It's
another planting/growing season and again your perennials, peripherals, chachkis
aren't all that you expected or remembered from last season. (or now you
remember & say I should have thinned or moved that plant last year) Well it's a new season and
lemonade we shall make with the sour lemons scattered about.
My favorite 'lemonade' project this year is
a concrete bird bath from my parent's old house that I brought home once my Mom
moved. Now I understand why she had a plastic lid resting on top to hold water.
The concrete top, although in decent shape, drained water quickly. Light bulb!
I would make a succulent planter out of it and chose one of her favorites,
portculaca.
They are very happy in their well-draining home & starting to
flourish. I did this with my own garage sale find too that was cracking at the
side. Looks beautiful. (and to think I was ready to toss it last season! Check
out the link from my previous blog on the watering can dripper idea below as
seen in the pic.
You also may be dismayed by how metal
surfaces on hanging baskets & sheppard's hooks have lost their shimmer. Clear
coat glossy spray paint to the rescue, and it looks like new! You don't always
have to choose a color ~ although fun, the clear coat does the job. Lightweight
planters also do well with a new color to suit your patio or plant scheme this
year. Again see my blog link for more instructions.
Privacy in your yard is important. Sometimes
out of control, sheds or buildings are built over our fences and we are left
with an eyesore. Lemonade for this problem have been quick to grow Leyland
Cypress evergreen trees. They create a full, fast, tall (up to 45 ft.) privacy
wall if needed. (and they make wonderful decorating holiday greens)
Plants
have taken over? It's usually the early bloomers you notice first. Do what I do
& let them bloom then move or tear out. Some varieties you can share!
I was looking for zinnias this spring and
they seemed to be later in the garden centers than usual. I even wanted a certain
striped variety I haven't seen in awhile. So I went to Lowe's and found very sad,
sour 'lemons' that needed love on their clearance
rack. From what I could tell they were striped but they needed love. The garden
center person sold me three 9-packs for a dollar a piece. So home I went to
save what I could of my favorite annual and I am happy to say that 15 have
survived and I couldn't be happier with this lemonade!
So when
all the work is 'done' you can kick back enjoy the fruits of your labor. Enjoy
an actual lemonade with some of that mint that went whoosh this spring, while
appreciating your vision, flexibility and your dynamic garden. Cheers!
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