Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

Green Fence Decorations for Autumn

Note from Sweet Greens: The following post on green fence decorations for Autumn was submitted by Jakob Berry. Jakob Barry is a home improvement journalist for Networx.com. He blogs about green topics for pros across the U.S. like Houston, TX, fence contractors.

When fall arrives it marks the transition back indoors after a long and wonderful spring and summer. Soon the leaves will be falling, vegetation on the ground will be withering, and in most parts of the country the skies will be more gray than blue.

With less color all around adding some decorations across a home’s exterior can make a difference and the fence, if you have one, is a perfect place to start raising the spirit.

At the same time, we always have to keep in mind the environment around us and that nothing we use should compromise our ecological surroundings.

That’s why when decorating the fence do it with an eco-friendly-minded sense of creativity. In other words, with things that can biodegrade when they get lost in the wind or carried away by some animal; with things that won’t harm people or animals and that are generally safe. Here are 5 of my favorites:

#1: Corn
Corn adds the perfect flavor to a setting at this time of year and since husks, cobs, and kernels come in a range of sizes and colors corn is a great decorative medium to work with. More importantly it doesn’t have to be sweet corn to make or break the yard dĆ©cor!

How can corn be used to decorate a fence? One idea is to make wreaths out of corn and stalks by attaching them along the fence either directly or by hanging the wreaths across a string or rope.

Another is to bunch a few ears of corn together making an ornament like those often seen on front doors. Then place a few sets of these along the fence.

Either way corn is a great decoration because it won’t damage easily from weather and when it’s time to take it down it can be tossed into the compost heap.

#2: Scarecrows
I’m a big fan of scarecrows because they always seemed to me a very creative way to ward off crows and other animals seeking to invade crops. With the seasons about to change they may not be needed as decoys anymore but a few extra scarecrows could provide a little buzz around a property.

Placing them in various poses near a perimeter fence now makes them a spectacle, especially if there’s a few keeping each other company.

Environmentally, they only need a few articles of clothing and some good stuffing but should be harmless.

#3: Plants
Something else which looks great along a perimeter fence are plants and if you don’t have any now might be the time to add them. Just keep in mind, though, that what you pick needs to withstand the elements because winter is on the way.

One option is evergreens which will stay green and don’t require a lot care. Another is herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme which add a lot of character to a setting brightening up a property tremendously when they flower. Herbs will also give you a daily source of some out of this world scents and can also be cut and used.

#4: Beach debris
Finally, if you live near a beach then you know there’s a lot of cool stuff that can be found there. Some of it like old buoys, stray pieces of wood ā€˜carved’ by the sea, and the occasional dried up star fish make excellent pieces to decorate both sides of the fence.

Some items may take a little effort and ingenuity to display but the beach theme sits well in many neighborhoods.

Furthermore, searching for things along the beach is an opportunity to help clean up the shore by reusing many of the objects found there.

photo credit

7 Smart Phone Apps with Healthy, Green Themes for Kids

Now, that Eben is getting older – he has an iPod – which means I am always on the look out for smart phone apps with healthy, green themes for kids. We have tried out a lot of different ones and found many that we enjoy. Jump over to Applegate to check out 7 of our favorite green apps!

photo credit via Applegate

Sweet Greens is an Official Blogger at Applegate!

Hello, Friends! Many of you may have noticed that a couple of months ago I became an official blogger for Applegate. I am happy to announce that the blog is up and running! I am very excited to share even more sustainable living tips for families with the Applegate Farms community. Yay! Please visit me at Applegate and while you are there check out all of the fantastic information available.

Thank you for your support!
Sweet Greens

Beyond Apples… 8 Healthy Snacks for School

Do you send snacks to school with your kids? Finding snacks that are organic, healthy and at the same time, delicious enough that your children will eat them is easier than you may think. I have been packing organic, healthy snacks for Eben for many years and have a list of goodies that he will happily eat.

These snacks can be made in large quantities, then stored in reusable containers. All you have to do is pick one each morning to throw in your child’s backpack and feel great knowing that your child has a healthy snack for school. Check out my eight favorite backpack snacks that are kid approved for back to school.

photo credit Shutterstock via Inhabitots

8 Eco-Friendly Organizing Tips for Back to School

It’s back to school time, which means getting your family organized is essential for a smooth sailing year. Being organized will make most of the aspects of back to school easier and more enjoyable. Let’s face it, when we add all of the elements that come with school (homework, extra-curricular activities, music lessons, parent-teacher conferences) our family stress levels can rise. One of the best ways that I have found to keep back to school stress at bay is by being organized. Jump over to Inhabitots to learn my 8 eco-friendly organizing tips for back to school – the best part, they won’t cost you a dollar and have zero impact on the environment.

photo credit Shutterstock via Inhabitots