NOT JUST GRANDMA’S WOODSHED…..
……BRILLIANT BEAUTIES TO STORE A BUNCH OF GARDEN STUFF. I LOVE THESE!
Tag: yard
2 Things that Help You Cozy Up Your Patio
categories: Yard & Garden
Patio heaters and papasan chairs…..
……it just doesn’t get better
Within the last week my husband and I have twice slept in our papasan chairs until 1:30-2:00 in the morning under our new patio heat lamp. Yes, I said papasan chairs….we’ll visit this later. I’m here to tell you that if you really want to experience the joy of a patio during the spring and fall (and even some summer evenings) this is the way to go.
Because of our work schedules we don’t get a chance to sit down much less relax and enjoy the patio until sometimes after dark and we have had a glorious spring this year with temperatures in the evenings in the 60’s – low 70’s; the perfect temp to relax and enjoy the coolness of the evening without being cold. Our lamp really adds to the ambiance and comfort of this living space. We have two patios and are thinking very seriously about getting another lamp for our lower patio. I just love it.
They come in all shapes and sizes from the tall umbrella style to tabletop cyclone types, and there are some beautiful hanging heaters as well. And the prices vary just as much. But you don’t have to break the bank in order to enjoy one of these marvelous contraptions. Shop around.
I’m telling you, there is nothing like having your own personal little ball of sunshine to add romance to some much needed alone time on a cool summer evening.
And the papasan chairs? YES..I have revisited the papasan! Once coined the stairmaster of furniture, is back…wait, I don’t think it ever left. Have you ever considered adding one or two (you really need at least two) to your array of patio furniture. You have never experienced comfort like this! Papasan chairs and the heat lamp. WOW! I think I’ll talk more about this.
Garden Curbing vs Trench Edging
categories: Yard & Garden
Garden curbing vs. trench edging
……….which do you prefer?
We have both. I have posted pics of our yard with each of these styles of edging. Along the one side of our house, the garage side, we have garden curbing. I love the flowing lines my son designed when putting in our backyard. Garden curbing can create a false sense of security however. It does not prevent grass from growing into your planting or mulched area. It helps, but in order to improve upon that metal edging should be installed between the curbing and the mulched area. Garden curbing can be stamped and stained, too. Very attractive.
Trench edging is just digging a shallow trench that separates the grass from the planted area. I like this look, too, but it is more difficult to mow and easy to fall off the edge of the grass buzzing the lawn. I hate when that happens, and so does my husband. A way to prevent this is to install metal edging along the grass roots to prevent them from encroaching into the garden then backfilling the soil from the garden up to the metal edging. This works pretty well, not perfect by any means! There is still some maintenance to do as the stubborn grass roots find their way underneath the edging. I will post a picture with metal edging and without metal edging. The edging should be at least 6” wide in order to prevent most of the roots from invading. I say most. And if I were you, I would have the metal be 8” wide.
There are other options when edging your yard. Stone and bricks for example. Whatever architectural feature you choose I would definitely recommend sealing the deal with a metal barrier of some kind to keep the lines crisp and clean.
Beautiful Ground Cover Ideas
categories: Yard & Garden
Creeping Phlox
……..a blanket of blooms
In the springtime I don’t think there is another ground cover that is any more beautiful and eye-catching as Creeping Phlox. It is gorgeous and blooms from mid to late spring.
This ground cover grows about 4 inches tall on a rather prickly bed of green foliage. Planted in mass it will cover a slope. It will splash from an overturned pot or whiskey barrel like a cascading waterfall. It has such a dense bed of foliage it chokes out many weeds. In fact, it even choked out a purple salvia of mine this year. But that’s okay. It looked fabulous! It does best in a lot of sunlight.
It comes in brilliant colors of pinks and purples and a variegated candy stripe (not as colorful or as prolific a bloomer as the others). When it is through blooming cutting about an inch from the top of the plant will insure a cloud of color the next spring.
Stand back and take a look at your yard. Picture where you would want some spring color next year. Now is a great time to buy spring flowering plants. In the spring nurseries can’t keep these beauties in stock, but right now, well the foliage doesn’t offer a lot of reason to buy this plant so you can get a great deal on them. Don’t let the bedraggled look of the plant dissuade you from buying it. Just you wait until next spring! It will be a real show stopper.
This short little plant will cover a lot of area. You won’t be disappointed if you give Creeping Phlox a try. I promise.
Great Ideas for Creeping Perennials
categories: Yard & Garden
Chartreuse Ice Plant………fabulous creeper