden torches you won't want to stop. They are addicting! And no wonder. What else but a real flame could add such depth of radiance to your outdoor space? Not to mention keeping the mosquitoes at bay in the most charming manner possible. You probably remember us giving away a few poppy torches in blue and red from Desert Steel last summer. Then we added white and orange daisy torches to the mix. But this is the summer we celebrate the cosmos which are just as sweet and sophisticated. Amazing how Desert Steel is always fashioning new and unique products that captures the eye and the heart. Envision yourself enjoying the ambiance of your backyard by adding one of these garden trophies to your collection when you win! (ARV $59). To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. You can earn one entry per day by commenting on any of our blog or Facebook posts. Let us know that you have entered by telling us your favorite color. Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post and leaving a comment. Please tell us how many entries you have earned. Contest ends May 5th!

193 Comments

Orchid growing is for all (even a newbie!)

4/4/2018

Orchids have earned themselves a bad reputation! Finicky. Hard to manage. Difficult. And that is true of some orchids. Come to think of it, all these things could be said of my kids too, but I still keep them around. Speaking of family, orchids are the largest family of plants in the entire world. There are 25,000 - 30,000 species of orchid in existence. Isn't it time you found the right one? Bottom line. Some orchids are easier to grow than others. For those of us who have grown them for years (because we've already killed our share of orchids) we know exactly what not to do; it's time to spread our wings. How about trying a new variety, one that will challenge those horticultural instincts? Beginner...go for it. Why grow orchids? Because they are exquisite, exotic and beautiful to behold. Better still. They can be grown indoors when treated right. My moth orchid is still blooming and I'm on month three! Although it is beginning to enter the dormant state. As a heads up, most of the photographs in this post are not mine. Womp. Womp. These photographs were taken by my sister at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory in D.C. She blogs over at Pretty Simple Ideas. Check her out sometime!

12 Comments

A washable world with Lorena Canals

3/29/2018

People and pets mess up rugs!

I have this dirty little secret. But I'm not ready to divulge it quite yet. First, I want to introduce you to Lorena Canals....a company I spotted after I spotted all the dirt and grime on my pillows and rugs. It was their botanic plants rug that caught my eye. Just my style. Fern fashion marries lush luxury. Then reality set in. People and pets are messy. Rugs get icky. Just being on the floor and all, life happens. If you've ever had a small dog then you know exactly what I'm alluding to. Or kids. Or a baby. Have you ever spoon-fed a 10-month-old baby sweet potatoes on a carpet just for fun? Bad things happen to good rugs. Then I unearthed Lorena Canals and became smitten when it hit me that their rugs and pillows are machine-washable. So many thanks to Lorena Canals for sending me the botanic plants rug and a pillow to review to help me "fern-ish" my style. Worst. Joke. Ever. Seriously, how have I lived so long without them? And are you ready to hear my secret?

7 Comments

Garden glam glossary N-Z for 2018! What's hot now.

3/20/2018

Vining plants are a big trend for 2018!

It's the year of the easy button. We love our garden but spending all day every day working in it? Bleh. No thanks. It's time to kick back with that lemonade....book in hand actually enjoying the view. If I want a workout, and that's a big "if" - I'll head to the gym. Who needs backbreaking digging to rev up those arm muscles? It's not because I'm lazy, not a bit of it. It's because there's too much on my plate most days. Free time? Relaxation? Pedicures? Nope. Never. When my kids misbehave, I'll send them to their rooms for a time-out. Sometimes they even take a nap while up there. I wish someone would send me to time-out! Please.....anyone.....make me go to my room for an hour so I can get a break! Until that day happens, these are a few trends fueled by the easy life. It's time to picture gardening from a different angle. Let's implement a few techniques today that pave the way for a simpler life. What Tom and I won't do? Sacrifice beautiful, lush gardens. Here's a few suggestions from us A-Z style.....

10 Comments

Terrific terrariums with $380 OASE biOrbAIR giveaway!

3/14/2018

Isn't it time for that million dollar view? Then what are you waiting for! A glimpse into paradise is what the 16 gallon, acrylic biOrbAIR terrarium is all about. Lush luxury marries innovative technological design. A 360 degree panoramic view. Enter: The age of the terrarium. It's time. To get. Serious. About exotic plants and pets. Orchids, Moss. Air plants. Ferns. Bromeliads. Carnivorous plants. Even a poison dart frog! So let me level with you. I can't afford the trip to see a lush rainforest canopy in person. But a terrarium is doable. I'm positively glowing these days and it's not just from the LED lighting on the terrarium lid. So I hope you are the winner of this incredible biOrbAIR terrarium from OASE. Truly, the Rolls Royce of terrariums. To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. You can earn one entry per day by commenting on any of our blog or Facebook posts. Let us know that you have entered by telling us one plant you'd grow in this terrarium. Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post. Please tell us how many entries you have earned. Canadian friends, you are most welcome to enter. Contest ends April 30th!

732 Comments

Ditch the chemicals with Oleum Vera $85 total giveaway 2 - winners!

3/8/2018

Another year has dawned. Make this the year. The year you go 100% chemical-free both inside and outside your home. I don't have to nag you about how bad chemicals are for your body; you already know that. But how committed are you? Did you know that the average U.S. woman uses 12 personal care products a day, containing 168 different chemicals? And while most men use fewer such products, even they are exposed to 85 chemicals daily. Yikes! Let's vow to do better. So it's my pleasure to introduce to you Oleum Vera, a body care company that puts you in control of your beauty regime. Whether it's for your face, body or hair, Oleum Vera has you covered head to toe with 100% organic ingredients. First place winner gets the "Off To A Good Start" DIY Face Cleansing KIt! (ARV $60) while the second place winner gets the DIY Hair Treatment Kit! (ARV $25). To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. You can earn one entry per day by commenting on any of our blog or Facebook posts. Let us know that you've entered by telling us if you like DIY projects in the comment section. Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post. Please tell us how many entries you have earned. Canadian friends, you are most welcome to enter. Contest ends April 10th!

181 Comments

7 Things you need to know about tree removal

3/7/2018

Glorious trees exist in just about every place in the world. Just like other plants they are extremely beneficial to the environment as they breathe in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This improves the air we breathe and the atmosphere. Unfortunately, no matter how much you might love the trees in your yard there are times when they need to be trimmed or removed. On these occasions it is essential that you use a firm specializing in tree removal. This will ensure the process is completed properly and safely. But there are seven aspects of tree removal you might want to know first.

11 Comments

6 cost-effective ideas to transform your backyard on a budget

3/4/2018

A well-groomed backyard does not just please the eye- it invigorates you. Investing in your landscape improves your mood by creating an area to kick back, relax and enjoy the seasons as they come and go. You want to spend more time out of doors.....right?! Although many of us tend to have big dreams when it comes to decorating or remodeling our backyards, not all of us have a humongous budget to work with. Minor tweaks can seriously enhance the overall appeal of your backyard, you just have to put in a little sweat equity. With spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start thinking about tiny and inexpensive changes you can make to your backyard to improve that space. With these small but powerful tips and tricks, you can give your backyard a budget friendly makeover with not too much effort.

11 Comments

Gifts galore & Uncommon Goods $50 certificate giveaway!

3/1/2018

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? I'm not Irish but it's still fun to make green pancakes. All day we munch on green foods like broccoli, salad and honeydew melon. And who doesn't have a few boxes of Lucky Charms on hand? Then it's Chipotle for dinner. Guacamole is green! While I'm focused on St. Patrick's Day, I'm also starting to appreciate the green, organic life. Eco-friendly products. Gifts for those green gardeners who hope for something off the beaten path. So I'm proud to introduce you once again to Uncommon Goods who never ceases to amaze me with their unique lineup. Today you can win a $50 gift card to their online store. To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. YOU CAN EARN ONE ENTRY PER DAY BY COMMENTING ON ANY OF OUR FACEBOOK POSTS! Let us know that you have entered by telling us how you are unique and uncommon! Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post. Please tell us how many entries you have earned. Contest ends March 17th! Happy St. Patrick's Day all!

224 Comments

Win big for the birds the Blueberry Pie Coneflower or Crab Apple Bird Feeder by Desert Steel - 2 winners!

2/22/2018

In a perfect world....all the color in your garden would derive from flowers. A bright and bold mix of annuals and perennials staggered to reveal the creme de la creme of gardens. But it's not a perfect world. Right?! I find that I like supplementing my garden beds with decor that satisfies my creative instincts and need for color. Unlike flowers, decor requires no care or extra effort. Decor doesn't die from lack of water. For this reason alone, I appreciate the unique, hand-fashioned sculptures of Desert Steel that step in when my flowers fade. Their eye-popping bird feeders lure in a crowd of colorful feathered friends adding depth and dimension to the landscape. So I'm thrilled to introduce you to the standing Blueberry Pie Coneflower (ARV $70) and the hanging Crab Apple bird feeder (ARV $40) from Desert Steel. And you nailed it, this means two winners today!!! To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. YOU CAN EARN ONE ENTRY PER DAY BY COMMENTING ON ANY OF OUR OTHER POSTS. Let us know that you have entered by telling us about your favorite bird. Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post and leaving a comment. Please tell us how many entries you have earned. Contest ends March 27!

617 Comments

Garden glam glossary A to Z for 2018 - What's trending now!

2/15/2018

Indoor hanging gardens are becoming immensely popular.

Trends in fashion change like lightening. This is why I never bother buying new clothes, even from Target. By the time I catch on to what's en vogue....it's already obsolete. Think skinny jeans and cold shoulder shirts. And don't even get me started on fidget spinners! Home decor trends move at a slower pace and gardening even more so. In fact, I bet many of you didn't even think there were trends in gardening. The truth. There is! 2018 is going to be a fun and exciting year for those of us who like to tinker with plants. I have all sorts of projects lined up for this spring and summer to spiff up my lawn and landscape. Not to mention my indoor space. Isn't it time for a terrarium? Buzzwords abound. This is what the future holds for us. How about you?

18 Comments

3 tips for a less stressful renovation

2/14/2018

Renovating your home can be very stressful and overwhelming. There will be extra people in your home working and it can be loud and messy. It will most likely disrupt your life in some way. Hopefully, these tips will help you get through your renovation with a little less stress.

17 Comments

How to help your lawn recover from winter injury

2/12/2018

Winter is a beautiful season and it provides ample opportunity for you to enjoy it to the fullest. But while the snow might look stunning on your lawn, it creates havoc on your garden. As soon as the snow melts, you will realize that your carefully maintained lawn is not as manicured and fresh as it was before. Your turf faces the most damaging problems likes snow mold, voles, crown hydration, winter desiccation, and more. It is essential to create an efficient and successful recovery plan to help your lawn get back in shape.

13 Comments

Burning up the weeds with Flame Engineering & Weed Dragon giveaway ~ 2 winners!

2/6/2018

Disclaimer: Products are provided to Raise Your Garden for a thorough, honest review. We do not receive payment for reviews. Each review takes 5-10 hours of hands-on testing, writing, editing and photography.

To alleviate the stress in your life there are three options: 1.) Get a cat 2.) Fly a kite or 3.) Acquire a Weed Dragon tool from Flame Engineering to root out your problems. Literally. Because that's what the Weed Dragon is designed to do. Blow the weeds right down to their roots and have a marvelous time at it. Weeding. By. Hand. What an outdated practice! Who wants to bend down and yank weeds all day? Most mind-boggling? This fire-breathing torch is equally useful during the winter. Picture all that snow and ice and then see yourself blasting through it with this tool. It's a product that you'll use year-round. No need to store for the dreaded off-season. Big win. That's why I'm thrilled for you and the chance of winning either the Weed Dragon or Mini Weed Dragon from Flame Engineering valued at $82 and $53 respectively. To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. YOU CAN EARN ONE ENTRY PER DAY JUST BY SHARING THIS POST! Let us know that you have entered by telling us if you are an extrovert or an introvert in the comment section. Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post. Please tell us how many entries you have earned. Contest ends March 15th!

339 Comments

6 eco-friendly changes you can make in your home & garden

2/3/2018

There has never been a greater emphasis on being kind to the environment than there is right now. People in all walks of life are making changes to their everyday routines in order to go green and look after the world in which we live in. Even the smallest of changes can make the biggest difference, so if you are unsure of some of the minor alterations that you can make, here are some suggestions below.

9 Comments

De-clutter with Good Directions multi-purpose copper boot trays...2 winners!

1/29/2018

Sprawling snake plant!

You probably already guessed by now that I'm not one of "those" people. You know exactly of who I speak. That friend, relative or co-worker whose house is sicklingly spotless...even when caught off guard. Not a fleck of dust or dirt anywhere. No grime. Just gleaming. And the entryway? Immaculate. Everything put away. Shoes lined up. Umbrellas tucked away. No bags or backpacks in sight. How is it done? I don't know but I vow to try harder. Slowly the goal is to organize my home and garden spaces better. So I'm thrilled to team up again with the Good Directions company because they keep me on track. This time it's their multi-purpose copper boot trays that make me so happy. Most. Useful. Product. Ever. So I am equally thrilled for your chance of winning one of them valued at $70 & $55 respectively. It's time to spiff up your space! To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. You can earn one entry per day by sharing this post. Let us know that you have entered by telling us what you like to clean on the comment section. Do this by scrolling down to the bottom of this post. Contest ends February 28th!

258 Comments

Decorate with faux plants (Mum's the word from us!)

1/24/2018

It's the four letter word that everyone is afraid to utter. A real "F" bomb. As in faux. Faux plants. You've all seen the movie "Groundhog Day"....right? That's Monday's here. I get up, make my bed, brush my teeth and get dressed. On a good day I manage to brush my hair too but not always. Then I feed the girls breakfast, pack lunches and get them bundled off for school. After feeding the pets it's time to get serious about watering the plants. Monday is the designated day for that. With no target in mind, I tend to ignore the problem and plants start dying all over the place. Not acceptable for a garden blogger! After the drudgery is done, I'm tempted to toss their plant butts to the curb and go faux. No need to water ever again and no shedding leaves. Dead-headding. What's that? And come to think of it, no stress about dead plants. So take a deep breath because I'm going to level with you. Faux plants can be great and are becoming increasingly more convincing. So if you don't divulge your dirty little plant secret, we won't either! Promise. Here's a bit of advice about fake plants and what you should consider now.

10 Comments

Awesome aquaponics with Eartheasy & $100 Water Garden giveaway!

1/15/2018

We've had a few pleasant additions to our family this year. It started with a cat. Then we had a baby boy. Finally we decided it was high time to add a betta fish to the menagerie. The fish is red and is thus named Philip after the red caped prince in Sleeping Beauty. He's red...do you see? I don't quite get it but there it is. My hesitation in getting a fish was the whole cleaning the tank dilemma. I'm swamped with chores as it is! But this tank is different and better. Most regular fish tanks require 50% water changes once a week. Once your plants are established, bi-weekly is ample. Beauty marries function in this water garden that combines fish with plants for an eye candy experience. And many thanks to the Eartheasy company for teaming up with us and awarding one lucky reader their very own Water Garden. To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. YOU CAN EARN ONE ENTRY PER DAY BY COMMENTING ON ANY OF OUR OTHER POSTS. Let us know that you've entered by telling us the name of one of your pets on the comment section by scrolling down to the bottom of this post. Contest ends February 17th!

200 Comments

Tips for protecting your backyard during snow days

1/10/2018

Having a backyard is a pleasure, but during the winter season you can’t help but think about all the work you’ll be doing when snow build up is too much. I was intrigued by a single stage snow blower review article I read and decided to write how we personally combat the snow season and make things easier after any storm. Here are some tips you can easily do before and during the snow and save yourself time in the future.

9 Comments

Is artificial grass cheating or ingenious?

1/8/2018

Those of us who spend hours in the garden are a proud sort. We work tirelessly to ensure that our outdoors area looks on point all year round. Even during the winter, we can be found pottering around in the garden tending to cold weather plants and shrubbery. We love the time we spend in the garden, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we don’t wish that maintenance wasn’t at least a little easier. That and it can be oh so disheartening when all of our hard work is ruined at the first sight of bad weather.

8 Comments

Nautical giveaway with Fishaye Trading Company ~ 1st & 2nd place winners!

1/3/2018

I had no idea when I married Tom how much fish would play into our lives. It's a big deal to him and the girls. But it's taken us a few years to learn about how to use all the fish parts, especially in the garden to grow those humongous tomatoes. Thrifty people...we use it all. This is why I reached out to avid fisherman and artist, John Doherty through his company Fishaye Trading. His nautical themed products are spot-on for the fishing enthusiast in your life. Prints, placements, decorative trays, and even mirrors, he highlights the sea in such a unique way. All will appreciate his art from the cottage owner, coastal resident or wanna-be water dweller. I don't know about you, but I'm not just buying gifts at Christmas, it's a year-round deal here. So I'm super excited to introduce you to Fishaye Trading. The best part.... we have two winners today! First place gets a rustic nautical print in a cedar driftwood frame ($140) and second place gets four of his his stunning nautical placements ($40). To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. Let us know that you have entered by telling us how close you live to water! But first, I must tell you about how Gyotaku works! Contest ends February 4th.

162 Comments

10 ways to simplify cleaning up Christmas decor

12/27/2017

If you're anything like us, you have a whole section of bins in your attic, basement or garage labelled "Christmas decor." But how much of that do you actually use each year? 10% 50% 90%? In our household, space is tight despite having a good sized basement because we turned half of it into a playroom. No regrets. Still, we have six Christmas bins stuffed to the brim. There's also lots of outdoor decor that we tend to store in the original boxes stacked high in the basement. Over the years, I've found it's better to be mindful of the way Christmas decor is put away because it makes life so much easier the following year. I always regret rushing and then being frustrated when I can't find what I want in early December. Since I've gotten my act together, I was able to quickly locate my Christmas cookie cutters when needed this year ~ that's a first! These are my tips for putting your Christmas decor away for the New Year!

7 Comments

Urbio Big Happy Family magnetic storage system with $175 giveaway!

12/11/2017

Urbio Big Happy Family magnetic storage system!

It's time to banish your kitchen junk drawer. You know exactly of what I speak. That cluttered drawer that everything...and I do mean everything gets tossed into. Scissors, pencils, lip balm, notepads, tape measures, coupons, spatula sets, rulers, the list goes on and on. Yep. This is where those Pez dispensers end up. Of course you clean it once a month but does that even help? Days later it gets trashed again and you can never find what you need when you want it. Frustrating. This is why I'm thrilled to introduce you to the Big Happy Family magnetic storage system from Urbio, an organizational weapon that marries upward urban appeal. Who isn't cramped for space? And this super chic and elegant unit can be used for both plants and storage making it multi-purpose. I hope you win this vertical organization and plant system valued at $175 to simplify your life now. To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. You can earn one extra entry per day by tagging a new friend each day! Let us know that you have entered by rating your organizational skills with 10 being the best and 1 being really bad. Contest ends January 11th! Warning: Post contains affiliate links, you may want to read my disclosure policy. Thanks for being such sweet readers!

245 Comments

13 foolproof tips to pick the perfect live Christmas tree

12/3/2017

Do you have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree complex? When looking for the family Christmas tree each year this is my struggle. I lean towards selecting the sad, wilting tree because otherwise that tree won't have a home for Christmas. Then I have to stop. Pause. Think. And come to my senses. The tree is not a kitten. It does not have feelings and I'm not doing myself a favor by hauling home the worst one on the lot. Besides, live Christmas tree prices are typically $50 and up. In many cases you pay by the foot so I might as well get the best tree for my dollars. And did you hear this latest news hot off the press? That Christmas trees didn't do well this year so prices are expected to soar by at least $20 a tree. Yikes! But what do you look for when selecting the perfect Christmas tree? These are my top tips so that your tree doesn't sap holiday cheer when sipping that eggnog. Warning: Post contains affiliate links, you may want to read my disclosure policy. Thanks for being such sweet readers!

18 Comments

Stave off the sun with Brush On Block & giveaway!

12/1/2017

As gardeners, we love being outdoors. Right? Even if we're mostly just puttering outside. It's relaxing to breathe in the fresh air and think. But unless I'm leaving the house, I don't bother with makeup to protect my face from sun damage. The mineral powder makeup I do wear does have sunscreen in it shielding my skin from age spots, wrinkles and much, much worse...as in the dreaded "C" word. Cancer. Yet most people probably don't wear makeup for outside yard work. That's when my poor skin gets a thrashing from the sun. Don't get me wrong, sun feels good on the skin. I love its warm touch and the natural Vitamin D it provides. But it's also true the skin must be protected from the sun. And here's a little secret. Since this product is translucent, it's equally awesome for men and children too. So I am thrilled to have partnered today with Brush On Block who literally has you covered, that is your face covered with the best facial sunscreen I've tried to date. A $54 value! Best of all? No bad ingredients. To enter, like the Raise Your Garden Facebook page and share this post or sign up for our newsletter. For two entries, do both. Let us know that you've entered by telling us what sunblock you currently use. Contest ends December 19th. International readers are welcome to enter! We just learned that Brush On Block is made in Australia. We'd love to meet a few more Australians!

59 Comments