Creative Christian Mama

God bless all Mothers

yard

4 Ways To Create An Eco-Friendly Backyard

by Leave a Comment

The environment and taking care of it, are hugely important, and it’s something we should all think about more in our everyday lives. Many people are doing a great job in being more eco-friendly and using sustainable products, but if you’re wondering what else you could do, perhaps it’s time to consider your backyard.

When we think of being more environmentally friendly, it’s our homes’ insides, or maybe the transport we use, that comes to mind. However, there are also a number of ways we can make our backyards more eco-friendly; here are some ideas so you can implement the changes as soon as possible.

Eco-Friendly Fencing

One of the best ways to incorporate sustainable products into your yard is by installing eco-friendly fencing. First, the fact that this kind of fencing is made up of composite recycled and sustainable materials means that it’s already better for the planet than standard fencing. Yet there are more great reasons to use this kind of fencing too.

One of these reasons is that eco-friendly fencing will last longer than standard fencing. It’s stronger and more durable, and that means fewer repairs and a longer life for the fence; you’ll have to replace it much less. This is great for the environment as there is less waste.

Conserve Water

Conserving water is an essential part of being eco-friendly, and your backyard is a great place to ensure it happens. Look for every downpipe you have and install a water butt at the bottom of it. In this way, you are collecting any rainwater, which can then be used to water the yard rather than using water from your hose.

With the right setup (which you may need an expert to help you with), you can even use this collected rainwater within your home to flush your toilets. However, if you choose to use this water in your shower, it will need to be treated first.

Don’t Use Chemicals

When you use chemicals in your yard to combat pests or to help your plants grow better, those chemicals will leach into the soil and water systems, and cause problems for the environment. This is why they should be avoided as much as possible.

Instead of using chemicals, there are many natural ways to remove pests from your yard and to encourage better plant growth. You can try ‘companion planting’, for example. When you plant certain species of flowers or vegetables close to one another, they can ward off the pests that would normally plague their partners. Another option is to erect bird boxes in your yard; this will help to keep your slug or caterpillar problem down since you’ll have more birds around.

Encourage Wildlife

We’ve already mentioned how to encourage more birds into your yard is a good idea, but encouraging other forms of wildlife is also eco-friendly. The more wildlife you have in your yard, the more eco-friendly it will be.

Bees are especially useful, and since they are becoming endangered, if you can make a safe space for them in your garden, that’s a positive thing. To do this, choose flowers that have large, ‘open’ faces and are brightly colored. You can even install a bee hotel.

How to Upgrade the Look of Your Small Yard

by Leave a Comment

For many homeowners, a bright and spacious garden full of flowers, greenery, and other features is a dream come true. Sadly, the reality is that most of us will just have to make do with our small yards, and this is especially true with modern suburban life. However, just because we have to accept that reality doesn’t mean we have to let our yards look drab and uninspired. There are ways to maximize that modest space and upgrade our yard’s look.

Install a water feature

Having a water fountain installed in your yard may sound excessive and intimidating, but in reality they’re simple and uncomplicated set pieces that can really enhance a yard’s look. If you’re worried about it taking up too much space in your garden, there are many smaller models available that offer the same effect but is much more economical in terms of space—as well as in terms of budget. An example of this is a small wall fountain for the garden, which not only runs on a very small compressor but also only needs a relatively small amount of water to work.

Use tall plants to enhance your yard’s vertical space

Our yards may be constrained in horizontal space, but vertically may be a different matter. If there isn’t anything that can limit just how high your garden can grow, such as existing structures or perhaps your neighbor’s fencing, then planting tall plants and trees around your yard is a great option to help make it look bigger and grander. Fruit-bearing trees are also a wonder to see in small gardens, not only to add more color as the seasons roll in but also to give you delicious, home-grown treats to enjoy every now and then.

Construct keyhole plant beds

Flowers and other colorful plant life are wonderful in giving life to a garden, but too much in a small yard can make things look disorganized and overblown. However, by making u-shaped keyhole gardens in strategic places around your yard, you can maximize your limited space while still enjoying the colorful effect that live plants can have in any space. This also allows you to diversify the plants you grow—one keyhole garden can have flowers while the other can have herbs for the kitchen, and so on.

Give your deck a new look

If you have a deck or porch overlooking your yard, chances are, it could use a good cleaning. Take this chance to give it an entirely new look, either by painting it with an entirely new color or even just giving it a new coat of protective stain and a thorough cleaning. As for the cleaning process itself, while a power washer does make the entire process faster and easier, experts say that it can be too rough on wood—especially if your deck’s been getting on in years. Scrubbing with oxygenated bleach as well as a thorough round of sanding is better for your deck in the long run.

Revitalize your outdoor furniture

During your yard upgrade, you may be tempted to replace your outdoor furniture with newer, stylish models. If you have the budget for it, it’s definitely a solid move to make in giving your yard a new look. However, if you’re looking to save some money or you just can’t bear the thought of tossing what you already have installed in your yard, then simply treating them to some restorative work should suffice. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint and rust from metal furniture, while those made of wood can be freshened up with a mixture of turpentine and boiled linseed oil-mix. From there, re-stain them to the shade you want with an oil-based varnish or shellac.

A great-looking yard doesn’t always have to involve a lot of space. By carrying out the above steps, not only will you be able to give new life to your yard, but also make it more attractive and appealing to look at in the long run.