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June: Sustainable Summer Decorating

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W ith the summer sun shining bright and warmer temps creating a relaxing air, you may be looking for a way to bring those easygoing vibes indoors by refreshing your home’s design. Try these ideas for seasonal updates that will not only look great but be kind to Mother Earth too. Lighten up An easy first step is opening up your spaces. Replace heavy and dark window coverings with  light-colored cotton curtains  to let in the sunshine and allow views of your yard or garden. Then clear all surfaces of decor, leaving only a few items of your choice, for a soothing and clean look. However, refrain from adding anything to the landfill when possible—instead, simply store items you won’t be using for the season and donate what you don’t want to keep. Paint it If your walls are dark or dingy, considering brightening them up with a new coat of paint; colors like peach and teal offer both great summer vibes and versatility for the rest of the year. To keep it green, opt for paints that a...
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10 Tips for October Gardening

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  1. Care for your lawn by raking or brushing leaves off the grass. Try collecting them in a leaf bag, which will turn them into useful leaf mould. You can also cut the grass for one last time this year. Make that last cut slightly higher to protect the lawn from winter frost.
  2. Trim hedges so they are crisp and tidy for the winter.
  3. October’s the time for clearing up. Greenhouses, ponds, gutters and water butts may all need cleaning out, wooden garden furniture will need covering or storing for the winter and terracotta pots will need bringing inside.
  4. Divide herbaceous perennials. Plant some back in the ground; take others to pot up and give away to friends in the spring.
  5. In the veg patch plant garlic cloves with their pointed ends up, and spaced 10cm apart.
  6. Plant bulbs for a colourful spring display. Try planting clumps of five or seven bulbs of the same variety through a border for a really effective display.
  7. Plant out spring bedding and biennials, such as wall-flowers, for spring displays. Pots and hanging baskets can be planted with spring bedding, and teamed with bulbs, grasses, cyclamen and violas for a colourful and textural display.
  8. ‘Plant’ prepared hyacinths in vases for winter scent and colour in the house.
  9. Harvest pumpkins for eating as well as carving.
  10. Enjoy the apple harvest! Why not visit an apple day in your area, where you can taste local varieties?  
Original Article via Eden Project