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As the weather continues to improve, it’s time to whip your outdoor area into shape. Cultivating a beautiful garden is more than a hobby for people with green thumbs; it’s a chance to design a relaxing and luxurious space. Don’t wait until it’s too hot to make some important outdoor improvements. Here are some tips for creating the perfect garden oasis.

Use Natural Materials

If you want to evoke an ethereal feeling within your garden, you should use natural materials. Stone pathways with lush greenery and wooden accents will make your outdoor space look like something from a fairytale. The best part is that these features are usually inexpensive and easy to incorporate on your own. Nature itself is the best place to look for garden inspiration, so lean into it for a great garden experience.

Add Water Elements

It’s hard to find something more calming than the pitter-patter of flowing water. Add water elements like a small waterfall or stone fountain to usher in that sense of relaxation. Water features are the perfect blend of drama and tranquility, as they’re both eye catching and soothing. Go big with a large pond, or stay simple with a birdbath to add an interesting dimension to your garden.

Don’t Forget Landscaping

While getting your backyard summer ready, you must perform some landscaping. Aside from planting flowers to add to your garden, you’ll need to give your lawn some much-needed TLC. Treat your grass and soil with nutrients to ensure that your outdoor space stays green and healthy all season long. This tip for creating the perfect garden oasis is vital to bring your outdoor area back to life.

Get Creative With Vines

Flowers aren’t the only plants you should incorporate into your garden. Push boundaries by getting creative with vines to design a unique outdoor haven. You can grow vines on your pergola to spruce up your shading elements and add a level of charm. The options don’t stop there; you can train vines to climb almost any structure, including your fences and exterior siding, so don’t be afraid to let your greenery run wild. There’s nothing better than spending time inside your own outdoor sanctuary. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating your dream garden, so start planting, building, and designing today!

Have you been preparing your garden for the season and getting ready to plant your very first garden? Gardening is an exciting activity that keeps you stimulated and active and provides your home with fresh produce at a moment’s notice. However, finding the perfect plant to grow isn’t always super straightforward. To reduce any stress or anxiety about choosing the right crop, use this simple list of the easiest vegetables to grow for first-time gardeners.

Spinach

Spinach is exceptionally hardy and grows quickly at high yields. In many regions, it’s a challenge to grow this veggie unsuccessfully. They yield the most in early spring or fall, although they’re highly resistant to extreme heat or frost. They are a good option for first-time gardeners to grow season after season. Plus, having fresh spinach at home is perfect for Italian dishes, green smoothies, and fresh salads.

Lettuce

Lettuce is considered a salad green, part of a class of vegetables known for growing effortlessly in any garden. Don’t worry about overcrowing this veggie—they actually thrive in denser gardens. Best of all, lettuce and other mixed greens can grow from a windowsill or indoor pot! Save seeds so you can have a constant supply of delicious greens.

Basil

Basil plays a lovely role in Italian meals, like pasta, pizza, and salads. It’s also great for other meals that need a boost in rich flavor. Luckily, basil is super simple to grow inside or outside! It does require regular watering, sometimes two times a day if it’s in a smaller pot. Additionally, it is very frost sensitive and not a great option for late fall or winter. However, it’s a lovely tasting, smelling, and looking plant to have indoors or out in the backyard!

Bush Beans

When it comes to simple vegetables that are easy to grow, look no further than bush beans! They don’t require poles or stakes, as they grow as compact plants. They also have a quick turnaround—beans are typically ready for harvest only eight weeks after planting. These fresh beans are perfect for salads, homemade edamame, or a refreshing summer snack. Don’t overwhelm yourself by planting complicated vegetation without experience. Use this guide on the easiest vegetables to grow for first-time gardenersto enjoy the experience. With time and practice, you’ll be a tried and true green thumb enthusiast with expert skills!

Most couples agree that their wedding was the party of a lifetime. These parties are all about celebrating love and the union of two people, but like any great party, this experience can be far from eco-friendly. However, if you love living a sustainable lifestyle, then an environmentally safe wedding may take priority in your planning. Lucky for you, we’ve got some must-know tips for planning an eco-friendly wedding!

Carefully Consider Fashion

Wedding dresses aren’t cheap, and the fashion industry is one of many rapidly polluting our environment. Many brands don’t use ethical practices when making their dresses, resulting in overworked and underpaid employees. When you wear a second-hand dress, you cut down on these practices.

Your gown isn’t the only dress you have to worry about. Eco-friendly brides go about choosing gowns for bridesmaids in a few ways. While some search out brands using suitable fabric, other wives-to-be allow their bridesmaids to pick their own dresses. If you do this, remember that even though everyone won’t look uniform, you can still request they wear similar outfits to create visual cohesion.

Consider Lab-Made Diamonds

Some couples are lucky enough to inherit family heirlooms, which adds to the sentiment while also being eco-friendly. Relying on hand-me-down jewelry isn’t your only option, though. Many couples shop for lab-grown diamonds, and these differ from mined diamonds because obtaining them is ethical and does less harm to our planet.

Change Up Invitations

You’ll need to send out invitations to your guests and inform them of the time and place of your wedding and how to RSVP for the big day. While you could send out virtual invitations, for some, these e-invites feel too easy to miss or accidentally delete. With romantic heart-shaped invitations made of recycled paper, you can still send out physical invites without harming our planet. Including seed paper even gives your invitees an eco-friendly souvenir!

Celebrate Outside

When it comes to picking out the perfect venue, strive to pick a location where you can celebrate outside. If you need ideas on the ideal location, consider renting space at a(n):

• Botanical garden
• Campground
• Old barn

Some couples also create an intimate feel by hosting a backyard wedding. As you decide on your venue, make a plan for any party waste, including leftover food. Some couples allow guests to take leftovers home to keep the food out of landfills.

Think About Décor

A list of tips for planning an eco-friendly weddingwould be incomplete without mentioning decorations, so think carefully about your chosen decorations. You could incorporate natural elements or upcycle your décor! Many decorate with old wine bottles or glass jars because it gives old material a new life. If you want to take things one step further, you could donate or resell any items you purchased, such as linen tablecloths and napkins. By donating decorations and other wedding essentials, you pass down the love for the planet and allow like-minded couples to celebrate their big day.