Blog Posts

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.

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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 What an outdated practice!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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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His and her November chore list...division of labor by gender

11/27/2017

Tom panicked when he saw the title of this post saying to me "Oh, great, how are you ripping me on the blog now? Not fair! I've just learned over the years there are certain chores that only I tackle. No one else is going to do them in my family of five. So if I don't do them, they don't get done. And to be just, there are certain jobs that Tom does that I won't touch with a ten foot pole. (Cat litter box...putting gas in the car....lifting heavy ceramic pots...dealing with worms...not I). But the division of labor has allowed us to have such a splendid garden and to continue to plow away at the yard, although our neighbors probably beg to differ! It makes me wonder what your November garden chore list looks like because this is what we've been up to. Want to compare notes? What are "your" outdoor jobs this time of year? Here's the thing that baffles me most about chores and gender.

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The Magnificent Magnolia Company & Welcoming Wreath Giveaway! (ARV $60-$118)

11/20/2017

You don't need me to tell you that magnolias are trending right now. Chip and Joanna Gaines anyone? No doubt they could throw a green spray painted egg carton on a table, call it a centerpiece and everyone would rave on. The magnolia egg carton would get a million Pins and social media shares. And surely you have seen their new home collection at Target? Nice but...it is the beaten path. Carbon copy decor. You have what your neighbor has and it all gets tossed in the garage sale bin at the end of the season. So let me introduce you to The Magnolia Company who are as innovative as they are invigorating in their designs of wreaths, garlands and table decor. Fresh or dried, you choose and the colors are eye-popping astounding. I reached out to them because their product lines are beyond beautiful. Not cheap, but the caliber is the creme de la creme. So you will seriously swoon if you are the winner of either the Golden Aubergine Wreath or the Original Magnolia Wreath. (ARV $60-$118). 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 TAGGING A FEW FB FRIENDS! Let us know that you've entered by telling us if you've decorated for Christmas yet. Contest ends December 18th!

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Steam + Grill with Uchicook & $160 giveaway for the cook!

11/14/2017

Steamed, sauteed, roasted, grilled or boiled? How do you prepare those veggies? My gripe with boiled veggies is how the nutrients seep into that hot water out of your life. I'm telling you the truth when I say I like Brussels Sprouts! But I like them even more when I'm getting the most nutrition out of them. It's quite a downer watching the nutrients flow down the drain while straining the broccoli in the sink. Agree? I propose you try the Uchicook steam grill which allows you to serve your family hearty and healthy veggies in 5 minutes or less. Being empowered to prepare a whole meal in 1/3 the time most traditional cooking methods require makes this product unique and innovative. That and having real grill marks on your meat and veggies! This is why I'm over-the-moon thrilled for you and your chance to win your own grill and two luxury utensils to go with from Uchicook! (ARV $160) 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 LIKING ANY POST ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Let us know that you have entered by telling us what's for dinner tonight! And keep reading to find out about what utensils you'll get! Contest ends: December 10th.

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Gadgets for the savvy gardener

11/12/2017

I get it. Most of us garden because overall, we're pretty frugal. But I confess there are times when I like a good splurge. Some fun garden accessory or tech toy that ignites my passion for this hobby. So today here are a few modest suggestions of what you can buy for your garden buck. And if that money tree actually starts to flourish, the very first thing I'd buy from this list is the automated lawnmower. How about you?

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How-to improve curb appeal before winter comes

11/9/2017

The winter season can be detrimental on a home, which is why many people take the time to prepare for the cold, frigid temperatures ahead. Whether you are trying to improve the appearance of your home or trying to keep the cold out, you will need to start preparing in fall. Like us, I'm sure you have many projects ahead of you that it will require working on them daily to ensure they are complete before winter sets in. Below, you will discover several tips to help you improve curb appeal of your home.

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Recycling pallets for creative DIY projects

11/2/2017

Meandering around my neighborhood with my baby in tow, I've spotted a pallet or two at numerous homes. Even the "neat" and "tidy" people seem to have one or two propped up against their garage door with a purpose in mind. Pallets get a ton of use in gardening, not only as unique planters but also re-purposed into raised beds. They make stellar planters for herbs and even some veggies like cucumbers, peppers and lettuce. But first, I want to highlight my favorite use for a recycled pallet. Shovel and spade storage. Yup. You can't beat it. In what seemed like less than five minutes, Tom turned a pallet into a storage rack for my tools and I love it. Simple yet profound, I now have one central place in my garage to store all my handled tools. It looks great and functions even better. It's wonderful not to waste time looking for the tool I want. But I have lots of ideas of how you can use pallets now. Pictures included to inspire you today because to some extent, aren't we all visual learners? Let me know what you think you'd try first!

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Back to the basics with Shelby Naturals & $100 facial set giveaway

10/29/2017

I gained 15 pounds my first year of college. My skin was a wreck due to poor diet. Acne. Blotchy. Dull and dry. Ugh. So whoever coined the phrase "you are what you eat" nailed it on the head. Looking at myself in a mirror at the end of term, I didn't like the reflection. So I did a 180 degree turnabout with my dietary habits. And that's partly why having a garden is so vital to me. I love to eat vegetables steamed, roasted, and even raw. Scrumptious. When I decided that sugar and carbs weren't going to rule my life, vegetables started to taste delicious again. Now that I eat so little sugar and flour a cracker or a Cheerio tastes sweet. A piece of cake? So sickly sweet that it's unbearable for my reformed taste buds. But I've also learned as I approach....ahem...40 that it's equally important to take care of the outside of my skin and body. That's why I'm thrilled to have teamed up with Shelby and her product line Shelby Naturals for the ultimate skin changing experience. I hope you win her Daily Essential Set that includes a cleanser, toner, serum and micro fibre cleansing cloth valued at $100. 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 TAGGING A FEW FB FRIENDS! Let us know that you've entered by telling us what your favorite beauty product is! Contest ends November 19th! Canadian friends....you are welcome to enter too...we love you!

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The green thumbs guide to planting & enjoying gorgeous garlic!

10/22/2017

I'm not here to nag. Not gonna do it. But it's time to stop fussing over your Halloween costume because you have to plant that garlic! And quite honestly, the first person I should nag is probably myself. Or maybe Tom. Because we are equally guilty of not quite getting our garlic in the ground yet. Where I live, the general rule of green thumb is to plant your garlic before Halloween for best results. But after a rather rainy and colder summer, we are pleasantly surprised by a warmer and sunnier fall! This certainly should extend the planting season. Of course you can grow garlic spring or fall. But the fall season is preferred for most of us. The point is to plant....sooner rather than later for next year's crop because growing garlic is easy. So here are my top tips and trends for the garlic growing season.

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Double Desert Steel bird feeder giveaway for fall!

10/15/2017

If you're a bird, you're welcome to feast at the all-you-can-eat buffet at my house. Not so much if you happen to be a squirrel or a chipmunk. If it were just me, I wouldn't mind. To some degree, they're all cute. But Tom's not having it. The bird feeders are exclusively for the birds. I've actually seen Tom run outside at 6 a.m. barefoot chasing a fat squirrel away. Oh well. Whaddya gonna do? Win a bird feeder from Desert Steel of course. Today, we have a first and a second place winner so it's super exciting for all. First place gets the lovely Velvet Queen Bird Feeder shown just above and you'll have to keep reading to see what the second place reader gets! 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 TAGGING A FEW FB FRIENDS! Let us know that you have entered by telling us if you've ever tried to grow sunflowers and how many entries you've earned. Contest ends November 9th!

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Top tips for keeping your plants happy this winter

10/13/2017

If you’ve been carefully tending to your garden all year, it would be a shame to see all your hard work go to waste when winter arrives, wouldn’t it? But, without knowing how to care for your plants over winter, that’s almost guaranteed. Read up on the tips below to ensure you know exactly how to keep your plants happy until spring comes.

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Why I'm done with garage sales for good

10/2/2017

So I know what you're thinking. Why are you talking about garage sales on a garden blog? Two reasons. With lots of rain and zero summer sun, my garden bombed this summer. I can't show you pictures of my gorgeous zucchini because I don't have any. My plants rotted into the ground. The second reason? Since I didn't save much money from my garden, I tried to make up the difference through yard sales.The objective is to buy most of my families clothes, girls 5 toddler, 7 girl, newborn boy and used clothes for myself at reasonable prices. Forget buying men's clothes used! Rags when they're finally done with them. I also look for useful housewares and seasonal items for the home. At times, I even hope to stumble across a few luxury items to purchase at a bargain price. But after my experiences this summer, I've kicked my garage sale habit to the curb. Here's why.

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Blown away with PeachSkinSheets & 1500 thread count soft sheet set giveaway!

9/28/2017

I was annoyed at Tom. His $3 knockoff Apple watch ripped the new bed sheets I bought in New York City. He's always checking the time, even in the middle of the night! Now they're paint drop cloths. Bummer. But isn't that the truth? You need lots of sheets. Multiple sets. Like when the cat pukes in bed at 3 a.m. Or when your 4-year-old wets the bed....for the second time that night. Eeeeek. My life isn't too glamorous. So when my sheets hit the dust, I reached out to PeachSkinSheets for backup and I'm so glad I did! These 1500 thread count soft sheets are wonderful and come in every color imaginable. Sweet dreams for sure! Besides, PeachSkinSheets offer high-end quality without the high-end price tag. Now that's what I'm talking about. 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 what color sheets you want! Contest ends October 17th.

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