Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Getting on Schedule with Easy Daysies Magnetic Schedules (Giveaway!)

November 24, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 27 Comments

One of the things that has changed the most about how I parent since enrolling Darah in Montessori school has to do with letting go. I have realized that if you give children the chance, they will often surprise you with just how much they can do on their own. And they WANT the opportunity to try.

Darah has been telling me over the last few months that she wishes she had a list of things to do, “just like mommy.” Such a sweetie. I’ll tell you what, that little apple did not fall far from the tree. She seems to value order and following the rules, just like me.

When I learned about the Easy Daysies Magnetic Schedules and had the opportunity to review them, I knew they were going to be the right fit. These were very thoughtfully created by a teacher who also happens to be a mother (so that means that the design is awesome!).

The magentized board hangs on Darah’s door, and it has two sides for two different routines that we custom created. One is for bedtime, and other is for the morning, though you could create any particular schedule or routine you like with the set.

Darah has really taken a liking to it because it gives her a clear sense for how her time is going to go and what she might need to do next. She is at an age where she can dress herself, comb her hair and brush her teeth, and Easy Daysies helps her remember that she needs to do those things.

I have already seen the satisfaction Darah receives from moving her magnets from the “to do” side of the board to the “done” side. Oh girl, I can so relate! I’m the person who will go back and add things that I already did on the to do list just so I can cross them off. Yep!

Check out this great “how to” video that Easy Daysies put together to showcase all the great ways you can use the system to help your child feel more independent and more secure about what is taking place.

The Every Day Starter Kit is just $19.99 and can accommodate many different tasks. You can also check out the add-on packs for $14.99 each that offer additional types of activities to put on your schedule.

My favorite thing about this scheduling system is how flexible it is, depending on the age and abilities of your child. I also appreciate the images that go along with the words, since Darah is not yet a reader. She doesn’t have to ask us what she needs to do for her morning and evening routine. One look at her Easy Daysies chart and she’s on her way.

It is REALLY nice having Darah take control of those activities instead of us leading the way. I think she feels happier with the arrangement, and we feel a little less stressed during that time, because we know that she knows exactly what to do!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win an Easy Daysies Starter Kit AND one add-on kit of your choice!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page!
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How This Mama Got 3 Hands

November 24, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

One of my very favorite children’s songs is by Sarah Lee Guthrie and is called, “If Mama Had Four Hands.” Here’s a live recording if you want to check it out.

It’s all about the awesome stuff mom could accomplish if she only had four hands. Now of course, it is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, and a gentle reminder to children (and to mom!) that she actually only has TWO hands, and nobody should assume that she can do the work of a four-handed person.

But truth? It just makes me want to have more hands. Because my list of things that need to get done never really does. I can’t tell you the last time I made a list and accomplished everything on it before I went to bed in the evening. Pretty sure the answer would be “not since I brought children into this world!”

Four Hands? No. Three Hands? Yes!

So despite my best efforts, the whole “four hands” goal this song inspired has yet to be accomplished. But a few weeks ago, Jabra sent me a fun little device called the Jabra Style. Admittedly, I was slightly unsure at first about whether or not I would use this headset, because let’s be real, I’m not in the line of work where I’m fielding phone calls all day while simultaneously driving all over town to various meetings. That’s the type of person who needs one of these in my mind.

But fellow mamas, let me tell you, I have seen the light! My Jabra Style does, in fact, give me three hands! Now, it can only take on the task of phone conversations or streaming podcasts or music to my ears, but that is actually incredibly helpful. There have been moments when I have wanted to call a friend or family member, but I knew that if I didn’t have both of my hands free that I couldn’t accomplish something that REALLY needed to be done (hello clean laundry pile that has been sitting on the bed for 2 3 4 days!). And a speaker phone wouldn’t be a good option if I needed to go back and forth between rooms. So I have always had to choose the task or the phone call (any guesses which one I always pick?!).

The Jabra STYLE is my own little personal assistant as a work-at-home mom and as a work-on-the-road mom. I don’t personally think I’ll be needing to take it with me on the road (although, if you don’t have a hands-free device in your car, then this is going to rock your world and be SO much safer in the car than holding your cell phone while driving!). But just because I don’t use the headset the way I see folks using them on tv doesn’t mean that it isn’t REALLY useful to me. I gave it a try and I absolutely love it. In my opinion, this is a fantastic gift option for any mom or dad out there who finds themselves wishing they had four hands. It’ll get them one hand closer and it is priced right for the holiday season at just $49.99!

Cottonelle: How We (Triple) Roll During The Holidays and Potty Training

November 23, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 6 Comments

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CottonelleHoliday http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Oh lovely internet buds of mine, riddle me this: where do you spend most of your time hanging out in your house? Do you have the type of kitchen that invites folks to stay and hang out for a bit? Perhaps your living room has a really comfy couch that acts like a magnet and just brings folks over to it. Maybe your bedroom is such an oasis of calm that you sneak in as much time as possible there for rest and rejuvenation.

If any of those hang out spots are the norm for you, then congratulations. IT MUST BE NICE. As for me and my family, these days we are hanging out in the bathroom.

Potty Training = New Temporary Residence

Layah has increased her interest in potty training, and now totally loves to spend time in the bathroom, on one of her various potty chairs or seats. She’ll ask to go sit on the potty at least 6 times throughout the day, and you can count on each bathroom session lasting 15 minutes, at minimum.

So yeah, that’s an hour and a half each and every day in the bathroom, and that doesn’t account for the 5 other times throughout the day that she’ll ask to go potty and then I realize after about 4 minutes in there that she only wants to read books and now believes that the potty is the place to do that.

Her father taught her well…

So since we spend so much time in the bathroom, we have decorated our space a bit to give the room a less utilitarian, and more homey feel. Owen, our Elf on the Shelf, was delighted with our selection of the Cottonelle Triple Roll and used it to help us bring the holidays right into the bathroom. So here’s how we (triple) roll these days:

There’s so much going on in the bathroom now! We’ve got streamers to play with, a Christmas tree with extra special garland, snowballs at the ready, and a blanket for chilly days. And just look at that roll. It doesn’t look used at all, and yet, all of the toilet paper used for decorating fun came from it!

Cottonelle Triple Roll is the perfect choice for making snowballs, too. Our oldest set herself out to make just as many snowballs as Owen did. She stayed occupied for 15 minutes and barely put a dent in that roll. And now we have lots of fun entertainment! Also, mommy and daddy will be using “snowballs” for toilet paper for the next week and a half. We’re thrifty like that…

Our bathroom Christmas tree is also helping me make peace with having to log so many hours in the bathroom. You see, during the holidays one of my very favorite activities is to sit in the living room and admire the tree and ornaments. I’ll be jazzing this one up with more ornaments in the next few weeks. But the garland definitely stays (I think this is a fun idea for anyone else out there who might be sticking a tree in their bathroom this holiday season!).

We even conduct some of our day-to-day business in the bathroom now, such as eating ALL OF THE COOKIES or practicing Jedi mind tricks.

And for those moments when Layah wants to conduct what I call a “marathon” potty session, I’ve now got a blanket on hand, and one seriously comfy pillow.

How to Stay Out of the Bathroom

So for those of you who don’t like to just hang out in the bathroom all day, as fun as our space might be, don’t let it fool you! I DON’T recommend taking up residence there! And Cottonelle Triple Roll can help you stay out of there more, especially during the holidays when you might be hosting guests or throwing fun parties. No need to keep checking on the toilet paper roll and switching it out (because I know the truth, you are the ONLY one in your house who will change it, aren’t you?). The Cottonelle Triple Roll is ready for action, giving you the space to take care of your own business while your guests are taking care of theirs. Hee hee!

Cottonelle may be our ticket to a more comfortable bathroom to dwell in, but it can also be your ticket out of the bathroom! Be sure to pick up a package that will get you through the holidays. And if you are currently potty training, then seriously, this stuff is like gold. I’m not worried about the “liberal” usage of toilet paper by both of my girls, and I’ll even take part in the “snowball” fights. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right?

Want to Stay Out of the Bathroom?

Edit: If you are working hard on potty training right now and need some help figuring out how to wrap it all up and be done so you don’t have to spend as much time in the bathroom as we did, I highly recommend Potty Train in a Weekend by fellow blogger Becky Mansfield. It’s a great affordable resource that you can download as soon as you purchase it. It gets rave reviews from parents everywhere who aren’t sure how to keep potty training from going on and on forever!

Ju-Ju-Be HoboBe Bag: Transitional Diaper Bag of My Dreams (Giveaway!)

November 22, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 70 Comments

You know how almost every bride convinces herself that the bridesmaid dresses she picked out can have a life of their own, apart from the wedding, and that her bridesmaids will get plenty of use out of them? And how many of those brides are right? I’d say at best, 10%. And I may be being generous there.

Well, I think the same principle applies to the concept of using a diaper bag as purse. There are tons of cute colors and patterns and interesting shapes of diaper bags these days, many of which seem to come with the promise that it can be your purse AND your baby junk holder. And yes, technically, it CAN hold your wallet and keys, but who are you fooling? It’s totally a diaper bag.

But for the last week I have been wearing my diaper bag/purse sent to me from Ju-Ju-Be everywhere, and I’d most definitely argue that it is part of that very small minority of bags that honestly can be both. Check out the HoboBe bag!

This bag has all the bells and whistles that I need in a diaper bag AND in a purse. And the size is absolutely perfect! Is it perfect if you have newborn twins? Um, no. And it isn’t necessarily perfect for every outing, just depending on the needs of your child. But for me, having an 18 month old means that I don’t have to carry 3 changes of clothes and 6 diapers everywhere we go (shout out to the young infant moms….warrior on with all that stuff….you actually might need it!).

Yes, friends, there does come a point where you get to slim down the volume of stuff that must leave with you any time you step out of the house! The Ju-Ju-Be HoboBe, shown above in one of their fabulous new fall patterns (Scarlet Petals), gives me the ability to pack for Layah and her needs (yes, there’s space for a bottle or sippy cup!) and also take care of my own.

I have happily taken this bag with me places when I haven’t had the toddler in tow. And isn’t that really the ultimate test for a diaper bag that claims to be your purse? Will you take it somewhere without your kid (and I don’t mean that you take it simply because you didn’t have time to change purses. I mean that you WANTED to use it as your purse)?

Check out some of the inside features. Lots of pockets, and great material that wipes up really easily! The mesh pockets are a personal favorite because I can see what’s inside (and that’s where I keep the items I ALWAYS lose in other purses: my phone and my keys).

Basically, this is the diaper bag that I wish I had owned 4 years ago. I think it would have successfully made it through 2 kids! But since my diaper bag days aren’t quite over yet, I’ll squeeze as much use out of it as I can.

And even when I’m all done carrying diapers and wipes, I can promise you this: having a purse that can easily be cleaned will be an awesome feature for several more years. I have no illusions about getting to stop carrying around applesauce and crackers in my purse anytime soon.

Could you use a purse/diaper bag combo? And would you LOVE to have one as fabulous as the Ju Ju Be Hobobe?

Well then, let’s do this!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the Ju-Ju-Be Hobobe bag in their choice of pattern (pending availability)! ARV $100!

And don’t forget to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page!

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How to Keep Food Hot in a Lunchbox

November 21, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Special thanks to Lava Lunch for partnering with Stuff Parents Need to teach us all how to keep food hot in a lunchbox! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I pack a lunch for my 18-month-old to take to her Parents’ Day Out program twice a week, I’m always at a loss for how to keep food hot in her lunchbox. While her room at school has a refrigerator for milk and other things that need to stay cold, there is no microwave, and so if the food gets cold, it has to stay that way.

This is a problem for my little carnivore. One of her favorite things to eat at lunch is a cut up hot dog or chicken sausage. Other food favorites of hers include chicken quesadillas, broccoli with Parmesan cheese, and pasta noodles. Now, how many of the items I just listed above would you enjoy eating cold? Probably none of them. And some of them aren’t safe to eat at room temperature. Layah eats it cold because she doesn’t really have any other choice, but I feel really bad about it, because I know that a hot lunch (or at least a warm one) would taste so much better!

Lava Lunch to the Rescue!

Mother of two Melissa Zimberg asked herself what she could do to try to give her kids a hot lunch when they were away from home, and she developed a very clever solution that I’m so excited to be sharing with you today! Her first son had some food intolerances, and she discovered how tricky it could be to accommodate his healthy diet while away from home. Packing things up in more traditional food storage containers could work for a short period of time, but bacteria will start to grow on food that is cooked after a few hours. Keeping food hot keeps that from happening, so it does serve a purpose even beyond the taste factor.

Well, Not only did she find a way to keep food hot in a lunchbox, but she also found a way to make it stylish, sustainable, kid and earth friendly. Moms are so awesome, you guys.

If you send your child anywhere with a packed lunch, then you definitely need to check out Lava Lunch. Lava Lunch will keep your food warm up to 6 hours, and it totally changes the landscape of what you can pack for your child to eat at school, on a car trip, or pretty much wherever!

How Lava Lunch Works

There are two heat maintaining elements in the Lava Lunchbox. The first is the “souped-up” insulation of the bag, itself, which is great, but not enough to keep food hot enough for 6 hours. That’s where the Lava Rocks come in. These are rocks that will absorb heat energy from the microwave. Once the inside of the lunch bag falls below a certain temperature, the Lava Rocks start to slowly release their heat in order to bring the interior of the bag back up to the temperature needed to keep everything hot.

Can I just pause for a second and state what we all are thinking? That is SO COOL!!!!!

But wait! There’s more! All this crazy technology that has come together to make this awesome product has also left room for the environment. It is made of organic, plant-based material. Additionally, it has a super smart design in that it cannot leak, even if the bag is punctured! I don’t even know how that’s possible, but there you go! It is meant to be used and reused thousands of time, which is a refreshing change from so many products on the market these days that seemed designed to break fairly quickly. I believe the term is “planned obsolescence,” and it is terrible for the environment and for consumers, but great for the companies, who get repeat business from folks replacing what has broken. This is not the business model for Lava Lunch, which is so nice!

What About Cold Stuff?

Ok, so what if you want a cold drink with your hot lunch? No problem! Lava Lunch has a side pocket for just that purpose. And if you’d like to have something that needs to be cold or even room temperature, just remove the lava rocks. Remember, the bag itself is insulated, so if what you put in is cold, then it is going to stay colder than it will in a non-insulated bag or box. It also has exterior pockets for utensils or snacks, as well as two interior pockets.

HUGE Savings

So get this: if you, your child or your significant other is away from home during lunch, and you typically purchase food, making the switch to bringing your lunch (without having to eat cold food every day) could save you LOTS of cash. A family of four could save us to $100,000 over 30 years. That’s enough to pay for college at a private school, or to pay for more than one college education if you go public and/or get scholarships! All from making a simple switch to bringing your own lunch.

Sharing With Others

Please take a moment to check out the 5-5-5 program through Lava Lunch as well. It seems to be this fantastically smart program designed to get folks sharing yummy recipes that are perfect for Lava Lunch, and in the process of doing so, providing funding for charities all over the world working on childhood hunger issues. When you shop with Lava Lunch, you can see how much heart goes not only into the concept and design of the product, but also into having a positive impact in the world. Love it!

Lunches Packed with Love and Lava

So at the end of the day, I just can’t get over how cool it is to tote around lava rocks to keep your food warm. Kind of sounds like something a super hero would use! 🙂 I’m also exited about the world of possibilities that get opened up for lunch options. Sometimes I feel like I feed my child the same 3 things for lunch because I just don’t know what else to send that can safely stay at room temperature or that tastes good when it is cold. If you feel the same way, definitely consider picking up a Lava Lunch. They are available for $29.99 and it will be the last lunchbox you’ll ever need!

Too keep up with the latest happenings, and with special promotions, be sure to follow Lava Lunch on Twitter and Facebook. And for some seriously yummy hot lunch ideas, check out their Pinterest board!

Green Mountain Coffee Espresso Iced Latte: 5 Minutes of Vacation Every Morning

November 21, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I can’t believe it has already been 3 full weeks since my amazing vacation with the husband. We had 7 incredible days of rest, relaxation and play.

It was bliss.

And now that we are fully re-immersed in our happy but messy lives back at home, those quiet mornings feel almost like a dream. Did they actually happen?

But I’ve found a way to connect myself back to those feelings during my work mornings back at home. I may be in front of a computer screen plugging away, but by my side, I’ve got Green Mountain Coffee® Espresso Iced Latte in Vanilla. And oh man, it takes me back to this:

Sunrise in the Caribbean. Candlelight calm. Fearless fun and laughter. I just close my eyes, take a sip, and I’m back (even if for only for a minute or two!).

Have you spotted this product on the store shelves yet? They are launching nationwide, so keep your eye out. And may I also suggest that you print this Green Mountain Coffee® coupon to have with you in your purse or wallet? That way, when you find it, you can purchase it for a discount. Sweet!

As you know, I drink iced coffee beverages all year long, and I am just tickled to see new products like this one popping up in the refrigerated section. I’m doing my part to keep them in business (trust me!) and I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who likes her coffee cold! The Green Mountain Coffee® lattes definitely have a fancy taste. Extremely smooth, yet full-bodied in flavor. If you like iced lattes I’d venture to say that you are going to love this. I can’t get over how fresh it tastes!

And as for recapturing those moments of bliss, I’d love to hear about how you find a little serenity during your day. Is it during your cup of joe or tea in the morning? Afternoon nap time? Late at night when everyone else is sleeping? How do you bring yourself back to the calm in the midst of the chaos?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Whitewave Foods, makers of Green Mountain Coffee®. The opinions and text are all mine.

What’s Your Favorite Holiday Scent? #SuaveScents

November 20, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

Special thanks to Suave and Resourceful Mommy Media for making this post on Suave Naturals possible. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

If I were to ask you about your very favorite scents, what would you list? The holidays are a time of year that seem to have certain scents associated with them (pumpkin, cinnamon. etc.), and I certainly have a distinct favorite among the list of “holiday smells.”

Peppermint

photo credit: bunchofpants via photopin cc

Any time I smell peppermint, I seem to have a series of feelings in rapid succession. Initially I do think of the holidays. I think of the brisk weather, with a chill in the air, yet not terribly cold (I live in the South, so December isn’t too dicey). I think of holiday parties and laughing. I think of an iced Peppermint Mocha. And I think of the Christmas tree. Taking time to simply sit and admire the tree is one of my very favorite things to do at Christmas.

Peppermint also give me an awake, energized feeling. On cold days especially, I need that burst of scent in my morning shower to help me wake up and be at peace with being out from under my warm covers. That’s why in the months of November and December, I pretty much exclusively use a peppermint body scrub during morning showers.

The Power of Scent

Scent is a very powerful thing, as it is often attached to memories and feelings. Suave Naturals, which are available at Walmart, make a great addition to your bathroom caddy, or a nice touch in your guest bathroom as you prepare for company. Their line of lotions and body washes include scents that will energize, relax, soothe and refresh those who use them. If I were a guest at someone’s house this year, I’d love to find the Ocean Breeze products in my bathroom. While they aren’t a specific holiday smell, they would give me a few moments of blissful memories from early November, when Tim and I had our first kid-free vacation and went on a cruise. Traveling during the holidays may be fun, but if you have kids with you, it is definitely NOT relaxing. So to get those few minutes in the shower to unwind and remember that vacation feeling would be nice! You can find the complete line of products, very affordably priced I might add, at http://bit.ly/SuaveMB.

Your Turn

I’d love to hear what your favorite scents of the season are. And do you enjoy using scented body washes and lotions. Any favorite scents to help you get the day started, or to put the day to bed? And please tell me, do you do anything special in the bathroom to prepare for out-of-town guests and to make them feel a little bit pampered?

Best Buy: Why I Already Shopped There This Holiday Season

November 20, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All thoughts and opinions belong to Tiffany, as always!

So last week my Toshiba laptop, which I purchased at Best Buy 3 years ago for the AMAZING price of $350, quit working. More specifically, the screen decided it didn’t want to turn on.

EVER AGAIN.

That laptop has been my partner in crime ever since I got it. We spent A LOT of time together, mostly working on Stuff Parents Need, but also watching our share of The Office and lately, New Girl and The Mindy Project. I was sad that it broke, and I was bummed knowing that I was about to have to drop some cash unexpectedly, but I wasn’t mad at the laptop. It put in its time, and it served me really well, especially for what I spent on it.

best buy joy with new tech toys

And I knew exactly where to go to get the immediate replacement. You see, in my line of work, without a computer, I have no way to get my assignments done. I couldn’t afford to wait for a new computer to arrive in the mail. I had to have a new one right away. And Best Buy is where we went. Why? Because I knew that the prices would be super competitive, but more importantly, that we would get great customer service on the spot. Between the Geek Squad and the folks in the blue shirts, all our questions would be answered and we could buy with confidence!

Best Buy: A Great Holiday Shopping Destination

Perhaps the best thing about the death of my laptop was its timing. The holidays are a fantastic time to get great deals on electronics! For example, right now there’s an exclusive offer (just for certain blog readers, like you!) for 15% off health & fitness, Mattel and Fisher Price tech toys (valid 12/1 – 1/15). Just use code bloggers15off at checkout. The code bloggers10off will get you a 10% discount on a wide selection of speakers and headphones! See? Aren’t you glad you read this post! Great is your reward! Here are some gift ideas that you can use the coupon above to save big on:

o Digital Barbie Makeover Kit

o Fisher Price Little People Apptivity Barnyard

o Misfit Shine

o Fitbit

o Jawbone Up

o Logitech Headphones & Speakers

You can find more gift ideas at the Best Buy Gift Center!

Additionally, there are over 100 products on the shelves at Best Buy that are completely exclusive to the store for the holiday season; you can only get them there!

And if you are looking for a laptop, like we were, you will find them to be a market leader in the selection of laptops, as well as of tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles and titles, wearable technology, health and fitness gear, mobile accessories and much more.

Low Price Guarantee

best buy low price guarantee

I really appreciate the Low Price Guarantee at Best Buy. You don’t have to freak out about what other sales might be happening at other stores. You can rest assured that you are getting the most competitive price possible at Best Buy!

I’d love to hear what tech items are on your shopping list? I’ve asked Santa for a remote control for my camera so that I can snap photos while I’m actually in front of the lens! Taking fashion/style shots is REALLY hard to do while the hubs is at work! 😉

5 Small Space Garden Ideas

November 19, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 4 Comments

Thanks to Keter.com for partnering with Stuff Parents Need to provide this great post on making the most out of a small garden space.

If you are fortunate enough to have a home with a garden, you realize what an integral part the garden plays in your life. When properly maintained, it is a source of pride, enjoyment, and relaxation. It can be a haven from the hustle and bustle that is apparent just outside your front door or even just inside your back door. But what happens when you have a garden but it is small? How can you best benefit from having a small garden?

Following are five ways of maximizing your garden when it is perhaps not as large as you would like:

Go Vertical

photo credit: mlinksva via photopin cc

If you don’t have the space for a large garden, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have the height for one. There are numerous ways for you to have green before your eyes wherever you look. Vertical trellis placed against a wall is perfect as a frame for climbers. Also the colors and design of trellis available today mean that even when the climbers are in their infancy, the trellis adds a decorative element.

Box frame fence planting is another way of using your vertical spaces to best advantage to add color to your garden. However, the ultimate in vertical gardening has to be the green wall whereby your wall is converted into a garden of its own with rows and rows of plants and a dedicated watering system.

Go Spiral

An effective and efficient way of maximizing garden space is with a spiral garden as the shape is space efficient and it also adds a vertical element further optimizing space.

Herb/Vegetable Garden

photo credit: Jill Clardy via photopin cc

Just because you don’t have a large yard doesn’t mean that you can’t get great things out of it. A herb garden gives you ample reason to spend time in your garden as well as a sense of satisfaction that you are creating something. A herb garden provides color, aroma, and healthy flavors for your cooking. Similarly, a vegetable garden need not be big to provide to provide your family with much of its vegetable requirements.

Stackable Planters

Stackable planters are a great way to maximize your space. Planting ivy or flowers conducive to a planter environment adds color to your garden.

Storage Solutions

Plastic deck boxes and storage sheds provide a great storage solution as well as, depending on their size, doubling up as outdoor furniture. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and are weatherproof and practical.

Small-Space Gardening Solutions

Explore innovative ways to maximize your small garden space with these five creative ideas. Consider integrating Cornish Cross chickens into your garden to make the most of limited outdoor areas. With their compact size and efficient foraging abilities, Cornish Cross chickens provide natural pest control and fertilizer production, enhancing the productivity and sustainability of your small-space garden.

Do you have any garden/yard stuff on your holiday wish list? Tell me all about it!