Chaos Gardening Is Blowing Up on the Internet—This Is What It Means

Planning out the perfect garden can be a headache. From determining the exact needs of each plant to selecting complementary colors, the pursuit of perfection can overwhelm beginner gardeners. Of course, you want a gorgeous array of seasonal flowers, but isn’t gardening supposed to be fun?

To keep the joyful spirit of gardening alive, many TikTok plant fanatics are turning to chaos gardening—a silly, haphazard and stress-free approach to planting. The term seems to have originated from a TikToker named Sassy Mama (@sassy.mama92.2), whose video has garnered almost 3 million views. Check it out for yourself below, then learn everything you need to know to start your own chaos garden.

@sassy.mama92.2 #chaosgardening #flowers results to come!! Im so excited!! #goodvibesonly💚😶‍🌫️ #flowergarden #gardener #fyp ♬ Sugar, Sugar – The Archies

What Is Chaos Gardening?

Chaos gardening is basically the practice of creating your own flower seed mix and strewing it in your garden. In her video, Sugar Mama adds potting soil to a bucket, then pours in full seed packets of various flowers, including wildflower mixes, a pollinator-attracting mix, blue tansy, cosmos, zinnias and sunflowers. Many chaos gardeners also focus on the inclusion of native plants to support their local ecosystems.  From there, Sugar Mama simply mixes the seeds up to randomize the resulting flowers’ placement.

Notably, chaos gardening differs from guerilla gardening. While chaos gardening does share its use of random flower assortments with seed bombing, it is typically done on one’s own property, unlike guerilla gardening practices. Additionally, using native plants is not inherently built into the practice (though strongly encouraged!).

What Does a Chaos Garden Look Like?

Chaos gardening yields a fun, surprising and dynamic garden. Wildflower enthusiasts and fans of the English country garden may be particularly drawn to this method of gardening, as it mimics the natural appearance of wildflower or country garden patches.

Additionally, chaos gardening can produce hybrid flowers. This can make it an especially appealing planting tactic for intermediate gardeners, who want to experiment with creating their own flower mutations. Still, because of the method’s ease, you definitely don’t need to be a pro to enjoy chaos gardening.

How Can I Start Chaos Gardening?

At a minimum, all you need to start chaos gardening is some potting soil, a bucket and a variety of seeds. Follow Sassy Mama’s lead and toss the soil and seed mixture in handfuls around your yard, then pat down the soil mix and water it regularly. That’s it!

However, if you want the most successful chaos garden possible, I suggest seeking seed varieties with similar soil and sun needs. For example, use all full-sun flowers or all partial sun plants, depending on the garden’s available light. Choosing low-maintenance flowers never hurts, either.

Lastly, maintain an open mind. Chaos gardening is essentially experimental, so be prepared for your flowers to surprise you! After all, isn’t trial and error half the fun of gardening?

Article source here: Chaos Gardening Is Blowing Up on the Internet—This Is What It Means

6 Ways Your Home Contributes to Pollution (and How To Stop It)

Air Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a list of thirteen common indoor air pollutants, but the agency missed an important one: water vapor. Excessive humidity promotes mold and fungus growth and respiratory ailments, making it potentially as harmful as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other better-known pollutants.

Here are some ways for homeowners to keep the air indoors cleaner and more healthy:

• Keep your home well-ventilated.
• Clean or replace your HVAC filters frequently, especially when there’s smoke from a wildfire in the local atmosphere.
• Use low-VOC paint when remodeling.
• Stop cooking with gas. That’s the direction government regulations are pushing, so maybe now is the time for that new induction cooktop.
• Consider upgrading gas appliances with high-efficiency electric ones, like a heat pump for home heating/cooling and a hybrid water heater.
• Don’t spray pesticides. There are safer, more effective ways to handle ants and other pests.
• Smoke outdoors.
• Use unscented cleaning products. Some fragrances combine with ozone (itself a pollutant) to form formaldehyde.
• Avoid products that generate ozone, like vegetable washers, and hair or facial tools.

Article source here: 6 Ways Your Home Contributes to Pollution (and How To Stop It)

Costco Just Launched Its Own Kirkland-Branded Grill

There are countless reasons to love Costco—from the incredible deals to the delicious food court to the sheer variety of products you can find in store. If you’ve been trying to find the perfect grill to enjoy all summer (and long after that), you’ll be thrilled to discover that Costco’s signature Kirkland brand recently debuted its own grill. We’re not exaggerating when we say this is something you’re not going to want to miss.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Kirkland brand grill, and why it’s an awesome choice for your family.

What’s Costco’s New Kirkland Grill?

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There’s a lot to love about the new Kirkland grill you can buy at Costco. For starters, its price is unmatched, making it one of the best outdoor grill options available. What’s to love about this grill? We’re glad you asked! It features six burners, is made out of stainless steel, has electronic ignition and uses gas as a power source.

The grill costs $899.99, and it qualifies for the Costco Direct Buy More, Save More promo. Additionally, you can opt for assembly, which is available in most places but expect to pay an additional fee, which you’ll receive a quote for during checkout.

Do I Have to Be a Costco Member to Buy It?

Whether you purchase the grill online or in person at your local store, you will have to be a Costco member to buy it. If you attempt to buy the grill on the website, you are prompted to enter your membership ID number or purchase a membership if you do not already have one. Without supplying this information, you’re unable to get to the next step of the checkout process.

When Can I Get One?

We have the best news yet: If you’re looking to secure the perfect Father’s Day gift for your dad, you can probably get the Kirkland grill in time for the holiday (depending on where you live, of course). Costco’s website states that you should expect your grill to arrive within 1-2 weeks from the time that you order it. Whether you decide to order online or pick up your grill in-store to bring it home the same day, the grill appears to be in stock right now. In other words, act fast so you don’t miss this deal!

Article source here: Costco Just Launched Its Own Kirkland-Branded Grill

7 Best Eco-Friendly Dishwashers to Save the Environment (and Your Wallet)

Best Overall Eco-Friendly Dishwasher

Bosch 300 Series Top-Control Dishwasher

The Bosch 300 Series is one of the best eco-friendly dishwashers, complete with an advanced precision washing system for the optimal amount of water to clean your dishes. The PureDry technology pulls water off plates and cups and onto the stainless steel interior without a heating element, which means it can easily wash and dry plastics, like baby bottles.

Moreover, the dishwasher has five cycle options, including a National Sanitation Foundation-Certified Sanitization cycle to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria. We’re also big fans of the third rack for silverware, and the adjustable upper rack and flexible tines for larger pots and pans.

Pros

• Precision washing system
• Has a third rack
• Includes flexible tines
• Quiet 48-decibel (dB) sound rating

Cons

• No pre-soak cycle

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Article source here: 7 Best Eco-Friendly Dishwashers to Save the Environment (and Your Wallet)

A Floating Cooler Keeps Drinks Chilled on the Water (at Any Budget)

Best Overall Floating Cooler

Intex Mega Chill II

We love both the flexibility and durability of this floating cooler. The Mega Chill II has excellent buoyancy, rugged construction and is spacious enough (48 x 38-inch) to hold 72 cans and six cup holders. Place drinks and ice in the onboard cooler or use it as a base for an insulated hard-sided cooler on top of this floating raft. It’s a party-pleasing choice for river rafting, floating, kayaking, toting behind a pontoon or splashing in the lake. 

“I bought this for doing river runs with friends,” writes Nate Vossekuil in his five-star review. “This thing bounced off about a dozen rocks and multiple sticks and trees. One stick was pointed upstream and stuck into the front of it; still full of air a week later!”

Pros

• Large capacity
• Durable
• Includes patch kit
• Holds air well

Cons

• Lid needs to be tied down

Shop Now on Amazon

Article source here: A Floating Cooler Keeps Drinks Chilled on the Water (at Any Budget)

6 Best Inflatable Hot Tub Picks for Ultimate Relaxation

Best Overall Inflatable Hot Tub

Coleman SaluSpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa

The Coleman SaluSpa points 140 powerful air jets at your back, neck and shoulders, filling your inflatable hot tub with bubbles to massage your sore muscles and help you relax. Made of sturdy PVC material with innovative I-beam construction, this best inflatable hot tub won’t lose shape and is resistant to accidental punctures. You don’t need a guide for setup. Plug the included pump into an electrical outlet and inflate.

The easy-to-operate digital control panel adjusts the air jet pressure and water temperature for optimal comfort. The SaluSpa warms the water up to 104 degrees and features a power-saving timer to set the temperature 72 hours ahead of time. Use the included cover to maintain the water’s temperature and keep it clean of leaves and debris.

“This thing is amazing without a doubt one of the best $400+ I’ve ever spent,” writes five-star reviewer James Skaggs. “The 140 jets actually do some work even though they’re little holes. There’s a cushion on the bottom so it’s not like sitting on the floor.”

Pros

• Adjustable heat and AirJet pressure
• Easy to set up
• Sturdy construction and durable materials
• Power-saving timer
• ChemConnect dispenser for regulating chlorine levels

Cons

• Some customers say the included instructions can be confusing

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Article source here: 6 Best Inflatable Hot Tub Picks for Ultimate Relaxation

8 Products from LGBT-Owned Companies We Love

Boy Smells Slow Burn Scented Room Spray

Founded in 2016 by Matthew Herman and David Kien, Boy Smells produces candles and room-freshening sprays that ignore the gender norms typically associated with fragrances. The Slow Burn Room Spray combines traditionally “masculine” and “feminine” ingredients into a gender-neutral scent that makes your home smell incredible. This best-selling spray is a collaboration between Boy Smells and Kacey Musgraves and has a spicy and smoky aroma infused with black pepper and smoked papyrus.

Boy Smells makes sustainability a priority, responsibly sourcing materials like coconut oil and beeswax that are renewable and eco-friendly. Aside from the scents, this LGBTQ+ brand is beloved for its sleek, minimalist packaging and bold, vibrant colors, which adds a touch of modern elegance to any decor.

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Article source here: 8 Products from LGBT-Owned Companies We Love