cooling plants

7 Plants That Help Keep Outdoor Spaces Cooler Naturally

June 23, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Summer sunshine can make a backyard feel inviting one minute and scorching the next. While umbrellas, awnings, and fans certainly help, many gardeners overlook one of nature’s best cooling systems: plants. The right trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers can lower temperatures around patios, walkways, and outdoor gathering spaces while adding beauty and character to…

8 Plants That Secretly Make Your Backyard Feel 10 Degrees Cooler

June 5, 2026 by Brandon Marcus Leave a Comment

Summer heat can turn even the nicest backyard into a place nobody wants to spend time. Patios bake in the sun, grass dries out, and outdoor gatherings often end with everyone searching for the nearest patch of shade. Fortunately, nature offers a surprisingly effective solution that looks great while helping lower temperatures around the yard….

How To Get Free Seeds From The Government by Amanda Blankenship Seeds might seem like a small expense, but any seasoned…
Should I Use Enviro Ice On My Plants? by Kathryn Vercillo Every week, I receive food from Hungryroot. It's a great…
From Trash to Treasure: Transform Shredded Paper Into Garden Gold by Amanda Blankenship Should you use shredded paper as garden mulch? It might…
What Happens to Plants If You Use Enviro Ice on Them? by Amanda Blankenship About a year ago, I wrote our first article about…

7 Backyard Features That Could Increase Outdoor Enjoyment Instantly

A backyard should feel like an extension of the home, not just a patch of grass that needs mowing every weekend. The right backyard features can transform an ordinary outdoor space into the place everyone naturally drifts toward, whether it’s for morning coffee, weekend barbecues, or quiet evenings under the stars. The best part is…

The Gardening Rule More Americans Are Ignoring During Heatwaves

A summer heatwave changes the rules in the garden, yet many people keep watering the same way they always have. That simple mistake often leaves plants stressed, even when they receive water every day. The gardening rule more Americans are ignoring is surprisingly simple: water deeply and less often instead of giving plants a quick…

8 Vegetables That Grow Easily Even in Beginner Gardens

Starting a vegetable garden can feel like standing in front of a giant seed rack with no clue where to begin. The good news is that some vegetables practically cheer new gardeners along, rewarding even a few simple efforts with fresh harvests. Choosing the right crops from the start makes the whole experience more enjoyable…

9 Gardening Tricks That Can Stretch a Small Budget Further

A beautiful garden does not require a premium price tag. In fact, some of the smartest gardeners spend less because they know where to save, where to splurge, and how to let nature do part of the work. A little creativity often stretches every gardening dollar much farther than another trip to the garden center….