Tuesday was Steve’s birthday and, although it was coincidence, we had to be in Atlanta on that day. It was chilly, but only because of the winds. Looking around the city, spring was definitely in the air. Landscaping trucks were on the streets everywhere and passing through some residential areas, there were some people working outdoors. It seems like the further south you go, such as Atlanta, Savannah, Orlando, etc; the more you see the use of containers, especially around the front entrance on residential and commercial properties.
This summer, I am considering installing window boxes on the house. I have never lived in a house that had window boxes and always thought that they were one of the loveliest additions one could do to add color and texture to a house as well extend a welcome feeling. Now, some houses just really don’t really lend themselves to that look, but what’s wrong with putting them on the back of the house, say under the kitchen, laundry or bedroom windows? Once I get my project up and growing, I’ll give everyone an update on it. In the meantime, I’m in the mood for ideas on what I can plant in the window boxes and the empty pots that I have in my garden. As you know, I am a huge fan of gardening magazines, with my favorites being, Garden Gate, Fine Gardening, and Gardener’s World (BBC). I like magazines to “show me how” on projects and these do it quite nicely.
I was flipping through my new Gardener’s World magazine last night and wondered if they had any ideas on their website and I found a section with lots of great container planting ideas. There are just shy of 60 different ideas from vegetables to herbs to bulbs to annuals and larger perennials.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/pots-containers/
On Fine Gardening’s web site, they offer a great article by, Muffin Evander, on “10 Plants for Year-round Containers”.
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/plants/articles/10-plants-for-year-round-containers.aspx
(You may have to do a copy paste for this link for each line as it broke when I pasted it here) Muffin suggests plant varieties that are readily available and uses color, texture and durability. Her examples are fun and interesting with life beyond the summer season.
The new issue of Fine Gardening came out this week. The feature article by Jeni Webber offers some of the best professional landscaping tips for front yards that I have read in a long time. If you can, pick up a copy of this issue. I know I will be keeping mine for years as it will prove to be a great idea reference book. Otherwise, if you just want to read Jeni’s article, here is the link:
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/design/articles/front-yard-gardens-make-strong-first-impression.aspx
If you have the opportunity to subscribe to a magazine this year, Fine Gardening is the one I recommend. The articles are extremely well written and the pictures are colorful and exact. Everyone from newbie’s to lifetime gardeners will find helpful information here. I pick my copies up at the bookstore as I am one of those who know which day they put out the new issues and try to be there that evening. My patience cannot wait for the mailed version.
Until next week…… Cheryl
