searching for gardening blogs

The thing that perhaps intrigues me the most about gardening is its limitless potential for learning. With each plant, season, space and combination of the three comes new discoveries. I love the idea of being a constant student and gathering bits of knowledge with each growing season. However, this fluctuating and unending nature of learning can also be paralyzing in knowing how, when or where to start. And being that I am a researcher, I am always looking for resources to aid me along the way. I have a few books that I have started to reference and I am constantly asking advice from more experienced gardeners but what I would really love to find is a go to gardening blog or blogs to provide daily or weekly bits of information.

My ideal gardening blog would be visually appealing - I need those pretty pictures to inspire me, concise - too much info all at once overwhelms me, include content on edible gardening as well as growing flowers, promote/follow sustainable practices and if I am really dreaming be located in a similar growing climate as St. Louis - no avocados or citrus in my garden. I have just started my search but one gardening blog I plan on adding to my blogroll is Garden Betty.

Started in September 2010, Garden Betty is the blog of Linda Ly. She blogs about growing and making food, creating her cookbook, raising backyard chickens, her off the grid home in Mexico and other outdoor adventures. What attracted me most to Garden Betty was not only its visual appeal but its organization - helpful headings and an easy to use archive. I also am pretty interested in getting her cookbook, The CSA Cookbook, which focuses on using the often discarded parts of plants and vegetables.

Any readers have some good gardening blogs to follow?

Have a good Monday everyone!

outdoor curtains

We have been negligent in taking care of our porch furniture and its really starting to show. Our main concern is our RH Outlet sofa. Its covered but when it rains one armrest gets wet and since it has a natural teak frame, there now is a pretty good water mark. We have talked about getting a cover but knowing us we would not be diligent in putting it on. So our solution is to get curtains for that side of the porch. Obviously, they will need to be made of outdoor fabric and something with a heavier weight so they don't blow too much in the wind. The color is a bit challenging in that I would love to do off white but with all the pollen in St.Louis I feel like they would quickly turn green. Right now, I am liking the idea of linen colored or a lighter beige. Not a huge difference from white but I think any other color would be too much for the space as I see it as super light and airy. Have a good weekend everyone!

from top left - home of John Dransfield and Geoffrey Ross via Lonny - via My House Ideas - via House Beautiful - via White + Gold - source unknown - source unknown - via Top Inspired - Napa Valley home via LUXE

McGrath II

McGrath II is my newest design resource find. Voted as one of the best design blogs of 2015 by Domino Magazine, McGrath II is run by mother daughter duo Suzanne and Lauren. The two, which also operate their own interiors business and have written a book, blog about all things design related and seem to have a format that is somewhat similar to THE PLACE HOME.

*from the design portfolio of McGrath II

All the posts are archived into easily navigable sections such as Artist Spotlight, Decorating, and Styling and include such posts as The Best Light Blue Paint Colors, Arne Jacobsen , Back to Back Sofas, 6 Tips to Enhance An Entryway and so much more. 

Another cool feature of their blog is their resource section where they present a curated list of their favorite stores. There is honestly so much to check out with this blog that I feel like I could spend an inordinate amount of time on their site. And perhaps the best thing about McGrath II, is how easy and pleasant it is to use - well designed, interesting content and good taste. So check it out!