Category Archives: The Great Outdoors

Ever wanted to compost yourself? It's easy! Learn how to start composting with this article! via www.twopurplecouches.com

How To Start Composting

Ever wanted to compost yourself? It's easy! Learn how to start composting with this article! via www.twopurplecouches.com

This probably falls under one of those 20-things-you-didn’t-know-about-me categories, but I have been wanting to start composting since we moved into our house in 2011. This may be a strange house goal, but for as much as I enjoy gardening, it only made sense that eventually I would want/need a compost of some sort.

Composting is a bit of a science, but a pretty easy one at that. I am just getting mine started, so I thought I’d share my journey with you and show you how to start composting yourself!

Continue reading

How to overwinter dahlia bulbs

How To Overwinter Dahlias

How to overwinter dahlia bulbs

Our yard was overflowing with dahlias this past spring and summer. We bought them up in droves and planted them all over our front yard to add a splash of color between our boxwoods, Japanese yew and Knockout roses. And instead of just pulling them out and getting rid of them for the winter, we’re going to try to overwinter our dahlias.

We’ve heard from several people that it may be possible to salvage the dahlia bulbs for next spring. So, after a little research, we thought we might as well conduct an experiment to see if we can successfully overwinter dahlias…

Continue reading

A Day at the Country Living Fair

Country Living Fair 2014 Columbus Ohio. via www.twopurplecouches.com #CLFair #CountryLiving #Fall #Fairs #columbus #ohio

Are you a fan of Country Living Magazine? Have you heard of the Country Living Fair?

I first heard of the Fair from coworkers several years ago. Then Anne and I talked about it on our drive to Haven this year. And I kept hearing the same comment: You’d love it.

So I guess it’s lucky that the Country Living Fair makes a stop just north of me in Columbus, Ohio. And I finally got to check it out this past weekend!

Continue reading

Summer Garden Tour

A bright and colorful garden tour awaits at Two Purple Couches #gardening #gardentour #dahlia #hydrangea #vegetablegardening

So I just realized that it’s August (whaaaa!?), and I’ve never taken you guys on our garden tour! I’ve talked about various gardening projects I’ve done, but never given you the full-monty view of our yard.

Please accept my apologies.

So, without further ado… the moment you’ve all been waiting for (at least I hope so)…

The Two Purple Couches Summer Garden Tour!

Continue reading

How To: Make a Vertical Herb Garden

How to Make a Vertical Herb Garden by Two Purple Couches #gardening #urbangardening #verticalgardens #herbs #basil #cilantro #rosemary #chives

One of my favorite things about summer is having fresh herbs on hand to use in recipes: basil for homemade pesto, cilantro for tacos, mint for infusing water, etc. And in years past I’ve potted these herbs on our deck, but having them on the floor of the deck isn’t really ideal, with rain causing soil to splash everywhere, blah, blah, blah.

So I decided to make a simple vertical herb garden to keep them in easy reach this summer.

Continue reading