Organic, textural and highly ornamental, cabbage is an ideal crop to plant in your garden during those fall and winter months when falling leaves can be the only color abundant in the garden.

Planting rows of the cabbage was a great solution for my own raised veggie bed (below), which is very challenging to maintain this time of year. I long for pumpkins but we never seem to get them going in time.

A garden designer friend suggested the purple, low-water use option of the Cruciferea family (from the same family as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, collards and Brussels Sprouts) as a way to fill in the blank bed.

I love how they look, rather modern and clean as a design feature, plus, they actually like living in my San Francisco yard (not one has complained about the morning fog).

As a cool season crop with color that can be enhanced by cold weather, they can tolerate chillier temperatures of nearly 32 degrees, according to Vegetable Garden Suite 101. You can keep them as a lovely design feature, or cook them in a variety of dishes, from savory soups to simple steamed side dishes and  wonderful, healthy slaws.

Still, many prefer ornamental cabbage and kale as low water use plants rather than food, finding other members of the family of plants are much more tasty as food crops.

Apparently, the cabbage originated as a wild crop along the Mediterranean and Western Europe where it was used medicinally, and was one of the first Cruciferea crops to be domesticated some 2,000 years ago. Part of the popularity is the fact ornamental varieties need virtually no maintenance.

There are many sites for buying the flowering cabbage seeds, including Park Seed and  Neseed, or you can find them at a local nursery that deals in organic plants.

Park Seed recommends starting the seeds indoors and covering them very lightly before transplanting when the leaves begin to shoot.  The color evolves around 3 1/2 months from sowing to form a rosette of colorful leaves with cream rose, pink and purple shades, 10 inches high and 12 inches wide. To dig up hints and growing rich and ruffly cabbage as borders or in containers, visit Garden Blaze.

Tell them Peter Rabbit sent you!

Main Image: Raelene G

Image One: Luanne Bradley

Image Two: Garden Blaze

They’re already talking about their costumes, those candy-crazy girls of mine. That’s how I know fall is here, just a wink and a nod after packing them up for summer camp.

Design-wise, it’s one of the easiest seasons for stylists since it involves scavenging for leaves and twigs to tweak our vignettes for free. Ah, there’s that “F” word, again, a favorite at EcoSalon.

Want to spruce up your rooms for autumn without much of a budget? Take one of the following paths most traveled by the frugal M. Stewarts among us:

The Centerpiece: Leaf it Alone

The Toast and Tables blog gathers no moss but plenty of leaves for centerpieces (images below). The simplicity is enticing. You can also make your own wreath with bundles, or layer them along the mantle to be set aglow by beeswax candles.

The DIY Twiggy Cabinet Door from Apartment Therapy

Bring the outdoors in by assembling twigs to embellish the typical cupboard cabinet (image below).

Basket Cases for Giving Thanks to the Autumn Bounty

Most of us have a caterer’s supply of baskets stored in the house. Fill a few with aromatic apples, Indian corn, leaves, pumpkins and other colorful objects for a cornucopia of delights. Don’t forget to toast your pumpkin seeds and put them in a bowl on the coffee table for another tasty treat of fall.

Scatter Bowls of Fall Potpourri with Old Fashioned Living’s Blend of Earthy Balsam Scents

Collect dried leaves and flowers from the ground, blend with fragrant oils and make your own yummy potpourri. Follow the DIY recipe and bring the woods and celebration of the equinox into your nest.

Image: J. Charpentier

Felt Leaf Napkin Rings and Placecards for Your Fall Dinner Party

Design Sponge has the skinny on these orange and brown napkin rings and cards (images below), easy to make with felt, scissors, glue, buttons, thread and your imagination. I love the chic, homemade texture of these festive gems.

Main Image: Design Sponge

Sure, you could spray your front yard with a generous bath of toxic chemicals. Tasty! Or, you could simply enhance your collection of greenery with plants that serve that exact purpose, naturally. In fact, some even lure beneficial insects to make a meal out of the pests that feed on your foliage. All you need is your green thumb, and Mother Nature will take care of the rest.

Catnip

Keep flea beetles, aphids, weevils and ants at bay with catnip. There are hundreds of species to choose from that grow in shades of pink, white, blue or lilac. Plus, these flowering plants are known to trigger a euphoric state in both felines and humans.

Basil

Basil contains oil that is naturally effective in warding off mosquitoes and thrips.

Garlic

To deter aphids from destroying your bed of roses, plant some garlic nearby, and aphids won’t be the only insects running for the hills. This living pesticide repels snails, codling moths and root maggots as well. Also, flavoring your meals with these homegrown bulbs can help lower your cholesterol and prevent blood clots.

Artemisia

Artemisia vulgaris releases a pungent odor. While this antiseptic smell is capable of keeping away insects and small animals, it won’t bother you or your neighbors. Be aware that this shrub exudes botanical poison, so don’t plant it in your vegetable garden. It’s safest when confined to your flower beds.

Borage

Unlike artemisia, borage works best as an insecticide in your vegetable garden because it’s known to deter cabbage worms and tomato hornworms. But, it can benefit your flower beds as well by enriching your soil with trace elements and luring beneficial insects like wasps and bees.

Dahlia

These beautiful perennial plants ward off nematodes and infuse your garden with cheery shades of yellow, pink and red.

Marigolds

Various species of these warm-hued annual plants serve different purposes in your garden. To eliminate nematodes and fend off whiteflies, French marigolds will do the trick. If you can’t keep pesky rabbits away, Mexican marigolds are a better choice.

Hyssop

Honeybee populations are vanishing right before our eyes, so take part in pollination stimulation by planting hyssop in your garden. This herbaceous plant will draw honeybees and rouse your senses of smell with its sweet aroma.

Petunia

In addition to enhancing your garden with brilliant hues of yellow, red, pink and purple, this popular flowering plant deters a variety of pests that damage your flowers and vegetables, including tomato worms, asparagus beetles, aphids and leafhoppers.

Lavender

Lavenders are known to naturally repel harmful insects like moths and fleas. Plus, this flowering plant’s fragrant scent will help transform your garden into an aromatherapeutic wonderland.

Chrysanthemum

It’s no wonder that the dried flower heads of chrysanthemums are used to create an all-natural pesticide called pyrethrum. These perennial flowering plants repel a multitude of insects like fleas, ticks, roaches, Japanese beetles, silverfish, ants and lice.

Nasturtium

Don’t let cucumber beetles, whiteflies, wooly aphids and squash bugs destroy your vegetable garden. Just plant some nasturtiums and watch them bloom in vivid shades of orange, yellow, pink and red as they repel these pesky insects.

Click here for more information. Not able to plant new shrubs? Try out some safe, nontoxic pesticides with these natural solutions to rid your garden of pests.

Images: decafinata, The County Clerk, laura padgett, clayirving, daryl_mitchell, dominic, BMully, Swame Stream, The County Clerk, daryl_mitchell, avlxyz, jam343, CarbonNYC

Call it a succulent message in a bottle: terrariums that capsulize nature’s beauty and grace without requiring high maintenance and daily watering to thrive. You probably have the ideal vessel stashed some place with your vases. Get inspired and grow!

Pictured above: A Carnivorous Plant Terrarium from Apartment Therapy is showcasing a Pitcher Plant, which is rumored to feast on flies.

This Etsy Moss Terrarium, described as the “instant boyfriend” is simple to care for, involving  a glass container that measures approximately 2″ x 3.5″ and includes moss, soil, charcoal and river rocks. And keep in indirect sunlight and lightly water every 2-3 weeks to keep it alive. The figures have tiny stakes which allow them to be repositioned.

This lovely jug Air Plant Terrarium found at Apartment Therapy was made using a  favorite pitcher filled with sand and an airplant.

Another orb with object, this fish bowl terrarium from Inhabitat is lovingly layered with pebbles, charcoal, fern, sphagmum moss and other plants. So deer!

Busy? Zip through the DIY process and order this Recycled Glass Pear Terrarium from our friends at VivaTerra. It  arrives with sand and four delicately hued air plants requiring minimal maintenance to thrive. You can easily design your own exquisite miniature desert landscape or order the pear on its own and brainstorm your own composition.

Need some plants for your wall? These Green Pockets by Maruja Fuentes are mounted tiles made from recycled materials that elevate the houseplant to new heights.

Fuentes says the tiles fuse nature with the interior space, improving both air quality and health. The goal is to create the the illusion that the plants are actually growing from the wall installations.  The unique shape allows the sculpted half-domes to interlock, resulting in a variety of  patterns depending on the vegetation planted.

Image: Mocoloco

Say that six times fast, and then find your favorite pair of gardening gloves and let’s play with dirt. These pots are worthy of plenty of playtime.

Whether you want to grow your green indoors or out, the metal spun recycled aluminum Pod by PAD is the perfect planter. It’s sturdy, lightweight and powder coated in a choice of six sexy colors. (Say that six…never mind).

The Pod comes in two simple styles (both 16” D x 10” H). And if your space calls for it, choose one of the steel stands (15” or 22” high) for a layered effect. There’s something seriously eye-catching about these planters.

The Pod was officially unveiled at the Dwell on Design show in Los Angeles last weekend. It’s available to purchase at A + R (online or in the Venice showroom) for $156. The stands are $105 and $110.

I’ve never really thought of planting as playtime, but suddenly I’m feeling inspired.

via Josh Spear

If you ask me, artificial houseplants defeat the point of indoor foliage. Sure, they serve a decorative purpose, but houseplants are meant to bring nature indoors, not just mimic its appearance. (Not to mention they’re plastic!)

Don’t have much of a green thumb? Going faux isn’t your only option. Here are 10 houseplants that won’t wither away if you forget to give them TLC.

Tillandsia

Referred to as the air plant, tillandsia absorbs moisture and nutrients through its leaves. This nearly indestructible plant (shown above) doesn’t even need to be grown in soil and require minimal sunlight and water. (Psst…leave a comment on this post to win a tillandsia shell garden. VivaTerra is giving away one each of the large and small gardens.)

Hoya

Commonly known as the wax plant, hoya yields fragrant flowers that will keep your home smelling fresh without the aid of scented soy candles. It can survive on small amounts of water, but it thrives best in rooms that receive moderate sunlight.

Ponytail Palm

Growing up to 10 feet tall, this succulent stores moisture in its trunk and rarely needs to be watered. However, ponytail palms require ample sunlight, so position it next to a window.

Pothos

This versatile plant can grow in a pot, up a pole or from a hanging basket. Better yet, it requires little sunlight and flourishes in moderately dry soil. Just keep in mind that pothos is poisonous when chewed or ingested, so it’s not the best choice for households with pets or small children – unless you are able to place it somewhere out of reach of little hands and paws.

Jade Plant

If you’re forgetful, the jade plant is an ideal match. This slow-growing succulent requires bright light but little moisture. So, stick it in a sunny spot and scratch the task of watering off your daily routine.

Philodendron

You can’t help but feel the love at the sight of this popular indoor plant’s heart-shaped leaves. With minimal sunlight and water, philodendrons can climb or trail beyond eight feet, so give them some room to grow. There are many types of philodendron; these a few common varieties. Like pothos, it is poisonous when chewed or ingested. (See this guide to safe and toxic houseplants for pets.)

Peperomia

Growing up to a foot tall, peperomia makes a fabulous tabletop accent. It doesn’t need to be watered frequently and can withstand minimal sunlight. Although safe for households with children, it’s a hazard to your furry friends. (There are several types; the variety shown is peperomia rotundifomia.)

Cast-Iron Plant

Its name says it all. Aspidistra Elatior or cast-iron plants are incredibly durable, and although the soil must remain moist throughout active growth, it can survive in even the darkest of rooms.

Snake Plant

This low-maintenance succulent can reach heights of up to four feet, so it’s perfect for lonely corners. Snake plants (also going  by the name mother-in-law’s tongue) survive in low light with little water. In fact, if you water it too often, it will develop root rot. This is definitely one that thrives on some neglect.

Zeezee Plant

There’s a reason this succulent garnered the nickname “eternity plant”. Born to be neglected, the zeezee plant can survive a couple weeks without water and will adorn your living space for years to come. Like pothos and philodendrons, it’s not a friend to teething babies or curious pets.

Been bitten by the garden bug? Try out the 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow, the 10 Best Plants for Xeriscaping and Eco Plants You Can’t Kill.

Images: blmurch, magnio, quinn.anya, Anika Malone, Katie@!, jetalone, jriro2000, Marco’s Lawn Landscape, wikimedia, Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery

I’ve been walking my suburban San Francisco neighborhood for 13 years now, first as a newly married in jogging apparel, then as a new mom pushing a carriage, then one pushing a double umbrella stroller, and now, as an old mom yanking on a pug dog’s leash as I hike the steep hills. I’ve observed a happy change evolving in the landscape, from estates with thirsty sprawling lawns graced with European cottage-style gardens to inventive green designs using rocks or wild grasses as ground cover and gorgeous compositions of the heartiest plants around: succulents.

Who doesn’t love an exotic plant that stores its own water? Guess that’s why more homeowners faced with fat mortgages and recession woes are curbing the sprinklers and opting for low water-use plants.

We often associate cacti with succulents, and while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are categorized as cacti. Both are native to regions such as the Southwest of Africa and can thrive in many environments and weather conditions. As eCountry Lifestyle points out, succulents are among the easiest plants to grow – and even make excellent potted indoor house plants, when positioned near a sunny window.

Succulents actually prefer small pots, even in the garden, which allows you to control the moisture level since over-watering can cause the roots to rot. A cutting can be planted directly in soil and it will develop roots and flourish.

Naturally stunning rock configured landscapes, such as those by Dane Easter of Mystical Landscapes (below), exhibit newly planted succulents in both shady and sunny settings. These hearty desert dwellers are accustomed to dry conditions and do best with varied soil mixtures, including coarse sand.

The aloe vera plant, sold at sites like Cacti.com, is one of the most familiar succulents since its properties often employed in natural skin remedies. Others include the jade plant, century plant (Agave), snake plant and flowering kalanchoe. They can add variety since they come in so many different colors and textures. They key is learning how to plant them in multiples to produce a balanced design.

For some helpful hints to get started with your own garden, check out Garden Time Online which will lead you down the path of selecting the right plants and placing them in your garden.

Images: breworks, Melir,