More people are returning to gardening and urban gardens are popping up anywhere a small unused space with adequate lighting can be found. Many suburbs and apartments have limited land or space, but urban gardens can be successfully planted using creative gardening techniques. Mint
Creative Commons License photo credit: briannaorg

First determine what plants you want to grow. Many flowers are edible and herbs also have culinary uses and add beauty to a garden. In small space gardening, a fundamental idea in urban gardening, it’s best to choose plants with multiple uses.

Herbs add color to the home but also have medicinal, crafting and culinary uses. And many flowers are edible.

Next decide on whether you will plants seeds or transplants. Seeds germinate quickly, will be a cheaper alternative in the long run and offer you a larger selection of varieties. Transplants will get your garden area going quicker and add a lush garden look to your living space instantly. And if you live in a shorter growing climate transplants will help you achieve a crop of produce quicker. But transplants are more expensive.

After selecting your crops you want to grow its time to tackle the urban gardeners biggest problem, space. Hanging planters, window boxes, container gardening and vertical gardening ideas will help with limited space issues. These topics should help with limited growing space.

Small Garden Design

Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets

A Very Berry Theme Garden
Vegetables can easily be grown in the urban garden. Tomato plants grow well in hanging baskets, as do strawberries. When selecting seeds or transplants for vegetables look for the small vegetable varieties, Mini pumpkins, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes are a few ideas.

And vining plants grown up a trellis will add more vegetables, flowers and privacy to your small urban garden setting. I like to mix vegetables and vining flowers on the same trellis for color and use. For example the scarlet runner bean has a beautiful flower and an excellent taste.

Fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, vine peach, miniature melons and even potted fruit trees will also grow in containers. A small space fruit garden will add an oasis feel to your home.

One other consideration for the urban gardener is adequate light or shade. Research your plant and garden selections to determine the light they need.

Plants that need more shade may do well on a porch area or balcony. Containers gardens have the option of being moved if the plants are receiving too much light and can be moved on a porch or behind a trellis or screen.

For plants that need abundant light, like tomatoes and peppers, locations with 8 hours of light are a look choice; porches, sun rooms and window boxes will also work well.

Urban gardens that get the right amount of light, proper soil and water will produce large crops and add color and fragrance to you small space garden area. You will also get a feel of more space with the lush rich look these plants will add to your home.

 

Has your backyard become overgrown, cluttered or just has a tired uninviting look? Or maybe redoing your backyard space has been one of those projects that you have put off.

A few simple steps will help you create a backyard getaway.

  • Organize your space. Get rid of any unwanted plants, furniture or clutter.
  • Tidy the lawn. Keep your lawn mowed and trim around trees, gardens and porch areas.
  • Create backyard privacy. Fencing, lattice fencing or a trellis will block the view of the road or the neighbors yard. Shrubbery or trees will also add privacy. If you don’t have time for plants to grow this season add flowering vines. It doesn’t take much to make a break and add a feeling of privacy to your backyard.
  • Plant flowers. Even if you’re not a gardener plants and flower add color and a lush feel to a home. A few potted trees or containers for flowers will create an oasis feel to the yard.
  • Add an entertainment center. Buy a grill for your backyard and add a patio table or picnic table for casual entertaining. And if you want a larger project, add a fire pit or outdoor room.
  • A simple patio can be created by adding flagstone or by simply removing the turf in an area and adding mulch or stone to the area.
  • Pathways in the yard will add a feeling of adventure to your yard as they wander for one area to another. Add a mini garden, secret garden, bench or water fountain along the path and a create mini garden area for relaxation in the yard.
  • Add new trees, fruit trees or potted trees for a lush feel and more privacy. Trees that have blossoms will add fragrance and color to your backyard. rosemary & thyme
    Creative Commons License photo credit: Indiewench

Many additions to a backyard take little time and money and can be done on a weekend. Have your family suggest ideas for the backyard makeover and have them help to create the new backyard oasis.

 

Swimming pools add entertainment, activity and exercise for the family and the ease and benefit of having a swimming pool in your backyard that will cut down on travel. Your backyard will take on whole new party like atmosphere.Portrait

Creative Commons License photo credit: Wetsun

But with the additional activity and beauty of a pool comes maintenance and cleaning. Your style of backyard and habits will affect how often you need to clean but pool, but a rule of thumb is to clean it regularly so it does not become a burden. There are also steps that will add to the ease of pool maintenance.  Pool cleaning supplies will help you8 keep your pool clean and ready for any backyard entertaining.

Pool cleaning supplies

Many consider pool cleaning supplies a pool accessory but if you want a pool that is inviting you need to be diligent in cleaning your pool and surrounding area.

Cleaning supplies are typically not included with the purchase of a pool. So if you are a new pool owner you may be wondering what supplies are right for your aboveground pool.

It’s best to familiarize yourself with pool cleaning supplies by browsing through the products that are currently available for pool cleaning. Your first choice would be to ask questions and purchase the supplies from the store where you bought the pool.

Your local pool store, sports or department stores or an online online pool supply store will also be able to help answer any questions you have and help you select the proper supplies. supplies.

And while local stores will be helpful and you can purchase pool cleaning supplies the same day you may find it beneficial to research pool cleaning at the local library or online to have a better understanding or what all is available. You will also want to select the easiest method of cleaning your pool to be able to enjoy the pool and not spend hours maintaining it.

Pool supplies, are available in manual or automatic cleaning supplies. One of the most popular automatic cleaning supplies is the swimming pool vacuum.

Pool vacuums are faster and involve less little hassle.  There are some vacuums that may also be considered manual; however, there others that are completely automatic. There are even pool vacuums, known as robotic pool vacuums that can operate without your assistance.

Many people prefer the manual cleaners, which include skimmers and scrub brushes. You may only want to purchase one type of aboveground pool cleaner or consider purchasing both.

Automatic pool cleaners are nice, but they do take some time to clean the pool. This means that if you are looking to take a quick swim, you may not have time to clean your pool or your swim will have to wait.

If you have a skimmer or another similar product on hand, you could easily give your pool a quick clean before going for a swim and do a more thorough cleaning later

Whatever type of pool cleaning you decide on you should get started using as soon a possible. The longer that your pool goes without cleaning; the harder it will be to clean. So plan accordingly and keep an adequate amount of pool cleaning supplies or equipment on hand.

One other pool supply that will aid you in keeping the pool clean is a pool cover. You may want to add this to your pool supplies if you have a yard that has abundant leaves.

Most of all enjoy your backyard pool. It will add to that garden oasis feel and add hours of entertainment to your home.

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