What are Green Smoothies?

Leafy greens are some of the best vegetables you can eat. They are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, phyto-nutrients and all sorts of other good stuff. Getting more of those vegetables in your diet should always be a big nutritional goal. They make great salads, you can add them to soups and stir-fry, or steam them and have them as a side dish with dinner.

Those are all great options, but even so you don’t end up with a whole lot of greens in your diet. The fact is that vegetables are best consumed raw and it’s hard to consume several cups of greens a day without starting to feel like a rabbit.

Thankfully there’s an easy way to consume several cups of greens in one meal … and it’s tasty too. I’m talking about green smoothies. If you haven’t tried them, you’re in for a treat. If you have tried one or two and didn’t like them, you just haven’t come across the right green smoothie for you yet.

There are recipes out there for any taste buds from sweet and refreshing, to savoury and spicy, and even some thick, rich smoothies that almost make you think you’re having a milk shake.

At its most basic a green smoothie is a mixture of green leafy vegetables, other fruits or veggies and water. Everything is thrown in a blender and blended until smooth. The end result is a thick smoothie.

Drink a green smoothie first thing in the morning to get a healthy breakfast on the go and start your day with a few servings of vegetable and fruit. Or blend up a smoothie for lunch instead of your usual salad. Of course green smoothies make great snacks as well.

If you’re on the go a lot, invest in a smoothie bottle. You can blend, pour and take your smoothie with you. You can even make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a day before drinking. Once you get in the habit of making green smoothies there are really no excuses for not eating healthy.

The Benefits of Drinking Green Smoothies

Green smoothies are delicious and something you should try simply because they taste good and help you get more veggies in your diet. But the good news doesn’t stop there. Getting in the habit of blending and drinking one of these smoothies a day has quite a few beneficial side effects.

Green Smoothies Help You Get More Veggies In Your Diet

Let’s start with the obvious. Green smoothies are a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet. And not just yours. Get your whole family to enjoy these yummy drinks.

It may take a little sweet talking to get the kids to try them, but if you load their first few smoothies up with lots of fruit (like bananas and apples or using apple juice to replace some of the water), they’ll quickly come to love them as much as you do.

Of course, coming up with a cool name like mean green monster drink, or ogre juice doesn’t hurt either.

Green Smoothies Give You a Vitamin and Mineral Boost

Along with all the veggie goodness, you get a nice big boost in vitamins and minerals with each smoothie. And that’s a big deal. Plant and real food based nutrients are much easier to absorb and better for you than that multi-vitamin you swallow each day.

Green Smoothies Have Lots of Antioxidants, Phytonutrients and Chlorophyll

In addition to those nutrients, green smoothies are also full of antioxidants, phytonutrients and chlorophyll. Scientists aren’t completely sure what all those phytonutrients do, but the consensus is that they’re good for us and something we need.

Antioxidants of course help bind and remove free radicals coursing through your system. The end result is better health and possibly a reduced risk of cancer.

Chlorophyll isn’t something that’s talked about very often, but science suggests that it can give your immune system a boost. There are even claims that it helps purify your blood.

In any case all those extra nutrients result in better health, mental clarity and focus, and you may just start to look better too.

Green Smoothies are Full of Fiber – Better than Juicing

We know we need to get more fiber in our diet. The typical western diet is sorely lacking in this “ingredient”. Fiber is important for proper digestion and since it’s slow to impossible to digest, it helps keep you full longer.

Getting more fiber in your diet can be a challenge, unless you get in the habit of eating a lot of veggies and some high fiber fruit like berries. Both work perfect in green smoothies. Try adding frozen berries to your smoothies to thicken them and keep them ice cold.

Whenever you bring up green smoothies, there’s usually some talk about juicing as well. The big benefit of blending this smoothies that include the entire fruit or vegetable (or in the case of leafy greens, then entire leaf or even plant), instead of just the juice. This means you’re getting all the good fiber along with all the other nutrients.

Green Smoothies are Great for Weight Loss

Last but not least let’s talk about weight loss. Green smoothies are fairly low in calories and if you’re working towards cutting down on the fruit you add, pretty low in sugar as well. Instead they are full of fiber and various nutrients your body needs.

Enjoying a smoothie a day (or even two), can help cut down cravings and fill you up with low calorie food that’s good for you. The end result is almost effortless weight loss. Give it a try and see if green smoothies aren’t the thing that helps you lose those stubborn extra five pounds.

With all these great benefits to be gained when you start drinking a daily green smoothie, I’m sure you’re anxious to get started.

Getting Started with Green Smoothies

Making green smoothies is surprisingly quick and easy. All you need is a blender, greens, fruits and veggies, and some water. You can make your smoothies sweet or savoury. Try a few different combinations until you find the smoothie that’s right for you.

Pay attention to texture too. Some people prefer a rich, creamy smoothie that’s more the consistency of a milk shake. If that’s you, add some banana, avocado, or crushed ice to your smoothies to thicken them up. And go light on the water or any other liquid you’re adding.

If you prefer your smoothies thinner, more like the consistency of orange juice, stick to greens, a little fruit and water-rich produce like cucumbers or melons for example. Add plenty of water or juice as you blend your smoothie.

Here are a few simple smoothies to get you started. Feel free to mix and match ingredients and come up with your own variations.

Banana and Greens

Blend one banana and one head of romaine lettuce with enough water to get the consistency you like in your smoothie. Pour and enjoy!

Spinach and Berries

Blend 2 cups of spinach, ½ cup of frozen berries, 1 cup of orange juice and enough water to get the consistency you like.

Gazpacho “Green Smoothie”

Blend 2 cups of mixed greens, 1 tomato, ½ a small cucumber, ¼ of a green pepper and a small chunk of onion with water or chicken broth. Season with pepper or hot sauce and enjoy!

Kale & Pineapple Smoothie

Toss 1 cup chopped baby kale, 1 cup fresh pineapple, and 1 cup diced cucumber in the blender and blend with enough water to get the consistency you like.

Kid-friendly Green Smoothie

Blend 1 frozen banana (cut into chunks), 2 cups of baby spinach, apple juice and water until smooth. Play around with the juice to water ratio. More juice results in a sweeter smoothie. Start them off with more juice than water if they need the sweetness, then slowly start to cut back.

As you start to play around with these green smoothies, you can get adventurous and add other ingredients. Ginger is nice. It gives your smoothies a little kick and it’s good for you. Soaked chia seeds are another great healthy add-on.

Or, try a little ground flaxseed meal. As you get more into green smoothies, learn more about the different super foods and add-ons that can improve your green smoothies.

Growing Your Own Greens and Micro Greens for Smoothies

Green smoothies are amazing and I’m sure you can tell by now that I’m a big fan. The only problem is that you need a steady supply of fresh greens to make them. That means frequent trips to the grocery store – which can get quite pricey. This is particularly true if you’re sticking to mostly organic, local product.

Thankfully there’s an easy solution for this. Grow your own greens and micro greens for these smoothies at home. It’s a lot easier than you think.

Here’s a quick and easy way to get started and get your green thumbs wet. Go buy some organic heads or romaine lettuce at the store for your next batch of smoothies. Cut off the stalk end and set them in a small glass container. Add enough water so the light, stalky part is well covered. Sit then in a sunny window and watch fresh new romaine lettuce grow.

You can stop there and harvest the new growth after a week or so for your smoothie, or if you’re seeing roots develop, plant the stalks in some potting soil and grow entirely new heads of lettuce.

That was quick and easy, right? How about something almost as simple – growing your own micro greens. Micro greens are tiny little leafy green seedlings that are just a little bit more grown up than sprouts. Grab some lettuce or radish seeds and a hallow container for planting. Fill it with potting soil and sprinkle your seeds over it. Gently cover with a little more soil and water until the soil is well moistened.

Keep your planter in a warm spot and before long you’ll see little sprouts appear. Next the plants get their first two leaves. After that, real leaves start to appear and once you see 4 or 5 of those, you can start harvesting your micro greens. Add more seeds and repeat the cycle.

Of course you don’t have to stop there. You can grow lose leaf lettuce in a bowl or pot on your window sill in the same manner. Or grow your seedlings indoors and then transplant them into a container or garden bed outside. Or weather permitting grow your lettuce outside from seed to harvest.

And don’t stop with the lettuce. Grow some radishes, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, peppers and even berries at home. It’s a lot of fun and a great hobby to get into. And I promise your smoothies will taste even better when you start to grow your own produce.

For some people gardening is a part-time hobby, for others it’s a borderline obsession. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with either. Regardless of the category you fall into, there’s no reason not to make your garden as fun and functional as possible. A word of warning… once you get hooked, there’s no turning back!

There are literally thousands of ways to incorporate fun and functionality into a garden space. Even better, there are no “set in stone” rules and the outcome is totally up to you. This report features a wide variety of suggestions to inspire you. And, quite honestly, it’s just the beginning. Let’s get started.

Arbors

Believe it or not, the concept of the arbor dates back to medieval times. Early arbors were used as a means to provide a shady passageway in hot weather. While they still accomplish the task, today’s arbors are also used for decorative purposes and to anchor gates, walkways and an occasional bench or two.

There are literally hundreds of types of arbors to choose from. You are free to construct your own, either from scratch or from materials in a kit. They are also available in a number of ready-made styles.

If your garden happens to be narrow, using an arbor as an entryway is ideal. It provides an element of privacy and also the extra space to grow additional flowers, depending on what the arbor is made from.

For example, using a grapevine arbor allows climbing roses to grow beautifully in every direction. In this case, if you prefer, you can easily hide the base of the arbor with small decorative shrubs or your choice of groundcover.

Some arbors are quite simple in style, while others are very ornate. Using a combination of wood and stone is a popular choice for gardeners who are interested in architecture. Using different colors and sizes of stone makes the overall design that much more interesting.

Pairing one or more arbors with a staggered trellis fence results in a classical cottage feel. Depending on the size of your garden space, you may even want to enclose the whole area. Add a matching gate (or gates) and you have your own private backyard haven to enjoy for years to come.

It’s extremely important to plan out the majority of your garden before you decide on the type of arbor you want to use. If you’re adding an arbor to an existing garden, you need to match it up with the plants that are already there.

If you want to incorporate hanging pots or baskets, which are typically quite heavy, you need to choose an arbor strong enough to accommodate the extra weight. On the other hand, if you’ll be using the arbor to support the growth of vines, vinyl constructions should be adequate.

Many creative gardeners opt to use salvaged materials to construct unique arbors. Some of these materials include old doors and rustic wire fencing. Remember, when it comes to constructing a one-of-a-kind arbor, you’re only limited by your imagination.

Bird Baths

Including at least one bird bath in your garden helps to ensure frequent visits from your feathered friends. You may even get lucky enough to see one or two species who don’t have an interest in taking advantage of your bird feeders.

Incorporating more than one bird bath into your space is a great idea if you live in an area with lots of different kinds of birds. Some species aren’t especially social and prefer to keep to themselves.

It goes without saying that you should choose a level spot in a safe area – especially if you’re using a bird bath constructed out of lighter materials. Birds won’t use a bath that they can’t see. The perfect location is one that’s visible to birds and to birdwatchers alike. Keep in mind, however, that if the bathing facility is totally exposed, some birds might not use it. They have a tendency to get nervous when they drink or bathe.

It’s up to you whether you want to put the bird bath in the sun or in the shade. If you live in a cooler climate, you might want to place it in the sunniest spot available. This helps to keep the water warmer. On the other hand, if you live someplace hot, placing the bird bath in the shade helps to keep the water cooler and slow down the growth of bacteria.

It’s not recommended that you position a bird bath under a fruit tree or any other tree that sheds blooms or nuts. In addition, it should be far enough away from bird feeders to avoid stray seeds from finding their way into the water.

While it’s certainly ok to put a bird bath in the middle of a flower bed, take into consideration the delicacy of the surrounding plants before doing so. Bird feces changes the acidity level of soil. Delicate plants may not live through the change.

Change the water frequently. Birds won’t play or bathe in dirty water. The closer you put your bird bath to a water source, the easier it will be to maintain, and the more the birds will appreciate your efforts.

Bird Feeders

With such a large variety of bird feeders to choose from, it’s extremely easy to add whimsy to any garden and do your part in feeding birds at the same time. The more you know about bird feeder etiquette, the better the chance you’ll have of enjoying the widest variety of fowl possible.

Bird watching is a very enjoyable pastime. There’s nothing like observing these interesting little creatures after a hectic day. So, why not include several bird feeders in your garden space?

The absolute best place to position a bird feeder is in a spot that simulates a bird’s natural feeding habitat. For example, if you’re trying to attract woodpeckers, place suet feeders near tree trunks. For best results, don’t place feeders in a noisy area. Birds prefer a quiet place to dine.

In regard to visibility, birds won’t visit your feeder unless they can see it. Think back to the previous information about bird bath placement. The same holds true in this case. Also, if you use any type of chemicals in your garden area, it’s not a place to put a feeder. Birds eat seeds that fall to the ground. You don’t want to serve them contaminated feed.

Remember to strategically place your bird feeders so that filling them is easy. You certainly don’t want to have to pull out a stepladder every time they need a refill. Obviously, keeping your feeders full will result in attracting more birds.

If you live in an area that frequently experiences windy or rainy weather, it’s a good idea to situate your feeders in a sheltered area. This protects both the feeder itself and your feathered friends from inclement weather.

Squirrels are another issue to consider. Squirrels love to raid bird feeders. It’s a fact of nature. Not only do they consume large quantities of seed and other bird-related treats, they are also known to wreak havoc on whatever vessel they are eating out of.

Many people plant colorful flowers around their bird feeders. This attracts birds to the area, as does the inclusion of bird baths and perches.

Don’t forget to include two or three hummingbird feeders in your garden, if hummingbirds are native to your location. These tiny birds are so interesting to watch. Once you initially attract them to your feeders, chances are they’ll keep coming back for more. Sometimes, they even bring their friends along.

Fun Flowers and Veggies

Children love to garden. Letting them get involved is fun for everybody – not to mention educational. There are many flowers and vegetables which are perfect for little gardeners. Miniature garden tools are also available, which make it easier to get things done.

Believe it or not, there are many plants that teach children about the five senses. For instance, sunflowers come in a variety of colors and sizes, and are a great way to introduce the difference between orange, yellow, red and white.

Mint and dill are both very fragrant and simple to grow. Kids will be surprised to learn that mint is available in many unique fragrances such as chocolate, pineapple and lemon. Dill smells like pickles and has feathery foliage, which is fun to touch.

What child isn’t intrigued by a pumpkin? Allowing them to grow their own will make their Halloween jack-o’-lantern all the more special. Purchase seed varieties that produce white pumpkins or miniature pumpkins for a bigger surprise at harvest time. Gourds are an interesting alternative, because there are so many different shapes and sizes to choose from.

Some gardeners aren’t aware that cotton can be grown successfully in many backyard gardens. In fact, the task is relatively simple. This is a great way to teach children about the history of cotton and all the different ways that it’s used today.
Bunny tails is another fluffy choice that kids will find interesting. It’s actually ornamental grass that produces “powder puff-like” flowers.

A money plant is another fun option for young people to experiment with in the garden. It produces sweet-smelling white or purple flowers. But, children are typically more interested in the “silver dollar” seed pods that this plant also produces.

Miscellaneous Ideas

There are many things you can do to add whimsy to your garden that don’t actually fit into a category. Put a bunch of these things together, and you’ll no doubt have the “whimsiest” garden in town!

Don’t overlook impracticality. For instance, has it ever occurred to you to use salvaged windows in your garden? They make beautiful accent pieces. Hang them on a fence or trellis, making sure they are securely attached. You can even attach shelves to the bottom, creating a great place to display small potted plants.

If you love art as much as you love gardening, why not combine the two? Capitalize on the adage, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Collect garden-related objects such as old, rusty brass garden nozzles and spigot handles. Arrange them into an interesting design and then attach them to a large piece of barn wood. The end result is a one-of-a-kind work of art you’ll be proud of, and which your family and friends will wholeheartedly admire.

Is there a wooden fence surrounding your garden? If so, consider adding a bit of whimsy using battle-scarred gardening gloves. It really is quite adorable. Put one of these somewhat worn-out gloves on each fence post. Space out colors and patterns to make it more visually appealing. This works great because a fence naturally leads the eye in one direction.

Make a whimsical tree, using a wide variety of discarded items such as vintage garden tools, chipped porcelain pieces, flower pot sand, old wicker baskets… just to name a few. Hang or attach each one on the arms of a tall pole. You may need to make your own “arms” by welding various lengths of pipes to the pole, to create the illusion of branches. You can even top the tree with that one special item, reminiscent of the star on a holiday tree.

If you’ve incorporated large potted plants into your garden space, give them a fun look by replacing ordinary mulch with things like small ceramic balls, old marbles or some other colorful objects. Who needs chopped-up wood when there are so many other exciting alternatives to jazz up your plants or small trees?

Shepherd’s Hooks

Shepherd’s hooks are an excellent addition to any whimsical garden. They are especially useful in smaller garden areas where actual ground space is an issue. This type of hook is also suitable for jazzing up your home’s curb appeal. Simply hang your desired flower basket on each hook and enjoy. You aren’t locked into using just flower baskets either. You can also use the hooks to hang garden accessories and décor such as wind chimes, bird houses, holiday-related items, and lanterns or jar candles.

It’s necessary to place each hook in such a way that it receives adequate sunlight for the types of flowers that will be hanging on it. When placing the stake into the ground, make sure that it’s deep enough to stay straight and sturdy.

The best location for any shepherd’s hook depends on how you plan to utilize it. As mentioned, flower baskets need adequate sunlight or shade. Make sure the basket is securely attached and that it’s made out of a material which withstands windy weather.

If you’re hanging wind chimes, it’s recommended that you place the hook near a door or window so that it’s easier to listen to the melody that the chimes create. The same holds true for a bird feeder. However, keep in mind if you place the hook near a fence or railing, you might have to deal with pesky squirrels who end up eating more seed than the birds. The good news is that it’s almost impossible for a squirrel to climb up the pole itself.

Shepherd’s hooks are typically available with one hook or two. They’re usually constructed out of iron and come in several different heights. Purchase the hooks at gardening centers and stores such as Walmart and Target.

Statues

Statues (sculptures or lawn ornaments) are a cool addition to almost any garden. They come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Common construction materials include:

• Concrete (used to mass produce items such as gnomes and small figurines)
• Metal (used for sculptures, long-lasting but corrodes over time)
• Plaster (used to make very inexpensive statues, generally short lifespan)
• Ceramics (used to produce ceramic pots, typically thin and prone to breakage)
• Timber (used occasionally for garden art, rots if left untreated)
• And stone (used for long-lasting sculptures, weathers well with age)

Like many other elements you choose to add to your garden, it’s better to match your statue choice to its surroundings. That is to say, you probably don’t want to add a Roman statue to an Asian-themed garden unless you really have your heart set on it. Many times, the right statue is all that you need to pull everything together.

Larger statues are typically used as a focal point, meant to draw attention to a specific area of the garden. It’s recommended that you avoid placing one of these in the exact center of your garden space. Off-centering it a bit is considered more visually pleasing. There is an exception to this rule, however. Placing a statue in the center of a small pond is generally “doable”.

Statues are appropriate to use in alcoves or at the end of a garden path. It’s also common to place them on top of columns and pedestals. Formal statues obviously work better in a formal garden setting. Whimsical statues, on the other hand, are perfect for children’s gardens and other informal garden themes.

Sundials

A sundial is an interesting addition to any garden. Not only does it look great, it also serves the purpose of telling time if you want to.

Here’s how it works. When a sundial is meant to be accurate, it is constructed with a flat face and a pointer that sticks up from the center. This point is referred to as a gnomon.

Depending on the time of day, the sun casts a shadow on a specific area of the sundial’s face. The resulting shadow, in unison with the pointer, work together to indicate the time. Think of it like looking at the hands of a clock.

Children and those who are unaware that a sundial is capable of telling time are often quite thrilled when they discover the fact. In other words, sundials are sometimes a great conversation starter.

Sundials are constructed out of several different types of material. Three of the most popular are:

• Brass sundials – These are typically quite ornate and crafted to be the focal point of the area in which they are located. Some of them require more maintenance than others. If you already have other brass elements in your garden, this is the perfect addition.
• Aluminum sundials – These are much more affordable than brass. Even better, they offer just as much of a design choice, so you have many to choose from. Aluminum also holds up well in all different types of weather.
• Stone sundials – These are ideal to use when you want to complement stone statues that majestically watch over your garden space. They blend in easily and generally require no maintenance. In fact, they look better with age.

One of the coolest things about sundials is the fact that they are all engraved with some type of design. Some of the most common designs include flowers, animals, suns, moons and other elements of nature.

In addition, some sundials are available with specific design points. For example, antique and Roman-inspired versions are popular. If your garden fits into either of these categories, these specialty sundials are worth your consideration.

Lastly, if you really love the thought of adding sundials to your garden, you can go one step further. The sundial is actually somewhat of a collector’s item. That being said, it’s not uncommon to find patio furniture, benches, pedestals, bird baths and more, all decorated in a sundial-inspired motif.

Up-Cycled Pots

When it comes to up-cycled pots, the possibilities are endless. Although you can utilize them anywhere in the garden, they are especially suited for container gardening purposes. If you love flea market and thrift store shopping, this type of pot is just for you.

A fun way to display a small garden of assorted succulents is to plant them in an old metal toolbox – the open kind with just a handle and no lid. If it’s a bit rusty, don’t worry. That actually adds to the charm. The only thing you need to do is drill several holes in the bottom before adding dirt, for drainage purposes.

If you’re lucky enough to have acquired a collection of various planters that resemble people’s heads (it could happen), group them together and plant things that will eventually resemble hair or fancy hats. Believe us, it will really get people talking!

Up-cycled pots are really only limited by your imagination. People have used old bathtubs, sewing machines, wheelbarrows, canoes, teacups, rusty gutters, worn-out shoes, garbage cans and hundreds of other things as makeshift planters.

Old furniture is also an excellent choice. It’s simple to cut a hole in an old chair just big enough for a pot to fit into it without falling through. You can either paint or decorate the chair or leave it as is. Chairs with wicker seats are a popular option.

It’s not impossible to convert a small desk or dresser into an up-cycled container. Of course, you’ll need to water-proof it before doing any planting. If you’re using a dresser, a neat idea is to fill each drawer with dirt. Open the top drawer about halfway. Open the next drawer a little further. If you repeat the process with each drawer, you’ll end up with a staggered effect.

Old wooden crates and barrels are also good candidates for this type of planter. They look best if used in their natural state. But, if you have your heart set on painting them, it’s totally up to you. Both of these are great choices for those with an antique-themed garden.

Do you want to get really crazy? Why not give new life to an old pair of blue jeans? Convert them into a hanging planter. To accomplish this, you’ll need the jeans, some wire, scissors and some small plastic containers.

Complete instructions can be found simply by plugging the phrase “make a planter out of old blue jeans” into your favorite search engine. You should have several crafty options to choose from. If you prefer, you can use a pair of old overalls instead of regular blue jeans.

You may be tempted to use something like an old cast iron pot as a planter. Yes, it would probably look as great as you imagined. However, it’s not recommended. This is due to the fact that cast iron rusts when it gets wet and rust is not good for any plant.

Pinterest is an excellent place to look for more ideas. It’s absolutely amazing looking at some of the things that other people come up with. There are also books on container gardening that feature lots of fun ideas for creating your own upscale pots. Don’t be afraid to take a look.

The most important thing to remember is that if the container you’re going to be using isn’t already water-proof, you’ll have to do something protect it from water in some way. If you can’t, it’s best to move on to another vessel that’s more appropriate.

If you’re into recycling, using up-cycled pots is for you. Why buy something new and boring when you can use your imagination and a little bit of elbow grease and make something extraordinarily cool and unique? If you get really good at it, you can always make the pots to sell. That way, you’ll earn a bit of extra cash to buy more garden goodies.

Waterfalls

Adding an outdoor waterfall to your garden affords you with a pleasant and relaxing décor option that the whole family will enjoy. While a waterfall takes a bit of work to install depending on the layout of your property, it’s a worthwhile addition that you’ll appreciate for years to come.

Every waterfall is made up of two elements. The first of these elements is the pond that the water falls into. This may be a pond that is already in place on the property, or one that you’ve dug specifically with this project in mind. If you are digging a new pond, line the bottom of the hole with sand when you’re done. This ensures that the pond will be as level as possible.

Remember to take precautions before you start installing the new pond. Call 811 before you dig to make sure there are no buried utility lines where your pond will call home. Also, contact an electrician and have them install a GFCI outlet near where the waterfall will be located, so you have a convenient place to plug in the pump.

The second element is the slope or cascading structure that the water flows down and out of. This can be built from scratch if your property is level, or onto an existing slope if one is already available.

Building this structure can be pricey, especially in the case of larger waterfalls. This is partly because big waterfalls need a liner to channel the water between the top of the waterfall and the pond at the bottom. Once this liner is installed, boulders can be placed on it to hide it and hold it down.

The pump should drain to the top of the slope so that the water cascades down. Use a plastic crate or clay pot to house the pump, then cover it with rocks to conceal it. You can also use some other sort of decoration to hide the pump, as long as it hides all of the tubing and fits in at the top of your waterfall.

Waterfalls are an excellent decoration because they look beautiful and adds sounds of nature to your outdoor haven. They may be a bit more work to install than a simple pond or fountain, but they are a wonderful focal point for your garden and well worth the extra effort.

Weathervanes

Weathervanes can be decorative, functional, or both. This extremely helpful tool has been used for centuries to help people understand weather patterns and tell them what the weather was going to be like that day.

Today, however, they are an elegant addition to your home and garden. From a rustic or antique vibe to more whimsical or colorful one, there are many types of weathervane to choose from. Many are made of copper, while others are commonly made of steel, aluminum or vinyl. They also come in a variety of different sizes, though rooftop weathervanes tend to be larger so they are easier to see from farther away.

Some also include wind cups underneath the wind direction indicator. These cups spin as the wind blows into them, which allows you to get an idea of the wind’s speed as well as its direction.

If you plan for your weathervane to be purely decorative, you can place it anywhere in your garden. However, if you want it to give an accurate reading of wind direction, you’ll need to be more careful about where you put it. Mount it somewhere well above the ground, ideally six or seven feet high. It should be placed in an open area, far from any tall buildings or trees that might interfere with the flow of the wind.

While many garden vanes are meant to be mounted on a pole, rooftop versions are usually mounted onto a cupola, which is a small vent structure on the roof of a house.

Changes in the wind’s direction can mean changes in the weather to come, but the specifics depend on your area and the usual climate. Generally, winds from the south are warmer, while northern winds tend to be colder in nature. Sudden, extreme changes usually signal that a storm front is on its way and that it might be best for you to take cover indoors and return to your garden once the bad weather has passed.

If you have children, incorporating a weathervane into your garden is a fun way to teach them about weather. There are so many interesting things in nature; you’re never too young to get started.

Groovy Gardening Tips

Even though these gardening tips technically won’t make your garden more “whimsical”, they’ll make the task of creating and maintaining your garden space easier. We hope you’ll find them useful.

• In the event that you’re using large (porch-type) planters, make it easier to lug them around by replacing the rocks you normally put in the bottom with several 20-ounce water bottles. They should be empty, with the cap screwed on. The bottles allow for adequate drainage without adding extra weight.
• Do you love hanging planters? Place one or two disposable diapers, minus the plastic, in the bottom of each planter. This helps to maintain the moisture level so that you don’t have to water the plants as often. Don’t waste money on national-brand diapers; store-brand ones work just as well.
• Store a ball of twine in a clay pot. When you need it, simply pull the end through the drain hole and you’ll never have to worry about tangles.
• Good-quality garden tools are expensive. Keep them in tip-top condition by storing them in a large pot, filled with builder’s sand. The sand prevents the tools from rusting.
• If you’re leaning toward starting a “low-maintenance” garden, consider going with perennial flowers. The vast majority of them look wonderful the entire season and almost take care of themselves.
• Before you start playing in the dirt, help to ensure that your fingernails stay clean by running a bar of soap on the underside of each.
• Fashion a makeshift watering can out of an empty gallon milk jug. Poke several holes in the lid and you’re good to go.
• Paint the outside of your clay pots with a thin layer of varnish or latex paint. Not only does this make them longer lasting, it also holds moisture in and keeps plant roots cooler.
• Take a few minutes to mark common gardening measurements (using a permanent marker) on a frequently used garden implement like a shovel or rake. This will save you tons of time whenever you’re in the mood to plant something new.
• If you find yourself dealing with pesky aphids, try blasting them with water from the nearest hose. They typically hide on the underside of leaves. If the tsunami doesn’t kill them, wrap a wide piece of duct tape around your hand (sticky-side up, of course) and get rid of them that way.
• If chilly weather threatens your plants, you can protect them with empty milk jugs. Remove the cap. Cut off the bottom of each with a pair of sharp scissors. Place the rest of the jug over your plant. Push it down in the dirt to ensure that it doesn’t fall over if it gets windy.

Hopefully, these tips will save you time and frustration. The more functional you can make your garden, the more enjoyable working in it will be. Chances are, your crops will be more bountiful as well.

To Sum Up

This information hardly scratches the surface when it comes to fun and functional gardening ideas. Everyone’s dream garden and creativity level is different, and that’s perfectly ok. The gardens you choose depend on your geographical location and physical abilities.

Think of your garden as a work in progress. Take your time during the initial planning stages. Read books, scour the internet and visit local garden shops for ideas. Even if you take things slow, before you know it your empty space will be a fun and functional garden. It’s time to put on your garden gloves and get digging!

Gardening is one of the best activities for your mind and body. Whether you’re mowing the lawn, planting seeds or reaping a bountiful harvest, your body benefits from the stretching and bending. Your mind benefits from helping to create life and beauty on the planet and from the chemicals produced by the brain when you exercise.

As much fun and rewarding as it may be, the gardener can suffer from too much exercise. The bending and stretching can wreak havoc on your knees and lower back and unless you practice the proper ways to perform the most common of gardening movements, you could become stiff and sore in the joints.

Take a look at these 40 tips for exercising and staying fit while gardening so you can enjoy it more and even make your gardening efforts more productive.

1 – Building Strength for Bending

Standing with legs slightly apart, use two lightweight dumbbells (one in each hand) and take turns sliding each dumbbell down each leg. Keep back and shoulders straight so spine doesn’t bend forward. Repeat 10 times on each side.

2 – Hand Strength to Grip Gardening Tools

Holding a hand exerciser (gripper) in one hand – flex your fingers toward your palm, squeezing the two handles together like you’re going to make a fist. Repeat five times for each hand.

3 – The Proper Way to Bend

Keeping your knees slightly bent, tighten your leg muscles as you’re bending forward in the garden. You’ll be using your abdominal muscles as well as your leg and back muscles, so it’s important you perform bends properly.

4 – Rows for Raking and Mower Starting

Perform rows (inverse pushups) for abdominal muscles. Keep your body straight and push up using your abdominal muscles — with 90 degree bend in elbow. Tighten abdomen while lifting calves and feet from ground. 10 repetitions.

5 – Simple, But Effective Warm Up for Bending

Standing straight, relax your shoulders and torso. Lean back slightly (engaging your abdominal muscles) and bend your knees slightly at the same time. Slowly repeat this exercise for about 15 to 20 seconds.

6 – Loosen Your Shoulder Muscles

Standing straight, raise both shoulders toward your ears. Relax. Now, raise arms straight above your head and grasp your hands together. Relax. Repeat each exercise five to ten times.

7 – Balance and Leg Strength

In a standing position, place your left arm out straight for balance. Raise your left leg backwards at the knee and grasp it with your right hand. Hold for a few seconds. Repeat with right leg. About 5 repetitions.

8 – How to Push a Wheelbarrow

First, don’t place a lot of weight in the front of the wheelbarrow. Keep back straight and push with your core rather than your legs so you’ll maintain balance and keep from slipping.

9 – Squats for Leg Strength

Put your weight on heels (you can point toes up to ceiling if necessary) and keep lower back in alignment. Squat without letting back round toward front. This one will also strengthen gluts and thighs.

10 – Carrying Buckets and Bins

Keep abs tight while carrying large water bottles (1 gallon to 3 gallon – up to 25 pounds) back and forth across the yard to get ready for carrying buckets and bins during gardening time. Work up to the higher weights.

11 – Pulling Weeds and Staking Trees

This is a diagonal exercise, performed by diagonally lifting a weight from outside one knee, then over and above the opposite shoulder. Bring the weight back down and repeat on the other side for 5 to 10 times.

12 – Strong Core for Chopping Wood

Chopping wood is similar to the “Pulling Weeds” exercise, except you can vary the benefits by performing it dynamically and increasing your cardiovascular workout – plus squatting at the same time.

13 – Lunging for Weeds

Lunge by using your entire torso to work your butt and thighs as you move forward. Don’t lean down or let your knee touch the floor, but keep your back straight. Do the same when you’re weeding the garden.

14 – Mowing with a Hand Mower

The proper way to hold your body is straight, but standing a few feet away from the mower’s blades. Push with your entire body as you walk across the lawn for a great cardio workout.

15 – Better Balance in the Garden

Using a Swiss ball, place one hand on the ball while standing with leg (same side) behind ball. Other hand holds a dumbbell, palms upward. Hold opposite leg off floor about 12 inches and bend at hips with flat back.

16 – Aerobic Gardening

Raking, mowing, digging and weeding can all get your heart rate up, but alternate between the movements every few minutes to keep your back from suffering from the exertion in one area.

17 – Bend the Knees – Not the Waist

When you lift heavy objects or use long-handle tools such as a hoe, avoid bending at the waist to accomplish the task. Bend at the knees to keep from straining your back.

18 – Warm Up Stretches

Before embarking on gardening chores, take some time to warm up by stretching your muscles (arm, torso and legs) for five or ten minutes. Then, repeat the stretching warmup after you’ve gardened for 15 or 20 minutes.

19 – Mix It Up

Vary your gardening chores rather than working for an hour at one chore such as weeding or hoeing. It will be less of a strain on the muscles and will provide a full body workout rather than just one area.

20 – Always Cool Down

Especially during the dog days of summer – be sure to walk around after gardening exercises. Pick flowers, vegetables or simple enjoy the beauty of what you’re accomplishing.

21 – Torso Twist

Standing with legs slightly apart, hands on waist – twist to the right from the waist (upper torso) as far as you can. Your shoulders and head should also be engaged in the twisting motion.

22 – Rear Delt Raises Using a Resistance Band (Shoulders)

Begin on all fours and place the resistance band in front of you. Hold one side of band with left hand and grasp other side with the right. Lift the right arm (with band) to shoulder level. Repeat with left side for 3 to 5 repetitions.

23 – Gluts and Thigh Stretches

Sit on floor with legs out in front of you. Cross a leg over the other – foot perpendicular to the quad, using your elbow to lean on and stretch as you’re looking away from the upward knee. Repeat two times for each leg.

24 – Wrist and Forearm Warm-up Stretch

Standing or sitting, extend your right arm in front of you, palm facing out and fingers up. Use the left hand to lightly pressure your left hand, pulling your fingertips toward your face. Keep shoulders relaxed.

25 – Stretch Your Neck for Comfort

Begin seated with legs crossed. Bend your neck to bring your right ear towards your right shoulder and hold. Now, roll head toward ground, bringing chin to chest and hold. Roll head to left and repeat twice.

26 – Butterfly Exercise for Hips and Thighs

Sitting on floor with back straight and shoulders down with feet together and knees bent to side, engage your abs and pull the heels slowly toward you while relaxing your knees to the floor. Hold for ten to 30 seconds.

27 – Abundance of Fresh Air

Take deep breaths of fresh air for lungs, circulation and optimal health while gardening. Breath in through you nose deeply, filling your lungs. Breathe out through your mouth, slowly releasing the air.

28 – Yoga Child’s Pose to Stretch Back

On hands (shoulder-width apart) and knees (hip-width apart) be sure back is straight and abs are engaged. Shift weight over your heels while lengthening spine. Relax head and neck as you reach forward with fingers.

29 – Keep Hamstrings Stretched

Stand with back straight, shoulders down, with feet hip-width apart. Engage your abs and bring right leg forward with heel down and toes up. Bend left knee like you’re sitting back as you’re supporting yourself with hands on thighs.

30 – Advanced Stretch for Long Reaches

Lying in plank position, lift right foot from floor and slide right knee toward the left hand (ankle and knee are on floor). Slide left leg back as far as you can, keeping hips forward and square.

31 – Hip Rotation Stretches

Lie on back, legs and back straight. Bend left knee and place left foot flat on floor. Cross right ankle at left knee. Now, grasp the back of the left thigh, hugging leg toward chest. With right elbow on right knee, push knee to side.

32 – Increase Stride Length

Facing wall (about a foot away), extend arms, placing hands flat on wall (elbows bent). Keep feet flat and step out with your right foot while lengthening your left leg. Feel the stretch in your calves.

33 – Stretch Knee Muscles

Stand with right side of body an arm’s length from wall. Cross left leg in front of right leg. Relax shoulders. With opposite hands on hip, bend left elbow and push right hip to wall. Hold 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat on left side.

34 – Use Medicine Ball to Strengthen Legs

Lie on left side, body in straight line. Hold medicine ball between legs, above ankles — head in one hand and other hand on floor to support. Squeeze ball with legs while slowly lifting both legs off floor. Lower legs and repeat.

35 – Shoulder, Arm and Hand Stretch

Three way stretch – holding arms straight out from shoulders, interlace fingers, knuckles pointed toward face. Stretch arms out from shoulders, flexing fingers/hands forward.

36 – Keep Your Knees Safe

When kneeling during your gardening chores, be sure to use a knee pad. Also, make it a point to kneel on both knees simultaneously to avoid twisting or straining.

37 – Keep Tabs on Your Time

It’s easy to get carried away with gardening chores and work at one task too long. Vary the tasks from planting to mowing or hoeing to harvesting. Take frequent breaks and drink lots of water to stay hydrated and fit.

38 – Lateral Stretches for Shoulders and Back

Stand, feet together and knees slightly bent. With left hand on hip, stretch right arm over your head next to your ear. Engage abs and lean torso to left and slowly reach left with the right arm. Repeat on other side.

39 – Stretch It All Out – An Overall Stretch for the Entire Body

Feet together and legs bent slightly, bend forward – arms behind back and fingers laced together. Weight should be even on each foot. Relax head, shoulders and neck and lift arms over head and line up with shoulders. Breathe.

40 – Don’t Overdo It

Gardening exercises should be performed to the point of discomfort — not pain. Perform all motions slowly and make these exercises part of your gardening chores. Gardening is a great way to reap beauty and bounty – and, keep fit.

When you mimic the motions of the above tips and exercises in your gardening tasks, your body will gain strength and you won’t suffer the pain which some gardeners feel after a day of working outdoors. Gardening is a great way to get fit – and enjoy your creativity.