The lanternfly is an insect you might want to get rid of immediately if you spot it. And believe me, I’ve had my run-ins with these pests in my backyard. There they were, clustered on my favorite maple tree, looking almost beautiful with their distinctive and colorful wings. But don’t let their appearance fool you—these insects are destructive.

What is a Lanternfly?

The lanternfly, despite its charming name, is a significant pest. It originated in China and was first spotted in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has been spreading across various states, leaving a trail of agricultural and ecological damage. The thing about the lanternfly is that it’s not just a problem for commercial farmers; it affects backyard gardeners like myself just as severely.

The Damage They Cause

Lanternflies feed on the sap of a wide range of plants and trees. This feeding process not only weakens the plant but can also lead to the growth of sooty mold due to the sticky, sweet substance called honeydew that they excrete. This mold further harms the plant by inhibiting photosynthesis, effectively choking the life out of it. In my case, I noticed the once vibrant leaves of my maple turning dull and blackened as the mold spread.

Appearance of the Lanternfly
Identifying a lanternfly is key to controlling its spread. Adults are about an inch long and half an inch wide. They have a striking appearance with wings that are gray with black spots at the front and a blend of red and black sections hidden beneath. When they fly, the bright red underwings create a vivid flash of color that is quite eye-catching. Juveniles, known as nymphs, are black with white spots and turn red before reaching maturity.

Feeding Process

The lanternfly uses a long, needle-like mouthpart to pierce the plant and access the sap. This feeding style is particularly harmful because it allows the insect to tap directly into the plant’s nutrient channels, sapping its life energy away efficiently. Observing them at work on my plants was both fascinating and horrifying.

First Sightings

As I mentioned earlier, lanternflies were first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania. They likely arrived on a shipment of stones or other goods from Asia. Since their first detection, they have been moving across the states, primarily along the East Coast, but their range is expanding as they find suitable climates and host plants.

What to Do If You See a Lanternfly?
If you see a lanternfly, the recommended course of action is to eliminate it. This might sound harsh, especially to those of us who prefer to coexist peacefully with nature. However, considering the significant damage these insects can do, controlling their population is essential. You can squash the adults or nymphs directly.

Destroying Lanternfly Eggs

One of the most effective ways to manage lanternfly populations is by destroying their eggs before they hatch. The egg masses look like smears of gray mud and are often found on smooth surfaces like the bark of trees, stones, or even outdoor furniture. If you find an egg mass, you can scrape it off into a bag containing alcohol or hand sanitizer, which kills the eggs.

Dealing with lanternflies has been an eye-opening experience for me. It’s taught me that sometimes, taking harsher measures against certain insects is necessary to protect the broader ecosystem. If you spot a lanternfly, remember the damage they can cause and take action. It’s a small step that can help save many trees and plants in your area—and possibly prevent the spread to new regions. It’s a responsibility for those of us aware of the problem to manage it effectively and help keep our environments healthy and thriving.

Source: pakstne

Note: If you have any bags that are particularly grimy or have held raw meat, you’re better off tossing them out of an abundance of caution. Better safe than sorry!

Keep Your Hands Clean

Pull a plastic bag over each hand to use them as a pair of makeshift gloves! It’s a great way to keep your hands clean when handling messy foods, or when cleaning up messes like vomit, sticky crafts, etc.

Clean Your Shower Head

Use a plastic bag and some distilled white vinegar to clean your shower head! Fill the bag with vinegar and use a rubber band to secure it around your shower head. Let it soak for an hour or so to allow the vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits and cut through soap scum.

Cover Your Plunger

Don’t have a stand or cover for your toilet plunger? Cover the rubber end with a plastic bag to contain germs and grime!

Line A Wastebasket

Grocery store bags are just the right size to use as liners in small wastebaskets. Put a few extra bags in the bottom of the empty wastebasket before lining it with another bag, and that way you’ll have a replacement ready to go the next time you empty it!

Keep The Shape Of Purses & Shoes

Before you put shoes or handbags into storage, stuff a few plastic bags inside them. The bags will help your shoes or purses retain their shape while they’re in storage so they don’t wind up misshapen or lumpy.

Contain Trash In The Car

Tie an empty grocery sack to the back of your headrest on long car rides or road trips. It’s the perfect makeshift trash can for empty wrappers and drinks bottles since you can throw the whole thing away at the next rest stop!

 Use As “Barf Bags” For Carsick Passengers

Some people may feel a little nauseous in the car, while others may get truly carsick! Prepare for the worst by keeping a few empty plastic bags in your car. That way, you’ll always have a “barf bag” handy should you ever find yourself with a vomiting passenger.

Keep Mirrors & Wipers Ice-Free

For those who park their cars on the street or in uncovered spots, it’s all too common to wake up to frozen side mirrors and windshield wipers during the winter. So when the forecast calls for overnight snow, cover your wipers and side mirrors with plastic bags. The bags will keep them free of ice and snow and make the next morning’s commute a little easier!

Cover Muddy Shoes

To avoid tracking mud or slush into your car when the weather’s bad, keep a stash of plastic bags in the car. Slip one bag over each shoe before stepping into the car to keep your floor mats clean!

Wrap Plant & Plant Starts

With as much plant shopping as I did this past summer, I know just how much dirt winds up in your trunk after unloading a good plant haul! So that’s why I’ve started keeping a stash of plastic bags in my car, so I can wrap the bottoms of any plants and plant starts to keep dirt out of my car.

Plant vegetables in clear sight

Plant vegetables and herbs near your back or front door. Since you’ll see them often, you’ll remember to keep them watered. And they’ll be nearby when you need dinner fixings.

Examine your neighbor’s garden to see what works.

Take note of unique plants and plant combinations while you walk or drive. Write them down and bring the list with you to the nursery—having an itemized list can speed up your shopping trips and decrease the desire to buy on the spur of the moment.

Start your garden with good soil

Work in compost, manure, or dried peat moss for nutrient-rich planting beds. Amended soil is lighter, drains well, makes for easy weeding, and allows roots to establish themselves more quickly.

Shrink the size of your lawn

One of the best gardening tips that landscapers can offer is to shrink the size of your lawn. You’ll be amazed at how much time you’ll save on lawn chores simply by reducing the grass-covered areas in your yard. Combine trees, shrubs, boulders and decorative mulches to fashion eye-catching, maintenance-free island beds in your front and back yards.

Keep gardening supplies close at hand.

In your garden, keep an extra set of hand tools and garden twine in a waterproof container. You won’t have to rush to the garage or potting shed for supplies if you detect weeds, broken rose canes, or a stem that needs tying up.

Grow a container garden

When you can’t get anything to grow beneath trees or along fences, set up a multi-tiered container garden in the shady location. Plant shade-loving perennials and compact shrubs in appropriately sized containers; set the containers on stands in varying heights. Or use simple green pots that blend into the background, and won’t compete with the flowering show.

Fertilize smarter—not harder

Nourish gardens and containers with time-release fertilizers that continue feeding for long periods of time. That way, you won’t have to fertilize as frequently.

Mulch your garden with new mulch.

Every year, add new mulch to your gardens. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch prevents weeds from developing and helps the soil retain water, requiring less weeding and watering.

Take a garden tour (in your own back yard)

Walk around your garden every day and check plants for pests and diseases—the sooner you spot a problem, the sooner you can take curative measures, which means less work later.

Gardening tips for hostas

Divide and transplant hostas as soon as you see leaf tips breaking through the ground—since the stems and leaves have yet to unfurl, it’ll be easy to cut the root-ball with a serrated knife. The planted divisions will leaf out beautifully in their new sites. You can divide and move fully leafed-out hostas, but you’re likely to break off leaves and stems in the process, which results in ragged-looking plants.

Maintain your gardening tools

Make sure your tools are clean and sharp—they’ll last longer and work better in the garden. Use ergonomically designed tools, kneepads, or kneeling mats to lessen stress on your joints—pain-free bodies also work more efficiently in the garden

Take inventory of your garden

Make a running list of newly-added plants and their locations—this will help you remember what you planted where, which will prevent the inadvertent weeding (and replacing) of a “good plant.” Save perennial plant tags and store them near your favorite how-to gardening book to keep all your gardening tips and planting information in one spot.

Dig once, plant many

When you’ve got a bag of tulip or lily bulbs to plant, or when using annuals to edge a border, dig a large, single planting hole instead of many smaller holes. Make sure it’s large enough for all the bulbs or plants to prevent overcrowding.

Let plants do their thing

Choose plant varieties that readily self-seed, such as corydalis, larkspur and purple coneflower (shown here), or that quickly naturalize, such as daffodils and daylilies, to fill out borders inexpensively.

Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Sometimes confused with phlox, dame’s rocket has similar-looking flowers in purple, sometimes white or pink hues. They’re fragrant, too. But the similarities end there. While phlox can be aggressive, dame’s rocket takes it a step further. These biennial pests are related to garlic mustard, a noxious weed—and act like it, too, crowding out native woodland plants.

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum spp.)

This plant is full of bright rose to purple flowers and takes no maintenance. Problem is, anywhere near a water source—wetlands, ponds, rivers and marshes—purple loosestrife quickly gets out of hand and crowds out native wetland plants. Supposedly sterile cultivars, such as Morden Pink and Dropmore Purple, become promiscuous when the species loosestrife is nearby. Producing as many as 2.7 million seeds per plant (according to North Dakota State University), purple loosestrife should never be let loose.

Amaranthus

Amaranthus, also called “love-lies-bleeding,” is a unique-looking garden plant with impressive size and colourful hanging tassels of flowers. It tends to look a bit shaggy for manicured gardens, but the real problem is the flowers, which are a major pollen producer in summer and can aggravate both allergy and asthma sufferers.

Spurge (Euphorbia)

Spurge is a pretty plant with mounded shape and bright greenish blooms, but its milky sap is a major skin irritant that can seriously injure the eyes. The plant is also poisonous if ingested. While spurge is attractive and a good groundcover for slopes, it can be a thug, displacing other plants.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Wormwood, also known as mugwort, is a pollen fiend. That’s fiend, not friend, because this flower is no friend to allergy sufferers or to gardeners. It’s a thug in the garden, spreading by roots and by seeds blown by the wind. There are no chemical controls and even mowing and digging are no match for this pest. Note: The small mounded artemisia sold at nurseries are well-behaved and should not be painted with the “red badge of scourge” reserved for wormwood.

1. Plant vegetables in clear sight

Plant vegetables and herbs near your back or front door. Since you’ll see them often, you’ll remember to keep them watered. And they’ll be nearby when you need dinner fixings.

2. Start your garden with good soil

Work in compost, manure or dried peat moss for nutrient-rich planting beds. Amended soil is lighter, drains well, makes for easy weeding and allows roots to establish themselves more quickly.

3. Shrink the size of your lawn

One of the best gardening tips that landscapers can offer is to shrink the size of your lawn. You’ll be amazed at how much time you’ll save on lawn chores simply by reducing the grass-covered areas in your yard. Combine trees, shrubs, boulders and decorative mulches to fashion eye-catching, maintenance-free island beds in your front and back yards.

4. Keep garden tools handy

Stash a spare set of hand tools and garden twine in a waterproof container in your garden. That way, when you spot weeds, broken rose canes or a stem that needs tying up, you won’t have to run to the garage or potting shed for supplies.

5. Play in the rain

There’s no better time to visit a garden centre than during a cloudburst. Nurseries are less crowded, lines are shorter and staff members are more available to answer your questions. Once the rain eases, go out and pull weeds—even clumps of crabgrass and deep-rooted dandelions pull easily out of wet soil.

6. Grow a container garden

When you can’t get anything to grow beneath trees or along fences, set up a multitiered container garden in the shady location. Plant shade-loving perennials and compact shrubs in appropriately sized containers; set the containers on stands in varying heights. Or use simple green pots that blend into the background, and won’t compete with the flowering show.

7. See what works in your neighbour’s garden

When walking or driving, take note of interesting plants and plant combinations. Write them down and take the list with you to the nursery—having an itemized list will speed up your shopping trips and reduce the urge to impulse-buy.

8. Fertilize smarter—not harder

Nourish gardens and containers with time-release fertilizers that continue feeding for long periods of time. That way, you won’t have to fertilize as frequently.

9. Prune evergreens later in the season

Wait to prune evergreens such as yews and boxwood until they’ve produced most of their new growth. As a result, you won’t have to prune them again until next year.

10. Add fresh mulch to your garden

Add fresh mulch to your gardens every year. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch keeps weeds from sprouting and helps the soil retain water, so you’ll be weeding and watering less often.

11. Gardening tips for hostas

Divide and transplant hostas as soon as you see leaf tips breaking through the ground—since the stems and leaves have yet to unfurl, it’ll be easy to cut the root-ball with a serrated knife. The planted divisions will leaf out beautifully in their new sites. You can divide and move fully leafed-out hostas, but you’re likely to break off leaves and stems in the process, which results in ragged-looking plants.

12. Consider colourful garden tools

Don’t waste a second searching for misplaced garden tools. Buy trowels, cultivators, forks and pruners with bright red or orange handles so you can quickly spot them amid the greenery. These smart shed storage ideas will also help keep your garden tools organized.

13. Maintain your gardening tools

Make sure your tools are clean and sharp—they’ll last longer and work better in the garden. Use ergonomically designed tools, kneepads, or kneeling mats to lessen stress on your joints—pain-free bodies also work more efficiently in the garden. In turn, gardening can reward you with these health benefits.

14. Take inventory of your garden

Make a running list of newly-added plants and their locations—this will help you remember what you planted where, which will prevent the inadvertent weeding (and replacing) of a “good plant.” Save perennial plant tags and store them near your favourite how-to gardening book to keep all your gardening tips and planting information in one spot.

15. Invest in native plants

Buy improved varieties of plants and grasses that are native to your region. They’ll thrive with very little care and are likely to be the best-looking plants in your garden.

1. Test Soil AlkalinityTest Soil Alkalinity

Don’t have a kit to find out whether your soil is too acidic or alkaline, try vinegar instead. Take a sufficient amount of soil from different areas of your garden in a container. Then, empty 1/2 cup of each water and vinegar into it. If you notice a visible fizzing action, your soil is alkaline. The more fizz you get, the higher the pH balance in your soil. This method works when acid (vinegar) comes into contact with alkaline (soil).

2. Clean Garden Fountain

Garden fountains enhance the aesthetic appeal and bring charm to the green space. However, over time, they become soiled due to the algae, debris, stray leaves, and hard water deposits. To keep the fountains good as new, clean them with vinegar. First, discard the fountain water and then pour a sufficient amount of white vinegar into it. Wait for 10-15 minutes, scrub the fountain with a bristled brush and rinse with water.

3. Keep Cats Out of Sandbox

Keeps Cat Out of SandboxStop your cat from using the outdoor sandbox as a litter box with white vinegar. Soak a few rags in undiluted white vinegar and place them strategically nearby the sandbox to do the trick. This trick keeps your feline friend far away from the sandbox due to vinegar’s potent odor that cats dislike.

4. Rinse Hands After Gardening

After doing gardening chores, clean your hands with vinegar to remove dirt, stains, and harmful microorganisms. For this, gently scrub your hands with undiluted white vinegar momentarily, and then rinse with water afterward. It’s highly recommended to wear garden gloves as the soil has all sorts of harmful microbes. Avoid vinegar’s usage if you have any cuts and splinters on your hands.

5. Clean Garden Bricks and Dividers

Hard water used by the garden watering systems gives birth to the formation of calcium and lime films on the garden bricks and dividers. If you’re facing such an issue, eliminate the buildup using an acid-based cleaner- white vinegar. Combine a cup of vinegar for each gallon of water in a bucket. Now, dip a brush in this solution and scour the deposits vigorously. Once the buildup is gone, rinse the area with water.

6. Clean BBQ Grill with VinegarClean BBQ Grill with Vinegar

To clean your BBQ grill, fill a container with equal amounts of white vinegar and tepid water. Next, submerge the grill in the solution for an hour. After that, scrub the grill with a bristled brush momentarily and rinse with water. This is probably the most amazing vinegar uses in the garden.

7. Disinfects Cement Ponds

While maintaining their garden, people often overlook the cleaning and disinfection of their cement ponds. This leads to stagnant water, which becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, insects, and mosquitoes. That’s why clean your cement pond once a week using vinegar and a bristled brush.

8. Weeds Killer

Say goodbye to the pesky weeds that grow on the garden walls, fences, and the walkway crevices using the cheap and nature-friendly vinegar. For this approach, fill an empty spray bottle with full-strength, undiluted white vinegar and spritz on the weeds. It’s one of the most amazing vinegar uses in the garden on this list.

9. As a Natural Herbicide

If you’re looking for a non-toxic, natural herbicide for weeds, vinegar is the right choice. It’s effective against a wide range of weeds species such as Canada thistle, lamb’s-quarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf, and smooth pigweed. Pour a gallon of white vinegar, a cup of table salt, and a tbsp of dish soap into a garden sprayer. Drench the weeds with this solution while avoiding the nearby plants. Weeds will be gone within 2-3 days.

10. Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are a serious nuisance to both gardeners and homeowners. They not only damage the plants but spread diseases as well. To get rid of fruit flies, combine 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 10-15 drops of liquid dish soap in a bowl and place it near the affected fruit plant or tree. The sweet odor of vinegar draws fruit flies into the trap, and they eventually fall into the solution in the absence of surface tension.

11. Repels Pesky Ants

Ants are not only an annoyance, but they also harm your plants indirectly by protecting the plant-eating aphids and mealybugs from their natural predators in exchange for honeydew. To keep your plants safe, use vinegar, it deters the ants because of its strong scent. Stir equal amounts of white vinegar and tepid water in a spray bottle. Then, spritz the solution on the anthills and ant trails to deter them for good.

12. Clean Terracotta Pots

Clay pots or terracotta pots are popular among gardeners. They look attractive, keeps the soil cool amidst hot sunny days, and ensures proper drainage. Over time, frequent use of hard water and fertilizer makes the clay pots stained and a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, pests, and fungus. To bring their former glory back, clean the pots with full-strength white vinegar, scrub with a brush, and rinse them with water.

13. Gives Rust-Free Garden Tools

Don’t know how to make your garden tools rust-free? Try the miraculous vinegar. Its mild acidic content makes your garden tools good as new by breaking down the rust. For this, soak your rusted tools in a container filled with white vinegar overnight. In the morning, scrub them with a bristled brush and wash and dry them properly.

14. Clean a Dirty Birdbath

A dirty birdbath is not only a hazard to human beings but also harmful to the entire backyard flock as well. Its stagnant water is an ideal place for mosquitoes, algae, bacteria, and germs to thrive. That’s why it’s vital to clean the birdbath once a week. Empty the birdbath, fill it with enough white vinegar, and wait for 5-10 minutes. Next, scrub it with a soft-bristled brush and rinse with water afterward.

15. Deter Animals

Protecting the garden from common garden destroyers like rats, cats, dogs, raccoons, rabbits, moles, and skunks is a cumbersome task. To cut the hassle, soak a couple of rags in undiluted white vinegar and put them on stakes, boundaries, and fences around the garden. Vinegar’s strong scent keeps these unwanted guests at bay.

16. Keeps Cut Flowers Fresh

Cut flowers are an excellent way to spruce up the appearance of your home, but they droop and wilt quickly because of their relatively short life span. To keep your cut flowers fresh and last longer, pour two tbsps of each vinegar and sugar into the vase and fill it with water. Then, put the cut flowers in the vase, and you’re good to go.

17. Eradicates Garden Insects

No need to purchase chemical-filled insecticides when you can make one at home using vinegar. It’s an excellent product to eradicate aphids, mealybugs, Japanese beetles, and other insect pests. Simply pour three parts of water, one part of apple cider vinegar, and a tsp of dawn dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well and spritz it around the plants, not directly over them.

18. Helps in Seeds Germination

ome seeds require more time to germinate, like okra, mini tomato, chili pepper, rosemary, and nasturtiums. Boost the germination process by soaking the seeds in a bowl filled with water and 15-20 drops of white vinegar overnight. The next day, sow the seeds, and you’ll see the results in a couple of days.

19. Clear Water Lines from Vases

After some time, old vases lose their charm due to hard water mineral deposits. Transform their look in an instant using the multipurpose vinegar. For this, make a paste by combining 1/2 tbsp of each salt and white vinegar in a bowl. Spread this mixture on the vase and wait for 8-10 minutes. After that, wipe the vase surface with a damp cloth.

20. Removes Stubborn Berry Stains from Hands

Only a gardener knows how much it’s difficult to get rid of strawberry and blueberry stains from hands. With a little help from vinegar, you can get stain-free hands in a jiffy. Simply rinse your hands with enough amount of white vinegar, and you’re good to go.

21. Keeps Snake at Bay

Snakes are not harmful to your lovely plants but a severe threat to human beings. Keep the serpents at bay using white vinegar. It works because snakes dislike vinegar’s pungent scent. Make a viper deterrent solution by filling a garden sprayer with full-strength white vinegar. Then, spray it over any potential snake entrance, fences, and the perimeter of your garden.

22. Clean Dingy Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture suffers a lot due to weather, dirt, and other buildups that degrade its look and quality over time. All you need is vinegar to transform their soiled look. Thanks to its mild acetic acid, vinegar removes all kinds of stubborn stains, films, and buildup. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz it liberally on the problematic furniture and wipe with a clean cloth.

23. Increases Soil Acidity

As vinegar is a rich source of acetic acid, you can use it as a fertilizer for your acid-loving plants, namely, rhododendrons, gardenias, azaleas, and blueberry bushes, by increasing the soil acidity. Combine a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water into a garden sprayer and drench the plants with this solution. Make sure to avoid watering normal plants with vinegar, as it’s harmful to them. Repeat this method after every three months.

24. Protect Plants from Fungus

Ditch the toxic fungicides by making a natural one using the miraculous home ingredient- vinegar. Just combine a tsp of white vinegar and a cup of brewed chamomile tea into an empty spray bottle. Shake it well before spraying the solution on the fungus and mold-affected plants. You’ll notice the difference in a few days.

25. Eliminates Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails are a nightmare to the gardeners. They slither through your garden, munching on plants, and leaves a slimy trail behind. Get rid of them for good by pouring white vinegar into an empty spray bottle and spritz directly on the slugs and snails. Wait for a few minutes to allow the vinegar to do its work. Vinegar kills them by dissolving their body, thanks to its mild acid.

Do you want a flower garden, vegetable garden, outdoor living space? Here are some amazing balcony garden designs. As you look through them, pay close attention to the designs you are drawn to. It may be helpful to have an idea of how you want to use your balcony space.

Some balconies are created to complement the existing home design and decor. One factor to consider is your available budget. With many balcony garden ideas, you can create a fabulous space without spending much money! Another thing to think about is how much sunlight your balcony receives. This can help determine the plants you choose. Finally, what time of the day will you use your new space? For a balcony used mainly in the evenings, you may want lighting on your balcony. With adequate planning, you can create a beautiful balcony garden designed to serve your gardening needs.

1. Sunny Side

This balcony garden is sunny and bright! Citrus trees love the sun, making a sunny balcony the ideal location for growing your own fruit. This creative balcony garden proves you do not need matching pots to be a stunning area. The plants are offered protection from the sun by the white umbrella secured to the balcony railing. From the collection of play toys to the red and white striped fabric shade, this is also a space to share with a child. The addition of the hanging light over the café table allows this balcony to be used even at night!

2. Scrap Wood

Simplistic and rustic describe this balcony garden. Using the vertical space, this garden combines rustic wood elements with light creating a cozy space. This design can be replicated with two wood pallets or even scrap wood from previous projects. Simply repurpose the wood for flower boxes! Since this design uses only the wall, it allows the balcony floor to stay clean and saves valuable floor space. The tea light candles invite warmth and romance into an otherwise boring space. Depending on your skill level and home decor, this balcony garden may be the perfect design for your home’s balcony garden.

3. Micro-Park

Is a tiny yard and garden on your balcony possible? When creating a balcony garden design you can have both! Using AstroTurf on your balcony floor, you are able to create a yard in the city or on your apartment balcony. Colorful, yet edible kale is showcased in wooden crates. Hanging garden boxes provide additional growing space on the balcony railing in this design. With the predominantly green landscape, the pop of fuchsia color from the flower is a nice addition. Even the tiny herbs have a home in the small terra cotta pots lining the side of this balcony!

4. Vertical Terra Cotta

Never underestimate the power of hooks when balcony gardening. They are great for hanging baskets or hanging terra cotta pots. This design uses simple eye hole hooks and connects the pots using metal rods, washers, and bolts. The beauty of this design is found in staggering the pots to add visual interest. The metal rods create a sort of rain chain between the pots allowing the water to flow from the top down. Therefore, by watering the top, you can save water from draining out onto the ground. This design would work equally well for flowers or herbs.

5. Modern Comfort

Modern meets comfort in this beautiful balcony garden decor. Elements of home design have been carried through to this balcony. When combining home design with the outdoors, it’s important to bring home décor to the space. With the pillow, blanket, and serving tray this balcony garden has done just that! Aside from the wicker chair, this space doesn’t feature typical outdoor furniture. A stool is used as a plant display and a rope covered ottoman keeps the home décor feel alive. Keeping with the theme, the rug breaks up the modern gray on this balcony adding yet another visual element of comfort.

6. Culinary Creations

This balcony garden idea proves you can grow a wide variety of edible food and herbs in a small space. Using a wooden pallet and chalkboard paint this culinary creation can be at your fingertips. When planning a vertical balcony garden, be sure to drill holes in the bottom of each level to allow water to pass through. This simple revision will keep your plants from developing root rot and prolongs the life of the wood. Also, when using pallets for edible gardening, make sure the wood hasn’t been treated with a wood preservative as this can leach into your plants.

7. Tiny space, Big color

Bright colors bring emphasis to this tiny balcony garden design. This bland wall was transformed into a creative work of tangible art using well placed colorful pots. Matching plant markers keep the plants organized without attracting too much attention. The wood on the balcony floor visually blends with the home’s wood floor bringing the home’s design outdoors. A brightly colored ottoman blends perfectly with the pots further enhancing the home’s décor. Furthermore, a net around the balcony allows the door to be open ushering in fresh air and an unobstructed view from the home, without the fear of birds or leaves flying in.

8. Private Oasis

This private oasis was constructed using a creative balcony garden design. Placing the plants around the balcony edge in taller pots creates privacy while taking advantage of the existing tree. By bringing floor pillows and a blanket into this design, this balcony becomes an extension of the home. The rattan rug and rope covered ottoman compliment the bamboo chairs. Using these complimentary pieces conveys an island feel in this secluded balcony space. The wood has been stained a dark gray providing the perfect canvas for the balcony garden decor. And, of course, the water pitcher is an invitation to sit and relax.

9. Upcycled Garden

A raised garden is created here using a repurposed wooden crate. The height allows for easy care of the plants without bending. With a few simple modifications, you can have a nice raised garden on your balcony. To find free wood crates you can check with small automotive, motorcycle, lawn and specialty shops. They usually have parts shipped in them. Grocery stores also use food crates for produce and wine. By filling the lower half of the bed with empty milk jugs, two liter soda bottles, or unusable pots, you can save money by cutting down on the amount of dirt you need.

10. Home Extension

Functionality at its best describes this balcony garden idea. Bringing traditionally used indoor pieces to this space gives this balcony an indoor room feel. Flowers are grown in baskets as well as garden boxes. A citrus tree is growing in a metal bucket and flowers are blooming in the recycled wooden crate. Herbs and flowers are decorating wooden shelves and an old wooden chair seats a beautiful pink flower in the corner. Small home decor touches such as the tablecloth and vase of flowers give this balcony a café feel. The extension of the awning adds to the tearoom ambience.

11. The Secret Garden

Sometimes you need a retreat you can escape to. This serene balcony garden is reminiscent of a secret Victorian garden with the ivy growing along the stone wall. Including a stone angel statue further confirms the feel. Growing trees in pots is a great way to add vertical elements. This design also incorporates stacking pots for added height. In this balcony garden design, rosemary is in bloom creating a delightful smell as well as adding a touch of purple color. The modest café table ensures a nice place to sit for coffee, tea, or simply a place to rest.

12. The Hanging Garden

Garden balconies do not require a large footprint to be effective. When creating a balcony garden in a narrow space, hanging pots and baskets are key. This design allows many plants to grow in often neglected overhead space. Attaching planters to the balcony railing is another brilliant idea as it doesn’t require additional space. The end of this balcony has been reserved for floor space with a few pots on the floor. Because most of the garden is grown above and on the side of this balcony, there is room for a set of chairs and table maximizing the usefulness of this small space.

13. Italian Flair

Inspired by an Italian window garden, this colorful balcony proves you can make a dramatic impact in a small space. Although there isn’t enough room for a table or chairs, this beautiful display of showy petunias is a showstopper. Window boxes are hung on the outside of the balcony where they can easily be seen from below. This design incorporates smaller pots on the inside of the balcony floor to grow greenery. By adding the greenery, a nice backdrop is provided for the petunias creating a seamless flow. Even the wall behind the balcony was used to display the beautiful flowers.

14. Deck Balcony

If a deck is what you desire, consider adding wood deck tiles to your balcony garden design. This can be installed over your existing balcony floor with relative ease by a DIYer. Using neutral tones and different textile textures maintains the integrity of this peaceful, low key space. The patio fruit tree growing out of the galvanized can proves everyday objects can make fabulous planters for your balcony garden decor. By adding only one shade of purple flower to this design in matching galvanized containers, this balcony garden has a light and airy feel to it.

15. Rail Garden

If instant color with minimal work is what you are hoping for, you may want to check out the balcony rail planters. They use no tools or skills to install and are available in different colors. Simply decide on what flower, herb, or vegetable to plant and you are done! Besides the ease of these planters, the next best thing is their portability. If you have an area that receives too much hot sun mid afternoon, you can move the planter to the other side of your balcony. You also have the ability to bring the planter indoors to water it.

While you may be hard-pressed to think of uses for wood ash in a modern home, historically it was used in many different creative ways. Wood ash was a precious asset, used for food preservation, gardening, pottery, pest control, and even cosmetics.

Long before baking soda was discovered, wood ash based leveners allowed for holiday cookies. Our ancestors wouldn’t have invented soap without wood ash lye…the list goes on.

While some of these uses are merely a historical curiosity, many are still incredibly useful in our modern world. Looking for free garden fertilizer? Natural pest control? Stain and odor removers? Wood ash can do that!

Even if you only use a handful of these suggestions, you’ll probably end up with an empty ash bucket come spring.

Safety First

It’s important to note that this list assumes you are burning clean wood and not chemically treated wood such as pressure treated, stained, or painted wood.

If you wouldn’t roast a hot dog over the fire it came from, you shouldn’t be using it around your house.

Hardwoods generally have more nutrients in them than softer woods like pine, but softwoods render softer ash than hardwoods.

Embers can stay hot for days. Make sure your wood ash is completely cool before using it around your home.

Wear gloves when working with wood ash as it can be caustic. Be extremely careful when creating or using lye from wood ash as it is also caustic and can cause severe burns.

Store your ash out of the elements when using it in the garden.

Wood ash is enriched with many of the same minerals that it contained as a tree – calcium, potassium, magnesium and other trace minerals, to name a few.

1. Correct Acidic Soil

Wood ash is an excellent soil amendment for overly acidic soil.

According to the Cooperative Extension at the University of California Davis you can use those ashes to help balance the pH of acidic soil.

It’s best to test the pH of your soil first before applying, but generally speaking, the Cooperative Extension suggests for every 100 square feet you’ll apply 5-10 pounds of ash.

The best time to do this is before planting when you can till it directly into the soil. If you do apply your wood ash to soil with young plants already growing, be sure to rinse them down afterward as the ash can burn the tender leaves.

2. Boost Your Compost

To supercharge your compost heap throw in some ash, this boosts the nutrient-dense microbial environment that’s cooking in your compost.

Dave Dittmar over at Compost Junkie informs us that those little chunks of porous charcoal mixed in with the ashes provide your compost with much-needed oxygen making for very happy microbes.

The porous nature of charcoal also means all of those minerals from the ash are absorbed and kept into your compost instead of being leached out by rain.

3. Keep Bears Out of Your Compost

Ashley from Practical Self Reliance says that dusting your compost pile with wood ash keeps the bears from mistaking it for an all you can eat buffet.

Again, remember that wood ash is alkaline, so don’t add too much. Experiment with a trowel-full at a time and consider testing with a pH kit.

4. Stop Snails and Slugs in their Slimy Tracks

Snails and slugs, cute as they may be, can wreak havoc on a garden. There is nothing more disappointing than coming out one day to find your cabbages looking like Battenberg lace.

Stop the slimy little creeps in their tracks by making a circle of ash around plants susceptible to snails and slugs.

I feel like a benevolent white witch casting a circle of protection spell around my precious shitake and oyster mushroom logs with the ashes provided by our woodstove in the shop. Though shalt not touch my mushrooms!

5. Bust Blossom End Rot

Seeing that first black splotch on the bottom of your gorgeous tomatoes is enough to bring anyone to tears because you know it’s just the beginning of more blossom end rot.

Head it off at the start of the season by giving susceptible plants an extra dose of calcium.

When you are planting tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and peppers; toss a small handful of wood ash into the hole before plunking your plant in the dirt.

6. Put the Kibosh on Pond Algae

Give your aquatic plants the upper hand by feeding them potassium-rich wood ash. In turn, they will thrive, leaving the algae without the nutrients it needs to survive. Bye, Bye, algae bloom!

When it comes to using ashes in the pond, a little goes a long way. Off the Grid News advises using roughly one tablespoon per 1,000 gallons of water.

If you aren’t sure of your water volume, proceed with caution; start small and give it a few days before adding more ash.

7. Save Crops from Frost Damage

When the temperatures start to dip in the fall, nothing can strike fear in the heart of a gardener quicker than the threat of a frost.

I still recall my grandmother “tucking in” the tomatoes on cold nights with old bedsheets. No worries, dust your plants with some powdery wood ash to prevent frost damage.

8. Dust-Bathing Birds

Chickens dust bathe to control pests, adding ashes to their dust bath helps to kill critters like mites, fleas, and lice in much the same way that diatomaceous earth works.

Give your birds the spa treatment with a few trowels of ash sprinkled around their bathing area. Cucumber water and fluffy bathrobes are optional.

9. Powder Your Pets

In the same vein, rubbing ashes into your dog or cat’s coat can kill fleas as well as deodorize their fur.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess this is easier to do with dogs than it is with cats. But give it a try if you have an especially docile cat or a good thick pair of leather gauntlets. Good luck!

10. Don’t Stop There

This trick works equally well for livestock. Dust your goats, cows, donkeys, bunnies and other hardworking members of your homestead with a little wood ash to help keep pests at bay for them too. They’ll be happier and healthier.

11. Deodorize Your Chicken Coop

As much as I love the personality of a coop full of hens, they sure are known to create a stench.

Put a good thick layer of wood ash, complete with charcoal chunks, down in the chicken coop before adding whatever litter you use on top to keep your chicken coop fresh.

12. A Brita for Your Bunnies and Birds

Dig out a chunk or two of the charcoal from your wood ash and toss it in your rabbit water bottles or your poultry waterer to help keep algae from growing as well as other nasties.

Be sure to replace it periodically with a fresh piece of charcoal. Every-bunny deserves fresh water.

13. Boost Your Hen’s Laying Power

The lovely Lisa over at Fresh Eggs Daily suggests using wood ash to supplement your flock’s feed.

In turn, you will be rewarded with better lay rates and longer laying periods.

Mix in the wood ash with your chicken feed at a 1% ratio. She says this can even help to reduce the smell of their, ahem, exhaust.

14. Control Litter Box Odor

You guessed it, the odor-absorbing power of charcoal saves the day again.

Wood ash was the original cat litter, after all, used by cat owners before the invention of commercial clay litters. Sprinkle a cup of ashes with a few smaller bits of charcoal into clean cat litter and mix it in.

Keep your home smelling cat-free—even if you have a herd.

15. Undo a Skunk Encounter

It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare, and it always seems to happen at night as you’re getting ready for bed.

“What’s that in the yard? Are those eyes? No! Sparky! Sparky come back here!”

Too late.

Usually, whatever you wash your pet with doesn’t completely get rid of the smell. After you have bathed and dried your precious wildlife ambassador rub them down with wood ash and work it into their fur. That should finish off whatever the soap didn’t undo.

When you’re cleaning out the wood stove, don’t take that ash bucket too far. There are so many uses for it around the house.

16. Fireplace Glass Cleaner

If you have glass doors on your fireplace or woodstove, they can become stained with creosote blocking your view of those beautiful dancing flames.

Dab a bit of the powdery ash on a damp sponge or cloth and use it to scrub the creosote away.

Wait for your woodstove or fireplace to cool down completely before cleaning glass.

17. Glass Top Stove Cleaner

The same method can be used to clean your glass top stove. For stubborn, cooked on gunk, make a paste using the ash and a little water.

You’ll want to be sure there aren’t any charcoal pieces in your paste, so be sure you are using only the fine powdery ash.

Chive’s uses go far beyond the garden too. You may be quite surprised to find how you can use the whole plant in your home.

Around the Home…

1. Chives Garden Spray

Before we take a step inside, let’s start with a unique use in the garden – disease control.

Chives help prevent some diseases – such as powdery mildew – from taking hold in vulnerable plants, preventing them from destroying some of your favorite garden friends.

The disease-busting concoction is an easy one to cook up. Chop some chive leaves and add them to a pot of boiling water. Boil for several minutes and once cooled, strain and add the mixture to a spray bottle. Spray your plants with this handy chive liquid to protect your plants.

2. Chive Bouquet

The purple and pink blooms of chive plants are very special. They add pops of color to any space, so it’s no wonder they’re so popular in the garden.

You can bring the same splashes of color into your home by creating a unique chive blossom bouquet. Combine them with other picked garden flowers for a stunning cut flower feature.

In The Pantry (or fridge)…

3. Chives Sauces and Dressings

There are several ways to add the unique chive taste to your favorite dishes, one of which is through sauces and dressings.

Pasta is incomplete without a warm, creamy sauce, and the same can be said for a crisp salad with no scrumptious dressing. Throw some chives in the mix and you’ll have a meal guaranteed to dazzle.

Complete a wholesome chicken pasta with creamy garlic and chives. Or cook up a cheesy chive sauce that pairs well with gnocchi.

4. Chive Pesto

Experimenting in the kitchen is a fun gamble. Sometimes, it turns out to be disastrous, but other times, you end up with unique twists that make your meals a million times better.

A chive pesto is one of those fun twists on a traditional condiment. It’s quick to whip up and doesn’t require a long list of extra ingredients.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of nuts and seeds of your choice.
• 1 and 1/2 cups of spinach or kale
• ½ cup of freshly chopped chives
• ¼ cup of grated Parmesan
• ½ a cup of olive oil
• A teaspoon of lemon juice
• A dash of salt

Grab all your ingredients (except the parmesan) and toss them into a blender or food processor. Blend until everything is smooth. It could become quite thick – add some more olive oil for a runnier texture.

Next, slowly add your parmesan cheese and continue to blend. If you prefer a chunkier pesto, reduce the amount of oil, or throw in a few more nuts.

Throw your pesto in a jar, pop it in the fridge and eat within three days.

5. Chive Blossom Vinegar

Chive blossoms don’t just look great in floral bouquets. They have a mild onion-like flavor that doesn’t overpower other pairings, making them a great addition to salads or for use in a salad dressing like chive blossom vinegar. It takes almost no time to make and can be used in several ways, including as a marinade.

All you need is:

• 1 cup fresh chive blossoms
• 1 and 1/2 cups of vinegar

First, crush up the chive blossoms to release their delicious oniony scent and flavor. Next, toss them into a clear, sealable jar, and pour the vinegar over the blossoms until they’re completely covered. Stir your mixture well.

Tightly seal your jar and store it at room temperature in a dark cupboard for about two weeks. Don’t forget to label it with the date.

After two weeks, strain the vinegar into a nice jar or bottle and dispose of the spent chive blossoms. You have an easy, tasty chive-infused vinegar to use in as many dishes as you can think of.

6. Chive Butter

Another simple way of adding hints of chive flavor to meals is through chive butter. This flavored butter can be melted and cooked with, adding creamy, salty hints to whatever you’re frying. Or, use it as a spread for savory biscuits and bread.

Simply grab four sticks of butter and about half a cup of finely chopped fresh chives.

Soften your butter using a potato masher, stand mixer, or even your hands. Mix and mash until the butter is soft enough to easily combine the chives. Keep mashing the butter while slowly adding the chopped chives.

When the chives have been completely mixed into the butter, spread the mixture out onto some parchment paper. Then, tightly roll your chive butter into a nice even cylinder and tie each end. Alternatively, add a spoonful to an ice tray mold and freeze.

In The Kitchen…

7. Chives in Salads

For chive lovers, chive blossom dressing may not pack enough of a punch for your salads. If that’s the case, you can always toss some additional chives directly into your salad for an unbeatable flavor.

8. Baking With Chives

Baking with chives is a great way to add herbaceous zest to basic dishes, like bread or muffins. You don’t need much for the strong chive flavor to come through – a little goes a long way.

Quite literally spice up your morning biscuits with this scrumptious cheddar chive biscuit recipe made with buttermilk.

For the bread bakers out there, try this interesting cheddar and chive soda bread.

9. Chive Cheese

Cheese and chives go together like peanut butter and jelly. But, there is the occasional need for dairy-free options, either for yourself or for a guest. Make your own dairy-free cheese with chives for the next time the occasion arises.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup cashews (raw)
• 2 tablespoons of chopped chives
• 1 probiotic capsule or ½ a teaspoon of probiotic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dark miso
• ⅓ cup cooled, melted coconut oil
• 1 cup water

First, soak your cashews in water for about eight hours or overnight. Once their soaking is complete, blend them, with some of the soaking water, until smooth.

Pour the blend into a glass or bowl, add the probiotic capsule (or powder), and stir well. Then, cover your bowl or glass with a cloth and leave it to ferment. The longer it ferments, the stronger the flavors will be, but 8-12 hours should cut it.

10. Chives in Main Meals

If you think you’re missing salt from your meal, you might be missing the tart oniony flavor of chives instead.

Chives and chicken are a match made in culinary heaven. This simple and tasty chicken and chive recipe from Life’s Ambrosia shows this pairing off perfectly.

Of course, those chive pasta dishes mentioned earlier also make great main meals. For meat lovers, try grilling a juicy steak with the delicious homemade chive butter.

Or, make your own chive and onion spice mix for an easy spice rub.

11. A Chive Breakfast

We’ve spoken about chives for dinner, for side dishes, and snacks. But each day starts with the most important meal – breakfast.

Chives pair wonderfully with many popular breakfast dishes.

Fry your omelet in chive butter for subtle hints of onion, or sprinkle freshly chopped chives over your scrambled eggs. Make a quick on-the-go breakfast with this unique bacon, cheese, and chive muffin recipe.

To kick up the culinary flair, try using chives to make unique devilled eggs.

You need:

• 1 dozen peeled half-boiled eggs (sliced in half)
• 5 tablespoons of the mayonnaise of your choice
• 2 tablespoons of spicy mustard
• A dash of paprika
• 1 dozen finely chopped chive stems
• Salt and pepper to taste

First, keep about two or three chive stems aside, along with the paprika and the hard-boiled eggs. Using a fork, combine the rest of your ingredients together.

Next, carefully remove the hard-boiled yolks from the egg white and toss them into your mixing bowl. Mash the egg yolks with the mixture, making sure everything is combining well. If your mix is on the drier side, add some more mayonnaise or mustard.

12. Chives For Cocktail Hour

We may have covered every meal of the day, but the usefulness of chives doesn’t stop there. They are also useful during cocktail hour.

Chives add a savory flavor to your cocktails, especially gins. Follow this cool recipe for a Genepy Cricket with a twist.

Or, embody a true cocktail connoisseur by making your own chive blossom-infused gin.

You’ll need:

• 150ml of your favorite gin
• 1 chive blossom

Making the infused gin is incredibly easy. Just add your clean chive blossoms to a glass jar. Pour the gin over the blossom, seal the jar and shake it gently. Leave it to infuse for a few hours (the longer you leave it, the stronger the flavors will be). When you’re ready, strain your gin and add to your favorite cocktails.

Some of the best concepts include using pallets in your garden. This could be using them as your personal miniature garden, complete with built-in rows, or as an ideal backdrop for starting your family’s herb garden. And the creativity doesn’t stop there!

From chairs and couches to tables and serving bars, you can’t go wrong with any way you choose to use pallets in your next DIY project.

1. Easy DIY Outdoor Pallet Couch with Chaise

Comfort and style collide on a shoestring budget with one of the best DIY pallet garden ideas for custom outdoor furniture. Not only will your patio get the much-needed seating it demands, but you’ll find a new favorite spot to relax with the chaise at the end of this comfy couch. Use removable cushion covers for easy washing and cleaning up. Add some decorative accent pillows for a decorative element to this cool pallet couch. It makes a unique way to incorporate pallets in your garden since they effortlessly transform into savvy and budget-friendly outdoor furniture.

2. Repurposed and Reclaimed Wire Spool Outdoor Table

Featuring a shabby chic white-washed finish, this wire spool table gives your outdoor space a nice table while adding lots of style and character. The round design adds a visually interesting and cool look to the traditional square shapes of tables and other furniture pieces. Nestled between two chairs, this repurposed table offers a wonderful platform for setting drinks and snacks as well as some decorative elements. An accent pillow below further embellishes the cozy and comfortable conversation space surrounding this reclaimed wire spool outdoor table design.

3. Extra Long Pallet Picnic Table

Here’s one of the best DIY pallet garden ideas you’ll enjoy with all of your family and friends. This extra long picnic table provides more than enough table space and seating for a large gathering of family and friends. Add a couple of umbrellas and your dining experience can be enjoyed out of the sun’s reach. Since a picnic table is a near essential backyard piece of furniture for summer, why not use your resources wisely and construct this large concept from some unwanted pallets?

4. Reclaimed Pallet Turned Wooden Planter

Give a brand new life to an otherwise useless pallet as you reimagine it as a gorgeous wooden outdoor planter. You can add a beautiful place to plant your annual flowers to put some much-needed pops of color onto your porch or patio space. This is one easy pallet outdoor furniture idea that can be completed in an evening or afternoon. Constructed on short legs, this wooden planter adds some height and dimension to your gardening scene as you can show off your favorite budding beauties at counter height to be easily seen.

5. Classic and Simple Traditional Chairs from Pallets

Imagine a superior set of outdoor chairs that closely resemble the classic and traditional design of the ones in your dining room. Now picture them being crafted from repurposed pallets. This amazing and earth-friendly concept shows an easy pallet outdoor furniture design that makes the perfect cozy seating for your fire pit area. Each guest will enjoy having his/her own seat providing him/her with the personal space needed to completely relax and enjoy the warmth of the fire. Choose a rich, dark stain to really emphasize the beauty of simple wood. Pair these great chairs with a side table or two and you’ll have a complete outdoor fire pit gathering place.

6. Perfectly Potted Pallet Vertical Herb Garden

Standing tall and proud, this pallet transforms into an amazing and perfectly practical herb garden. Plant your most loved herbs in your small terracotta pots and organize them in this vertical herb garden that’s a great wood pallet idea for gardens. Everyone wins with this pallet herb garden from tree huggers to dining guests. The enhanced flavors in your alfresco summer dishes will be embraced by your taste buds as you utilize this incredibly organized and easy-to-use outdoor pallet herb garden.

7. Upright Pallet Shallow Backyard Bar

If you’re tight on space you can still add some repurposed pallets into your design. This single pallet stands upright to take up less surface space. At the top, a slender tabletop creates a bar space with just the right amount of counter space for a miniature bar area. Set up a serve-yourself bar or use it as the condiment station for your party. Guests will meander throughout the night to find your confined space offers adequate party essentials that are easy to use.

8. Stacked and Painted Pallet Crates Outdoor Storage

Stacked and stoked, this pair of painted pallet crates adds additional storage and a little style to your back porch or patio area. You can customize it in your favorite bright summer color or brush on a traditional neutral tone. Now you’ll enjoy a place to store some summer staples like gardening gadgets or sunscreen sprays and lotions. With the wall mounting capabilities, your extra storage solutions won’t crowd your walkway. Keep sharp trimmers and hand shovels out of reach from tiny fingers. This is simply another way to utilize these crafty crates that seem to pop up everywhere in the design world nowadays.

9. Gorgeous Stained Outdoor Pallet Herb Garden

Grab that pallet and slap on some stain to create this incredible wood pallet idea for gardens. You’ll love the beauty it provides to your back patio while everyone seated around your table will enjoy the fresh taste of the seasoned meal. It’s easy to keep it organized with labeled popsicle sticks as your green-thumbed beauties grow in their designated rows. Kids will want to dig into this easy garden concept as well so be sure to include them in the planting and harvesting of these fresh herbs and spices.

10. Freestanding Outdoor Cushioned Pallet Swing

Give your backyard another fun place to hang out with this freestanding pallet swing. A sturdy, thick cushion makes this one of the best places to kick back and read a good book during a summer afternoon. It’s a new spin on the classic hammock and offers a gentle swaying motion that blends in with a summer breeze. Kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy spending a few hours in the splendor of this backyard swing. Place a pair under a big shade tree for an enjoyable time for friends to catch up and relax.

11. Tile Top Pallet Outdoor Serving Bar

Entertaining makes its way to the great outdoors as the temperatures rise, so be prepared with plenty of designated spaces to make your next backyard party a success. One great wood pallet idea for gardens is to incorporate an outdoor serving bar so guests can enjoy your backyard garden while sipping a refreshing beverage. This slim vertical pallet transforms into a unique outdoor bar where anything from drinks to appetizers can be served on its tiled top. With its vertical design, it takes up minimal floor space giving you the extra gathering space for friends and family to enjoy.

12. Large Wooden Pallet Planter Box with Back

Add a little privacy and a lot of planting space to your backyard with this interesting and creative pallet planter box. The addition of the pallet back on top of this planter box gives your conversation spaces a little more privacy from nearby neighbors while also providing your lovely climbing plant friends a place to vine out. The box has plenty of space for showing off your collection of seasonal flowers. You’ll love the way this planter box adds a whole new dimension to your outdoor space by defining a specific nook for friends to gather and enjoy a relaxing night under the stars.

13. Rustic Pallet Outdoor Grill Table

If you’re using a smaller tabletop grill, this rustic pallet table should be on your must-have list for summer. Under the covered porch or on the patio, this outdoor grill table is just the right size for grilling and all the supplies it includes. A little below the top, you’ll discover an amazing storage solution for housing your tongs, spatulas, spices, rubs, and other essential grilling tools. Creating a special space for your family grill master is easy with this simple pallet table that makes mealtime more fun.

14. Distressed Wooden Outdoor Pallet Coffee Table

Getting together with friends and family during the summer months usually means spending special time together in the backyard. While entertaining in such a way, be sure to create some convenient and cozy conversation stations throughout your space. One way to do so is by defining areas and that’s easy to do with essential living room pieces like a coffee table. Since people tend to gather around tables, this outdoor pallet coffee table offers you the same atmosphere as an interior one snuggled within the perimeter of your couch and chairs. It gives guests a place to rest their drinks and a designated space to arrange their outdoor furniture too.

15. Repurposed Pallet Raised Garden Bed

One of the best DIY pallet garden ideas has to be this essential backyard gardening piece- the raised bed. It’s perhaps the most productive and resourceful way to use pallets in your garden. No more sore knees from tending your veggies as the raised bed allow you to work from a standing or seated position. Including more than one in your backyard allows for separate garden beds to make the most of your space. Try one with herbs, another for varieties of lettuce, and one for your favorite collection of tomatoes. You can’t go wrong with the natural goodness of fresh garden veggies and adding this repurposed pallet raised bed is the best way to go!

16. Outdoor Living Room Pallet Furniture

Create a dreamy and comfortable outdoor living room with easy pallet outdoor furniture. Crafted from leftover pallets, your outdoor living room can boast the same cozy feel of your indoor space complete with an oversized coffee table and couches. The addition of a glass top makes the table feel a bit more refined and polished while a large set of cushions makes the couches ever so inviting. Now you can designate a corner of your patio or porch space as your second living room where great talks with friends can linger long after the sun goes down.

17. Pretty Painted Pallet Outdoor Garden Center

Check out this small and quaint outdoor garden center that’s been created from a pallet. A distressed coating of paint gives it a vintage vibe as it transforms from the shipping department to the lawn and garden section. A hefty shelf underneath the tabletop further adds the extra storage space you need for plants, pots, soil, and seeds. On top, the counter space gives you the room you need to sow seeds and arrange plants into different pots as well. Its small girth allows it to be a perfect fit for any sized space, so if you’re tight on room in the backyard this is a cool way to add a garden center to your own backyard.

18. Rainbow Pallet Porch Planter

Birds of a feather flock together and so will all of your favorite potted annual flowers with this spectacular rainbow pallet porch planter. Each strip features another painted color of the rainbow from red to violet. Planting pots are secured to give you lots of vertical space for adding several flowers at a time. From pansies to geraniums and many petals in between, you’ll cherish the simplistic beauty of this cheap pallet flower planter concept. Prop it up against the backyard fence or rest it on a side of your porch so it can bring that splash of color that your outdoor decorating scene needs for summer.

19. Painted Black Outdoor Bar from Pallets

Another spin on outdoor pallet decor is a painted backyard bar. With room overhead to hang a strand of lights and a small counter space at hip level, this backyard bar is the place to serve up some cocktails or a little tailgating food buffet. Your guests will form a line and wrap themselves through your mouth-watering display as they enjoy a backyard barbecue like no other. Create a designated beverage bar on one end and house all of your serving ware on the other. Designate an amateur bartender to keep the party going and serve up some special gulps this summer.

20. Wonderful Window Box Pallet Planter

Add some instant curb appeal to your home with a window box. And while you’re at it, there’s no need to break the bank since an unwanted pallet and some paint is all you’ll need to create one. Measure your window and make your custom creation where you’ll enjoy a generously sized planting box that rests right below your front window. Use one or attach one to each and every window on the front of your home to make a more dramatic design. Neighbors and butterflies alike will delight in the beauty of your planted flowers as they spill over from these creative and low-cost pallet window box planters.