When you're into decorating, you're always looking for ways to use the things you have or find in ways they weren't originally meant for. Perhaps this is especially true for budget decorators. I've been passing by this little black step stool for a long time, wondering what use it could possibly be put to other than it's original purpose. It's only 7 1/2" off of the ground and about 10 1/2" long.

This year, while contemplating yet another year on my knees planting flowers, I wondered if this stool could stand in for one of those expensive garden seats. It can. I'm not saying that this will work for everyone, but it's a good sturdy little seat and as long as you use it only on grass or pavement, it should serve the purpose admirably. Anyway, for a dollar it's worth a try.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes free decorating ideas and tips using only items from the dollar store.

Restaurants and supermarkets across the country pulled tomatoes off their menus and shelves on June 9, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded its warning against a rare form of Salmonella found in red Roma, red plum, and round red tomatoes.

What better time to forego supermarket tomatoes and instead nurture your own backyard crop? Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to care for, and you'll reap some of the sweetest rewards. It's too late to use seeds, but the perfect time for a plant since tomato plants love heat (something the country has plenty of at the moment). When choosing a tomato plant, look for a hybrid (they produce the most fruit) that's marked 'VFN,' indicating the variety is resistant to three types of diseases: verticilum wilt, fusarium wilt, and nematodes. Buy a plant without flowers and plant it deep-up to the first set of leaves. William Alexander, author of The $64 Tomato, recommends leaving the soil around the base a little below ground level to create an area for water to pool and keep the plants moist.

My friends and neighbors and I are catching on to the latest sustainability movement: farming your front yard. It's variously called "Food Not Lawns" or "Edible Estates" or "Urban Homesteading" or simply "gardening." But it's not just about growing a little food, eating local, saving money, or helping the planet; it can also be about making money.

And it's not new, or American. In fact, Cubans have been farming urban plots for decades. An AP story yesterday tells of a woman whose government job was cut back to $3 a month. She took advantage of a government program (championed by Raul Castro) that supported urban farming and took over a 1/2 acre plot. Now she makes $100 to $250 a month growing spinach, sweet potatoes and spinach, and selling them to her neighbors. Every penny she makes goes straight to her own pocket, and she's feeding her family in the bargain.

As Americans increasingly grow disillusioned with an economy that's built to work them long, hard hours, far from home, rarely spending time outdoors or with their family, never cooking their food; as consumers demand more and more locally- and sustainably-grown produce; urban farming is becoming exceedingly attractive. A friend recently contacted me with a proposal: a woman she knew was growing food in her backyard to sell to local restaurants. Might I help her?

With a huge, sunny, fertile backyard and a developing interest in gardening, I was all for it.

While we're busy planting and primping in the garden, we shouldn't forget that houseplants need love too. If your ivy is in need of a new home, check out the selection of pots at the dollar store. Whether you're looking for plain or fancy, large or small, clay or plastic, a buck is all you pay for each. The latest addition to the mix is the small ceramic pot with an attached saucer pictured here. I liked this one with the raised pattern around the rim, but there are lots of other styles and colors, too. I thought them very attractive but knew I'd never plant anything in something that small. I would, however use it for a votice candle holder or anchor some floating flowers in a bed of stones for display on an end table.

And don't forget to check out the different sizes of plastic planters for use outdoors.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes about decorating with items from the dollar store on her website www.dollarstorestyle.com.

This post is part of our series ranking the top 25 bygone products and trends we'd like to see return.

Before Martha Stewart was even born; when Mid-Century Modern was in the future; before anyone had come up with the moniker "shelter mag," House & Garden magazine had already hit its stride. The magazine was launched in 1901 as an architecture journal, and was transformed into one of the first publications about interior design when the legendary Conde Nast took over a decade later.

While House & Garden would go through several rough spots (notably, being renamed "HG" when Anna Wintour, later to be the famous "Devil" and Vogue editor, was editor-in-chief), even closing down for a few years in the early 1990s, it was still always at the top of the list of venerable magazine titles. But in November 2007, Conde Nast announced abruptly that the December issue would be the magazine's last.

It was a personnel issue that prompted the magazine's closure; its publisher had left a month earlier, abruptly, after having set an awkward direction for advertisers. The declining ad revenue, housing downturn and rudder-less staff meant a turnaround would be slow and expensive; Conde Nast's management didn't have the stomach for it.

The magazine's departure, though, didn't sit well with its loyal readers' stomachs, and they've been clamoring to get the stylish title back (along with its vivid and talented editor, Dominique Browning) since the announcement was made. What will it take to give H&G one more life? We don't know, but we're certainly eager to see it happen.

Which defunct magazines do you miss?

In a quest for sustainability, self sufficiency and money saving; folks nationwide are trading in their Scotts Turfbuilder for manure as they begin growing crops at home. Homegrown veggies and herbs sound wonderful to me, especially with the warm weather we are finally getting in Ohio. I can appreciate the ideas behind farming in suburbia, replacing your front yard with rows of crops is taking it a step too far. If I was a homeowner I would help anyone on my block till up and seed their backyard, but I draw the line at rows of soybeans in the front yard. Putting negative pressure on my property value by growing crops in your front yard makes me long for the rules and strictness of a good ol' home-owner's association.

A backyard garden can be loads of fun and makes for a great family project over the summer months. Divvying up the chores for a garden is a great way to share family time and show children the value of hard work. If you are getting ready to garden, be sure to check out this handy guide for growing vegetables. It leads you through site selection, soil prep and garden care. Everything you need to keep fresh produce on your dinner table all summer long.

If you do have a home garden, feel free to send me some of your wonderful homegrown veggies!

More than ever these days, people are rolling up their sleeves and finding ways to help themselves.They're also interested in helping their neighbors, their country and the planet. These attitudes are commendable, compelling and powerful.

That is why today I am bringing to you a few of my favorite responsible living links. The following websites have been created for you with great thought and care. Each of these sites will reward you for the time you spend there reading. Remember, reading equals knowledge and knowledge always pays dividends.

First on my list today is the blog, DIY Life. It's one of my favorites and it's a member of our Weblogs family. The site is a fast paced, informative blog which seeks to deliver to you the "cream of the crop" in do it yourself living. I must disclose that I'm a bit biased towards their blog because my extraordinary wife is a member of their fine writing crew. Check it out if you're into the fix it and make it yourself lifestyle. On their pages you'll find everything from home remodeling and gadget tweaks to jewelry making and unique home furnishings. Their staff is dedicated to bringing you up-to-the-minute do it yourself brain storms. In their capable hands, you can never go wrong.

The Daily Deal for February 24, 2008

You've waited for him and he's here at last. A garden gnome in realistic full color is shooting the moon. As if the pose isn't great enough by itself, this little pointy capped pixie can be had for the astounding price of just $12.95 plus $5.95 for UPS ground delivery shipping. If you purchase eight of the little buggers, you can have them shipped for free! (limited time free shipping offer).

I found this whimsical gnome at Perpetual Kid by comparison shopping via the amazing NexTag website. If a booty bearing woodland citizen isn't quite what you had in mind for a garden pal, NexTag has comparison prices on thousands of other home and garden items.

This feisty garden gnome will be the talk of your garden. Your ceramic bunnies and wooden twirling cardinals will just love him. Your neighbors will probably turn green with envy. Even the mail carrier should get a chuckle. You can also take him to work and place him in your cubicle, but you might want to stash him when your boss's humorless lumbering footsteps approach your work station.

He's the perfect gift for your green thumbed friends who have everything and he can serve as a gardening reminder also. Remember that old gardening rule: Plant above ground crops by the full moon.