Who knew that dried leaves could have so many uses? Compost, insulation, kindling, and fertilizer are just a few of the ways you can use up your dried leaves this fall.

1. Kindling

If you’re going camping, leaves make great kindling for your campfire. They’re readily available, so gather up a bunch to start your campfire. They light in seconds, and are great if you don’t have any fire starters on hand!

2. Insulation

Unknown to many, leaves are an excellent source of insulation. They can actually help you save money on your heating bills this winter! If you have any open crawlspaces or exposed areas in your home, gather up some leaves in a bag to fill up the spots.

3. Mulch

Place your leaves around your plants to keep the soil moist and add some much-needed nutrients. You can leave them on top of the soil, or bury them a few inches down.

4. Grass Fertilizer

Use your lawn mower to go over the leaves and shred them. Simply leave them on your lawn and they will break down and fertilize your grass!

5. Add Them to Your Compost Pile

Just like with your lawn, you can also use leaves as a natural compost in your garden. Leave them in a pile in your garden and they will break down and turn into nutrient-rich black soil. In the spring, spread this soil around your garden.

6. Craft Projects

There are tonnes of cute craft projects you can do with leaves. A quick search on Pinterest will yeild you many, many results! Decorate your home this fall with your very own unique leaf decorations! We’re loving this leaf craft megapost over at Remodelaholic!

Photos: Lowes, Countryside Industries, Webdesigner Depot, Wikipedia, Fresh Basil, The Haring Gardens.

There’s tonnes of things you can make with lavender! We’ve rounded up 7 lavender crafts that you can make in a pinch! Take a look!

1. Deodorizing Disks

Easy to make with only a few ingredients, toss these disks anywhere you need deodorizing power! Tutorial here.

2. Lavender Dipped Letters

These are perfect for a nursery or children’s room! Follow along with the easy tutorial here.

3. Lavender and Rosemary Wreath

For this herb wreath, all you need is lavender, rosemary, a wreath form, and bobby pins! Make a big one to fit on your front door, or make several smaller ones to hang around your home. Check out the tutorial!

4. Homemade Lavender Beeswax Candle

This super cute candle in a teacup makes a great gift! Make it for Mother’s Day, or give them out as wedding favors! Tutorial here.

5. Lavender and Candles

Fill glass tumblers with dried lavender! As the candle warms the lavender, the lavender will release its scent!

6. Make Your Own Essential Oil

Try your hand at making homemade lavender essential oil! All you need is lavender and vodka! Tutorial here.

7. Lavender Sugar

This lavender sugar goes great with baking recipes. Use it instead of regular sugar in your favorite recipes for an added flavor boost! Super easy tutorial here.

Photos: One Good Thing By Jillee, Sarah the Architect, Lightly Crunchy, Shelterness, Condo Blues, Lazy Budget Chef, By Stephanie Lynn.

Since almost all July 4th celebrations happen outdoors, getting our porches ready for the big day is a must! Dress up your porch with patriotic pillows, flowers, flags, and other accessories. The sky is the limit! Take a look at these festive July 4th porch ideas you can re-create yourself, and for cheap, too!

1. Get Creative

We’re loving this shutter painted with a star and stripes. The burlap garland draped over it gives it a rustic feel, and the DIY scrap wood firecrackers complete the display. Recreate the look yourself using a reclaimed shutter, and scrap wood or logs.

2. Budget-Friendly

To decorate your porch for next to nothing, try these tissue paper fan decorations! Dollar stores are a great place to find tissue paper on the cheap, and you can hang up the fans using tape. Try hanging them on twine for a fun garland. Tutorial here.

3. Add Flowers

Put together a few hanging planters with red, white, and blue flowers. Hang them up in groups for a more dramatic effect, and don’t forget to stick a small flag in the middle!

4. Use Palettes

Reuse that palette that’s headed for the landfill with this easy DIY! Simply paint on the American flag! Place it in a corner of your porch and decorate by adding potted plants.

5. Pillows and Cushions

Adorn your porch swings and chairs with festive pillows and cushions. It’s the easiest way to change the look of your porch instantly and add a splash of color. If you don’t want to buy new sets of pillows, make slipcovers!

6. Decorate With Vintage Flags

If you’ve got a few vintage flags in your collection, show them off by standing them up in a vintage bucket or pot. We like how in this rustic display the large flags take center stage, and the smaller ones adorn the outer edge.

Photos: Hoosier Homemade, Martha Stewart, Josie Jones and Co., Neftali Valadez, Gail’s Decorative Touch, Flickr.