Hello, summer! Now that the hazy days of summer have rolled around, the living is easy. The feel good season is finally here, and what better way to kick it off than by stepping off the fast track and enjoying the emergence of hot days and long evenings?
There’s endless Eco-inspiration to simplify, and amplify your summer outdoor living. There’s also an art to experiencing the greenest summer ever…
GROW it, BUY it or DIY it!
GROW IT
Gardening is having a field day because knowing where your food comes from is one of the most sustainable ways to live a conscious lifestyle. Creating a bountiful garden can be an economical, healthy and aesthetically gorgeous addition to your home.
With the Dirty Dozen on the rise, kitchen gardens provide a living tapestry of healthy vegetables and fruits…just steps away from your living space. From tomatoes to greens, here’s a list of the top veggies and fruits to grow at home. Consider drying fruit and vegetables, it’s asimple way to preserve summer’s sweetest fare. For in-season fruit, create an organic fruit bouquet.
Let’s not forget the beauty of the garden. Plants and flowers liven up an outdoor living space, but they can be finicky to grow. Reduce your garden’s environmental footprint, the safe way. Compost and use non-toxic, organic pesticides.
DIY IT
Let’s start with bugs. If you spend time outdoors, those little critters can get mighty annoying. Many bug repellents are toxic. Try this DIY Bug Balm. It works well and the aroma is a pleasant mix of rosemary, catnip, lavender, and lemon.
Ditching plastic and paper seems be an easy Eco-win. So many folks now carry reusable bags. The impact of using plastic bags has been relegated to the equivalent of sleeping with the green-devil. Would you be caught dead without your reusable bags – especially at the farmer’s market?
Amp up your green cred this summer and create this DIY Crocheted Reusable Bag. Along with ditching the plastic, let’s also toss out single use paper towel and paper napkins, and make these DIY Fringe Napkins and Fringe Place mats for summer picnics.
Summer is all about relaxing. What could be more relaxing than lying in a hammock? Here is a sweet tutorial for making an instant breezy DIY Summer Hammock.
Coming in from the garden can cause a mess. This DIY Nautical Rope Mat is stylish, sturdy and staves off dirt.
BUY IT
While it’s an idyllic dream to be able to grow all your own food and DIY your outdoor living spaces to décor happiness, a time-crunched reality does not always allow for such hands-on activities.
So, while buying items for outdoor living may not seem as squeaky green as growing and DIYing your own, there’s lots of Eco-friendly long lasting alternatives available. Depending upon cash flow, here’s a cost point array of the latest and greenest finds for outdoor living.
High
The next time you wish upon a star, you may just want to wish for a Natural Pool to lounge away the summer in. Part pool, part garden, the Natural Pool looks like pure pleasure for the body and soul thanks to no chemicals and an abundance of flora and fauna. Watch the video here.
Medium
For informal plein-air dining, you can’t beat this Eco-friendly outdoor furniture set. The furniture is produced from wood plantations that are responsibly and socially managed. There’s no nasty Eco-unfriendly pressure-treated wood and plastic.
Low
What’s summer without a BBQ? What could be finer than a grill that doubles as an herb-garden? The Hot Pot BBQ looks like a terracotta pot with a concealed BBQ grill underneath. Have a small space and a quest for fire? This grills for you!
Gotta work this summer and can’t unplug? Bring your office outside. This is by far the best outdoor work solution. Enjoy and stay cool!
aif people dont lived in a house, and lived in appartmente…these is a good idea to groqw veg. in a pots, herbs and flowers. only need intention to due…and the results will be a delicious salads organic, and fresh.