We’re all just itching to get outside and into the sun — and thankfully we’ve already got an early spring here in the Northwest. But all this lovely weather has me dreaming of new outdoor furniture to enjoy it in, and these fresh picks from Loll Designs are what I’m dreaming of! A pair of coco chairs (shown in apple) out on the deck? Sigh! Perfect for having coffee while I look at the lilac blooms. And that coffee is resting on a tiered topo table (shown in sky) while a family of robins chirp inside their pitch birdhouse (shown in leaf). But these are cooler than the average plastic furniture. Loll makes their products out of recycled milk bottles, and they’re constructed to last. See them all here. — Megan B.

Do I need my patio furniture to interlock into one tidy, design-y structure? No — but it sure is fun. The goofily named Art-Deck-Oh! Interlocking Furniture comes from Deeco. It looks like wicker but is made from polyethylene-based resin designed to stand up to sun, rain, and cold. (The site says it’s environmentally friendly — I’m checking into what that means exactly, but I believe it means it’s low on BPAs and also recyclable.) Honestly, it’s pretty darn cool looking — stacked or in use. You can learn more about it at the Deeco site, or shop online at just a few retailers so far. The groupings range from about $800-1500. — Mary T.

Stay tuned for more modern patio furniture — this time made from recycled materials — coming up.

Our backyard is big and shady and perfect for (wo)man and beast with the exception of one glaring problem: patchy grass. There are some areas that, because of the slope and clay-based soil, make it almost impossible to get grass to take root. Yet without grass, we are constantly toweling off muddy paws and feet. So after several years of trying, we’ve decided to let nature take its course. On areas where we have heavy foot traffic, we’ve placed large chunks of limestone and mulched around them to connect flowerbeds and make pathways. Still, that leaves plenty of space around trees where nothing really seems right, except what’s already thriving there: moss. Although I’d bookmarked an article on the New York Times site way back in 2008, I wasn’t sure my resident lawn-lover would go for it. Now that we don’t use any chemicals and minimal water, however, it just makes sense. Once we make the decision between ordering Moss Acre’s moss milkshake or sheet moss, we’ll be all set to give it a try. I’ll update you on our results — unfortunately, that lovely photo is not of our yard! — Sarah L.

Around here, we’ve got spring on the brain — despite the winter weather predictions of a certain clairvoyant groundhog — and it turns out our timing is perfect. On March 5, the folks over at Woolly Pocket are set to add five new additions to the modular gardening family: four standalone pockets and an updated “Wally” vertical planter to offer a sleek design alternative to their utilitarian counterparts.

All Woolly Pocket planters are made from a breathable felt derived from 100% recycled plastic bottles, but the new planters are made from updated version that is twice as thick and three times as dense — in other words, sturdier. And were that not enough to ponder as we tick off the days until spring, new colors will be available in April, and by May, the Woolly Pocket site will include new features so that gardeners of all levels can discuss their passion and progress.

Woolly Pocket is doing good beyond their goods, too. Last summer, the company launched their Woolly School Garden program — learn more in Dwell’s interview with founder Miguel Nelson — to teach children in K-12 schools about gardening and nutrition. Such developments may just provide the inspiration we need to keep us busy dreaming, planning and indoor planting until the thaw. (And course if all else fails, you can carry a little garden with you in the Woolly Pocket handbag.)

Watch the video or visit Woolly Pocket for pocket planting how-to’s. — Sarah C.

This year, it’s happening: I’m starting my first real garden. Sure, I’ve done tomatoes and herbs in containers before, grown from expensive starts, but this year, I’m starting from seed, building raised beds, and going big. In my seed-starting class yesterday, the most popular tip the instructor shared was not about technical planting skills, but how to construct your own plantable pots from old newspaper. The first gadget she whipped out was the Pot Maker, a wooden contraption that allows for quick and simple pot construction, with no tape or staples required. You can get a similar result using a straight-sided drinking glass and a touch of masking tape: wrap newspaper strips around the glass, fold the newspaper around the base, and affix the tape. Cooler still, she showed us how to fold origami seedling cups that require no special tools other than nimble fingers.

When your newspaper pots are finished, just fill with pre-moistened soil, place the pots into sturdy trays for drainage, and plant with your veggie or flower seeds. Once plants are large enough to go in the ground, give the newspaper a couple of snips to loosen the roots, and plant the whole thing — pot and all!

A note that our instructor advised us to use the paper pots for warmer-season starts such as cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini, since those plants are more tolerant of the paper pots’ tendency to dry out faster than traditional plastic pots (as reported on Homegrown Evolution). — Megan B.

Photo via Homegrown Evolution

When my husband and I bought our little house last year, we had no idea what we had inherited. With last spring came an eruption of blackberry — thick, thorny vines that completely grew over our rock stairs and everything else. It’s a pesky, tenacious sucker to get rid of, which is why the Himalayan blackberry is considered an invasive plant here in the Pacific Northwest. I’m currently in the process of hacking away the stuff, armed with double gloves, thick clothes, and pruning shears, but I’m having difficulty removing some of the deep, old root systems — some growing out of rocks. It looks as if persistence and elbow grease are the best methods, though I’ve looked into goat rental, vinegar sprays, and the nifty Mr. Honeysuckle. But I’d like to get some raised beds in this area by late spring, and I am desperate. Does anyone know of any other foolproof, non-chemical tips and tricks to get rid of these nasty old roots? — Megan B.

I don’t need these retro chic metal flower tubes from Plow and Hearth, but I oh, do I want them! Made of iron and painted in vibrant colors, they remind me of the old aluminum tumblers my grandma kept at the summer cottage. A set of four would be perfect for hanging on the back of our deck chairs or across the gate at the bottom of the yard. — Sarah L.

Balcony season will be here before you know it (promise). You don’t have to settle for cold concrete floors and and overhead porch lights! It’s easy and relatively inexpensive to add warmth, charm and style to your small outdoor space and turn it into more of an outdoor room.

Start with the floors! Try these simple suggestions:

· Tile “rug”: Interlocking tiles can look like wood or ceramic, and they interlock or stay put with a light adhesive. An added plus is that they can be made out of recycled materials.
· Weather-resistant rugs: Made of polypropylene, they can look like more expensive oriental or floral area rugs, and they come in many sizes and colors, like these Terra Mats spotted at ThisNext.
· Reed mats: For a more organic feel, anchor these lightweight mats with carpet tape. These should be used in more protected areas, but they’re also available in woven plastic for those preferring the organic look but need a more durable material.

Lighting is an often overlooked feature, both inside the house and out, but it’s one of the quickest ways to add ambience and warmth to any space. If you have a balcony or patio, one of these ideas could do the trick for you:

· Chiminea: Perfect for small spaces. If you aren’t allowed to have open flame on your balcony, add a string of white Christmas lights for a beautiful glow.
· Lanterns & Lamps: Hang colorful and inexpensive Chinese lanterns from your ceiling, or add a lamp on a small table. Floor lamps also work well in tight corners. Check out this DIY for the great-looking dotted tissue paper lantern at The Swell Life. For plug-in lighting, look for an IP rating of x3-x5 for maximum safety.
· Solar Lights: Place inexpensive solar lights in your planters for added subtle lighting.

Paying attention to a variety of lighting sources can really add a finishing touch to your outdoor decorating and create coziness to your seating area. And trust me, it’s easy, quick and inexpensive! — Jenny P.

Today is the kickoff of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. If you haven’t participated yet, it’s pretty painless. Download the checklist, then simply watch and count the birds you see for a 15-minute span on at least one of the four days of the count, February 12-15. Last year, more than 94,000 people turned in checklists, giving researchers a better idea of the health of bird populations. (Happy to know I am not alone in my bird love geekdom.) If you’re not sure of the identity of a bird, there are two iPhone/iTouch apps for birding and just enough time left to run to your bookstore and pick up a Peterson’s. Of course, the great thing about the GBBC is that you really don’t need anything other than time and a good view. The GBBC site has a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds page. — Sarah L.

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No, it’s not a Topsy Turvy…but then, what is? If you, like us, prefer your hanging planters without the sickly green vine print, you’ll also like these Boskke planters. We have to thank mirrormirror for spotting them first, and now we’re dreaming of buying a whole collection of them, $25-75 from Velocity Art and Design.