The Homegrown Collective  is a monthly subscription box service that provides unique, eco-conscious DIY projects to its members. Each box is seasonally themed and contains all the tools and instructions needed to replace store bought household items with homegrown, all natural alternatives.

 

 

The Homespun Chics paid for this subscription. All opinions offered are 100% our own. 

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Bugs Be Gone! September GREENBOX

SO it is nearing the end of October and we have just finished projects from Homegrown Collective box from September. (For shame, Sarah!) We received this box at the beginning of October, which for our region, may be a bit on the tardy side for DIY bug repellants.

The presentation of the items was really cool; all individually packed and portioned ingredients were labeled in the same rustic font. The instructions for each month’s projects are placed in a sheet protector that is easily removed from the lid and can be stored in a 3-ring binder for later use.

The cost is $39 per month plus $9 shipping, which brings the total cost to $48.00.  (Prices go down for 3-, 6-, and 12-month subscriptions.)

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DIY Plant-Based Bug Repellent

The first project we completed was the insect repellent. The instructions clearly showed all of the ingredients and tools needed to make this spray, which were easily found in the box. I think the label for the lemongrass was accidentally left off for our box, but since I drink lemongrass tea, I knew exactly what it was and was not left in the dark! This took us about 30 minutes all-in, which included boiling the water, allowing the lemongrass to steep and then letting the mixture cool.

The results were really terrific! The spray smelled like citronella and lemongrass and I actually enjoyed wearing the scent. Acting as the brave test subject that I am, I was relieved to find the remaining mosquitos hovering near our front porch didn’t want anything to do with me! Woohoo! This means I can chuck the DEET! Hopefully it saves well in the spray bottle, as I tucked it away in our closet for next spring.

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DIY Citronella Candle

I was completely overjoyed at having a candle-making kit in this month’s box! I have been meaning to pick up a citronella candle to use when we grill outside but kept forgetting by the time we got to the store! (All summer long.) Because I had never made a candle, I was a little confused at the directions provided for this project. Another thing to note is that though HGC recommended watching their videos before beginning, I could never figure out where these videos were hiding! I checked their website, blog, Facebook and YouTube.

Nevertheless, Jonathan and I just went for it.  Little G was down for a nap and we figured it was now or never! The soy wax chips were very thin and quickly melted in the microwave. It took no time at all to prepare the candle holder with the wick, pour in the melted soy wax, add the essential oils and mix everything together.

Our candle was smaller than it should have been since we did not melt all of the soy wax chips into the ball jar. Hindsight, we should have allowed the first batch of chips (filled to the top of the jar) to melt slightly then add the rest of the wax chips and continue to melt down. This candle smells like the citronella and mint eucalyptus essential oils and I absolutely LOVE it!

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DIY Anti-Itch Salve

After reading the instructions, it seemed to me like this is something you make once you have been bitten, and isn’t an item that can be stored to be used later. I had every intention of making the salve if I was bitten by mosquitos during my bug spray test, but since the spray was quite effective (yay!), I have stored the ingredients + directions in the closet for next spring.

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Our Thoughts

The Homegrown Collective has such a unique take on the art in homesteading. I love this concept and was impressed when we received all of the tools and ingredients necessary to make each item, however I’m unsure if it is the right fit for my lifestyle right now. With a toddler under my feet and a serious lack of time and energy, I was disappointed in myself not to have completed this beautiful box of projects sooner!

I cannot speak to the value on this box, as I believe it is more a matter of personal relevance and enjoyment in making your own home goods and remedies. The packaging and presentation were both quite well done, but I could have used a little more clarity with the directions at times.

Overall, this box has piqued our interest enough to order another, so we will be reviewing October’s box soon!

xo
Sarah & Jonathan

Have you purchased a Homegrown Collective GREENBOX before? What are your thoughts?