Gardening

Officially, by the calendar, spring has sprung! It is time to get out, enjoy the weather and fire up those grills. That is, except for apartment dwellers who don't get to enjoy this luxury because of lack of space on patios and balconies. Right? Not anymore--read on, grill masters!

In case you didn't hear it, that no-good, good for nothing Punxsutawney Phil has called for six more weeks of winter! That's dour news to those of us wishing for Spring's blossoms to bloom, though as least March is here. But it's even tougher news for those fighting the urge to plant their vegetable and herb gardens.

Everyone knows that there are some things you have to leave behind when you move out of an apartment, like the toilet, refrigerator and kitchen sink. But it's hard to get attached to any of those things, especially in a rental unit. Your garden is another matter. The product of love, attention and countless hours of work, your garden is something that is hard to leave behind. So hard, in fact, that some people choose to take their gardens with them to their new homes. If the thought of parting with your garden is too difficult to bear, read on for some tips on how to take your garden with you on your next move.

Cities can be tough for bird lovers. On one hand, birds are everywhere. We see them flying in the sky, on the street and in trees. On the other hand, you might feel like the only urban birds you ever see are pigeons. Let's face it -- it's hard to get excited about pigeons. But even in the most densely populated cities, you can find more species of birds than you might think. New York City, one of the most densely populated urban centers in the country, boasts red-tailed hawks and wild turkeys. One of the best ways to acquaint yourself with the avian life of your city is to have a birdfeeder. If you're lucky enough to have a garden, yard or balcony, having a birdfeeder is easy, inexpensive and can add character to your apartment.

A houseplant can brighten up an otherwise dull apartment and introduce a vibrant bit of life in the cold winter months. Unique plants can act as living signature pieces, conversation starters and change the entire feel of a room. However, not every houseplant is cut out for apartment living. Many apartments suffer from lack of space, lack of light and thermostats controlled by unpredictable landlords. If your houseplants have a tendency to die on you, your apartment may be the problem. The solution is selecting low-maintenance plants that are compatible with the humidity, temperature and light conditions in your apartment. Read on for some potential apartment-friendly additions to your home.  

Of the many things apartment dwellers lust for, a backyard is at the top of the list. If you are lucky enough to live in an apartment with a yard or patio, you may be able to grow a garden in part of the space. Garden growing in the city is not as hard as it sounds. With some basic supplies and a little hard work, you can grow an assortment of vegetables in your own urban backyard. We know it’s winter, but it’s not too soon to plan for spring. Before making any purchases, you’ll need to consider some of the following things.

Gardening is a great hobby for anyone, and living in an apartment doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying the pleasure of plants. Check out these fun and functional tools and accessories for apartment gardening, and brighten up your place inside and out with the help of these items.

So you don’t have a green thumb or a spacious, well-lit outdoor garden? Never fear, hardy and shade-loving plants will do well even in most conditions involving a minimal amount of sunlight and water. Check out this handy list of cute, easy-to-care-for plants to brighten up your apartment space.

Love plants? Like plants? Feel indifferent? Whether you’re a true green thumb or someone who could kill a cactus, plants can bring you and your living space some much-needed life, color, and oxygen. The experienced gardener and the novice plant owner can both benefit from the following list of features to look for in a plant-friendly dwelling.

Whether you’ve got a certified green thumb and are lamenting your move to a yard-less apartment or you’re a longtime apartment dweller looking for a nature-friendly hobby, apartment gardening can be a rewarding way to spend some time, decorate your home, and maybe even grow something edible. This article shares a few tips for getting an apartment garden started.

Gardening paraphernalia can be a great gift idea. It’s usually relatively inexpensive, and can really brighten up the cold, cloudy winter season. There’s something refreshing about waking up, sliding into a warm fuzzy robe, and gazing out over your backyard covered in a myriad of bright colorful flowers. Oh wait… backyards are for people with houses, and your friend lives in a teeny tiny apartment. But, fear not, for there are many gardening gift ideas out there that will suit a quaint little apartment perfectly. Bigger doesn’t always mean better; at least not in the world of gardening.