#Low Maintenance Gardening

[cselandscapearchitect]

Growing Encelia farinosa (Brittlebush) from Seed: A Home Gardener's Guide

Encelia farinosa, commonly known as Brittlebush, is a beautiful and hardy desert shrub that can add a touch of vibrant color and resilience to your home garden. If you’re a home gardener looking to cultivate this charming plant from seed, you’re in for a rewarding experience. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of starting Encelia farinosa from seed, ensuring a…

[unicornsandrainbowscrafts]

Modern Landscape in Chicago Photo of a modern front yard with decking that is small.

[silly-drawings-by-sugar]

Design ideas for a small modern front yard landscaping with decking.

Ideas for a small, contemporary front yard with decking.

[grayve-mistake]

So… maybe kind of a weird question but does anyone know good plants to grow if you want to garden or keep houseplants but don't always have the energy/ability to keep on top of watering schedules and such?

I'm not gonna dump my whole life story and symptom list here but tldr I am a mentally ill individual who struggles often with having the energy to do things. I get depressive episodes that can last weeks or even months which often means that I'll take super good care of a plant and it'll do really well and then I suddenly stop watering it for weeks at a time because I'm using all my energy to do basic self care/necessities. Does anyone know a way to get around that??? Either tips on how to keep plants alive through periods of neglect, or plants that don't require much maintenance????? (If you're going to recommend any native plants, I live in east texas for reference) rn I'm just trying to salvage the plants I have, a very wilted succulent I forgot the name of, a very small zebra plant, and a parlor palm that has survived a shocking amount of things. I probably can't save all of them but I'm doing my best.

[thestudentfarmer]

Nov 3, 2024

Smallish blog and garden notes.

Direct seeded some sunflowers, basil and amaranth seed in the back garden.

Was going to dig up and plant the asparagus elsewhere but discovered a small crown of spears starting, so I'll be waiting on that after all it seems.

The random squash or pumpkin has some flowers. It's a compost volunteer so I've exactly zero idea of what it will be exactly lol. Just that it's a squash or pumpkin of some kind.

Ended up pulling the entire last armenian cucumber plant by accident. Was trimming up and cleaning the dead stuff out so the hummingbirds had some better camouflage spots to rest between their stops when it hopefully did another flush of green. I think I'll be putting trellising beans or Peas on both side to fill in for same purpose. We really like seeing them come round and they enjoy the flowering bushes the neighbours put in a few years ago.

They've also grown rather brave recently and will come up to see who's in the garden or yard now. They don't stay longer than to look but then retreat a distance to chatterbox dissaprovingly or to have a sip. We keep a sugar feeder with homemade sugar water, since it's near impossible to find it without the red dye in store.

They like 1 pt sugar: 4 pt water best. I use plain white sugar or cane sugar. No coloring.

Laid out some base work for the next extension on the garden grow beds and floral patches.

Also fixed up a line that needed to be replaced. I wasn't able to patch it up with ducktape, electric tape or a cover slip after all. I was able to recover the sprinklers (though they'll need a cleaning as their pretty covered in calcium), the coupler parts and the end cap for flushing the line.

That's it for today's small notes. :)

🌱🍊Happy Homesteading and urban Gardening 🍊🌱

[plushri]

You know what? I just have to believe it will be good and I will be able to make it good. I can make it good. I can make the most out of it. I have so much to be grateful for and I will be happy

[myblogs2024]

I Never Knew This Until I Transformed My Outdoor Space with Custom Landscape Lighting!

Yay! So I used to think that outdoor lighting was just a simple addition to a backyard—a few lights here and there to help with visibility at night. But after transforming my own outdoor space with custom landscape lighting, I realized it’s so much more than that.

It changed the entire look and feel of my home in ways I never expected. The warm glow highlighting my garden, the subtle lights leading up the pathway, and the beautifully lit trees completely redefined my outdoor experience. Here’s what I learned through this transformation—and why you might want to consider it for your own space.

The Power of Custom Landscape Lighting

It wasn’t until I had the lights installed that I understood the full impact of outdoor lighting. The transformation was immediate. Not only did it enhance the beauty of my yard, but it also added an unexpected level of safety and security. I thought I was just going for aesthetic appeal, but I got so much more out of the process.

Visual Impact: As soon as the lights were installed, my entire outdoor area came to life. The shadows cast by my trees, the highlights on the stone walkway, and the soft illumination of the flower beds created an entirely new atmosphere. It made my home look more inviting and warm, even from the street.

Increased Security: I hadn’t given much thought to security when I started this project, but the difference was clear. With custom lighting placed strategically around my home, it eliminated dark areas where intruders could potentially hide. I instantly felt safer.

Extended Living Space: Before, my backyard was a space I only used during the day. After the installation, it became an extension of my home. I found myself spending more time outside in the evening, enjoying the warm glow as I relaxed or hosted small gatherings.

Why Customization Matters

What surprised me most was how much customization made a difference. Sure, I could have gone with basic, off-the-shelf lighting, but having a custom plan tailored to my space made it feel personal and unique. The lighting wasn’t just functional—it was designed specifically to highlight the best features of my home.

Personalized Design: The team helped me choose lighting that complemented my home’s architecture, highlighting features I hadn’t even noticed before. From the small tree in the corner of the yard to the stone wall that runs alongside the house, everything suddenly had a spotlight.

Energy Efficiency: I was worried that all these new lights would send my electric bill skyrocketing, but thanks to modern LED technology, they’re incredibly energy-efficient. I could enjoy the ambiance without worrying about high costs.

Tips I Wish I Knew Beforehand

As I went through the process of transforming my outdoor space, I picked up a few tips I wish I had known earlier. If you’re considering landscape lighting for your home, here are some things to keep in mind:

Layer Your Lighting: Using different types of lighting—like uplights for trees and path lights for walkways—adds depth to the design. It’s not just about one kind of light; mixing and matching can create stunning effects.

Think About Functionality: While aesthetics are important, don’t forget about the practical aspects. Lighting your pathways and driveways not only looks good but also helps prevent accidents at night.

Hire Professionals: I initially thought about doing it myself, but I’m so glad I hired experts like the team at Got Lights. Their expertise ensured that everything was installed correctly and designed with precision.

The Impact It Had on My Home

After experiencing the transformation firsthand, I realized that custom landscape lighting isn’t just for show—it’s a game-changer for how you interact with your outdoor space. My yard went from being a basic backyard to a cozy, inviting space that feels like an extension of my home. I had no idea how much lighting could elevate the experience until I saw it for myself.

Transforming my outdoor space with custom landscape lighting opened my eyes to the power of light. It didn’t just brighten up my backyard—it changed the way I use and enjoy the entire space. The combination of aesthetics, security, and functionality was something I didn’t fully understand until I went through the process.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your own space, I highly recommend exploring landscape lighting near me. It might surprise you just how much it can change your home. What’s stopping you from creating your own outdoor oasis? Check out Got Lights? for inspiration and expert solutions that fit your unique style.

Have you ever transformed your outdoor space with lighting? What challenges or successes did you experience? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments! And if you’re ready to see the difference for yourself, Got Lights? has the expertise to bring your vision to life.

[pokemonranch]

hiii! i just recently managed to buy a plot of land out in the wilds and i was wondering if you knew of any Pokemon I could get that could help me start up a farm? it's been my dream to own a farm for a while so i wanna make sure i do it right :)

It depends a lot on what you're planning to do: if you're going to focus on growing food, keeping barn pokemon, or a mix of the two. It's also important where it's located, because the region will affect which Pokémon you have easy access to, but mostly, which predators or future problems you might encounter! I'll try to give a general answer for some of the best mons in each case, but you'll probably have to adjust things accordingly.

For plant care, you'd want a pokémon that is sensitive to their changes and can take care of them (or get your attention); Grass and Water mons work here the best. Maractus is very hardy, and works wonders to scare away flying types, but it can be VERY noisy. The Sunflora and Lotad lines are used on gardens and farms, but you'll need to provide them with fresh water they can easily have access to.

Livestock mons can go from Wooloo to Tauros depending on the amount of challenge you want to go for, and your training (DO NOT keep Tauros if you don't have experience with them). But most importantly, you'll need a livestock guardian mon! Arcanine, Herdier and Boltund are lines that have been working mons for generations, so they're the best ones for that type of job.

And as a small tip, I'd keep a small predator mon, such as Glameow around the farm, to make sure Rattatas and the like don't become a problem in the future.

Lastly, remember that the best pokemon for the job may not be the best pokemon for you in particular! Whether you raise one or get one from a breeder, keep in mind that you will have to work with them to make sure they're able to do their job properly!

[doom-dreaming]

mom: "hey maybe you can help me plan out some yard improvements-" me, already making a native plants spreadsheet: say no more

[panela-na-janela]

Landscape Retaining Walls Manchester Summertime photograph of a small, modern courtyard with retaining walls and decking.

[broodsys]

yeah, just a weird mood today. but i should have more energy tomorrow so idk, maybe ill try and do smth outside. garden? there's not a lot to do but i can at least examine plants and bugs for a while. that always helps my mood.

[valkyrierps]

Pathway in Phoenix Design ideas for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard mulch garden path.

[maximefauconnier]

Landscape Pathway Design ideas for a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone garden path.

[hazelleewood]

Pool Miami Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard concrete paver and rectangular hot tub remodel

[sstudiously]

Landscape - Pathway Design ideas for a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone garden path.

[zatsmoopy]

Landscape - Contemporary Landscape Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary full sun side yard gravel landscaping.