As summer comes to a close and fall heads this way, its time to start thinking about what plants to put in your garden for next year.

Are you going to change things up and try something new? Are you going to get creative with your arrangement and spell out “Hi Mom?” These questions, and surely some more, are probably going through your thoughts as planting season is around the corner.

But while your mind is scattered over the “what,” let’s draw your attention to the “how.”

Winter months can be harmful on plants and soil, so in order to keep what you’ve put in the ground healthy enough to sprout out of the ground, a raised garden bed may be in your future. 

With a raised garden bed you can section off a part of your yard to ensure the best possible place to grow plants. By elevating your garden, not only will you be enjoying an easier gardening experience, you’ll be providing a more secure environment for you plants, vegetables, and flowers, from unwanted pests, bacteria, and molds.

Another advantage from a raised garden bed is water conservation. Because the soil is lifted off the ground, and much less compact, moisture drains quicker allowing the ground, or in this case the soil in the bed, to stay warmer after wintry seasons. This better control over water, allows the gardener to better conserve how much water is being used.

Composters.com has all you need in the area of gardening, composting, and water conservation. As a leader in lawn and garden supplies, composters.com is committed to keeping you up-to-date in the latest and best products, and the best knowledge possible to make your experience, a very GREEN experience.

As another summer quickly draws to a close – I’ll pause for the collective sigh to stop – the most beautiful season of the year is right around the corner.

But with this magical time of color changing trees and football, there is another time honored tradition we all must remember and take part in: leaf raking.

While this task may seem as nothing more than playtime for some, and just a tedious task of busy work to others, there is yet a more pressing reason to rake the leaves. And yes, of course, it is an environmentally friendly reason.

Hey, who would we be if we didn’t push environmental consciousness?

Because some grass genes, especially those in colder, northern climates, grow their most during the fall season, it is important to give those grass species as much of their most important resources as possible.

Leaf covered grass can be deprived of the nutrients it needs in order to survive. Plus, the lack of air and water can be a breeding ground for fungi and insects.

Of course the most important resource the grass is being forced to do without is the sun.

Grass can literally be blanketed from the sun by a layering of leaves. Without the sun cool-season grasses, like in the northern climates or Kentucky bluegrass, can greatly be affected in their prime growing seasons.

For those that enjoy having a healthy lawn, without the muscle and time it traditionally takes raking leaves, try out the Featherweight Lawn Sweeper on composters.com. Unlike leaf blowers it’s quiet, and unlike the heavy-duty machinery, completely eco-friendly.

Because having a great looking lawn during all seasons shouldn’t come at the expense of your time, or your environment.