Beyond the Basic Storage Shed

Modern-Shed by Grey Design

This modern storage shed is just one of 5 models by Grey Design. This is the most stylish shed I have come across on the web and you have a choice of eco-friendly building materials. The Garden Shed is great for storing bikes, lawnmowers, and other garden necessities.

Visit Modern-Shed for a list of materials, different models, shipping, customer photos, and more.

Tips For Growing Herbs

Herbs are a great way for beginners to get their hands dirty in the garden. In my opinion, herbs are easy and one of the most useful plants you’ll ever care for. Whether you’re thinking about potting culinary favorites or incorporating ornamental varieties into your landscape, here’s just a few things to consider:

• Exposure - most herbs like to be placed in a sunny part of the yard, or at least 6 hours out of the day. Sun lovers include chives, oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary. However, there are those that prefer a little afternoon shade like lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, basil, mint, and mustard to name a few.
• Soil - Compost based products are recommended for landscape and potted herbs. Potted herbs need soils that help retain moisture, and landscaped herbs prefer compost rich, water-draining soil.
• Water - Most herbs become drought tolerant after a year of routine watering. Soak your potted herbs in the morning to help them get through a hot summer day, especially if they’re positioned in the sun.
• Feed - Weekly feedings during the growing season (March through September) helps plants produce leaves and stay healthy after routine cuttings. Any product that boosts leaf production is sufficient.

Create Your Own Garden Art

I recently stumbled across this unique succulent chair by Sandra Nelson, a fellow blogger at Art In The Garden. Susan found this retro style chair at a thrift store and was drawn to the shiny chrome frame. Although there are no before pictures, the photo shows Susan cut off the less-than-fabulous material and replaced the form with chicken wire.

As with any wire container, you must keep the soil from seeping through the holes by filling them with dampened sphagnum moss (note: don’t buy sphagnum peat moss). Be sure to press the pieces firmly into the holes and fill the spaces completely. Chicken wire and peat moss can be found at any local, full-service nursery or home improvement store. To limit messy leakage when watering, line the moss with a sheet of plastic, which also acts as a moisture barrier. Remember to cut one good drainage hole at the bottom of both the seat back and bottom.

Next, slit the plastic where you plan to insert the roots of your succulents. Sandra planted sedums, hens and chicks, and thyme. Buy the smallest plants available to make inserting the plants’ roots through the wire holes and plastic slits easier.

Fill the frame’s center with potting soil. Not just any soil but a free-draining potting mix with slow-release fertilizer. Firm the soil around the roots of the plants by pressing it down with your hands.

Ever so gently, water your self-acclaimed artwork thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist until new growth appears. At that point, you only have to water when the soil becomes dry. You’re better off giving your container a good soaking, rather than just misting the top layer. TIP: If the plants start looking wilty, then you’ve waited too long.

Be prepared to learn from your mistakes because no one said this was an exact science.

Thanks Sandra for your creativity and best of luck to you! Imagine how fabulous this chair will look once the plants fill in. If you would like to see your project featured on my blog, please respond with your ideas or visit Have A Garden Question .

Do-It-Yourself Trellis

I finally have pictures of the steel cable trellis I completed over the holidays. The trellis supports climbing Star Jasmine, which is not a true jasmine by the way. I used 1/8″ galvanized steel cable for the supports.

TIP: measure the length of your future trellis and have a store associate cut the cable to length.

If you try to cut it at home, you’ll just end up mashing the cable and the ends will fray. I pre-drilled holes for the eye hooks (pic #2). First, I looped the cable through the top hooks, secured it with the recommended hardware, then pulled it taut with some pliers before looping through the bottom hooks. As you can see (pic #3), the vines cover up the hardware and hooks once they are attached back to the cable. I loosely attached the vines with bread ties, otherwise the heavier, mature vines slide down the cable. >>How-to Instructions

Good luck to all you do-it-yourselfers this season!