“Minimalist spaces are actually great for kids, as less clutter means fewer distractions," Ward shares with us. Less distracted kids equals better behavior, and that’s a win for any parent. So, take heart, minimalists. When it comes down to it, any space is kid-friendly if it’s designed with room for them to play, create, and use their imaginations. Here are Ward’s best tips for creating a home that feels minimal, but still allows your kids room for play....

Free Membership Swaps Many online sites offer members the opportunity to post what they have or what they’re looking for on the forum pages. The following sites offer seed swaps to participants. You will probably have to register, but there is no fee. Backyard Gardener Seed Exchange GardenWeb’s Seed Exchange Paid Membership Swaps Some organizations offer seed exchanges to their paid membership. If it’s a type of plant you particularly like, these can be great deals, saving you money in the long run for seeds you would buy anyway....

If you’re removing permanent marker stains from a wood surface, be prepared to go through several rounds of very gentle cleaning with a clean, dry, cotton cloth. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the stain, especially with an abrasive sponge, brush, or cloth—this may remove the wood’s finish or damage its surface. Always be sure to test your solution in a hidden spot—like the inside of a table leg or bottom, back corner of a desk—in case it damages your item’s finish or surface....

Because several species are included in this category, the appearance of a field ant can vary considerably. It can be as small as 1/5 inch, or as long as 3/8 inch in length. Colors can include red, brown, black, or tan—and some species are two-toned. The larger species of field ants are sometimes confused with carpenter ants. At worst, field ants are nuisance pests, such as when they spoil a smooth lawn by building mounds or when they disrupt picnics or outdoor events when the ants swarm in the fall to mate....

Pillbugs and sowbugs look pretty much the same: 1/4 to 1/2 inch long7 pairs of legs2 pairs of antennae, though one pair cannot be easily seenDark gray to white; or may be solid-colored or patternedRounded bodies that are convex on top and concave on the bottom Harmless Outdoor Creatures, But Indoor Pests Both species fall into a group of species commonly called woodlice, so named for their preference for feeding on decaying wood material....

These spider mites are extremely small, 1/60 to 1/25 inch in size, and are usually recognized by the fine silky webbing they spin on plants, and by the general damage they cause to plant foliage. There are hundreds of different species categorized as spider mites that attack different types of indoor and outdoor plants. They come in a wide variety of colors, including red, yellow, green, and brown. Some even change colors throughout the year, while others are translucent....

But in the hornworm phase they are voracious pests, munching entire leaves, small stems, and even parts of the immature fruit. While most commonly associated with infested tomatoes, hornworms are also common pests of eggplants, peppers, and potatoes. Most likely, you’ll notice the damage before you notice the hornworms because their color helps them blend in so well with the plant foliage. You can look for their black frass (droppings) on the foliage and around the base of the plant....

Fall is the typical time to put ‘Stargazer’ bulbs into the ground, but if you miss this planting time, you can also do it in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Like all lilies, ‘Stargazer’ is toxic to cats. Plant ‘Stargazer’ lily bulbs in the fall or early spring, 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground. Planting in groups of three or five bulbs gives a pleasing look in the garden....

Flapjacks can grow quickly in wide clusters and work well for xeriscape landscapes or rock gardens in regions prone to droughts. Once mature, these plants can produce yellow-shaded flowers in the spring, and the wide, thick, fleshy leaves can take on a striking red tinge around the edges in winter. This is why it’s sometimes also referred to as the “red pancake.” Be aware that all parts of kalanchoe succulents are toxic to both humans and pets....

These are very weak trees and not particularly long lived, so do not plant them near critical structures. Light Because the Autumn Blaze maple tree is often one of the biggest in the landscape, it is rarely shaded by other varietals. That said, this tree is not super picky when it comes to sunlight. It appreciates areas of full sun, but can thrive just as well in partial shade, especially when planted in warmer climates....

Depending on the climate, these plants are grown either as deciduous shrubs or woody perennials that die back to the ground each winter. Growing from neat low mounds, the narrow silvery-gray leaves resemble those of willow. Small, pale blue flowers cover the plant from midsummer into fall. Blue beard plants are low-maintenance—they tolerate both drought and shade, and they don’t need much fertilizer. However, like all other plants, blue beards have their preferences, so you should plant them in full sun and with medium-moisture soil if you want them to thrive....

Native to eastern Asia, Chinese silver grass is available in a wide variety of cultivars, each with varying heights and color shades, including silver, pink, purple, and red. It is best planted in the spring from root divisions or potted nursery plants and will grow very quickly. Some dwarf cultivars don’t even reach 3 feet in height, but most are taller, with some growing over 10 feet tall. These plants have minimal maintenance needs, though they do need to be cut back in the spring to make room for new growth....

Light Feather reed grass grows best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, it does appreciate some shade from the harsh afternoon sun, especially in the warmer parts of its growing zones. But if it gets too much shade, it won’t flower as profusely, the leaves can get floppy, and the plant overall will be on the smaller side. Soil The grass tolerates a wide range of soil types....

The bark of this pine species can range from gray to cinnamon red. These rich tones complement its blue to yellow-green needle-like foliage. The pine needles grow in bundles of five and reach 1 to 2 inches in length. The foxtail pine does not often produce many large branches but instead grows smaller branches from the main trunk, giving it a bushy fox tail appearance. The cones produced start out purple in color, then mature to red-brown and reach 5 inches in length....

Light Oncidiums are much more forgiving of bright or direct light than other popular orchids, especially the Phalaenopsis. Oncidiums can handle direct morning light and even prefer bright to very bright conditions. They tend to enjoy the same light that Dendrobium species orchids prefer. Soil Oncidium orchids are epiphytic plants that do not grow in traditional soil or potting mix at all, but rather they are normally potted in a bark-based potting medium....

Pennyroyal is generally planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed but while the soil is still cool. While this plant has been used to flavor teas, this is now considered a bad idea. In concentrated form, the oils of this plant are highly toxic to humans and to pets. Light Pennyroyal plants grow best in partial sunlight—especially dappled light— but full sun is also tolerated as long as they receive adequate moisture....

In its native habitat, rattlesnake plant produces small yellow flowers in late spring. But as a houseplant, it is grown exclusively for its long, elegant, ornamental foliage, as it rarely blooms indoors. Plants typically grow to about 20 inches tall when grown as houseplants. Rattlesnake plant grows at a moderate rate indoors but will slow or stop growing if the plant is in unfavorable conditions. Because this plant has large leaves, you may be tempted to use commercial leaf shine to give the foliage an extra boost....

It’s small in size and has a slow growth rate, reaching full maturity in three to five years. This makes string of turtles a good choice if you have limited space. The plant’s attractive leaf shape also makes it a favorite to use in fairy gardens, container gardens, and glass terrariums. That same leaf shape is what gives the plant its common name. Each one looks like the shell of a miniature turtle strung together....

Light This common fern grows best in partial to full shade. While small amounts of direct sun throughout the day are fine, avoid prolonged periods of full sun which can burn the delicate fronds. If you are growing a western sword fern indoors, choose a location that receives bright to medium indirect light. Soil The western sword fern can adapt to a range of soil conditions as long as the soil is well-draining....