"Don't Miss Out"
Today is the last day of my FAB HALF PRICE SALE in my shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
These are just an example of what you will find:
Rosemary, Garden Gate Designs
Have you?
6 years ago
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Don't Miss Out!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
"Don't Miss Out"
Today is the last day of my FAB HALF PRICE SALE in my shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
These are just an example of what you will find:
Be sure to visit my ArtFire shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Rosemary, Garden Gate Designs
"Don't Miss Out"
Today is the last day of my FAB HALF PRICE SALE in my shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
These are just an example of what you will find:
Rosemary, Garden Gate Designs
Sunday, May 27, 2012
What's on Your Front Porch?
Sunday, May 27, 2012
What's on Your Front Porch?
My front porch is ablaze with Pansies in predominantly orange and purple colors. I always plant my hayrack and wall planter with Pansies just before Easter Weekend. This year, with it being a bit cooler up North, it took the Pansies a long time to start blooming fully. Now, they are a "riot" of color and in about three weeks will have finally "bolted". That will mean it is time to change out the planters with Summer Annuals for Shade.
Pansies are a "cool weather" annual. I just love their happy little faces and ever since we have lived here, almost 13 years now, have always put them to bed in my front porch hayrack and wall planter. You have to pick off the dead blooms every other day to extend the blooming time on them. Also, do not let them dry out, as they really droop. By June, the warmer weather reeks havoc on those happy little faces and they will begin to die back.
Pansies are a shade plant, just so you know not to plant them in the direct sun.
My hayrack and wall planter have a coco lining that lasts about 2 years max. It helps to hold in the moisture and retain the soil. You can purchase them in almost any garden center. We always pitch the old ones in our compost pile and they disintegrate and add to the compost quality.
Hoping you enjoyed my "front porch". Until next time. Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com (FAB HALF PRICE SALE GOING ON)
What's on Your Front Porch?
My front porch is ablaze with Pansies in predominantly orange and purple colors. I always plant my hayrack and wall planter with Pansies just before Easter Weekend. This year, with it being a bit cooler up North, it took the Pansies a long time to start blooming fully. Now, they are a "riot" of color and in about three weeks will have finally "bolted". That will mean it is time to change out the planters with Summer Annuals for Shade.
Pansies are a "cool weather" annual. I just love their happy little faces and ever since we have lived here, almost 13 years now, have always put them to bed in my front porch hayrack and wall planter. You have to pick off the dead blooms every other day to extend the blooming time on them. Also, do not let them dry out, as they really droop. By June, the warmer weather reeks havoc on those happy little faces and they will begin to die back.
Pansies are a shade plant, just so you know not to plant them in the direct sun.
My hayrack and wall planter have a coco lining that lasts about 2 years max. It helps to hold in the moisture and retain the soil. You can purchase them in almost any garden center. We always pitch the old ones in our compost pile and they disintegrate and add to the compost quality.
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com (FAB HALF PRICE SALE GOING ON)
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
More Critters in the Garden
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
More Critters in the Garden
As if I did not have enough "critters" in my garden, I have recently acquired a few more. Some are brand new and some I just put out for the season.
For Mother's Day, my twin grandchildren and their Mom picked out a beautiful garden peacock. I have named her "Jewel". She is made of rust proof wire, has glass embellishments and stands about 2 feet in height. A metal U-Stake came with Jewel to make sure her feet stay in the garden.
Next is a cute little "unnamed" box turtle that I picked up in the close out isle of a discount store. He now resides on the rock next to my peony plant in the front garden that gets sun.
I had the bottom half of a birdbath from my Mom's garden that I have always used for my sundial, but in recent years it has been the base for my glass garden snail. He is also in the front garden behind a clump of Tritoma, or Torch Lily that were saved from my Mom's Garden.
Last, but not least, is my huge chubby frog made of resin that I purchased from a garden center years ago. He has always resided on my front porch every season. He always gets a pat on the head when I leave the house. Love that froggy!
I don't know about you, but I always have to have some "little critters" in my garden to give it a "bit of whimsy"!
Until next time,
Garden Gate Designs
Check out my FAB HALF PRICE SALE in the ArtFire shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
More Critters in the Garden
As if I did not have enough "critters" in my garden, I have recently acquired a few more. Some are brand new and some I just put out for the season.
Next is a cute little "unnamed" box turtle that I picked up in the close out isle of a discount store. He now resides on the rock next to my peony plant in the front garden that gets sun.
Until next time,
Garden Gate Designs
Check out my FAB HALF PRICE SALE in the ArtFire shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
"Deck Addition Completed", Just in Time for Summer!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Deck Addition Completed", Just in Time for Summer!
Today, I would like to share with you my newly stained Deck Addition with its new Patio Furniture and Container Plants.
Last year, as you all know who have followed my blog, my better half and I decided to have our decks expanded. The old decks wrapped around the one side and back of the house and were narrow; not giving much to outdoor entertainment and enjoyment of our wonderful wooded ravine and stream. So, upon signing a contract for the work to be done, it took our contractor pretty much all last summer to complete. And, having to wait until this year to stain the new part, it is finally finished for use this Summer. I parted with my back shade garden for the project. Now, there is sun on the deck for around 6-7 hours. Enough for plants for sun to be grown.
Last weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday mixing planting soil, filling 15 containers, going back to the garden center for more soil and some specialty plants and finally finished the project in time to be able to sit on our new patio furniture mid Sunday afternoon and enjoy the great outdoors! I was able to incorporate the three left over bags of composted manure into the planting soil to enrich it with.
Our new patio furniture set is from Home Depot, a Martha Stewart Living set. We purchased it in February of this year before everything got picked over. It got great reveiws online and the metal bases are rust proof, cushions are waterproof, etc. We were very pleased with it. And, it is very comfortable. I purchased the end table as an extra piece.
The white chairs and tables are from our old set that we have had for 20 years. The little bistro table on the upper deck of the original part was a purchase at a K Mart store that was closing about 10 years ago. Still in pretty good shape.
The chaise lounge with blue pad is from our old set and it is used by my sun worshipping better half.
My husband stained the deck with Behr's Deck Stain in a grey color. It covered so well, that you cannot tell the old deck from the new. Took about 2 days to stain.
The mandeville vine in the large container was a buy at only $21.00 at a local grocery store. You always need to repot them into a larger container and wigwam them for the vines to have more room to grow. If you want, you can just let the vines grow along your deck rails and take hold. As they are considered an annual up north in zones 5-6, you need to just pitch it in late fall. I have tried taking them inside to winter over. They always lose all their leaves within a month and make a real mess.
The wooden picnic table with four benches was purchased when we first moved into our home over twelve years ago. It was our Anniversary Gift that year. It is very large and sturdy and seats from 8-12 people pretty confortably. It now sits on the upper tier of the original deck. We have used it several times in the past week as the weather has been just gorgeous here in Northeast Ohio.
The whole deck is now so much more enjoyable with it enlarged and new comfortable patio furniture installed. Our wooded ravine and stream provide a constant water sound as do the birds with their cheery vocals all day long. At night, you can hear the tree frogs take up the chorus.
I don't know about you, but we are going to really enjoy our Summer this year!
Until next time.
Garden Gate Designs
Don't forget to stop and check out my ArtFire Shop at: www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com. My FAB HALF PRICE SALE is going on until May 31.
Deck Addition Completed", Just in Time for Summer!
Today, I would like to share with you my newly stained Deck Addition with its new Patio Furniture and Container Plants.
Last year, as you all know who have followed my blog, my better half and I decided to have our decks expanded. The old decks wrapped around the one side and back of the house and were narrow; not giving much to outdoor entertainment and enjoyment of our wonderful wooded ravine and stream. So, upon signing a contract for the work to be done, it took our contractor pretty much all last summer to complete. And, having to wait until this year to stain the new part, it is finally finished for use this Summer. I parted with my back shade garden for the project. Now, there is sun on the deck for around 6-7 hours. Enough for plants for sun to be grown.
Last weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday mixing planting soil, filling 15 containers, going back to the garden center for more soil and some specialty plants and finally finished the project in time to be able to sit on our new patio furniture mid Sunday afternoon and enjoy the great outdoors! I was able to incorporate the three left over bags of composted manure into the planting soil to enrich it with.
Our new patio furniture set is from Home Depot, a Martha Stewart Living set. We purchased it in February of this year before everything got picked over. It got great reveiws online and the metal bases are rust proof, cushions are waterproof, etc. We were very pleased with it. And, it is very comfortable. I purchased the end table as an extra piece.
The white chairs and tables are from our old set that we have had for 20 years. The little bistro table on the upper deck of the original part was a purchase at a K Mart store that was closing about 10 years ago. Still in pretty good shape.
The chaise lounge with blue pad is from our old set and it is used by my sun worshipping better half.
My husband stained the deck with Behr's Deck Stain in a grey color. It covered so well, that you cannot tell the old deck from the new. Took about 2 days to stain.
The mandeville vine in the large container was a buy at only $21.00 at a local grocery store. You always need to repot them into a larger container and wigwam them for the vines to have more room to grow. If you want, you can just let the vines grow along your deck rails and take hold. As they are considered an annual up north in zones 5-6, you need to just pitch it in late fall. I have tried taking them inside to winter over. They always lose all their leaves within a month and make a real mess.
The wooden picnic table with four benches was purchased when we first moved into our home over twelve years ago. It was our Anniversary Gift that year. It is very large and sturdy and seats from 8-12 people pretty confortably. It now sits on the upper tier of the original deck. We have used it several times in the past week as the weather has been just gorgeous here in Northeast Ohio.
The whole deck is now so much more enjoyable with it enlarged and new comfortable patio furniture installed. Our wooded ravine and stream provide a constant water sound as do the birds with their cheery vocals all day long. At night, you can hear the tree frogs take up the chorus.
I don't know about you, but we are going to really enjoy our Summer this year!
Until next time.
Garden Gate Designs
Sunday, May 20, 2012
"Birdbaths for the Birdies!"
Sunday, May 20, 2012
"Birdbaths for the Birdies"!
Birds need a local source of fresh water, especially in the hot weather months. I maintain three birdbaths in my garden and yard and clean them out every other day, keeping them full with fresh water. I pack them away in our garage during the cold weather months, all except the one on the tree stump.
I have placed two of them in my shade garden, and the other one is in front of what's left of an old tree that used to house little red squirrels. This tree had to be taken down after a bad storm a couple of years ago. Most of the tree was rotten and decayed and the storm took down all the big branches and most of the trunk. Little red squirrels always nested in the old tree and just this year have made a come back in our ravine. They look somewhere between a squirrel and a chipmunk and are always chattering their warning sounds.
The one in front of the tree trunk needs to be scrubbed out because of mold build up. I use a golf ball cleaner brush that my husband did not want. It is really effective.
The other two I spray with the jet setting on the hose and then refill.
The birdbath that is setting on a piece of tree stump is from my old house. The squirrels had broken the base and I saved the top. It is concrete and very heavy. I have to put flat rocks under it to get it to stay even on the tree stump. I really need to replace the tree stump as it is falling apart now. My brother-in-law's yard is a constant source of new ones as they have mature trees that are always in need of taking down due to storms through the years.
The smaller one is made of concrete and has a beautiful dragonfly embedded in the corner. My older daughter-in-law gave it to me for Christmas several years ago. It was purchased at a craft show at Stan Hywet Manor in Akron, Ohio at their Ohio Mart. It has a pointed base and can set deeply in the ground. I do believe the chipmunks and squirrel use it.
Until next time, Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Don't forget to check my ArtFire shop for its half price jewelry sale going on until May 31.
"Birdbaths for the Birdies"!
Birds need a local source of fresh water, especially in the hot weather months. I maintain three birdbaths in my garden and yard and clean them out every other day, keeping them full with fresh water. I pack them away in our garage during the cold weather months, all except the one on the tree stump.
I have placed two of them in my shade garden, and the other one is in front of what's left of an old tree that used to house little red squirrels. This tree had to be taken down after a bad storm a couple of years ago. Most of the tree was rotten and decayed and the storm took down all the big branches and most of the trunk. Little red squirrels always nested in the old tree and just this year have made a come back in our ravine. They look somewhere between a squirrel and a chipmunk and are always chattering their warning sounds.
The one in front of the tree trunk needs to be scrubbed out because of mold build up. I use a golf ball cleaner brush that my husband did not want. It is really effective.
The other two I spray with the jet setting on the hose and then refill.
The birdbath that is setting on a piece of tree stump is from my old house. The squirrels had broken the base and I saved the top. It is concrete and very heavy. I have to put flat rocks under it to get it to stay even on the tree stump. I really need to replace the tree stump as it is falling apart now. My brother-in-law's yard is a constant source of new ones as they have mature trees that are always in need of taking down due to storms through the years.
The smaller one is made of concrete and has a beautiful dragonfly embedded in the corner. My older daughter-in-law gave it to me for Christmas several years ago. It was purchased at a craft show at Stan Hywet Manor in Akron, Ohio at their Ohio Mart. It has a pointed base and can set deeply in the ground. I do believe the chipmunks and squirrel use it.
Until next time, Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
"Clematis"
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
"Clematis"
Today, I would like to share with you some pictures of my beautiful Clematis vines which are now starting to bloom. I have three trellises in back of my garden bench that have Clematis vines growing up them. The predominant one is an Autumn Clematis that blooms in the Fall with the sweetest smelling white small flowers. It is very invasive and will take over your garden area if you do not prune it back.
Intertwined with the Autumn Clematis are two other types that bloom in the Spring going into Summer. I don't know that names but the lavender one has flowers that look like the Passion Plant flowers. The other is a purple/red color.
I also have them growing up my garden arch and the one side is blooming already. The other side of the arch will be bursting into bloom soon. Plan on seeing pictures of that as it progresses.
Clematis need sun and also to have their "feet" protected from the sun. You should always plant them so that the very bottom part of the plant is shaded by other plants. I have hostas and boxwood shurbs planted in back and on the sides to provide that needed shade. I prune mine back in the late Fall because the leaves turn brown and crispy. Pruning it to about 6 inches from the ground does not hurt the plant and will only make it come back in the early Spring more vigorously. You should also amend your soil adding composted manure around the base once a year, usually in the Spring.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Until nex time. Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
"Clematis"
Today, I would like to share with you some pictures of my beautiful Clematis vines which are now starting to bloom. I have three trellises in back of my garden bench that have Clematis vines growing up them. The predominant one is an Autumn Clematis that blooms in the Fall with the sweetest smelling white small flowers. It is very invasive and will take over your garden area if you do not prune it back.
Intertwined with the Autumn Clematis are two other types that bloom in the Spring going into Summer. I don't know that names but the lavender one has flowers that look like the Passion Plant flowers. The other is a purple/red color.
I also have them growing up my garden arch and the one side is blooming already. The other side of the arch will be bursting into bloom soon. Plan on seeing pictures of that as it progresses.
Clematis need sun and also to have their "feet" protected from the sun. You should always plant them so that the very bottom part of the plant is shaded by other plants. I have hostas and boxwood shurbs planted in back and on the sides to provide that needed shade. I prune mine back in the late Fall because the leaves turn brown and crispy. Pruning it to about 6 inches from the ground does not hurt the plant and will only make it come back in the early Spring more vigorously. You should also amend your soil adding composted manure around the base once a year, usually in the Spring.
Until nex time. Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
BIG SALE IN MY ARTFIRE SHOP
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
BIG SALE IN MY ARTFIRE SHOP
Come check out my Big Sale. Every piece of jewelry is 50% off original price. Price marked is sales price. Lots of great items.
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
BIG SALE IN MY ARTFIRE SHOP
Come check out my Big Sale. Every piece of jewelry is 50% off original price. Price marked is sales price. Lots of great items.
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Little Spinner in My Garden!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Little Spinner in My Garden!
I have a "Little Spinner" in my garden. He is the cutest thing! It is a cat on a bicycle with a basket holding a mouse! The wind spins his wheels and makes them go around and around. I purchased him two years ago in Medina, Ohio at the Toy Shop. He was pricey, but, well worth it!
He guards the entrance to my Secret Garden and enjoys his time in my front garden during the Spring though Fall months in Northeast Ohio. I always take him down and put him carefully in our garage, hanging on a hook until next year. He brings a lot of color to my front garden.
Spinners come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. You can purchase them in local gift shops, garden shops, toy shops, etc. They are priced around $40.00. Some are more reasonable, some are more expensive.
Make sure you place his stake very securly in the ground so as it won't blow away in a storm.
Until next time.
Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Little Spinner in My Garden!
I have a "Little Spinner" in my garden. He is the cutest thing! It is a cat on a bicycle with a basket holding a mouse! The wind spins his wheels and makes them go around and around. I purchased him two years ago in Medina, Ohio at the Toy Shop. He was pricey, but, well worth it!
He guards the entrance to my Secret Garden and enjoys his time in my front garden during the Spring though Fall months in Northeast Ohio. I always take him down and put him carefully in our garage, hanging on a hook until next year. He brings a lot of color to my front garden.
Spinners come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. You can purchase them in local gift shops, garden shops, toy shops, etc. They are priced around $40.00. Some are more reasonable, some are more expensive.
Make sure you place his stake very securly in the ground so as it won't blow away in a storm.
Until next time.
Garden Gate Designs
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Little Critters in the Garden
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Little Critters in the Garden
I don't know about you, but I love to have some Little Critters in my garden in the way of frogs, turtles, snails, etc. Today, I would like to share with you my garden statuary that I have collected over the years. It seems to really bring your garden "alive". Some of them seem so life-like!
My large box turtle is munching his way around the hostas by my birdbath. He is made of resine, but so lifelike in detail. Frogs are lounging in the garden, just waiting for an unexpected insect to fly by them. "dinnertime!".
The frog on the log is really a tree frog and usually resides on my garden post in the back. That garden post was moved to the corner of my newly extended decks and now hosts a platform feeder for the birds. Because the post is wood, the racoons and squirrels can now get into the feeder (I have to chase them out) and they knock the frog to the ground. So, consequently, he was moved to the side garden under the shade of the bleeding hearts.. My sister-in-law Carol purchased it for me a few years ago for Easter.
The toad house is made of clay. I never know who might be hiding inside on a warm summer day. Toads, perhaps? Maybe a chipmunk?
Now, the mushrooms and snail are ceramic and are very old. Years ago (more thatn 30) I had made them for my Mom during a ceramics class I took when my boys were very young. When my Mom passed away almost 9 years ago, I took them back to my garden. They have a place of honor in her memory along with her "Memory Stone" That stone is discussed in an earlier blog post.
The cement birdbath with the dragonfly was given to me by my wonderful daughter-in-law Janet. It was a Christmas gift several years ago. She had purchased it at a craft show (Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet) that we attended together.
All of my statuary gets stored, wrapped in newspaper, in plastic tubs in the garage over the winter months. They would evenutally crack and be ruined if I failed to do that.
Hoping you enjoy the pictures.
Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
Little Critters in the Garden
I don't know about you, but I love to have some Little Critters in my garden in the way of frogs, turtles, snails, etc. Today, I would like to share with you my garden statuary that I have collected over the years. It seems to really bring your garden "alive". Some of them seem so life-like!
My large box turtle is munching his way around the hostas by my birdbath. He is made of resine, but so lifelike in detail. Frogs are lounging in the garden, just waiting for an unexpected insect to fly by them. "dinnertime!".
The frog on the log is really a tree frog and usually resides on my garden post in the back. That garden post was moved to the corner of my newly extended decks and now hosts a platform feeder for the birds. Because the post is wood, the racoons and squirrels can now get into the feeder (I have to chase them out) and they knock the frog to the ground. So, consequently, he was moved to the side garden under the shade of the bleeding hearts.. My sister-in-law Carol purchased it for me a few years ago for Easter.
The toad house is made of clay. I never know who might be hiding inside on a warm summer day. Toads, perhaps? Maybe a chipmunk?
Now, the mushrooms and snail are ceramic and are very old. Years ago (more thatn 30) I had made them for my Mom during a ceramics class I took when my boys were very young. When my Mom passed away almost 9 years ago, I took them back to my garden. They have a place of honor in her memory along with her "Memory Stone" That stone is discussed in an earlier blog post.
The cement birdbath with the dragonfly was given to me by my wonderful daughter-in-law Janet. It was a Christmas gift several years ago. She had purchased it at a craft show (Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet) that we attended together.
All of my statuary gets stored, wrapped in newspaper, in plastic tubs in the garage over the winter months. They would evenutally crack and be ruined if I failed to do that.
Hoping you enjoy the pictures.
Garden Gate Designs
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
"St. Francis in My Garden"!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
"St. Francis in My Garden"!
Do you have a St. Francis statue in your garden? Afterall, he is the Patron Saint of Animals and Birds. I have him in my shade garden to keep watch over all the wild things! This one is made of concrete and is really heavy, stained brown and stands about 2 1/2 feet tall. He always has a place of honor in my shade garden and looks great amongst the Maiden Hair Fern, Brunnera and other shade plants. He watches over all the birds who come to visit my feeders and garden, the chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, toads and frogs, etc. who occasionally visit there.
When I first thought of acquiring one for my garden, I looked at the local nurseries and found them to be much too expensive. At $100.00 and upwards it was way out of my budget. So, I visited Kimbles Concrete Statuary on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. It is a small business selling unfinished and finished statuary. I think I paid about $30.00 for mine and it was stained brown already. Through the years, it has aged and I always take it inside in the late Fall so that he does not crack in the winter freezing and thawing that we have here in the Northeast. I wrap him in newspaper and place him in a plastic tub container until Spring when he gets to come out and reign suppreme in my shade garden.
Until next time.
Garden Gate Designs
www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com
"St. Francis in My Garden"!
Do you have a St. Francis statue in your garden? Afterall, he is the Patron Saint of Animals and Birds. I have him in my shade garden to keep watch over all the wild things! This one is made of concrete and is really heavy, stained brown and stands about 2 1/2 feet tall. He always has a place of honor in my shade garden and looks great amongst the Maiden Hair Fern, Brunnera and other shade plants. He watches over all the birds who come to visit my feeders and garden, the chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, toads and frogs, etc. who occasionally visit there.
When I first thought of acquiring one for my garden, I looked at the local nurseries and found them to be much too expensive. At $100.00 and upwards it was way out of my budget. So, I visited Kimbles Concrete Statuary on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. It is a small business selling unfinished and finished statuary. I think I paid about $30.00 for mine and it was stained brown already. Through the years, it has aged and I always take it inside in the late Fall so that he does not crack in the winter freezing and thawing that we have here in the Northeast. I wrap him in newspaper and place him in a plastic tub container until Spring when he gets to come out and reign suppreme in my shade garden.
Until next time.
Garden Gate Designs
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