5 Spring Gardening Steps to Take Now

While some of the country may still be getting hit with snow storms and that dreaded “nor'easter” – for most of us, spring is right around the corner, which means that lots of us have begun to think about all the fun we can have outside, especially when it comes to spring gardening. From daffodils to tulips, spring can bring out the best in our lawns, providing welcome pops of color and signs of new life after the dreary days of winter.

Now is the time to start your spring gardening! Even if there’s still a bit of frost on the ground in your neck of the woods, it’s never too early to get outside and get to planning … so you can get to planting! Read on for five things you can do right now to start spring gardening. And then jump to the end for a handy checklist to get you started.

1. Start with a clean slate.

The first step to any great spring gardening plan is to survey what you’re working with and get your landscape ready to shine. Get out of the house (bundle up if you have to) and take note of how your garden has changed since last year. Maybe there are trees and shrubs that need to be pruned or removed. Maybe your fence or flower beds are in need of repairs. Maybe your lawn needs a good mowing, or last year’s dead plants need to be moved into compost. Whatever it takes, you must get your garden ready to grow before you start … otherwise all your spring gardening plans will be in vain!

2. Hit refresh on your soil.

Now that your overgrown garden has been cleaned up, there’s one more thing you need to do before you get to planting … and it’s a big one! Preparing your soil for spring gardening is vital if you want your plants and flowers to survive more than a couple weeks. Consider testing your soil – it may seem like a lot of work but it’s definitely worth the effort! Even if you don’t live in a climate where it snows or freezes, there’s a good chance that your soil is pretty dried out and packed down after the winter, which means you’ll want to add moisture and other nutrients (again, that’s where soil testing comes in) found in fertilizers and other organic materials. Now is also a good time to add mulch to the mix – it prevents weeds, keeps your garden moist and even helps to maintain its temperature. Remember, if your soil thrives, your garden will too!

3. Pick your plants.

You may already know that there are different types of plants and flowers that thrive in different seasons, but did you know that you can even break that down to months? And with April just beginning, it’s the perfect month to pick your plants and start your spring gardening! Of course, you can head over to your local nursery or home improvement store and have them pick out planting bulbs for you, but if you want to get creative and build something unique, just a few minutes of research can help you find the best flowers and plants to make the perfect garden. A few of our favorite springtime gardens include dahlias, tulips, lilies and daffodils.

4. Consider fruits and veggies.

While you may be the most focused on creating a beautiful oasis in your spring gardening, you might also consider planting some delicious fruits and veggies! In fact, month-by-month planting makes even more sense for food. Beets, carrots, cucumbers, melons, peas, peppers, squash and tomatoes are all perfect for April. Think about how colorful and delicious your spring gardening will be! Once you’ve decided which plants, flowers, fruits and/or veggies will kick off your spring gardening, all you have to do is buy the seeds or bulbs and get to planting!

5. Start with spring. And plan what’s next.

While spring is the perfect time to start your garden, don’t stop there! You can continue this perfect pastime throughout the spring, summer and even into the fall. We love this monthly planting guide that will help you plan the perfect garden all year long, so whether you’re starting with spring gardening or waiting until the summer, you’ll know what to plant and how to do it!

Your Checklist for Spring Gardening

▢     Remove debris of winter like leaves, fallen branches, etc.

▢     Prune overgrown plants or trees

▢     Remove dead plants or flowers

▢     Check your gardening tools and order new ones if needed

▢     Repair any infrastructure like fences or flower beds

▢     Test your soil

▢     Add fertilizer and/or mulch to your flower beds and garden

▢     Pick the plants and flowers for your new garden

▢     Plan what you’ll plant next and into the summer and fall!

Are you ready to get started on your spring gardening? Let us know what you decide to plant in the comments section below!

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Photo by Neslihan Gunaydin on Unsplash

DIY Bladderwrack Seaweed Face Mask

From acne to aging, from dry skin to dermatitis, almost every person struggles with some form of skin annoyance. And as the first thing others often notice, skin issues are particularly challenging when they show up on your face. While some more serious issues require medication or topical creams, most people can keep their faces healthy looking with a regular routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and detoxifying facials once or twice a month.

But while there’s nothing quite like a rejuvenating and relaxing facial, sometimes that spa or salon treatment might cost more than you want to spend. That’s why a DIY bladderwrack seaweed face mask may be just the ticket for your body and your bank account!

Read on to learn about this powerful skin treatment and how you can give yourself an amazing facial right in the comfort of your own home.

What the Heck is Bladderwrack?

Contrary to what you may be thinking, bladderwrack has pretty much nothing to do with your bladder. In fact, this brown algae or seaweed, found mainly in cold water, has the potential to positively impact almost every part of your body except the bladder! Known scientifically as Fucus vesiculosus, its colloquial name comes from the small, air-filled pods that grow along the main stem (or thallus) of the plant and help it to stay afloat. The other part of its name (wrack) signifies something that is driven ashore.

Bladderwrack is most often found in the waters off the Northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S. and on the Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe. Although it has been growing for thousands of years, its use in health and well-being is somewhat recent. While many of the potential health benefits of bladderwrack are still being discovered, its composition rich in minerals like iodine and magnesium has already made the plant an important element in the health of the body’s mineral levels, internal responses, and even the thyroid gland. Even more, this seaweed plant has fan-shaped leaves with a thin, leathery texture, perfect for face masks!

Potential Benefits of Bladderwrack for Your Skin … and Lots More!

High in minerals like iodine and vitamin C, bladderwrack is a powerful friend of the face. It nourishes the skin with macro-minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and copper, plus over 70 trace minerals like zinc, manganese and more. Bladderwrack also helps the skin by supporting the production and absorption of collagen, which gives skin strength and elasticity.

But before we get to the DIY bladderwrack face mask that may just change your life, it’s important to note a few additional bladderwrack benefits that have been explored in recent years. Made up of compounds that support the thyroid hormone and joint functionality and that fight free radicals to keep your immune system strong, bladderwrack seaweed has a positive impact on many of the body’s essential functions.

For example, one study found that the iodine derived from bladderwrack helped increase a thyroid stimulating hormone, while another found that it could help balance hormones and maintain a healthy monthly menstruation cycle for women. Bladderwrack has also been effective in studies surrounding improved antioxidant levels and their ability to protect cells from free radical damage, as well as in the creation of long chains of sugar molecules, which can support joint and cartilage health. Along with these benefits, bladderwrack has also been known to support liver health, energy levels, a balanced metabolism, and mineral levels.

DIY Bladderwrack Seaweed Face Mask

Now that you know all about bladderwrack and how it can keep your skin and your body looking and feeling healthy, here is not one, but TWO of our go-to home recipes for a refreshing bladderwrack seaweed face mask. Use these trusty DIY blueprints to rejuvenate your face and give it a salon facial glow that won’t break the bank!

Recipe 1: Using Bladderwrack Powder

*Adapted from Butter Nutrition.

Ingredients:

●      1 teaspoon bladderwrack powder

●      1 teaspoon honey

●      1/4 teaspoon water

Directions:

1. Combine bladderwrack powder and honey in a small dish.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon water in stages until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Pull your hair back to expose as much facial skin as possible and apply your bladderwrack face mask.
4. Draw a nice hot bath – optional, but recommended for full relaxation!
5. Allow your bladderwrack face mask to dry and remain on your skin for 20-30 minutes.
6. Rinse with warm water and apply a gentle moisturizer like coconut oil.

Recipe 2: Using Dried Seaweed

*Adapted from Wellness Today.

Ingredients:

●      3-4 sheets dried bladderwrack seaweed

●      Coffee grinder

●      1-2 tablespoons water

●      1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (optional, but great for skin irritation!)

Directions:

1. Break up the dried seaweed with your hands into small pieces.
2. Place in coffee grinder and grind until you have about 1 tablespoon of powder.
3. Place the seaweed powder into a small bowl and add water in stages until you have a thick, paste-like consistency.
4. And aloe vera and stir to mix.
5. Pull your hair back to expose as much facial skin as possible and apply your bladderwrack face mask.
6. Allow your seaweed face mask to dry and remain on your skin for 20-30 minutes.
7. Rinse with warm water and apply a gentle moisturizer like coconut oil.

Have you tried a bladderwrack seaweed face mask at home? Let us know what worked best for you by commenting below!

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Photo by Isabell Winter on Unsplash