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Plants You Didn’t Know Were Edible

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4586745306_9788ddd35c_zWhile I’m not a crazy “doomsday prepper,” I do think it’s important to have an emergency plan for different situations. I also think that everyone should know some basic survival skills– just in case. Some of those skills include cooking, gardening, foraging, hunting, fishing, etc. It’s important to be able to feed yourself in case you can’t get to the grocery store. A great way to be more self-sustainable is to have your own food garden with lots of veggies and fruits. However, there are also tons of plants that grow in the wild that are edible for humans. You probably already have some in your yard! For a list of wild plants and their uses, check out this post by Suntactics at My Family Survival Plan. You might even want to start growing a few of them on purpose! Of course, you should also always consult a doctor before trying any of these.

-Dandelions

-Kudzu

-Prickly pear cactus

-Violets

-Wild onions and scallions

Photo Credit: waferboard

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Rain Barrel Tutorial

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Why should you have to pay for water for your garden when it literally falls out of the sky for free? Rainy days are great for our lawns- they keep them lush and hydrated. But what about all the other days? You can waste money by watering your plants yourself, or you can try out this awesome idea by Alina Cheng at Greener By The Week and build your own rain barrel! Collect your own rain water with this tutorial:

-Get a large plastic garbage can with a matching, dome-shaped lid

-Cut out a circle in the middle of the top of the lid, place a mesh sink strainer in the hole, use duct tape to create a secure seal.

-Place the lid upside down on the garbage can

-Use rubber bands to secure the lid onto the can

Wait for the rain to come!

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From Dirt To Soil

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4903250755_4dc18573ed_zWhen planting for our garden, most of us just use pre-purchased potting soil to make sure our plants have enough nutrients to grow. However, this is honestly a waste of money- especially since you have your own yard full of (free) dirt. Check out this post by Jessica at 104 Homestead for how to turn your ordinary dirt into rich soil:

-Create as much compost as you can, then layer it with animal manure in a lasagna style.

-Start with a layer of newspaper or cardboard, wet it down, and add a thin layer of compost or manure. Then, add a 6-8 inch thick layer of straw or chopped dry leaves, and top with a final thick layer of compost or manure. The next step in repairing damaged soil is to make sure all the lovely nutrients you added don’t get washed away by erosion. Use mulch in between your plants so the soil stays put.

Photo Credit: Eelke 

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Before Winter Is Here…

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Now is the time to prepare your garden for cold weather before it gets here. It’s time to harvest your Fall veggies if you haven’t already, plant any winter plants (they do exist!) and winterize your lawn to keep it looking fabulous. For a list of tasks to get done in your yard this Fall, check out this post by Mr. Stoney at Our Stoney Acres:

-Tear out all dead or dying plants

-Get rid of any diseased plant material

-Do any tilling or turning of beds now

-Add compost

-Drain hoses and water systems

-Bring in decorations and pots

Photo Credit: Nick Lansley 

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The Grass Will Always Be Greener In Your Lawn If You Follow These Tips

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Everyone wants a vibrant, healthy, green lawn. And if you’re trying to sell your home, you’ll want to take extra care to ensure that your grass is in tip top shape. Brown, dried out, or tall grass will often keep buyers from even reaching your front door. If your grass could use a makeover, look no further than this post by Jaci Moore at Homemade by Jaci for tips:

-Naturally prevent weeds by laying down corn gluten meal in the Spring.

-Re-seed your lawn for new, healthy grass (plus, it cuts off weed growth)

-Add clover to your yard- it will add nitrogen to the soil, and vibrant green color.

Photo Credit: F_A 

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Planting in the Sand

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Last year (exactly a year ago, actually), I went to Las Vegas with my mom. It was the first time I’d ever been further West than Indiana, and the landscape alone was a total shock for me. I live in the mid-south, and all we have are lots of trees, lots of grass, and lots of hills. I wasn’t used to the stark, dark mountains, the palm trees, rocks, and of course, sand everywhere. I thought it was beautiful, and I had so much fun in Vegas that I’d even consider moving out there. But I think I would miss all the lush foliage that I’m used to. However, I found this article by Robbi Hoy at the Garden Geeks, and it put that fear to rest. If I ever move to Vegas (or the coast, or anywhere else with sandy soil), I’ll know exactly what plants thrive in the sand:

Acacia dealbata (Mimosa, Silver Wattle)

Agonis flexuosa (Peppermint Tree, Willow Myrtle)

Juniperus

Lavandula

Yucca gloriosa

Pelargoniums

Verbena x hybrida

The entire post is divided into trees, conifers, shrubs, flowers, and rock garden plants, and is extremely extensive. Check it out!

Photo Credit: DW Rowan 

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How To Have A Yard….Without A Lawn!

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Say whaaaat? Yes, it is completely possible to create a warm, inviting yard space without a big patch of grass. Maybe you live in a desert area, or somewhere with thin, rocky soil that refuses to grow anything. Maybe you’re just lazy and hate mowing (hey, I won’t judge).Whatever the reason, there are tons of cute ideas on this post at Houzz by Laura Gaskill. The grass might be greener on the other side, but your yard will look more well designed than anywhere with grass! Check out the full slideshow here.

-Plant some trees- they thrive with little to no assistance

-Use pavers

-Create patterns with stones

-Use climbing plants and flowers

-Use native plants that already work well in your environment

-Choose natural stone or pea gravel for a low key look.

Photo Credit: Field Outdoor Spaces 

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