I came across a fabulous Pinterest board full of free vintage printables. It’s an archive of thousands of FREE high resolution images of vintage travel posters, botanicals, birds and a lot of other lovely images (like these Halloween images).
These printables are at a high enough resolution that you can print them out at a poster size without the image being fuzzy or pixelated. Just save the image to a flash drive and take it into your local oversize printing center or order online. Once they are printed, you can put them inside a ready made frame with matte and voila, you have a beautiful piece of artwork for a fraction of the cost.
As summer ends, I’m determined to squeeze in ONE more picnic! When we lived in Florida, my family spent most of our weekends picnics at the beach. My most precious memories include Eben and a picnic blanket – the perfect setting for mother-son chatting.
Now, he’s a grown man (23! WHAT?), I make sure that when we do spend time together, I’m in the moment (and yes, we still chat like never before!)
Here are some eco-friendly picnic goodies to inspire you to get outside for one more summer picnic:
1. A Cozy Picnic Blanket: I love a good picnic blanket, and now that we are empty nesters, I’m determined to have more romantic picnics (just the husband and me!). I love these picnic blankets. How do I choose which one?
2. A Hydration Station: The essential item to pack on a picnic is water—it’s crucial to stay hydrated on hot summer days (even these end-of-summer ones!). These are our favorite glass carafes; we always use them for multiple flavors of tea in the fridge!
3. A Good Read: Snuggle up with my boys is my favorite (we do scary movie nights when Eben visits from grad school), and next, snuggling up with a good book! This one seems up my alley; I love a good charcuterie board!
4. A Picnic in a Basket: Of course, I will need something to pack all the goodies in. This eco-friendly picnic basket is on my list! I have wanted a formal picnic basket forever!
Do you have a thing for picnics, too? What is your picnic must-have?
Gas-powered lawn mowers have been around for a long time, but they’re not exactly eco-friendly. They’re loud, messy, and give off pollution every time they’re used. That might not seem like a big deal at first, but all those small emissions add up—especially when a mower is being used every week. That’s why more people are switching to electric mowers. They’re cleaner, easier to use, and a better choice for anyone who wants a yard that looks good without harming the planet.
What Makes Gas Mowers So Problematic
Most gas mowers run on small engines that don’t burn fuel very cleanly. They release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants into the air every time they run. In fact, running a gas mower for just one hour can pollute as much as driving a car for hundreds of miles.
There’s also the issue of spilled fuel. Filling up a mower at home can lead to drips and spills, which soak into the ground or run off into nearby drains. That’s not great for soil or water, especially if it happens often.
Then there’s the noise. Gas engines are loud. They interrupt conversations, scare pets, and definitely don’t blend into a peaceful, green space.
Switching to cleaner, quieter tools—like electric lawn mowers—is one of the easiest ways to make yard care better for the environment. They don’t need gas or oil, and they run quietly while still cutting grass just as well as the old-school versions.
Electric Mowers Don’t Create Emissions While Running
Battery-powered lawn mowers run on electricity, so they don’t give off any fumes while they’re being used. That means no greenhouse gases from the engine, and no bad smells in the air. They’re cleaner to operate, and they don’t contribute to ground-level air pollution.
For people who care about their environmental impact, using a tool that doesn’t burn fuel is a big improvement. And since they don’t need gas or oil, there’s no need to store any extra fuel around the house, either.
The batteries used in electric mowers can be charged using regular outlets, and many last long enough to mow an entire average-sized lawn on one charge. Some even work with other yard tools that use the same battery system, which makes things even easier.
Quieter Tools Mean Less Disruption
Electric lawn mowers make a big difference when it comes to noise. Instead of a loud engine roar, they give off a soft hum. That’s better for the person mowing, better for neighbors, and better for anyone who enjoys spending time outside.
Using quieter tools also helps protect wildlife. Loud noises can scare away birds and small animals or keep them from coming back. With an electric mower, the yard stays peaceful while still getting trimmed.
In areas with sound restrictions or close housing, using a quiet mower also means fewer complaints or problems. It’s a simple fix that makes lawn care more enjoyable and less disruptive.
Easier to Maintain and Use
Another reason electric mowers are becoming more popular is because they’re easier to handle. There’s no need to change oil, clean spark plugs, or worry about fuel lines. Most electric models just need a charged battery and a quick push of a button to start.
They’re also lighter than gas mowers, which makes them easier to push and steer. That helps get the job done faster and with less effort. For people who want something that’s simple to use without all the mess, electric options just make more sense.
Since they don’t need much maintenance, they also last longer with less upkeep. That saves time and cuts down on waste from old, broken mower parts.
Better for Smaller Yards and City Homes
Electric mowers are a perfect match for small and medium-sized lawns. Most can cover those spaces on one battery charge, and they’re compact enough to store in tight sheds or garages. For homes in the city or suburbs, this kind of mower is a lot more convenient.
They also don’t leave behind oil stains or fuel smells. That’s a big plus when storing them close to the house or near garden supplies.
For people living in apartments or townhomes with shared green spaces, electric mowers can also be shared more easily because they’re clean, quiet, and don’t require fuel refills.
Helping the Environment One Yard at a Time
It might not seem like switching your mower makes much of a difference, but it actually does. When more people stop using gas mowers, there’s less pollution in the air, less fuel being used, and way less noise in the neighborhood. That makes the whole area nicer for everyone.
Even a small change—like using a mower that doesn’t run on gas—can really add up over time. It’s one of the easiest ways to be more eco-friendly without having to do anything complicated.
And electric mowers are getting better every year. They’ve got stronger batteries now, better cutting power, and smart features that make mowing way easier than it used to be.
What to Look for in an Electric Mower
If you’re thinking about making the switch, it helps to know what to look for. A good electric mower should be light enough to push easily, powerful enough to cut through thick grass, and able to run long enough to finish the whole yard on a single charge.
Some models have extra features, like:
Adjustable cutting heights
Foldable handles for storage
Mulching or bagging options
Swappable batteries that work with other tools
These things don’t just make mowing easier—they help keep your yard looking better with less effort and waste.
Final Thoughts
Electric lawn mowers are a smart choice for anyone who wants to keep their yard neat while being kinder to the planet. They run cleaner, make less noise, and are easier to take care of than gas models. For smaller lawns and regular mowing, they’re more than enough to get the job done. And when it comes to greener living, switching to electric is one of the simplest steps you can take—starting right in your own backyard.
There’s something magical about curling up with a stack of beautiful garden books, especially this time of year, when the days are getting longer, the seed catalogs are calling, and the garden is just beginning to wake up.
Whether you’re planting your first raised bed, propagating houseplants, or planning your dream perennial border, these books are full of wisdom, inspiration, and tried-and-true techniques to help you grow more mindfully. These are the pages I’ve been turning lately, dog-earing tips, scribbling in margins, and feeling so ready to get my hands in the soil.
And to celebrate National Gardening Day (that’s today!), I’m giving away a curated bundle of four of my favorite garden reads to one lucky Sweet Greens reader! (More on that at the bottom of the post 👇)
🌼 1. Nettles & Petals by Jamie Walton
A poetic, plant-filled love letter to slow, seasonal gardening. This one is pure inspiration, filled with musings on garden life, wild beauty, and why the smallest details (like the hum of bees or a sprig of mint) matter most. It’s the book you’ll keep by your bedside or gift to every plant-loving friend.
If you’re dreaming of a low-maintenance, pollinator-loving, wild-ish garden that feels like it belongs right where it is, this book is for you. Kelly encourages gardeners to go with the flow of their natural landscape and use native plants to create spaces that are both beautiful and ecologically rich.
Perfect for gardeners in hot or dry climates (or anyone trying to be more water-wise), this book is full of real-life garden designs, plant suggestions, and strategies to create thriving gardens with less water. Smart, practical, and timely.
🌸 4. The Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening by the American Horticultural Society
This is your go-to reference for plants that come back year after year. It’s loaded with trusted info on choosing, planting, and maintaining perennials, plus it’s backed by one of the most respected names in horticulture.
🪴 5. The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation by Lindsay Sisti
For all my fellow houseplant lovers, this book is a must. It makes propagation feel approachable, fun, and (dare I say) addictive. From water rooting to dividing to leaf cuttings, Lindsay gives step-by-step visuals that make you want to start snipping immediately.
🥕 6. The Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening by the American Horticultural Society
If you’re growing your own food, or thinking about it, this book is a fabulous companion. It covers everything from crop rotation to pest prevention, all through an organic lens that puts soil health and sustainability first.
🪴 7. Square Foot Gardening: The World’s Most Popular Growing Method
A classic for a reason. Whether you have a big backyard or a few raised beds, this book teaches you how to maximize space and yield without feeling overwhelmed. Great for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Short on time? This one’s for you. It breaks down how to build and maintain a beautiful, healthy garden with quick, manageable tasks. Perfect if you want a green space but don’t have hours to spend outside every day.
To celebrate spring planting season, I’m giving away a bundle of 4 of my favorite garden reads to one lucky reader!
The winner will receive: 📘 Nettles & Petals by Jamie Walton 📗 Your Natural Garden by Kelly D. Norris 📕 Kitchen Garden Living 📙 The Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening
To enter:
Follow me @SweetGreens on Instagram or Facebook
Like the giveaway post (coming soon!)
Tag a fellow plant lover in the comments
Bonus entry: Leave a comment on this blog post telling me your favorite thing to grow 🌱
Giveaway closes April 30th and the winner will be announced the following day. Open to U.S. residents only.
Whether you’re reading in the garden, planning your next plot, or just dreaming of warmer days, these books are filled with the kind of wisdom that grows season after season.
Wishing you soft soil, sunny days, and a garden that brings you joy.
Happy weekend, friends! This morning, Jayson and I laced up our boots and started the day with a 3-mile mountain hike, one of those crisp, quiet mornings where the air smells like spring and everything feels just a little more alive. Along the way, we gathered some moss that had blown off the trees (don’t worry, we only collect what nature’s already released!) to use in our yard. It’s such a beautiful, grounding way to bring a little bit of our hike back home.
And speaking of green things… the Watauga County Farmers’ Market kicks off tomorrow, and we’re planning to make a full day of it! Jayson is bring along his Barebones Harvesting Bag for fresh local produce! After, we plan to visit a few of our favorite farm stands (we need eggs for Easter!), and then heading out for either a long hike or a scenic bike ride (depending on how ambitious we’re feeling post-market cinnamon roll!).
There’s something about spring weekends that feel like permission to slow down, soak it all in, and reconnect, with nature, with each other, and with the rhythms that feel most nourishing.
Here are a few green things that might inspire you to do the same:
🧺 The Pajamas So Good I Wear Them to Brunch Yes, I said brunch. These Forever French Baby pajamas are buttery soft, effortlessly cute, and absolutely lounge-to-lifestyle approved. [Read the post →]
🚐 Eco-Friendly Travel Must-Haves My go-to travel companions? A compact refillable first aid kit and the best plant-based wipes. Whether we’re hiking or RVing, these are always in my bag. [Read the post →]
🥜 Sustainable Snack Night with SunButter Nut-free, delicious, and perfect for low-waste snacking—this post includes simple, planet-friendly recipes you’ll love. [Read the post →]
🌸 10 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Spring as a Family From garden projects to backyard brunches, this post is full of easy, meaningful ways to enjoy the season together. [Read the post →]
As the world turns greener, I hope your weekend includes something fresh from the earth, something joyful with the people you love, and a little time to breathe it all in.
Until next time! xo, Sweet Greens
P.S. Do you have a spring ritual, favorite local farm stop, or weekend adventure planned? I’d love to hear what’s growing in your world—just hit reply!
