SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Features
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Gardening
    • How to Start a Garden: Especially if you’re in Zone 3 or Zone 2
    • Seed Starting
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Perennials
    • Cut Flowers
    • Small Space Gardening
  • Recipes
    • Canning
    • Preserving
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • The Best Pumpkin Recipes
    • How to Make a Tempting Christmas Cookie Tray (Plus Recipes!)
  • Popular Posts
  • E-Books
    • Pretty & Practical Garden Planner
    • Cut Flowers Made Simple
    • Constant Colour Perennial Garden
    • Small Garden, Big Harvest
    • Growing Roots Online Gardening Course
    • Frost Proof Flower Garden
    • Bouquets Made Beautiful
    • Savvy Seed Saving Annual Cut flowers
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • Online Gardening Consultations
  • Seasons
    • Christmas

Week 4: Yard Transformation Challenge

May 15, 2018

It’s almost May Long Weekend and I have been super busy getting my yard and garden ready.  Come see my blood, sweat, and tears in this week’s edition of the yard transformation challenge.

Thanks again to Nat of Simple Family Crazy Life for hosting this challenge!

[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

1 Comment
Filed Under: Curb Appeal, Gardening, Makeover, Seeding Square, Yard Transformation Challenge Tagged: Curb Appeal, raised vinyl beds, seeding square, square foot gardening, Yard

Curb Appeal in a Weekend

August 20, 2016

Like most things in this house, our front door and curb appeal leave much to be desired.  The trees are overgrown, the paint is tired, and the colours are boring.

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

There’s not much I can do about the trees for the time being, but I can try and liven up the rest.  I took a quick trip to Home Depot and found my inspiration:

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

This is Behr’s Calypso Blue, and it was just the thing to liven up the front door.  The deck was in good shape, but also looking a bit tired.  I subbed out the faded dark brown for a dark grey.  My sweet little helper even got in on the action.

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

He did very well considering his age and learned some important lessons about how much paint is appropriate for the paint brush :-).

Repurpose What You Own

I didn’t want to replace the numbers or the mailbox, so I gave them a quick coat of flat black spray paint.  $7 sure beats getting new ones for $50 or more.  I also ripped off the rug that was stapled to the deck.  It may or may not have been contributing to the smell when you first walk in the house.

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

Curb Appeal for Less than $100!

This project took about 6 hours of work and cost under $100.  There was lots of paint left over, so I’ll be using that for the front fences once my neighbours are on board.  If you’re planning a refresh similar to mine, I recommend setting aside a weekend for it because you need to allow for drying time.

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy
You can’t really see in the picture, but the white door had a terrible paint job on it. Whoever did it before did not do enough coats.

imageHere's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

7 Cheap Things You Can Do in Weekend to Improve Curb Appeal

  1. Paint your front door a vibrant colour
  2. Repaint or replace your house numbers and mailbox
  3. Plant perennials from a friend
  4. Paint tired stairs
  5. Add two large potted plants
  6. Buy a cute welcome mat
  7. Trim shrubs and mow lawn

image

Want to plant some perennials, but not sure which ones are beginner friendly?  Head on over to 28 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting and 53 Garden Favourites.

Here's 7 money-saving tips to improve your curb appeal when you're on a budget. With a little bit of paint, a few flowers, and no landscaping, you can improve the look of your front door and front yard in a weekend. Cheap, easy, and under $100. #curbappeal #landscaping #frontdoor #cheap #onabudget #moneysaving #flowers #frontyard #easy

Want to see the inside?  Make sure you check out our home tour!

What do you think?   Would you try a bold colour on your front door?  If you already have one, what’s your colour?

**UPDATE**  The neighbours approve of our new blue door!  We got lots of compliments when we went door to door for Halloween

 

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

6 Comments
Filed Under: 1929 house, Curb Appeal, DIY, Makeover, Painting Tagged: Calypso Blue, Curb Appeal, Front Door, Makeover, Paint, painting

Home Tour

Welcome to our home!  We bought a fixer up and have been slowly making it our own.  It’s far from done, but here’s the progress so far.

Please forgive the paint on the floors, I’ll be refinishing them once I’ve painted everything!!

Exterior

Removing trees wasn’t in the budget, but it’s amazing the difference a bright paint colour, flowers, and a trim for the shrubs makes.  You can read more about my weekend makeover here.

Dining Room

We’ve since found an actual table and chairs, but it’s still not quite what I had in mind.  It doesn’t look quite the way I imagined, so this room will be getting a redo once I’ve finished painting the rest of the rooms.  Read more about the dining room transformation here.

Hallway

It might not be the most exciting room of the house, but even the hallway needed a makeover.  Read about the process here.

Living Room

 

 

The living room has come a long way since its wall papered glory.  Read: wallpaper on the ceiling as well as two layers on the walls!!  I was beyond excited when I could actually paint the first wall.  Read about the progress here and the full reveal here.

Kitchen

The kitchen is so close to being done, but it’s been a tough room to work with.  It’s small and doesn’t have a lot of counter space, but I love that I can close it off from the rest of the house.  (So no one can see the mess, of course!)

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom still leaves much to be desired.  I wanted to paint it first because it’s always been last on the list in every house we’ve ever owned.  However, this will do until there’s space in the budget to perk things up.  New headboard?  Cute artwork?  Anyone?

You can see our home all dressed up for Christmas here.

Along the way I’ve had my share of laughs, tears, and life lessons.  It’s been challenging renovating with a pre-schooler, but we’re making it work.  Check back soon for more updates!

 

SaveSave

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

Grow roots with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • 5 Easy Ways to Increase Pollination in Your Vegetable Garden
  • Bloom Times: What Cut Flowers Grow When in Zone 3
  • The Best Vegetables & Flowers to Start with Winter Sowing
  • 21 Cut Flowers to Grow in Part Shade
  • The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings (from Budget to Bougie)

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Connect with Shifting Roots On. . .

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Find What You’re Looking For. . .

Privacy Policy

I love seeing the world through this loving boy’ I love seeing the world through this loving boy’s eyes.  Honestly, I’ve been so sick that I wasn’t really in the mood to “do Valentines Day” but there was this sweet little voice going on about how excited he was for today and how much he loves his family and I just couldn’t resist.  So whether you’re on your own, part of a couple, or in the thick of life-with-littles craziness, Happy Valentines Day!

#valentinesday2020 #mylittlevalentine #boymomlife #lifewithlittles
How do you pass a cold -28 day? By planning your How do you pass a cold -28 day?  By planning your garden, of course!  Today in my stories I’ll be going through the steps I take to start planning everything out.  I’m curious, do you start planning now or wait until the last minute?

P.S.  want your own copy of this planner?  This is the newly updated paid version and it’s on sale by itself from now until Sunday for only $5.  If you’re from Canada, use the code CANADA to make $5 USD be closer to $5 CAD.  Head over to the link in my bio to get yours.

#gardenplanning #gardenplanner #gardenersofinstagram #gardenersofig #organizedlife #organizedliving #wintergardening
Curious about growing lettuce indoors? My experim Curious about growing lettuce indoors?  My experiment is a success so far, although it’s still going to be awhile before I’m eating another salad off of them.

Okay, so maybe a little rant today.  I think sometimes in the gardening space we’re guilty of making things seem easier than they are.  Myself included.  This lettuce project is a case in point.

Was it easy?  Yes.  But will it provide me with endless salads all winter long? Nope.  Or at least not at this scale.  I’m going to estimate that I’d need at least 15 plants this size, especially since it’s winter and everything just grows slower.  And I’m the only person in my family who really eats salad.

In conclusion, this is a fun project to pass the winter, and not a truly sustainable source of lettuce.

Thoughts?

#growinglettuce #eatwhatyougrow #growwhatyoueat #wintergardening #indoorgardening #plantproject #sustainablefood #gardenersofinstagram #gardenerslife #northerngardening
Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing ex Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing exactly what to start when.  Every two weeks, I'll be posting these handy guides so you have enough time to order your seeds and be ready to plant when it's time for your area.  To find out when these veggies, herbs, and flowers need to be started where you live. . . ⁠
⁠
1. Search out your area's last frost date.  There are plenty of calculators on the Internet.⁠
⁠
2. Count backwards 8 weeks from that date.⁠
⁠
3. Start these seeds when that date hits.⁠
⁠
If you follow me because we're in similar zones--don't panic, it's not time yet!! I won't be starting my 10 week seeds for another two weeks, and even that is slightly on the early side. (I'm starting everything a bit early so I can hopefully plant it out before baby gets here--I won't be physically able to do it after.) I like posting the info early for followers in warmer zones and so you can save it and still have time to order/buy seeds & supplies.⁠
⁠
Which one of these are you most excited to start?⁠
⁠
#seedstarting #seedlings #homegardener #northerngardener #homesteading #urbandhomesteading #homesteadingskills #gardenlife #gardenlifestyle #startingseeds
Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing the whole seed packet in hopes that a few of these little luffa babies will provide me with zero waste sponges that I can use for home cleaning, and as an exfoliant in home made beauty products.

The catch?

These plants are notoriously hard to grow, especially when you live somewhere cold with a really cold growing season—and if they get a hint of frost on them they turn to mush and all my hard work is ruined.

Gulp.

But gardeners are born optimists, so I’m giving it a shot—because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

P.S. if you’re trying luffa in zone 3 like me, just basically ignore all the directions on the seed packet.  Start them immediately (two weeks ago would have been ideal) and follow along because I’ll show you exactly what to do and when.  I’ll be popping these under a grow light once the sun goes down.

#luffagourd #luffa #loofah #seedlings #seedstarting #northerngardening #northerngardener #gardenersofinstagram #gardenersofig #mygardenthismonth #gardenlife #canadiangardening
This weekend I took a big leap of faith. I came t This weekend I took a big leap of faith.  I came to New York to meet with other content creators/business owners to dig deep into what we do and create a strategy around our messaging.  I don’t even know how to properly describe what all went down, but is was incredibly life changing and I really feel connected to this tribe of women who are committed to playing to win and being the people our businesses need us to be.  I’m so excited to share what I’ve planned for my business with you in the coming months.

#playtowin #gardenblogger #businessowner #wahmlife
Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant? I Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant?  I think the Sansevera or Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s tongue comes close.  Sure, it might be the vanilla of the plant-loving world, but it is so good for so many situations!⁠
⁠
It can handle you forgetting to water it, low light, or bright light.  It is somewhat forgiving if you are an over-waterer. ⁠
⁠
I’ve had this one for 2 or 3 years now and I keep getting rewarded with more spikes.⁠
⁠
Plant lovers, is there another houseplant you think would be perfect for beginners?⁠
⁠
#crazyplantlady #houseplantsofig #houseplantsofinstagram #snakeplant #houseplantlove
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2021

Copyright © 2021 · Beyond Madison Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in