Rain made me grow

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Vintage4YourHome

There’s something magical about the rain water for plants. I can water and feed them to grow, but there’s something in the rain that gives them that complete burst of growth. We’ve had lots of rain the past two weeks and even though I was tired of it, after looking at the significant growth in my flower beds, I had to smile and thank God for his magic water (not to mention what I saved on my water bill). In just two weeks my beds went from this :

Sedum Plants

To this: I also saved some money because I was able to use pine straw for a bed running along the house. I took advantage of my cousin’s pine tree droppings. Having wood mulch near the house worries me about termites so I was happy to use the free straw to cover this large bed. The confederate jasmine is in full bloom and smells so sweet.

the daffodils have bloomed

Garden Diva Chick

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Vintage4YourHome

Today I finally decided to go to the nursery with this wire bodice I’ve had for few years. She sat in my flower bed naked but nice. I just had a good idea to cover her up with some plants.

I went to Wingard’s Nursey in Lexington because they had a complete potting area and very friendly staff to help with any questions I may have. The first step was to put coconut fiber all around to hold the dirt. I added the cordyline plant as the head topper

Next was time to be creative with plants. I chose succulents and mostly hens&chicks plants because they’re easy to grow and require the least maintenance.

Once the plants were all in, I covered the fiber with spanish moss to complete the look.

This is the finished product of my Diva Chic (named from the hens&chic plants she’s filled with)

Can’t wait to see how she really looks when all the plants begin to really grow..let’s hope her hips don’t spread too much 🙂

Nursery Visit

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Vintage4YourHome

The past few days we’ve had so much rain. I was happy about it because the perennials hadn’t blossomed yet and are now bursting out the ground. Being happy to finally have a sunny afternoon, I spent my lunch hour visiting the local nursery to browse for something to add to the flower bed. I came across the yard art section and took the time to admire the local artistry available. Too much to chose from at this point, but one thing for sure ” I’ll be back”.

The Frog Family was really cute for a whimsical garden theme

I continue to the plant section and came across these “easy to grow” items. Naturally, I wanted to take them all but I had to narrow down my purchase. I decided to bring one of each home with me.

I’m still pondering a decision about a fence for the backyard. I’ve been pricing some in Lowe’s and Home Depot but they’re costly, and if you’ve been a blog follower, you know I’m the queen of thrift. As I was leaving the nursery I looked across the parking lot and saw a pile of pallets.

Pallet Stack

I said to myself “Hmmmm, I wonder if a fence can be made with them”. So I googled fences made with pallets and found these inspiration photos

Photo courtesy of Camelot Art Creation

I called the nursery to inquire about them and was told they were FREE! I can take as many as I want. Needless to say, I headed back to begin my stock pile of pallet fencing. What a great deal ( for the queen of thrift). On my way home, I stopped again at another nursery to see if they had any sale items and saw this table of “50% off” plants and decided to bring these home with me.

These little darlings will join me when I get ready to make my succulet pots

As I was leaving, this big potted Agave arrangement caught my eye. I love it, especially because all the plants are succulents. I have a potted agave so I think I’ll make this arrangement. Having inspiration photos really make things easier 🙂

All in all …. I think this was a good day … now comes the planting fun. Stay tuned for the potting pictures… See ya!

Porch Dreaming

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Vintage4YourHome

There’s something special about a porch. As I sit and watch the cars ride by, people taking strolls, sipping on the beverage of the day, thoughts just pondering in my head. Sometimes, I’ll have music playing and other times, just sit and listen to the nature sounds. A butterfly may whisker by, a bee my come buzzing, but I have to realize, I’m sharing their space so I’ll leave them alone as long as they leave me alone :). Creating the perfect outdoor space can have my mind flowing in so many directions. My porch is the next outdoor space I’m working to create. Summertime is approaching and that means the porch is getting some attention. I found some inspiration photos to get the ball rolling in my mind. Hope theses help you to create the perfect porch for you.

I like having the outdoor curtains flowing in the air.. They bring a bit of softeness to the porch..

The painted floors on these porches give them an inviting look

Deciding on a bench or rockers is always tough, but these two lovely porches makes a bench hands down as an easy pick

Garden Goodies

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Vintage4YourHome

Well Spring has finally sprung and my body is aching from the yard work. It’s such a labor of love, but unfortunately it doesn’t love me back. Once it’s all done, the finished product is always pleasing. My yard is definitely a work in progress. I’m what you could call a “garden goodie junkie”. I love looking at pristine garden landscapes, but when it comes to my own, I like seeing little trinkets as I look through the flower beds. I’d like to share a few of my “goodies” I have tucked in my flower beds. First, I have to say I was extremely thankful because I found someone willing to give away field rock. All I had to do was come get what I want. So naturally, I’m going to take advantage of anything free. I found so many shapes, sizes and color variation… and they were just what I needed to outline my beds.

Cleaning the beds is always the hardest part.. the leaves are just about gone and things are beginning to bloom. The first signs of spring is always a pleasing sight for sore, cold eyes from winter. My sedum plants are always the first to begin growing.. they’re so easy and carefree, which is the #1 reason I love them so much.

Sedum Plants

The mulch is being added section by section. This is my biggest bed and its finished being cleaned and mulched.

I’ll take you through a close-up tour of my goodies inside. I love having music outside and these two guys show my reflection of a music lover.

Jazz in the Garden

The Iris is beginning to bloom!!!

My azaleas are in full bloom

These are more items you’ll find as your eyes wander into the flowers. The little lady is an item I found in Mexico a few years ago. The hens & chicks in the seashell are actually doing very well. They’ve been snugged inside there since last year and are growing. An old tool chest mounted on fireplace irons is my funky junk flower pot for more Sedum plants

Hens & Chicks and Sedum.. the pefect combination for a carefree succulent flower bed.

The pelicans were yard sale items…and they found a nice shady spot tucked near the daffofil. I’m just so so happy about the garden rock.

It has been two weeks worth of back aching work, but in the end.. it’s always worth it. I still have one more bed needing attention, so until next week.. Oouch.. 🙂