Every year, I scroll Pinterest and YouTube for garden decorating ideas. While I love many of them, I need to be realistic on what will work for me and the way I garden. Below, I want to share a few items that have made my garden a place that makes me happy, is productive, and just makes sense.
Leaves
They are so beneficial to a garden. While not aesthetic, they are free and can serve a few purposes. First, I use them as mulch. This helps cut down on weeds and decreases the amount of watering. Just be careful not to use too much. They can also be a barrier to water if laid out too thick. Second, leaves add to the health of the soil as they break down. In late fall, when we close the garden for the season, I add a good heaping pile over the top of my raised beds. Third, I use them to grow my potatoes. I start with 8 inches of dirt in a grow bag. Then add potatoes with a slow release fertilizer and top with leaves. As the potatoes grow, I add more and more leaves.
“Outhouse”
Just kidding about the name. However, I love the outhouse theme as noted by the moon. This garden decorating idea makes me laugh but is also a functional shed. This shed was actually a crate that my husband brought home from work. He added a slanted roof, seal coat, an outdoor rug, and made the built in shelves functional. I can even sit in it and be out of the sun! Check out the tour on my Instagram:
Decor
I love a whimsical garden. It brings interest and personality beyond the plants. It allows for full expression of ideas and creativity. The bear carving was a gift from my husband. He is my garden buddy- in addition to my dog. The ceramic figures were made by my daughter and I whenever we went to one of those DIY ceramic places. There are only so many little bowls you need but a garden has room for so much more! The antique light fixture was something we got for free from our town ‘swap shop’. It had a beautiful silhouette and I couldn’t resist using it as a hanger for some flowers.
Convertible Bench/ Table
This was a very unique find. I can use it as a bench to enjoy my garden. Or, with a quick lift of a lever, I can change it into a table. It has held up beautifully for over seven years. I have taken many work calls from this bench- as long as the WiFi cooperates.
Garden Sink
This is probably my favorite addition to the garden. We picked up this cast iron sink at our local Habitat ReStore. I think we paid $25. My husband happened to have some leftover cedar from a project. He also had the metal base from an old table saw. We bought the faucet on sale and the rest is history. This sink drains into a home depot bucket filled with rocks. This helps decrease the chance of my feet and legs getting wet. This sink allows me to clean my vegetables outside and not get my kitchen dirty. I can also wash my hands after planting. Every garden needs one of these and I wish I had one sooner!
When you start thinking about your garden, don’t be afraid to add some fun and practical items. If you liked this post, read one of my other garden posts here.