https://laurengrowshome.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-04-07 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/raised-beds monthly 0.5 2026-04-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/28d07b3f-c279-4e4b-a606-7037f10d2564/20260208_005857476_iOS.jpg LGH Blog - The Raised Bed Swap: Why I traded wood for metal Lately, I’ve been stripping out my old wood-sided beds and replacing them with metal. While wood looks classic, metal is just… easier. It doesn't warp under the pressure of wet soil, and it doesn't provide a damp, rotting buffet for slugs and earwigs to hide in during the rainy months. Plus, assembling a metal kit is a logistically easier task for me compared to an afternoon of measuring and cutting lumber. Delivered right to my house - each raised bed took a few hours to assemble. The only downside to making the switch to metal? These beds are deeper than their wooden counterparts. If you try to fill a 23-inch deep metal bed with bags of premium organic soil, you’ll spend a small fortune before you even buy a single seed. (Right: A coyote visitor in our backyard this past winter!) To get around that, I’ve researched and decided on a layering method that is as much about recycling as it is about gardening. Instead of a solid block of dirt, I treat the bed like a slow-cooking compost pile. I start by lining the very bottom with plain brown cardboard to smother the grass, just make sure you’ve cleared off the packing tape first. On top of that, I go heavy on the "bulk." I’m talking old logs, fallen branches and sticks. It feels wrong to put a literal tree limb in your garden, but as that wood breaks down over the years, it acts like a sponge, holding onto moisture and feeding the soil from the bottom up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/f3367af2-074c-43cb-a433-f5f096ad94b8/20260402_210216572_iOS.jpeg LGH Blog - The Raised Bed Swap: Why I traded wood for metal - (Left: I opted to kill the grass with cedar chips.) Once the heavy lifting is done, I fill in the gaps with wood chips, dried leaves, grass clippings and some “contributions” from my chickens too. You just want to create a dense mat that prevents your "good" soil from disappearing into the cracks. Only the top 8 to 12 inches actually need to be high-quality organic raised bed soil. That’s the zone where the roots live, while everything underneath is busy turning into gold for next year’s crop and feeding my favorite backyard worm community. It’s a bit of a process, and the backyard looks like a construction zone for a day or two, but it’s a system that actually lasts. It’s not about having a perfect, manicured setup—it’s about building a garden that works for you, rather than one you’re constantly having to repair. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/bracket-2026 monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/929d8f74-bc70-4d1c-bd74-28a5d1b79791/LGH+March+Mulchness+2026.png LGH Blog - March Mulch-ness 2026 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/chocolate-tasting monthly 0.5 2026-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/bbc55599-b383-4b68-a9d8-c222cdadb5d8/IMG_7578.jpg LGH Blog - Entertaining with Flair - A Tasting Competition for your next Gathering - Make it interesting! Everyone loves a little guessing game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/66721f77-09c6-42db-996e-53264d91bc2c/IMG_7614.jpg LGH Blog - Entertaining with Flair - A Tasting Competition for your next Gathering The chocolate tasting game was really fun! I think everyone enjoyed it and it offered a way to move folks through the evening. I did have one mistake though - while I had procured a prize for the winner (whoever got the most answers correct), I failed to anticipate a tie! There was indeed a tie, even though my guests did say the game was quite tough. We ended up just doing rock/paper/scissors for the winner, which added some fanfare, but I would have loved to have an additional chocolate or two to conduct one last tie-breaker game. Given that my event was a Ladie’s Night/Galentine’s day celebration, the prize for our winner was a gift certificate to Lovestruck in Seattle - Seattle’s only romance bookstore! I think having a coordinated prize is fun and a little silly too. What do you think - does this sound fun? https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/stockings monthly 0.5 2025-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/7348f8a5-b378-4fbe-8956-d1a829d7e533/IMG_0945.png LGH Blog - Everything in my kids’ stockings so far - Make it stand out Bad Guys Books Bath bomb potions Mouth guard Pretend play dagger Rubber aliens (similar) - found the item above at Snapdoodle Toys in Seattle, WA Labubu keychain (similar) - found the item above at Snapdoodle Toys in Seattle, WA Fortune teller fish - found at Snapdoodle Toys in Seattle, WA Bath bombs Marshmallow bits Giant chocolate coin - Trader Joe’s Peel off fruit leather buttons - Trader Joe’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/2a201aea-6c09-49f7-bd60-d7cc04789bd1/IMG_0948.png LGH Blog - Everything in my kids’ stockings so far - Make it stand out Mini playing cards Needoh groovy jewel Origami (similar) found the item above at Snapdoodle Toys in Seattle, WA Liquid keychain (similar) Bath bombs Marshmallow bits Bath bomb potions Fortune teller fish - found at Snapdoodle Toys in Seattle, WA Giant chocolate coin - Trader Joe’s Peel off fruit leather buttons - Trader Joe’s Espresso cups + saucers (thrifted!) https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/picky-eating monthly 0.5 2025-11-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/fe43a2df-e2a1-482c-8c85-444dec2590c1/picky+eaters+%28Blog+Banner%29.png LGH Blog - Navigating Picky Eating: What worked for us - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/pikler-triangle monthly 0.5 2025-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/95943140-1771-4a57-b333-9c47e07692a8/Pikler+Triangles+banner.png LGH Blog - There’s no better long-lasting toy for toddlers: the Pikler Triangle - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/ski-bedroom monthly 0.5 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/6b7df331-34ff-47f5-a664-b28ab94343c2/Kids+Ski+Bedroom+%28Blog+Banner%29.png LGH Blog - Fresh tracks on this boy’s bedroom - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/9d83ff07-3b35-4548-89ef-72a63ae6cde8/Before.png LGH Blog - Fresh tracks on this boy’s bedroom - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/garden-kids monthly 0.5 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/87280e88-d29c-4f82-982b-0a9dc7026ed8/GG+Garden+Helper.png LGH Blog - Productive garden gifts for kids - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/swing-options monthly 0.5 2026-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/bfa29f64-5226-497c-83a3-fea4e300e9f2/Interchangeable+Swings+blog.png LGH Blog - Our swappable swing - so many options! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/gifts-in-laws monthly 0.5 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/e34a6488-14e6-49a4-a9fb-7568cfcd8e03/1.png LGH Blog - Gifting with Intention: In-laws - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/7e4f1e3d-8c3f-48da-b3a3-72095866b2ab/wool+blanket LGH Blog - Gifting with Intention: In-laws - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/2baed55a-31cd-4585-9551-1379d181e7f5/coffee+subscription LGH Blog - Gifting with Intention: In-laws - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/6f09e66c-dae5-4b26-be57-5efc0495b3b3/4.png LGH Blog - Gifting with Intention: In-laws - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/ceiling-hook monthly 0.5 2026-02-25 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/deck-chairs monthly 0.5 2025-10-03 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/lavender-simple-syrup monthly 0.5 2025-10-03 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/shelf-styling monthly 0.5 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/df02e06b-422a-40c4-a04b-7c1edbfb8613/4.jpg LGH Blog - Shelf Styling - there’s no single right way, my friend - Make it stand out My living room shelves are both my favorite and an absolute chore to style. https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/compost monthly 0.5 2025-08-26 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/category/gifts+for+kids monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/category/stocking+stuffers monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/category/kids monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/montessori monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/garden+recipes monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/entertaining monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/compost monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/home+decor monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/long-lasting+toys monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/thrifting monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/wood+toys monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/tools monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/ski monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/simple+syrup monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/diy monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/DIY monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/raised+beds monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/soil+care monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/patio+furniture monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/shelf+styling monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/garden monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/party+time monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/fall+garden monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/blog/tag/toddler+play monthly 0.5 https://laurengrowshome.com/home daily 1.0 2025-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/9e0a528f-b1d2-4506-8a40-a0ba7d77eee7/AU3A4443.jpg https://laurengrowshome.com/about daily 0.75 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/c460bf5c-20bc-4aab-8b8e-567f0e5b7696/headshot.jpg https://laurengrowshome.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/684c99d1c3610167c3a0778e/6f80031b-bc38-4555-a8c8-34cd597783de/headshot.jpg https://laurengrowshome.com/gardening-tools daily 0.75 2025-10-03 https://laurengrowshome.com/gardening-tools-1 daily 0.75 2025-10-03 https://laurengrowshome.com/faqs daily 0.75 2025-10-28 https://laurengrowshome.com/links daily 0.75 2026-04-07 https://laurengrowshome.com/store daily 0.75 58023-07-03 https://laurengrowshome.com/store/tutorials monthly 0.5 2026-01-20 https://laurengrowshome.com/store/p/giant-sheet-fort-tutorial monthly 0.5 2026-01-20