Weekend Gardening: Edibles to Grow This Spring

How to Grow Container Herbs

Herbs are ideal for container gardens. They are easy to plant and thrive and they are low-maintenance. Having your fresh, favorite herbs ready to be used is the ultimate key to creating delightful dishes. Some of the herbs like mint are better to be grown in containers since they can grow easily and take up a lot of space if planted in a garden. Some ideas for herbs to be planted are oregano, parsley, thyme, and cilantro, all of which can be harvested and dried if needed. Other ideas are to plant basil, lemongrass, and rosemary. Those herbs require larger containers if not planted in a garden. Here are some herbs we love to grow.

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Weekend Gardening: Learn to Grow Strawberries in a Container

Strawberries are great to be grown in containers or a garden. They can be harvested and turned into delicious marmalades, desserts, sauces or ice cream and even be frozen to be used at a later time. Containers are ideal for growing strawberries because they will grow over the edges and not get in touch with the soil, making them easy to thrive and eat. Hanging containers can also add to any balcony’s appeal. Just make sure to plant a lot of strawberry plants, since you will want to have many of those aromatic fruits to enjoy.

How about a yummy Citrus Plant for your Weekend Gardening?

Although many think citrus trees grow only in warm climates, you can succeed in growing your own lemon, lime or orange tree even in colder areas. Just plant the tree in a large pot and move it into a warmer place – even inside – in the cold months. They may not produce very big citrus fruits, but they will be for sure filled with taste, juice, and fragrance.

These are just some ideas of many edibles you could plant that are easy to grow and to maintain without much effort. The effect, though, of having your own oranges or basil to use is so much greater than the effort it takes. Just go ahead and plant your favorite edible to enjoy them throughout spring, summer and even fall!

For more gardening ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

One of the latest trends in home upgrades revolves around creating outdoor rooms that extend your square footage and thus, your livable space. This often includes planning and building an outdoor retreat complete with dedicated seating areas (a patio or deck festooned with comfortable furnishings), a cooking center (whether it’s just a grill or an entire island), ample lighting, water features, and flora and fauna that provide a screen from the neighbors and a treat for the senses. It may sound like a pretty tall order, but when you’re lounging in your chic backyard sipping Mai Tais with the ladies or beers with the bros, you’re going to appreciate the extra “room” a lot more. And there are several elements you can include to make the space functional and unique. So if you’re waffling on whether or not to add a gazebo, here are a few benefits you may not have considered.

Image via: Myriam Payne Interior Designers & Decorators

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1. Shelter from the storm.

The first and best reason to install a gazebo in the backyard is to provide protection from the elements. No matter what type of climate you live in, there are bound to be times when you’d like to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about an assault by the sun or rain. A gazebo won’t stop strong winds or snow flurries from getting in, but if you want a shady vantage from which you enjoy the beauty of your yard during the summer, or if you enjoy drinking your coffee and reading the paper outdoors, even when it’s sprinkling, a gazebo can offer you the shelter you need to make the most of your outdoor space.

2. Kiddie play room.

There are times when every parent has to shove the kids out the door in order to get some stuff done in the house. Having a gazebo in the backyard can give your kids a suitable place to play that protects them from the elements. And you can fix it up in a number of appealing ways. You might train vines up the lattice sides of the structure to create a hidden fort in which kids can have their imaginary adventures. Or you could furnish the space with a table, chairs, and storage for supplies so that kids can get crafty without making a huge mess where you just cleaned indoors.

3. Set dressing.

If you entertain family, friends, and colleagues frequently or you’re planning to host some fancy events in the future (weddings, birthday parties, and the like) you’ll certainly get plenty of use out of your gazebo. It not only provides shelter and utility, but it’s also a beautiful set dressing that can act as a focal point and make any celebration more glamorous.

Image via: Landmark Photography

4. Privacy.

Some gazebos are open on all sides, with only pillars holding up the roof. But you can also opt to cover the sides with lattice to create a privacy screen for those inside. If your current backyard offers limited solitude, adding a gazebo could be a way to get it without shelling out huge amounts of money for all-around fencing and foliage. Whether you put a café set with table and chairs or a hot tub inside, you’ll get the privacy you seek with a screened gazebo.

5. Property value.

Any permanent structure you add to your property has the potential to raise the value, especially if it is utilitarian. And while you might not see a huge return on investment by adding a gazebo to your backyard, it could definitely act as a selling point for interested buyers down the road.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! How are you doing this winter with bringing in plant inspiration to your home? Last week, Stagetecture showed you how to make a terrarium and today we show you how to start a balcony garden! Depending on the climate of your home will dictate if you can start your balcony garden now or wait until spring. Either way, you can start planning for an oasis on your garden patio.

Image via: Amber Freda

Watch a video on using old planters for a new stacked container garden and then see helpful tips for creating a balcony garden this season.

You Tube video – How to Make a Container Garden Tower

Link to video –> How to Make a Container Garden Tower

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How to create a balcony garden

How do you feel about waking up to something green on a chilly winter morning? Growing plants in the window sill or balcony is a great option to survive these drab, nippy days. Plus, the good thing about a balcony garden is that you can grow anything in it – flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

Image via: Pamba Boma

Restrict Your Choices

Balcony is not a good place to nurture straggly plants. De-clutter the place as much as possible and bring those plants that you cannot resist coddling. It would be better if you have planned earlier about which plants to include and which not. You can either grow different types of strawberries or choose a combination of red, blue, and yellow flowers. It will be easier for you to exercise creativity if you can restrict your choices. You can take the help of design books or your favorite novels to pick a theme.

The Elements to Start With

As a beginner, you should start your garden with just a handful of elements. A small garden will be easy to handle like a jewelry box. The plants that will be suitable for a balcony garden are strawberries, bougainvillea, chives, lime trees, rocket, and passion fruit climbers. Orchids are another excellent choice for winter garden given that they are available at different types, flower for months, and survive for years. What else you will need are pots, organic potting mix, some liquid fertilizers, and a trowel. If you want to add some relaxing elements in your balcony, set up a table and a chair. Additionally, you can keep aquatic plants and goldfish in a big, decorative vessel.

Image via: Home Klondike

Consider the Balcony Direction

You should pick up the plants considering the direction your balcony is facing. For example, east-facing balconies are good for growing herbs and salad greens as they get gentle morning sun and are shaded from the high summer sun. So, notice which type of balcony you have before picking up the plants.

Pest Control

Pests are not a problem during the wintertime but they will arrive as the weather starts warming up. So, you’d better be prepared for that and make some pest control arrangements beforehand. Instead of chemical insecticides, organic elements like beer, vegetable oil, soap blend, or bridal tulle would be appropriate for a small balcony garden. Beer is a death trap for yeast-loving snails, soap blend traps gnats and other tiny insects, and bridal tulle keeps birds away from juicy fruits.

Image via: Smart Money Guide

Winter is the perfect time for a beginner gardener to start a garden in balcony. It is the time to buy fruit saplings at cheap costs, cultivating some greens for salad before the arrival of spring bugs, and for growing roots before the scorching summer heat.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.