Luckily, you don't need to have much of a green thumb to grow an indoor herb garden in one of our Flagstaff apartments. All you need are some basic gardening supplies, a sunny surface, and a bit of TLC. 

Know what to plant

Low-maintenance herbs including basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, mint, and chives all do very well indoors. It's recommended to start an herb garden from seeds, which you can find at your local home improvement store.

Pick a planter

Herbs can be grown in almost any container but will need to be re-potted if they start to outgrow it. The soil also needs to be able to drain, so be sure your container has holes on the bottom and a saucer for excess water.

Soak up the sun

Herbs need six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive, so find a sunny spot for the plants. Windowsills or patios are ideal.

Just add (a little) water

One of the reasons people like herb gardens is that they require very little water. The soil should be just visibly moist. Watch for yellow or wilted leaves, which are signs the plant is being over-watered.

Enjoy fresh herbs

Once your herbs have started to grow, it's time to harvest them. Pay attention to when their flowers begin to bud and cut herbs just before they bloom. Use shears and never take more than a quarter of the plant at once.

At our apartments in Flagstaff, spring is the perfect time to plant an indoor herb garden. Contact us today to check out our newly renovated apartment homes!

The post How to Create an Indoor Herb Garden appeared first on Butterfield Apartments Blog.

Fall Arts & Crafts Projects 

Leaf Garland

If you’re looking for a fun way to utilize your fabric scraps, this leaf garland could offer your apartment the perfect DIY accessory as fall settles in. If you have old T-shirts, blankets, and towels lying around, dye them, so they reflect fall-inspired shades and cut them into the shapes of leaves. You can also easily find leftover material at any fabric store that is too small for big projects, but perfect for this type of DIY design.

Painted Acorns

Trying to find the perfect centerpiece for your dining room table? Painted acorns quickly transition boring clear glass bowls into brightly colored creations that scream autumn. Head to the thrift store to find unique containers that come in autumn-inspired shapes to maximize the impact of this craft.

Bedazzled Gourds

If bland browns and earthy tones aren’t really your thing, you can still incorporate this season’s most notable decorative pieces while adding a stylish flair that people without big personalities simply wouldn’t dare. Bedazzled gourds put bling into everyday garden veggies. You can create intricate patterns, or just go nuts with the glitter and glue. There is no wrong way to make a pumpkin look pretty.

Mason Jar Fall Luminary

As daylight starts to become more scarce, fall welcomes the soft light that comes from Mason jar luminaries. This simple idea can be used for any occasion, and the end result makes for a beautiful gift, too.

Falling into the right apartment is no easy task, but when you tour Butterfield Apartment Homes, we’re sure you’ll feel right at home. Stop by to take a tour of our community today!

The post Fall Arts & Crafts Projects That Will Make Your Apartment Feel Like Autumn appeared first on Butterfield Apartments Blog.

Declutter Your Closets

In many ways, clutter represents our human failure to stay organized and limit purchases. Many movies use closets to get laughs. You know, someone opens a door and piles of stuff bury them. It’s funny because it’s so true. We hide stuff in closets. To avoid having a real-life skit in your space, take everything out and reorganize that closet.

Start by incorporating a shoe organizer. It can hang on the door or be simple shelving. That should help clear the floor. Box anything that doesn’t fit or any oddities that you can’t remember why you bought it in the first place. Make a list and donate all of it. You may be able to take a tax deduction if you give it to a non-profit. Create sections for specific types of clothing and items. Once you’ve put it all back together, place a sign on the inside of the door that reads “One In, One Out.” Hopefully, that rule will help keep your closets uncluttered.  

Coca-Cola Cleans Toilet Stains

Cleaning products can be expensive and toxic to the environment. Coke, on the other hand, is just a cheap sugary beverage. Gently pour about 12 ounces of Coke over toilet stains. As it runs over them, some of the Coke will cling. Let it sit for at least an hour while the acids act on the stains. Flushing should remove a good amount of the residue and a quick scrub brushing will do the rest.

Steam Clean Your Microwave

Microwaves can be a real pain to scrub clean because it’s difficult to see the inside ceiling. One simple way to loosen clinging food spatter is to mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with water and nuke it for about five minutes. The steam will do the rest.

Refrigerator Liners

This may seem a bit out of the mainstream, but it’s perfectly fine to cover problem areas inside your refrigerator with cling wrap. Whether it’s salad dressing leakage or the meat tray, by lining the surface you can just peel and replace.  

Natural Air Fresheners

Some of the best smelling things are completely natural. For example, fill a pot of water with lemon slices and rosemary and let it simmer all afternoon. It will make your apartment smell magnificent. You can also do things like adding cinnamon sticks to candles or growing lemongrass on a window sill. Just run your fingers through the lemongrass and let it permeate your apartment.

Spring has sprung and we wish our Butterfield community members a wonderful season. If you or a friend would like more information about our Flagstaff apartments, call us today. 

The post 5 DIY Spring Cleaning Hacks For Butterfield Residents appeared first on Butterfield Apartments Blog.