Your lake home is your oasis—a place of relaxation, recreation, and connection with nature. But what if you share your slice of paradise with furry (or feathered) friends? Don’t worry, pet parents! You can still cultivate a beautiful garden without compromising your pet’s safety. Here’s a guide to creating a vibrant, pet-friendly haven filled with gorgeous greenery.
Petunias: These cheerful annuals come in a rainbow of colors and are non-toxic to cats and dogs. They thrive in full sun and require minimal maintenance, making them perfect for busy lake house weekends.
Marigolds: Not only do these bright blooms deter pesky insects, but they are also non-toxic to your furry companions. Look for dwarf varieties that thrive in containers or garden borders.
Snapdragons: These unique and vibrant flowers come in various shapes and sizes; luckily, they pose no threat to your pets. Enjoy their cheerful presence throughout the summer months.
Spider Plants: These easy-to-care-for beauties are non-toxic and love hanging planters, making them perfect for adding greenery to your porch or balcony.
Boston Ferns:Known for their elegant, cascading fronds, Boston Ferns add a touch of lushness to any space. Easy to care for and requiring low light, this fern variety makes for a perfect addition to your indoor or outdoor space.
Maidenhair Ferns: These delicate ferns add a touch of whimsy to your garden and are safe for cats and dogs. However, they prefer shaded areas with high humidity, so consider placing them in pots on your covered porch.
Rosemary: This fragrant herb adds flavor to your culinary creations and is non-toxic to pets. Grow it in a raised bed or a pot on your deck for easy access and a delightful aroma.
Basil: Although a member of the mint family, unlike mint, basil is non-toxic to cats and dogs. One of the most common culinary herbs, basil is versatile and easy to grow. This herb thrives in an outdoor garden as well as indoors.
Thyme: This versatile herb is safe for pets and adds a delightful flavor to grilled meats and vegetables. Plant it in a sunny garden or use a hanging pot for easy access.
Remember to ensure the safety of your beloved pets by closely supervising their outdoor activities. If you’re uncertain about the potential risks of a particular plant, seek advice from your veterinarian. Keep in mind that even seemingly harmless plants can lead to digestive issues if consumed excessively. Prioritize your pet’s well-being by thoroughly researching and confirming the suitability of any plant variety before incorporating it into your pet-friendly garden.
Summer makes people get out every season to plant a wonderful garden. It produces incredible summer fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and more. But when summer turns to fall, that doesn’t mean it’s time to let the garden die out. Instead, consider putting up a greenhouse!
A greenhouse is an artificial environment where plants are essentially forced to grow. Its structure and materials provide the perfect atmosphere for plants to thrive. This happens by allowing short sun waves to pass through while also locking in infrared rays that radiate from the ground. This keeps the greenhouse warm and bright all year. Check out some of these top greenhouse kits to have one of your own.
The Veikous Walk-In Greenhouse is an excellent basic starter house kit. It is the pictured definition of what usually comes to mind with the term. It’s sturdy while also being very modern to add to your backyard. This house is six feet by eight feet with a roof vent and lockable doors. The ventable roof is excellent for controlling airflow and temperature control. It also has polycarbonate walls that are made to withstand more severe weather. You can find this greenhouse on Amazon for $330.
If you’re looking for a simple option, consider the Costway Garden Wooden Greenhouse. This little house resembles a bookshelf. It’s the perfect way to start learning about the ins and outs of how greenhouses work. This greenhouse is lightweight and easy to assemble. It features two shelves for small flowers, plants, or herbs. Like Veikous, it has polycarbonate panels that will last in harsh weather. Its size also makes it easy to move around for those who have less yard space. You can find this at Home Depot for $200.
Grandio Greenhouses truly live up to their name. These houses have top-notch reviews and are the No. 1 pick by Greenhouse Reviews. These houses are made for more experienced gardeners, especially those who want to do this year-round. The modern structures have barn-style roofs, sliding doors, and dark green frames. It also features rain gutters, four roof vents, and dual-layer polycarbonate panels. The Grandio Elite series features four sizes ranging from 6’x4′ to 12’x32′. Plus, all of the houses in this series come with shelving and plant hangers, making them fully optimized for plenty of plants. You can find this series on the Grandio Greenhouses website. Prices range from $1,199 to over $10,000 based on size.
The Machrus Ogrow Deluxe is the best option for the lowest price. This walk-in greenhouse is 4.6′ by 2.4′ and has two shelves with three tiers each. The main difference is this greenhouse comes with a heavy-duty plastic cover rather than panels. The cover still blocks out pests, circulates air, and has frost protection for those living where it snows. The Machrus Ogrow only has four and five-star reviews. Plus, for the price of $115, it can’t be beat!
Greenhouses have so many benefits. The more plants we can provide, the more oxygen we can produce on the planet. We’re helping Mother Nature by taking extra care of plants that otherwise would run their course throughout the season. Additionally, there is an emotional connection between a gardener and their plants. Greenhouses let those relationships continue long after the average duration. If you love gardening and have this past summer, consider keeping it going with some of the above greenhouse kits into the fall and winter months.
A greenhouse creates an artificial environment that enables plants to thrive by controlling temperature, humidity, and light. It allows for extended growing seasons, protection from harsh weather, and the ability to grow plants that might not normally survive in the local climate.
Greenhouses offer numerous benefits, including the ability to grow plants year-round, protection against extreme weather conditions, increased plant yield, pest control, and extended growing seasons. Additionally, greenhouses contribute to oxygen production and help establish an emotional connection between gardeners and their plants.
– Grandio Greenhouses: Modern and spacious greenhouses designed for experienced gardeners, with prices ranging from $1,199 to over $10,000 based on size.
Greenhouses work by allowing short sun waves to enter while trapping infrared rays that radiate from the ground. This keeps the interior warm and well-lit. The controlled environment regulates temperature, humidity, and light exposure, providing ideal conditions for plant growth. Ventilation systems and various materials contribute to maintaining these conditions.
A greenhouse offers the opportunity to continue gardening beyond the typical outdoor growing season. It provides protection for plants during colder months, allowing you to grow a wider variety of crops and extend the life of existing plants. Greenhouses also enable you to maintain an emotional connection with your garden and plants, fostering relationships that last beyond the natural growing season.
You work all year tending your garden, only for all your gorgeous blooms to dwindle in the winter. You begin to grow tired of all your hard work and dedication going to waste. But fear not, as today we’re going over 12 flowering shrubs to keep your lake home landscape filled with big beautiful blooms all year-round.
This pretty but poisonous flower blooms beautifully in early summer to mid-fall. Although well-loved because of its fast-growing nature and drought resistance, be careful growing around pets and small children. Oleander can is tremendously poisonous if eaten.
Blooming season: early summer to mid-fall
Color: orange, yellow, red, and pink with dark green foliage
A beginner-friendly plant, this low-maintenance shrub embodies the spirit of summer. Abelias boast many benefits as they resist drought when planted, repel deer, and their pest-free nature ensures longevity — and your garden’s overall health. This flowery shrub blooms through summer and into fall in shades of white, yellow, and pink.
Blooming Season: summer and into fall
Color: shades of white, yellow, and pink with glossy green foliage
Requirements to help the plant grow:
Soil: fertile, moist, and well-drained
Light: full sun to partial shade
Water: once or twice weekly; best to water once soil is dry
You will capture the attention of all your neighbors and guests during the summer and throughout fall with the alluring colorful blooms of French Hydrangeas. The pH level of the soil affects the color of the flower. The more acidic the soil (pH below 6), the more blue the flower. In alkaline soil (pH above 7), the flower will turn shades of pink and red.
Blooming season: early summer and lasts until early fall
Add a tropical look to your lake home when you plant this low-maintenance flowering shrub. Its blooms begin in midsummer and last through fall with petals infused with blue, purple, pink, and white.
You will definitely add sunshine to your garden when you plant this low-maintenance, fast-growing bright yellow flower. Not only will they bring instant joy to your lake home, but they are also deer-resistant and become drought-tolerant when established. Although these blooms may start in the early spring and last for about two weeks, the color and sight of these beauties are unforgettable.
Blooming season: early spring
Color: yellow
Requirements to help the plant grow:
Soil: moderately moist, well-drained
Light: at least 6 hours of direct sun
Water: regularly water until established, then give a good soak once a week if there is an extended period with no rainfall
When you think of spring, azaleas instantly come to mind. These colorful flowering shrubs are the epitome of spring. Bursting with colors of white, purple, pink, red, orange, and yellow, their blooms start in early spring and last through fall.
Blooming season: early spring to fall
Color: white to purple, pink, red, orange, and yellow
Why settle to see your lilacs bloom once when you can plant a shrub that will bloom multiple times during the year? Bloomerang Lilacs, unlike other lilacs, bloom in the spring, takes a break, and rebloom again from July to early winter— hence the name “bloomerang.” This delicate pale purple flower can repel deer as well.
Blooming season: first bloom is in spring, takes a break, and reblooms again from July to early winter
You will receive a two-for-one when planting Flowering Quince in your lake home garden. With a blooming season of early spring, this multicolor plant of red, pink, orange, and white not only brings life to your vegetation — but also produces crabapple-like fruit that tastes similar to a cross between an apple and a pear!
Blooming season: early spring
Color: red, pink, orange, and white with dark green foliage
The stunning visuals of this graceful flora will leave you breathless with its shades of pink, red, white, and glossy green foliage. This evergreen shrub typically blooms in late fall and is drought-tolerant which can help it survive extreme wintry conditions.
Blooming season: late October and lasts through winter
Color: shades of pink, red, and white with glossy green foliage
Chrysanthemums typically bloom in early fall and are popular options for autumn and Thanksgiving holiday decor. Coming in beautiful hues of white, yellow, orange, lavender, purple, and red, this perennial flowering shrub can be placed in outdoor gardens as well as planted in containers.
Blooming season: early fall depending on zones (could be spring/fall or fall only)
Color: white, yellow, orange, lavender, purple, red
With vibrant hues of pink, yellow, peach, white, red, and coral, this low-maintenance plant can catch your eye from anywhere. Their vibrant fall blooms start in October/November and last until the first frost.
Blooming season: fall blooms start in October/November and last until the first frost
Your garden will be filled with the enticing scent of a sweet tea rose fragrance when you plant this shrub. Its delicate beauty comes in a deep yellow color with the outer petals fading to a pale yellow. This hardy plant’s blooms begin in spring and will continue throughout the fall season.
A must-have in your garden for the winter, this low-maintenance evergreen bursts with white and shades of pink and purple. Keeping the deer away is a primary perk — adding to the overall health of your lake home garden.
Blooming season: winter and last until early spring
If you are looking to keep those bloodthirsty mosquitos away, planting rosemary is the way to go. Said to repel mosquitos, their blooms last all winter in shades of pale blue, pink, and white. They also become relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Blooming season: winter
Color: pale blue, pink, white
Requirements to help the plant grow:
Soil: well-drained
Light: full sun
Water: frequently; once established, water when soil is dried out
Just like the name implies, this pale pink plant blooms in mid-to-late winter. The sweet fragrance from these beauties will fill you with warmth all winter long.
Only seeing white during winter can be a bore. Pop some color into your garden this winter with this bold and beautiful golden bloom. Blooming from midwinter until spring, this flowering shrub keeps its color even in the cold.
Blooming season: mid-winter
Color: yellow
Requirements to help the plant grow:
Soil: well-drained
Light: full sun to partial shade
Water: at least twice a week
Zones: 6-9
We hope you consider these flowering shrubs as potential options to plant in your lake home garden. Now you can finally enjoy beautiful blooms all year long!
The pH level of the soil affects the color of the flower. The more acidic the soil (pH below 6), the more blue the flower. In alkaline soil (pH above 7), the flower will turn shades of pink and red.
Yes! Bloomerang Lilacs, unlike other lilacs, bloom in the spring, takes a break, and rebloom again from July to early winter— hence the name “bloomerang.”
How to create a plant-dense home that’s pet friendly:
Avoid plants with toxic properties
Choose durable pet-friendly varieties
Position plants in safe places and use deterrents
Incorporate positive reinforcement training
Are you an avid indoor gardener and pet lover? Together pets and plants create a warm, cozy, and welcoming lake home. But unfortunately, they don’t always get along. Some houseplants contain toxic properties that could damage your pet’s health. Dr. Sabrina Kong—dog trainer and veterinary consultant at WeLoveDoodles—notes, “There are many beautiful plants that most of us would love to have in our front yard or decorated pots inside our house, but unfortunately, they are not safe for pets (or humans) due to the high content of chemical toxins found in their roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.” So, to ensure your pet stays safe at home, check out our guide to pet-friendly houseplants!
Animals and plants look so cute together that it’s hard to imagine those green leaves posing a threat to your pet. Nonetheless, as Hepper Veterinarian Dr. Paola Cuevas Moreno remarks, if pets ingest highly toxic plants, “they can suffer irreversible harm such as kidney or liver damage. And less harmful plants still can cause skin or mouth irritation and mild gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea.” To avoid your furry friends interacting with anything remotely harmful, check out Dr. Moreno’s list of the top toxic plants:
Although you may have to say goodbye to certain houseplants, you can find many pet-friendly varieties that are safe and look sophisticated. Kevin Rodrigues from Gardening Mentor recommends spider plants, rubber plants, Boston ferns, and snake plants for pet-friendly homes. These plants are non-toxic, require little maintenance, and look fabulous in any room. Additionally, Architectural Digest suggests other pet-friendly plant houseplants, including some with colorful leaves and tropical flowers. Their list features the date palm, rattlesnake plant, African violet, bird’s nest fern, orchid, bromeliad, baby tears, polka dot plant, and more.
Even if you buy non-toxic plants for your pet-friendly home, you may still want to keep these picturesque green leaves out of your pet’s reach. Rodrigues suggests selecting low-maintenance plants—like the ones we are featuring in this article—just in case your pet gets a hold of them. By choosing robust and hardy varieties, you can make sure your plants bounce back from any pet attacks.
Devin Stagg—content producer at Pupford—recommends using baby gates to keep your pets away from plant-dense rooms. He also notes that you can utilize hanging plants or place pots on high shelves to limit pet access. You may also want to use deterrent sprays if you have particularly persistent pets. Dr. Chryle Bonk—a veterinarian, working with PetKeen—advises spraying your plants with diluted lemon juice or placing citrus peels in the pots, as most pets will avoid these scents.
Although these methods will keep your pets away from your plants, they merely address the symptoms, not the root problem. As Dr. Moreno elucidates, many pets engage in destructive behaviors due to a lack of engagement. She recommends keeping your pets busy through daily physical exercise and mental stimulation from toys, play, and activities. Dr. Moreno claims, “Destructive behaviors and chewing on what they should not are often traced back to a pet being bored, abandoned, or neglected. Your pets thrive when all their needs are met. They need much more than just food and water.”
Dr. Moreno also advises incorporating positive reinforcement training strategies. For example, reward pets with praise and treats if they sniff around your plant but then take a step back instead of chewing on it. If you persistently honor this positive behavior, you can encourage good conduct and avoid negative punishment.
With this guide to pet-friendly houseplants, you can create a lake home you and your furry friends enjoy together!
Nonetheless, as Hepper Veterinarian Dr. Paola Cuevas Moreno remarks, if pets ingest highly toxic plants, “they can suffer irreversible harm such as kidney or liver damage. And less harmful plants still can cause skin or mouth irritation and mild gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea.”
Kevin Rodrigues from Gardening Mentor recommends spider plants, rubber plants, Boston ferns, and snake plants for pet-friendly homes. Additionally, the date palm, rattlesnake plant, African violet, bird’s nest fern, orchid, bromeliad, baby tears, and polka dot plant are good options.
Devin Stagg—content producer at Pupford—recommends using baby gates to keep your pets away from plant-dense rooms. He also notes that you can utilize hanging plants or place pots on high shelves to limit pet access.
Dr. Chryle Bonk—a veterinarian, working with PetKeen—advises spraying your plants with diluted lemon juice or placing citrus peels in the pots, as most pets will avoid these scents.
Many pets engage in destructive behaviors due to a lack of engagement. Dr. Moreno recommends keeping your pets busy through daily physical exercise and mental stimulation from toys, play, and activities.
Dr. Moreno also advises incorporating positive reinforcement training strategies. For example, reward pets with praise and treats if they sniff around your plant but then take a step back instead of chewing on it.
Best for Wall Mounting: Feit Electric Dual Full LED Plant Grow Tube Light
Best for Aesthetic Design: Grow Light Frame Shelf
Best for Capacity: Spider Farmer LED Grow Light
Whether you’re incorporating biophilic design or improving your lake home’s air quality, grow lights can ensure indoor gardening success. They also provide convenience since you do not have to position all your plants by windows. As Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, explains, “Grow lights can be used to supplement natural light or to provide plants with the light they need to thrive when natural light is not available.” Plus, since these lights come in different shapes and boast unique features, you can choose the one that best fits your lake home and lifestyle. So, if you are ready to activate your green thumb, check out these top grow lights for indoor gardening!
Compared to a standard grow light, the GE Grow Light LED avoids harsh tones and provides pleasant natural lighting. Plus, it’s a full spectrum light, meaning that it’ll maximize your plant growth. As Emma Loker—expert gardener at DIY Garden—explains, “The best grow lights emit a full spectrum of lights, as this helps plants through multiple lifestyle stages.”
Dwayne Kula—President of LED Lighting Supply—recommends this light bulb because of its energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quick results, and soft ambiance. Kula advises using the light for at least five hours each day to see results. He also adds that one of the benefits of the GE Grow Light LED is that “it doesn’t get hot even after many hours of operation.”
Kerry Sherin—Consumer Advocate at Ownerly—advises checking the life span of your bulb to know when you might need to replace it in the future. In the case of the GE Grow Light LED, the bulb boasts up to 25,000 hours (or three years) of usage, so you won’t have to worry about replacing this quality product for a while.
Best for Wall Mounting: Feit Electric Dual Full LED Plant Grow Tube Light
Although the Feit Electric Dual Light is a bit more expensive than the GE BR30 Light, its unique design allows you to mount the lights. These two-foot panels come assembled with full spectrum bulbs and boast a lightweight design that makes them easy to hang or seamlessly flush to the wall.
One two-foot Feit Electric Dual Light costs around $50. However, as Sherin points out, this is on the low end of the grow light cost spectrum. Sherin advises, “Generally speaking, you should expect to spend anywhere from $25-$200 for a basic setup with one or two bulbs.” Considering that the Feit Electric Dual Light emits full spectrum wavelengths, avoids high temperatures, and is easy to mount, it’s hard to beat its $50 price point.
What if instead of hanging plant pictures on the wall, you framed the real ones? Forget packing all your plants on your crowded window sill; nestle them in this picturesque frame and place them anywhere in your home. With full-spectrum LED bulbs, the Grow Light Frame Shelf will maximize your plants’ growth whether you have ample or minimal natural light.
Additionally, the frame comes with an app that allows you to set timers and adjust the light intensity. As founder of Happy DIY Home and master gardener Jen Stark explains, “Timers make your grow lights easier to use as you can set them on a cycle and allow them to run without any further input from you.” Although the Grow Light Frame is on the pricier side, its design and technological features make it a worthy investment.
If you are looking to grow multiple plants at once, the Spider Farmer LED Grow Light is the ideal choice. Spider offers multiple panel sizes, and the one pictured above is the SF600. This light has tremendous output, utilizing 384 LED bulbs. Yet, it has a low heat emission and a long lifespan, lasting up to 50,000 hours. Even with this capacity, the Spider Grow Light’s sleek design takes up minimal space. As Stace Krljanovic—advisor at Patio Productions—elucidates, “If you have an especially large space, there are larger bulbs available that can help give you more room coverage without taking up too much space (or money).” The Spider Grow Light accomplishes both of these tasks, spanning a little over three feet and costing around $130.
So, if you want top grow lights for indoor gardening, you can’t go wrong with any of these highly-rated choices. Simply choose the one that best compliments your lifestyle, and get to growing!
As Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, explains, “Grow lights can be used to supplement natural light or to provide plants with the light they need to thrive when natural light is not available.”
Plus, it’s a full spectrum light, meaning that it’ll maximize your plant growth. As Emma Loker—expert gardener at DIY Garden—explains, “The best grow lights emit a full spectrum of lights, as this helps plants through multiple lifestyle stages.”
As founder of Happy DIY Home and master gardener Jen Stark explains, “Timers make your grow lights easier to use as you can set them on a cycle and allow them to run without any further input from you.”
As Stace Krljanovic—advisor at Patio Productions—elucidates, “If you have an especially large space, there are larger bulbs available that can help give you more room coverage without taking up too much space (or money).” The Spider Grow Light accomplishes both of these tasks, spanning a little over three feet and costing around $130.
Previously on Lake Homes Lifestyles, we covered gardening tips for each regionalzone in the United States. As all good plant enthusiasts know, the area’s weather and soil quality influence the type of plants that can be grown. However, with the rise of indoor gardening systems and kits, gardeners can grow a greater variety of plants, not subject to the climate or season. As Jen Stark—founder of Happy DIY Home and garden, interior design, and home improvement expert—says, indoor gardening kits “allow you to control the environment in which your plants grow, meaning you can optimize conditions for maximum growth and yield.” These systems also look beautiful indoors and improve plant quality since pests, deer, and rodents don’t pose a threat. And if you are new to gardening, fear not: these kits are kind to experts and beginners alike.
In the realm of indoor gardening systems, Aerogarden receives top reviews. Julie Bawden-Davis—the mastermind behind the Healthy House Plants site and the writer of “Indoor Gardening the Organic Way”—praises the Aerogarden Harvest Elite. She says, “In my opinion, AeroGarden has the most advanced technology, especially in the area of lighting and hydroponics.”
The Harvest Elite comes with six seed pods and plant food. Since it has built-in reminders for feeding and watering, this system is great for gardeners with busy schedules. The Aerogarden also features LED grow lights that run off a customizable timer that can be adjusted to fit the gardener’s schedule. Most importantly, the Aerogarden Harvest Elite produces rapid results, so you can expect to add fresh herbs and veggies to all your favorite dishes within weeks.
Best Vertical System: Worth Self-Watering Garden Wall
Feature walls rule today’s design world and they often come in the form of eccentric wallpaper or unique materials. However, more people are turning to plants to enhance their home’s personality. In addition to providing the home with some flair, incorporating plants into your lake home yields exceptional benefits, such as improving air quality. However, it can be difficult to water these plants, especially when they’re positioned up high. But that’s where the Worth Self-Watering Garden Wall comes in. These planters feature an avant-garde watering system that begins on the top row and trickles down to subsequent rows, providing water for days with no mess. Moreover, as your plants continue to grow, they will hide the planters underneath, granting the flawless illusion that they are actually growing on the wall.
If you want to live more sustainably, the Gardyn Home Kit 2.0 is your ideal growing system. This state-of-the-art system allows you to grow 30 plants at once while only spanning two feet in width. As Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, proposes, “having an indoor garden is all about maximizing space. Vertical gardens are popular for this reason. These can allow you to grow virtually anything in a controlled environment.” With the Gardyn Home Kit, you can control the light, adjust watering schedules, and order new plants via the Gardyn app. Although it leans toward the pricier side, the system will replace many grocery trips within the first few months. So, in the end, it comes out to around the same amount. Plus, you will have fun along the way, add a colorful piece to your home decor, and eat deliciously organic veggies and herbs.
If you enjoy teaching your children about the outdoors and gardening, you will love the Grow With Me Root Viewer. This sustainable, durable, and attractive wooden plant holder helps your children follow the growing process. The planter comes with instructions and a garden journal so that you can record the growth along the way. However, note that the seeds are not included in the Root Viewer, so you might want to pick up your own before it comes in the mail. As far as seed choices go, carrots, radishes, onions, garlic, potatoes, and other root vegetables are the ideal candidates for this kit.
Best for Traditional Gardening: Jiffy SuperThrive Seed Starter
Although high-tech gardening systems ensure rapid and sustained growth, some gardeners may prefer to work with their hands a bit more. If that’s the case, the Jiffy SuperThrive Seed Starter kit is an excellent option for building an indoor garden. Besides, it is undoubtedly the most affordable choice compared to other systems. The Jiffy Seed kit includes 72 pellets that will grow seven times their compressed height, allowing room for root growth. The kit also comes with a pouch of SUPERthrive, a vitamin that enhances plant growth. It is important to point out that the Jiffy kit does not include seeds, but this only means that the gardener can personalize their indoor garden to their preference. Just add your seed of choice to the soil and get growing!
From high-tech systems to simple kits, indoor gardening options are endless. So whether you prefer a low-maintenance growth strategy or a hands-on approach, you can find a system that fits your lifestyle.
As any gardener knows, keeping weeds away from your prized plants can be a hassle. Even in the most successful gardens, weeds will creep into the soil and sunlight that your plot provides. Luckily, there’s a myriad of options for weed killers. However, many of the store-bought options contain herbicide chemicals that you may choose to keep out of your garden. If you’re looking for an all-natural DIY option, we’ve got you covered!
For a safe and effective weed-killing recipe, a combination of white vinegar, salt, and liquid dish soap will usually do the trick. The acetic acid in the vinegar and salt help to draw out moisture from the weeds, wilting them. To complete the concoction, dish soap serves as a surfactant which helps the plant to absorb this toxic mixture, instead of sitting topically on the leaves in beaded form. To create this mixture, just combine a gallon of white vinegar, a cup of salt, and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. If you want to add some extra potency, try squeezing some lemon juice too.
Don’t have vinegar or liquid soap handy at the lake house? As an alternate DIY weed-killing solution, you only need one ingredient — boiling water. Its high temperature can help by killing the invasive plants down to the roots, permanently killing the weeds. However, you just want to make sure you don’t burn yourself in the process! Be sure to stand far away from where you’re pouring, and exercise caution.
Let’s start with the pros. With just a few simple ingredients, this herbicide is super simple to create. It doesn’t require a trip to the store, and it doesn’t expose your backyard to harsh chemicals. A win-win! However, one downside of a DIY solution is that it doesn’t get to the root of the problem (no pun intended). Chemical herbicides directly target the plant’s root system, while the DIY solution may require multiple spray sessions to finally kill the weeds. Despite its limitations, this quick, low-cost homemade solution is perfectly effective in managing a lake house garden.
To make the mixture most effective, it’s best to apply it to a group of weeds on a bright, clear sunny day. In the sunlight, the effects of your handiwork would be evident within a few hours. When you see wilting leaves and browning stems, you know the herbicide is working. Usually, they’ll turn fully brown before finally withering away.
In addition to killing weeds once they’ve already sprouted, developing solutions for deterring weed growth in the first place is an excellent prevention strategy. Mulch is one easy solution that obstructs sunlight and prevents weed growth. It also retains moisture in the soil, carving out less watering time for you. Additionally, practicing good lawn care such as mowing at a taller height, regular watering, and checking on the health of your plants can be helpful.
When it comes to properly kill weeds, you might have all you need right in the kitchen of your lake home. For more gardening tips, continue to check out our blog!
One of the biggest threats to the homeostasis of aquatic life on the lake is invasive plants. A classic example is algae blooms, which spread a thin layer across the water’s surface, blocking sunlight from the rest of the ecosystem underneath. These species spread rapidly, posing a threat to the biodiversity of native plants. However, not all lake plants pose a threat to marine life. Today, we’re taking a look at non-invasive plants that help foster a clean, healthy lake environment
Sometimes referred to as “hornwart,” the coontail is a small dark green plant with fan-shaped leaves. This submerged perennial provides an excellent source of food for turtles, waterfowl, snails, and carp. It’s also a hiding place for smaller organisms looking to protect themselves from prey. Because coontail absorbs nutrients from the water, this plant helps to improve water clarity at your lake. Although its clingy nature makes the plant annoying for boats, it provides a host of benefits for a lake ecosystem.
The common waterweed is characterized by dark green branched leaves. Like the coontail, it grows entirely underwater and serves as a source of food and habitat for aquatic life. This submerged plant is also a source of oxygen for your lake’s ecosystem, which requires oxygen from plants to survive. Besides its functionality, the common waterweed also adds aesthetic appeal to the lake environment.
Like the name suggests, the clasping-leaf pondweed features wide, oval leaves that “clasp” the stem of the plant. Although it’s typically non-invasive in the wild, it is important to note that in enclosed aquariums and ponds, this plant can become invasive when no other aquatic plants are present. In a larger body of water such as a lake, the entire plant is a nutritious source of food for waterfowl, insect larvae, and fish.
Contrary to its name, the water marigold is not a marigold after all. In fact, it’s in the buttercup family. But unlike your typical mental image of a buttercup, this non-invasive plant grows in wet places such as marshes, swamps, and lakes. These small flowers grow in clusters, providing ornamental beauty to any lake environment. Just be sure not to confuse the water marigold with the non-native invasive Lesser Celandine. While the latter tends to have 8+ leaves, the water marigold has 4-5.
The pickerelweed is a shallow, freshwater aquatic plant that blooms from June to November. While it stretches up to 3-4 feet tall, half of this plant is underwater. Above the water’s surface, the plant’s flowers attract bees, butterflies, and dragonflies which eat mosquito larvae. It also provides a helpful shelter for birds, fish, and frogs.
This slender plant with gorgeous pink flowers adds both beauty and benefit to any lake environment. Standing about 2-6 feet high, these plants tend to bloom over the summer in swamps and along other wet shorelines like lakes. Besides providing aesthetic appeal, these plants also offer food for butterflies, particularly monarchs.
If you see any of these plants growing in your lake area, take a moment to stop and appreciate the added benefit to your lake ecosystem!
As any gardener knows, weeds are unwanted plants that compete for nutrients with the ones you’ve cultivated. In an effort to rid your garden of these nuisances, you may spend several hours weeding the front lawn of your lake house. However, before you start pulling any unintentionally grown roots, take a pause. Many plants that are considered “weeds” are actually not pesky at all. In fact, several of them have medicinal or culinary benefits in addition to aesthetic beauty. At Lake Homes Lifestyles, we’re here to help you identify which weeds to pull and which to leave alone.
The butterfly weed earns its name by virtue of its magnetic draw to butterflies. Its bright shades of red, orange, and yellow, attract numerous pollinators as well, including bees. They’re additionally referred to as orange milkweed. Despite their lack of characteristic milky sap, they produce seed pods that release milky-tailed seeds which disperse in the wind. Frequently appearing in home gardens across zones 3-9, the butterfly weed adds an interesting pop of color to any garden.
Like the butterfly weed, the mountain mint attracts many insects like bees and small butterflies. Its strong, fragrant minty scent attracts these pollinators to its nectar and pollen. Also most prevalent in zones 3-9, the mountain mint is home to a wide range of gardens across the U.S. The dainty leaves look like they’ve been dusted with powdered sugar, which embellishes any backyard with a sense of elegance.
If ironweed is growing at your lake house, it’ll be hard to miss. These flowers can grow from up to 7 inches tall, showcasing brilliant purple colors in the late summer. Most prevalent in zones 5-8, ironweeds are most commonly found in prairies and other grassland areas. Prior to gaining the name ironweed, they used to be called compositae flowers because their blooms are a composite of many flower types. Upon looking closely, you can see the distinct fusion of five separate petals in one cluster.
Although this flower is native to Europe, it now grows across mountainous regions of North America in zones 4-9. Also called leopard’s bane and mountain tobacco, the arnica’s large flower head, yellow coloration, and bright green oval leaves resemble a miniature sunflower. Besides its ornamental value, arnica flowers also have medicinal purposes. Although toxic when ingested, the flower can be applied topically to treat arthritis and soothe muscle pain.
Hardy in zones 3-8, the chickweed is a low-growing groundcover plant with medicinal and culinary values. Loaded with vitamins C, D, and B complex plus calcium, iron, zinc, and other healing minerals, these tasty greens can be ground into a nutritious pesto sauce. Outside the kitchen, chickweed has both external and internal uses as an antibacterial and antihistamine agent. Specifically, can be made into a salve that is soothing for healing burns and bug bites.
As a child, you probably made wishes on dandelions and watched their seeds scatter into the wind. But did you know that these shape-shifting flowers are one of the most useful and nutritious herbs? The dandelion has a long history of culinary and medical uses. High in nutrients, the leaves can be either boiled or eaten fresh for a rich, earthy flavor. From coffee to quesadillas, there’s no shortage of ways to use dandelion in recipes. Medicinally, dandelions have been used to treat inflammation, appendicitis, and stomach issues. Between granting wishes, flavoring food, and healing ailments, is there anything dandelions can’t do?
So, before pulling up every unwanted weed in your garden, take a moment to research the plant. Are there potential benefits — aesthetic or otherwise — that you could be missing?
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