Outdoor Seating Areas

Having a larger sized property makes it possible to have various

seating areas for the versatility of having smaller secluded quiet 

spaces and the larger spaces for entertaining.

The Captain and and I are currently clearing out our large

property that is still way overgrown, making way for new and

exciting areas which are still in the planning stages.

I'll be featuring more garden spaces that inspire me, along

with informative articles that I find as we go through our

inspirational planning stage.

I love this intimate outdoor garden spot . . . a great little place to

escape and enjoy nature.  Love the chairs and the placement of

container plants to create the barrier.  The use of the fence as

a backdrop rather than trying to hide it is a great idea!

Click here for an informative article from Fine Gardening entitled

"Seating Areas Made Simple" for tips on creating awesome spaces

on your property.  The photo comes from this article.

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Coffee grounds in the garden?

Don't throw away your used coffee grounds!! 

Fertilize your acid loving plants with old coffee grounds . . . they will love it! 

Did you know that used coffee grounds repel snails and slugs? Add to your garden soil before seed planting or work in plants already planted. 

Used coffee grounds also repel ants . . . 

Spread used coffee grounds around your flower beds to keep the cats from using your garden as a litter box.  

I never throw away left over coffee in the pot! What I do is add water to fill the pot and water the container plants in my carport jungle. They love it! 

 Of course your compost pile will also love those used coffee grounds . . .

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Want to grow your own tomatoes?

Although we got a late start, we are enjoying tasty tomatoes our tomato plants are putting out.

In the past, we have been able to grow our tomatoes all year long, which is what we are setting out to do.  There is nothing like picking your own tomatoes off the plant for dinner . . . and you can never have too many tomatoes!

If you need information on how to grow your own tomato plants, Fine Gardening has an awesome video series covering various topics.  Click here to go to their tomato page.

And if you haven't checked it out yet, click here to go to my tomato links page.

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Creative Garden Design

Michelle is "consumed by seeing art and design in everyday life."

It is apparent in her awesome landscape designs that is a mix

of gardening and art with awesome and unusual results.

Her blog, Garden Porn, is an art gallery for the gardener who

loves putting an artistic touch in their garden designs.  It is a

delight for the inspirational senses!

The above photo from her blog features an awesome staghorn fern

planting that is mixed with a variety of succulents displayed in a way

that we will definitely be doing for our carport jungle.  I've already

decided to cover the wire container with staghorn ferns since those

succulents don't do well in our humid climate.

Here is what I have done with staghorn ferns . . . they are featured

in a discarded book rack trash to treasure project that is still thriving

in our garden after a decade and survived some very harsh winters.

I started the staghorns as babies in the book rack that

was lined with chicken wire and gardening moss.  It has

grown in a semi-shady area and basically left alone for

at least the past 8 years.  This photo was taken four

years ago.  It is still thriving and growing in the same 

spot . . .  definitely a survivor!

We may scatter some baby staghorns around the sides of

the rack, which should make a spectacular feature in

 the garden.

More recent photos to come as soon as we refresh

the bald spots!

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Trash to Treasure

What an awesome idea for yard sale treasures!

My grandmother used one of these to make her

 tasty mashed potatoes.  It brings back lots of 

great memories :)  

I'd love to make one of these

for the carport jungle!

Click here for a tutorial on how

 to make one of your own.

I've often used many kitchen items in the

 garden.  My favorite is an old broken 

coffee maker that I painted . . .

One of the things I love creating most is giving

life to  an otherwise useless item.  You'd be

surprised what a difference a little paint makes.

Happy crafting and gardening!

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