Backyard Gardens, Blooming Hydrangeas, and Beautiful Planters Hello garden enthusiasts and nature lovers – get ready to embrace the green! If you’re like us, you look forward to this time of year so you can get out in your yard and start planting. Is there anything more satisfying than stepping out into your yard and seeing the fruits (or veggies) of your labor? This year, like every May, we’ve been working in our yard to plant our vegetable garden, design beautiful planters and prepare the flower beds around our house. Here are some of our favorite tips for a beautiful yard all summer long. The Joy of a Backyard Vegetable Garden Growing your own food is such a rewarding project. It really isn’t hard; start small and embrace the green. There’s something magical about watching tiny seeds grow into delicious produce that you and your family can enjoy all summer and into the fall. We’ve planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, garlic, onions, cauliflower, an array of salad greens and herbs, all neatly organized in rows. One trick we’ve found super helpful is planting marigolds around my vegetable plants. These bright, cheerful flowers aren’t just pretty faces—they’re natural insect repellants! The marigolds we started from seed have grown beautifully and are doing a fantastic job keeping pests at bay. Plus, their vibrant colors add a nice pop to the garden. We also use the first row of our backyard garden to plant a flower cutting garden. We focus on easy-to-grow flowers like zinnias and dahlias. Hydrangeas in Full Bloom Another type of plant that we love in our yard is hydrangeas. We source our plants locally at smaller garden centers, but a bigger chain nursery to try is Pikes. If you’ve ever had hydrangeas in your yard, you know how they can steal the show when they bloom. Over the next few weeks, several varieties will be in full bloom. These clusters of white, pink, blue, and purple create a stunning visual effect. These beauties love a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. A little pruning after their blooming season keeps them healthy and lush for the next year. Hydrangeas are a fantastic choice if you want to add a splash of color and elegance to your yard. They also make wonderful bouquets for your home. Make sure to pick your blooms in the cooler morning hours of the day. Planters are the Perfect Porch Accessory To tie everything together, we’ve been having a blast creating beautiful planters. There’s something about a well-placed planter that can transform any porch or seating area into a cozy, inviting space. We’ve mixed various plants—like variegated ivy, ferns, hostas, impatiens and herbs to create pretty arrangements. The key is to choose a mix of heights, colors, and textures. And don’t forget to fertilize and water them regularly, especially during those hot summer days. Gardening isn’t just about the end result; it’s about the journey and the joy it brings. Whether you’re harvesting fresh veggies, admiring blooming hydrangeas, or enjoying your morning coffee next to a beautifully arranged planter, there’s a simple happiness in connecting with nature. So grab your gloves, get your hands dirty, and create your own outdoor paradise!
Entertaining
Memorial Day BBQs…
Honor and Commemorate our Armed Forces this Memorial Day. Memorial Day is just around the corner, it’s time to dust off those grills, gather your friends and family, and get ready to kick off the summer with some delicious food and good times with a Memorial Day BBQ. We look forward to Memorial Day Weekend by planning fun events. However, it’s also important to remember why we’re all able to enjoy a long weekend in the first place. Memorial Day isn’t just about barbecues and beach trips; it’s a day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s a time to honor their courage, valor, and unwavering dedication to our country. It’s in that spirit that we like to kick off the summer by decorating for Memorial Day and remembering the freedom we have in this country. And here’s a little secret: I leave all those decorations up through the Fourth of July to extend our decorating efforts. We will use red, white, and blue to show our patriotic spirit by adding wreaths and flags to our porch décor. We have table runners, banners, plates, cups, napkins, sprinkles, flag picks and patriotic frames that we will use to embellish our celebrations. As for the BBQ itself, you can’t go wrong with classic favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled corn on the cob. We also make a delicious sweet potato salad, coleslaw, and easy baked beans. This is an easy backyard party where most of the prep can be done ahead of time so everyone can enjoy the day. For dessert, we also keep it simple by slicing a watermelon into wedges and putting them out on a platter. We also bake an angel food cake ahead of time, cut it up into cubes or circles using a biscuit cutter, slice some strawberries and with a store-bought can of whipped cream we create an easy DIY strawberry shortcake bar (pictured below). Of course, no BBQ is complete without some good company and perhaps a friendly cornhole tournament in the grass and a pickleball court set up, and racquets on the driveway. So, fire up those grills, raise your glasses to our fallen heroes, and make your Memorial Day BBQ one to remember.