Practical Tips for Maintaining Your Garden with a Minimal Budget

Guest Post by Ella

If you really want to have a nice and stunning gardening space without putting excessive efforts into it, then you will need to work on doing more than simply making your curb appeal matter again. Maintenance will be one extremely important part of the job, so you will need to work on doing this on a regular basis. This should take some organizing but in the long run you will need to be aware of the smaller details of the job as well. You can find some really good landscaping companies out there that will give you a way to do this professionally without any damage. What kind of approach would be necessary is up to you, but you won’t have to deal with garden maintenance and lawn care alone.

Working together with a landscaping company should give you an edge you can use if you want to tie things together with greater success. You can do a lot of good that way since you won’t have to possess gardening tools or the knowledge to use them at all. Having a good lawnmower of your own can let you work on lawn care, not to mention with a string trimmer you will have a lot better chances to deal with the finer details of the job. You may not have the time to deal with this, but on the other hand you can work with a reliable landscaping company to make the efforts less of a problem.



If you have stopped your attempts at using complex designs for your landscaping work, then you will have to look toward ways you can use the more simple solutions in a creative way. Landscaping should make your place look even better, but the projects you want to work on will need to be maintained just as much as any other things out there. Look toward small projects you can use to implement into your daily routines and ideas. Gazebos, additional plant spaces around your garden and more will be a good addition. A company would let you see new ways and ideas you can handle this in a more creative way.

Once figure this out you will you should focus on trimming, mowing and more when you work on the gardening areas. Assuming you have the time to work on this you should make it happen on a monthly basis. It should be one simple solution to work on this every so often, as it will allow you to pull things off quite safely and without having to worry about your garden growing out of control when you’re not looking.

To make sure you have done your research into landscaping and gardening you will need to look at multiple companies on the market that offer the services you need. Look for the more specialized type of gardening services if you need them, just make sure you choose a company that has been on the market long enough to make things matter.

Read more gardening related tips on: Gardeners Hillingdon Ltd.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free Gardening Webinar~Last Day

Last year we had our first garden--just a small one, but we got some vegetables out of it!  We have started another one this year that will hopefully be productive.  My eldest especially loves gardening and takes care of our compost and loves to see the new plants springing up and to care for the garden.

Today is the last day that you can watch the free gardening webinar from Born to Grow.  I have not had a chance to watch it yet, but I hope I can squeeze it in sometime today!  Here is the link to watch the video: http://launch.borntogrow.net/gardening-webinar-may-7/webinar-live/

(The above photo is from a calendar that may be purchased here.)

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Importance of Having Your Garden as Clean as Possible

Guest Post

   

Your garden is something that you take extreme pride and joy in and something that is always part of your maintenance schedule, just like the rest of your house would be. Garden cleaning and maintenance is something that is not only important but imperative because we use our gardens all year around, in different ways. In the winter time, we may use it for storage of furniture and although it is covered up, our garden is the perfect place to keep it. In the summer, we often sit outside in our gardens and invite friends and family for BBQ’s. Gardening is something that not everyone likes to do, and you may not be one of those people for whatever reason. You may simply just not like the idea of things like lawn mowing or leaf cleaning, because they are tedious and take up a lot of time, right down to suffering with allergies such as hay fever and dust, which render you incapable of being able to do so. A lot of allergy sufferers often put off gardening work, simply because the thought of looking like you have a full blown cold in the height of summer just to have a garden tidy up is something that not many people want to actually endure. 

 

Due to the fact that your garden is home to small animals, especially things like little birds and squirrels, it is always smart to keep your place clean. In your garden, or perhaps your neighbour’s garden, you may find fruit trees growing such as pears, plums and apples and whilst they may look perfect and beautiful when it comes down to just seeing them, as soon as the season turns and it starts getting a bit colder, the fruit will start to fall off the trees and create a huge mess. This sadly attracts rodents, like rats and other not so clean animals that are a potential health hazard to yourself and of course, those who live around you. A lot of people will hire gardeners for this, because with modern day lifestyles so hectic and busy, we don’t always have the time even on the weekends to be able to do everything we want to, much less doing the gardening outside!

Garden cleaning, especially when it comes down to the summer; should be done at least once a month. This ensures that everything on the ground is absolutely clean and nothing can be a stickler when it comes to disease. A clean garden free of any rotting fruit or surplus furniture is a joy to see, as it is a representation of a healthy and clean mind, something that many of us want. How many times do we actually just stick things into our gardens, without really realizing what is happening? We’re clogging up the space that something else could fill, like fresh air or a beautiful new garden ornament that would make the place look better!

A clean garden is something that when we see it, especially after it has been properly

looked after and landscaped; is something we are proud of. It is all too often and easy to forget what your garden looks like, however regular maintenance will help ensure that you are always reminded of Nature’s Beauty!

For more cleaning and maintenance tips go to: Carpet Cleaning in Catford

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garden Landscaping and Maintenance

Guest Post

If you are fed up with the neglected space of your garden in your property and have finally decided to make something out of it, then you are on the right track. Gardens can be a truly amazing addition to any home, offer a place for rest and enjoyment for the entire family and guests. A home is a reflection of one’s ability to make a place beautiful and welcoming.

 A garden can be used for many things, all of which require dedication to the project, as well as solid ideas on what you want to do. Best starting point is to acquire the service of garden waste clearance. This will allow you to see the space as it should be, a cleaned and ready for improvement part of your property that is ready to make your dreams come true.

After the clearance, you will have to think what exactly it is you want done. Some people value a nice gathering around a barbeque with friends, while others prefer to grow their own plants. Many are used to the cool presence of a large pool, or a garden Jacuzzi tub. It is important to consult with your family to determine what they would like as well and work from there.

Consider what additions your garden will need. The most professional clearance company will open the space for you to refill with whatever you like. If you want to have a vegetable garden, perhaps you should save some space for a greenhouse. A lot of plants require such conditions in order to grow and provide you with good produce. Is there enough space in your garden to put a gazebo? With marvelous design and decoration, it can become the best place for relaxation and recreation and also a nice location for an outdoor party. Gardens make beautiful playgrounds, so if you have children, they will be thankful for any swings and climbers you put there. Just make sure they are safe and easy to maintain. Dedicate a place for a barbeque, if this is what you are after.

Before you build anything in your garden, consider the budget you are ready to spare. Some projects are costly, with added maintenance costs that are not for everyone. Be realistic about this. It is better to start a small project and finish it, rather than start something you will abandon soon. Consult with an expert if you have to, as they can offer valuable expertise and ideas on how to design your space and what to include.

Garden clearance is only the start. What follows next is entirely up to you and your desire. Carefully consider what your options are when it comes to gardens in order to make a truly amazing project come to life in your own backyard.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Garden Harvest

This is the first year we've had a garden.  It's not easy having a garden where we live, in the sand.  But Cherished of God was keen on having a garden this year, and we had some success.  We had help from others too who wanted to help us with seeds and plants.  And our Creator blessed us with a nice little harvest.

We had zucchini plants (some given to us, some grown from seed), tomato plants gifted to us, sunflowers we planted from seed, pepper plants we grew from seed, lentil plants (that we started too late and haven't gone to seed yet), and even a few pinto beans.  We tried for pumpkins and had a nice, big plant, but the little pumpkins kept rotting on the ground for some reason.

Here is a picture of our very first harvested zucchini.  It was great, with almost no blemishes and all organically grown.

Gardening season is almost over.  I'm thankful for the food God has provided through our garden this year, and the experience of bringing forth from the ground.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is Your Last Chance (And You Don't Have to Read Everything)

I just want to remind you that today is your last chance to get the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle. After today it's gone, and you will have missed your chance to get all of these amazing resources at a ridiculously low price!

In case you're feeling overwhelmed by all of the materials included in this huge bundle (over $1,000 worth of products...), I want to gently encourage you that you don't have to read every book, take every course, or take advantage of every freebie.  You will still get your money's worth.  Think of this as a library you can access whenever the need or desire arises.  Once you've downloaded your ebooks, you will have them available as you need them--no need to digest every one of them over the next few weeks.  You are completely free to read which ones you choose and take which courses you choose.  You may never have the desire to read all of them, and that's okay.

If you are still on the fence whether this bundle is right for you, I'd encourage you to look at the list of what's included, and pick maybe 10-15 that really interest you.  You will probably find that it's well worth $29.97, even if you just pick a few.  I want to share with you the items I am most interested in.

1. The Eczema Cure by Emily Barlett.  I, myself, still sometimes have eczema flare up, as well as several of my children.  While we went on the GAPS diet for awhile, we were unable to continue, so I am very interested in this resource.  This resource alone is normally $29.95, so that covers the cost of my bundle.
2. The Nourished Metabolism by Elisabeth Walling.  This one's all about metabolic health and involves no crazy diets!  I definitely think my metabolism needs some help and can't wait to read this one.  This ones normally costs $30; again the cost more than pays for the bundle.
3. Traditional Remedies for Modern Families by Sarah Pope.  Sarah is a favorite blogger of mine at The Healthy Home Economist, and I can't wait to read her tips.  Normally priced at $9.99.
4. Essential Oils & Natural Health by Jessie Hawkins (Vintage Remedies).  This one, I am SO excited about.  I've been learning about essential oils on my own and using them for awhile now, but this course looks AWESOME!  And the value is amazing--this incredible course normally costs $95, but is included in this bundle!
5. Grocery Savings Made Simple.  I told you all about this when it was available for whatever price you could pay, and this is something I definitely am enjoying learning from.  It's all about saving money on groceries, even while feeding your family a healthy diet!  And the normal price of it is $37.
6. A Practical Guide to Children's Health.  This one is a hand book of basic, well-researched information for parents to turn to when they need help with health.  There are several topics included that are important to parents, like super foods, special diets, picky eaters, healthy snack ideas, milk, grains and sugar, healthy recipes, OTC medications, prescription medications, vaccines, herbal remedies for common conditions, sleep issues, herbal guide, alternative practitioners, organic clothing and bedding, car seat safety, and more.  Normally $17.95.
7. Making Organic Food Affordable:  A Step-by-Step Approach for Lowering Your Costs by 50% or More by Tara Wagner.  I purchase a lot of organic food (when I am able), and sure do need tips on lowering the cost of that.  We don't do well eating pesticides, so I buy what we can organic.  This one normally costs $18.00.
8. Natural Soap Making: Cold Process Soap Basics & Recipes by Jan Berry.  Currently I have a dear friend who makes soaps and sends some to us, but I'd like to learn how to make our own some day, or at least teach my girls.  Normally $9.99.
9. Whole Foods for the Everyday Cook:  Over 100 Natural Recipes for Everyday Cooking.  This is a nice-sized cookbook ebook and gets rave reviews on Amazon.  I'm looking forward to some new recipes!  Normally $6.99.
10. Kids Eat Real Food: How to Raise Kids Who LOVE Real Food by Vanessa Pruitt.  I have one child in particular who is more attracted to junk food than the others.  This book has some great ideas (and recipes) to get children to love REAL food.  And normally, it's $16.99.

So there are 10 books/courses I want to start off with.  If I bought these individually, I would have spent about $272!  There is so much more included in this bundle--it is such a great deal!  I'd love it if you'd tell me what books/courses/products interest you most from this bundle.

Don't forget, today, September 15th is the last day to get your bundle!  Be sure to get it before the time's up!

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Freeze Vegetables

If you have a garden, you will need ways to store extra food from your harvest of vegetables.  One of the ways to keep food longer is to freeze it of course!  You can even freeze vegetables you have bought from the store if you would like to stock up when there is a good sale.  Freezing causes the organisms that cause spoilage in food to become inactive (but not die).

You can freeze your vegetables in just about anything, but the easiest are plastic freezer bags (like Ziploc).  You can also freeze in canning jars, plastic containers, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and freezer paper.  Just make sure to leave room for the veggies to expand as they freeze.

Before you put your vegetables in the freezer, you will need to blanch them, which means you will heat them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes and then immediately cool them in cold water.  This kills the enzymes that age vegetables and will help them to taste better when thawed.  The quick submersion in cold water stops them from cooking any more.

To prevent darkening in some vegetables, you will need to soak them in an anti-darkening agent like lemon juice before freezing them.  Use one teaspoon per quart of water and soak for about 5-10 minutes.  There are also commercial preparations for soaking available.


Many blessings.

Make Your Own Rose Bush Fertilizer

As I've mentioned before, we have a lot of sand where we live.  When we moved in almost 8 years ago, our yard had grass, but it was grass that had to be completely maintained by sprinklers, which we could not afford to keep up continuously.  So we had to let the grass die and let the "natural" landscape return.  That means sand, sand, and more sand (and of course weeds grow too).  We have even had tumbleweeds grow (and blow) in our back yard.

Oh, how I would love to have a garden, but I think I would have to do a lot of transformation to our ground to get anything to grow successfully.  That would cost time and money, neither of which I have now, so...It will remain undone for now.  I did plant some vegetable seeds in pots one year, but I planted them too late so I missed out on the harvest (I didn't know anything about gardening at the time).


Rose Bush Fertilizer

The Artist's Garden in Argenteuil Claude Monet Buy From Art.com

To make your own rose bush fertilizer, all you need is a banana peel.  That means, no going to the store to spend a lot of money on something made from chemicals.  You will need to get a banana peel, flatten it, and bury it about 1 inch deep at the base of each rose bush.  This will provide your rose bushes with a rich source of potassium and phosphorous.  If you like, you could also chop up the banana peel, put the pieces at the base of the rose bush and then sprinkle some dirt on top of the peels.  If you would like to save your banana peels for later, just let them dry out completely and then store them in plastic bags.  Oh, we go through so many bananas here!  If only we could sell them as fertilizer :)

Are any of you planning a garden this year?

Much love.

Houseplant Care

Do you have houseplants?  We have a couple, but would like to get more.  They help to keep our air healthy.  Here is an online site to help you learn about caring for your houseplants.

You can search for your tropical house plants in different ways;

• Using the house plant image gallery to do a visual search.
• Or use the house plant list to do an alphabetic search.
• Or again use the search field to look for the Latin name, English or French common names. You can also use keywords such as; the colors of the foliage or flower.

Hanging Houseplant


Have you entered the current Blessed Homemaking giveaway yet?

Thanks for stopping by,

Natural Pest Control, Fertilizers, Etc

Buy at AllPosters.com


Every summer we have a HUGE black widow problem. Thankfully, they are mostly outside (though I have seen 1 or 2 in our house in the 7 years we've lived here). They get all over our back porch and make their homes in the crevices in my children's playhouse (yeah, isn't that great?) Last year I gave up with trying to smash all of them and broke down and bought some spray-pesticide. But, I'm a natural kind of gal and always concerned about what I'm using & how it might harm my family & me, and insecticides are definitely not one of those good-for-you things! Today I just learned of a place to buy "natural" pest control products, plus they have lots of things for organic gardening, natural pet care items, and some natural cleaners too. I haven't checked out all the ingredients yet, but this is something I will probably be looking into more pretty soon, and I wanted to share it with all my readers too for anyone who's interested. The online store is called Planet Natural.

Dishsoap Insect Spray

Buy at AllPosters.com


Did you know you can use a soap spray for insects on your plants & in the garden outside? I remember my husband and I did this several years ago for some bushes we had against our house that were always COVERED in bugs. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap with water in a quart spray bottle you can get pretty much anywhere. It is good to spray once a week and also after it rains.