Beyond the Basic Storage Shed

Modern-Shed by Grey Design

This modern storage shed is just one of 5 models by Grey Design. This is the most stylish shed I have come across on the web and you have a choice of eco-friendly building materials. The Garden Shed is great for storing bikes, lawnmowers, and other garden necessities.

Visit Modern-Shed for a list of materials, different models, shipping, customer photos, and more.

Modern Pots for Tasty Herbs

Add style to your kitchen by growing some of your favorite herbs in these modern, self-watering pots by Grobal. Depending on the plant, you only have to water every 3-4 weeks. Grobals balance water and nutrient supply by using a unique capillary action.

FACT: Many plants die of over-watering!

Many other houseplants can be grown in your Grobal, succulents look especially stylish. You can even start from seed, check out the Baby Grobals. The one downside I see is that regular houseplant fertilizer is not recommended, but Grobal makes their own Grobal Food. However, this is a minor trade-off for a pot that regulates water and nutrient supply with minimal effort.

How do they work?

Modern Pots For Urban Dwellers

Here’s a modern twist to the traditional window box from designer Michael Hilgers. This is a great way to add color and greenery to spaces that, well, have no space. The polyethylene pots are water-resistant and can rest on any railing up to 60mm thick. Read more on Container Garden Design.

Design Within Reach sale $60

Do-It-Yourself Trellis

I finally have pictures of the steel cable trellis I completed over the holidays. The trellis supports climbing Star Jasmine, which is not a true jasmine by the way. I used 1/8″ galvanized steel cable for the supports.

TIP: measure the length of your future trellis and have a store associate cut the cable to length.

If you try to cut it at home, you’ll just end up mashing the cable and the ends will fray. I pre-drilled holes for the eye hooks (pic #2). First, I looped the cable through the top hooks, secured it with the recommended hardware, then pulled it taut with some pliers before looping through the bottom hooks. As you can see (pic #3), the vines cover up the hardware and hooks once they are attached back to the cable. I loosely attached the vines with bread ties, otherwise the heavier, mature vines slide down the cable. >>How-to Instructions

Good luck to all you do-it-yourselfers this season!

Stool or Table?

I love these multi-functional stools by OFFI and Company. The design is inspired by Tiki mugs and barware from the 60’s. Why bother with standard folding chairs? This is a fun solution for entertaining family and friends, inside or outside.

Attracting Wildlife To Your Garden

Pest management comes to mind when I think about attracting wildlife to my garden. Pesticides are often used to eliminate those annoying creatures from damaging your tender plants. However, you also eliminate the beneficial insects and increase the risk of contaminating your local water supply. Harmful pests have natural enemies like birds, snakes, frogs and other beneficial insects. Selecting plants that provide food and shelter is a great way to attract beneficial predators. For more information on environmental friendly ways to eliminate pests click here. More resources for designing beautiful gardens that attract wildlife:

• A garden for birds
• Another great article from High Country Gardens on how to make birds happy
• Attract butterflies to your garden
• The Hummingbird Garden

Functional Ivy

There are no headaches with this Ivy Coat Rack from YouSayTomayto. You can have as little or as much ivy you want spreading across your walls. Create functional displays in your entryways, office or bedroom.