Rocking Chair Front Porch

BY SKEETER

We are only a few days into summer but my GEORGIA GARDENS have been feeling like summer for some time now. And as usual, I have been busy with projects. One such project, giving the front porch some Tender Loving Care. This is the "Before" photo.

 This would be the "After" photo of the removed handrail. It was rotting and we did not want to replace it as we never use it. So why spend the money, we asked ourselves. We also removed the old flag brackets as we now have a flag proudly flying in the yard with a spotlight.

 Another "Before" photo of the hand rail.

 "After" We like the look as it opens up the front porch a bit.

 I put two fresh coats of white paint on the porch.

 It was a hot, humid, time consuming project but well worth the days of work with the end results.

                 

I made two pots of plants to greet guests as they arrive at the stairs. Here you see one of them. They are the same being Coleus, Pentas and Creeping Jenny.

 Looking to the right of the porch as you climb the stairs. Notice the black gutters.

Standing on the front stoop of the porch. I went with an accent of red for a pop of color. I am really into the red colors these days.

 Looking to the right side which has the swing and one rocking chair.

 I love this little fern as it does not shed like Boston Ferns. I have battery powered candles all over the porch. When lite at night, this plant glows.

I painted all the furniture on the porch black as the roof gutters.

 I had painted the swing white when doing another house project recently so left it alone. Just gave it a red seat cover. I enjoy sitting in the swing during the day time and watching the hummingbirds at the hanging feeder.

There are candles on every table. This one is inside a neat red jar. The little wicker watering pitcher hides the ashtray for our smoking guests.

 Now lets go to the left side of the porch. 

 I added a palm plant in red pot next to a deer my mother gave me.

These chairs use to be in our sunroom but they were replaced with recliners. A fresh coat of paint and now they are black along with the wicker tables.

 Candle sconces found at Goodwill store hold two more candles. A wall hanging from my favorite store, The Christmas Tree Shops completes this ensemble. A simple push of a button, and all the candle lite up on the porch!

 Once white rocking chairs are now black.

 We are now at the end of this side of the porch.

 My little whimsical recycled birdbath.

                 

My mosaics go well with this new look. I have red material to make seat cushion and matching table runners but have yet to create them. I am getting use to the white cushions but still plan to make the red ones. What do you all think, Red or keep the White cushions as is???

The porch runs the entire length of our house. I wish it were a bit deeper though for a bit more room to move about. I must admit, the day I saw the front porch, I was sold on purchasing this house!  

I always fuss at the Saint for picking the most hottest time of the year to tackle outdoor projects. I did the same thing with this porch. My love of animals won out over my comfort of painting when I desired. Mr. and Mrs. Wren decided to build a nest on one of the porch posts. Why builders leave these exposed ledges is a mystery to me. They just beg for a bird to build a nest. I could not disturb the Wren family and once the babies had fledged the nest, it became hot and humid. Those stinkers tried to nest a second time once the porch was finished but I was on guard. I painted all the little birdhouses, I put on each ledge to blend in with the posts. I must stuff cotton in the holes or wasp will build a nest. I have bird houses all over the gardens but they prefer the post ledge. I tell you, it never ends with the critters around here. Always a battle. Sometimes they win, sometimes I win but in the end, we try to keep a perfect balance with nature.

I sit on the swing often in the evening while enjoying the awesome night sounds of crickets, frogs, etc. They are so soothing to my soul.

Love this ROCKING CHAIR FRONT PORCH, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Extending Pathways Pt 2

BY SKEETER

Here is the Butterfly Island Garden with the Key Hole pathway containing a Bird Feeder. (Click HERE to see how this garden started) I found myself walking through the Butterfly Bushes to get to the Semi-Formal Garden. So decided it was time to extend this pathway in my GEORGIA GARDEN. The pea gravel looks white in this pic but that is bad lighting with an older camera, hence, an old photo taken back in 2007.

Spring of 2011, we moved the Butterfly Bushes around a bit in this garden because the Bald Cypress needed room to breathe. You cannot see that tree in this pic. As you can see, this pea gravel is the brown tones so it was moved to the pathways I showed you on Tuesday in my Semi-Formal Garden. Which you can see beyond the grass in this pic.

This was an easy path to construct as it was full of sand and all the old tree roots from 4 sweet gum trees have rotted down over time.

In this photo, I am standing inside the Arbor of the Semi-Formal Garden. I had yet to fill in the blank spot with the moved gravel from the Key Hole path when I snapped this pic. It has since been filled in of course. See how this pathway lines up with the new path?

Here is the new pathway through the island. The Butterfly Bushes are doing great and did not become harmed from being moved. They are tough bushes. I moved these Elephant Ears from the Semi-Formal Garden where they were once located. The dogwood trees had gotten too tall and shaded them. Plus, they were not getting the water they needed during this drought. They are now a bit closer and easier for me to keep happy with water. Here, you can see the Bald Cypress Tree.

Here is the patch of grass that separates the Butterfly Island and the Semi-Formal Garden. I once again must ask myself the question; Do I attach these three pathways or leave them as be? We use this grassy area as a pathway to the Wood/Mower and Garden Sheds. And also, we collect debris and keep it in that area by the sheds as well. We also drive the truck down this grassy path. So at this point, I think this area will remain as is.

Now to the other side of this Walk-thru island. It is time to connect the Island, Swing and Wishing Well Garden.

Once again, Free Brick and lots of digging in the dirt. I spent one day in high heat and humidity taking out the grass. I took it out as sod so as to fill in sunken holes on the east side of the house. That was a tough day and ended with a headache.

Back to work the next day and again, in heat and humidity.

It was tough work in the heat but I was not going to stop until I completed this project. Gravel was laid into place on the third day.

My only mistake, I should have put a curve on this instead of making it straight. But when making it, I was thinking of mowing the grass and how easier it is to keep a straight line trimmed verses a curve. Oh well, I can always go back later on and change this up. But for now, we shall live with it. See that Bald Cypress tree now? It was taking over the butterfly bushes and now it is taking over the Angel Trumpet. The Trumpet shall be moved next spring. Tina, look how your Trumpet is growing this year! It loved the early spring and hot temps.

I do not like the white gravel but that is all we could find in our area. Of course, I could have gotten a truck load of brown tone gravel and it would have been cheaper then a pallet of bags. As I mentioned on Tuesdays post, it is much easier for me to work with bags. I am trying to get Clematis to grow up the arbor of the swing. You can also see faded Castle Rocks used to the left of the swing. I had to get some new ones and they will fade in time.   

With this view, you can see I have yet another garden to attach up with to the left.

The middle of the Wishing Well Garden and looking towards the Fire Pit, Patio and Rock Garden.

I have a vision of an arched bridge and dry creek bed as this area becomes soggy during heavy rains. Which, we have not seen in 3 years! Ha...

You would see the Rock Garden as you walk over the Bridge.

The stepping stones you see in this shot lead from the house to the patio. The Saint has an idea to build a boardwalk of sorts from the house to the patio. Which would now become a deck instead of concrete patio. I think a creek bed running from this area past a bridge connection would tie in together. But for now, no more EXTENDING PATHWAYS, In the Garden...

Shadows and Colors

By SKEETER

As I stroll around my Georgia Gardens, OJ kitty from next door came by to visit. He insisted I stop strolling about and sit on the swing with him. I am always up for a swing on a beautiful day.
I had my camera with me so we decided to snap pictures of what we could see while relaxing on the swing. To our front we could see the woods are showing color although not as pretty as in years past. I am sure the Summer Drought is totally to blame. But still rather pretty don't you think?
To our left a bit, we see Angel Trumpets still putting on a show. The Cypress tree is starting to bronze up a bit. We can also see Elephant ears, Butterfly bush and Perwinkle. Off into the distant, we see Dogwoods in bright reds.
The Perwinkle plants in this garden were all volunteers this year. I just love plants that will reseed for me.
Looking over our left shoulder, we see Canna and more Butterfly bushes.

Eyes forward and a bit to the right and upward, we see a beautiful blue sky. Also the Angel Garden breaking up the grassy yard.

Zooming in a bit, we can see the Angel Trumpet that Tina passed along to me is finally blooming! Below the angel are a statue, Lily, Perwinkle, Salvia and Sage.

Zooming in a bit more, we can see the 3 blooms on the Angel. This makes a total of 5 blooms on a plant which gave me hundreds of blooms last year. Hum, baffled by that one as I gave this beauty plenty of water so we cannot blame the drought on few blooms.

To our right is blocked by the greenery of the Cypress Vine on the swing frame. Looking into the distance, we can see the Beach Planter to the left and the Elephant Ears I planted back in late June to the right. This is the crinkled type ear and I don't know the name as it was a gift. I can only hope she returns next year. I have plans for her to distract from that ugly Electric Meter. I also see a Garden Hose which shall need to go to the shed for winter at some point. Hum, I see a plant that has yet found its way into the ground also. Gee, I should have been digging a hole today instead of sitting on the swing. Na, I enjoyed my swing time...
Looking over our right shoulder, I see Iris and Coleus.
Looking behind us, we see Canna, Elephant Ears, Zinnia and Gazania.
The sun was beaming through the Canna and I liked the way it made this leaf glow.
The leaf of this Elephant Ear was glowing as well.

Looking down, I can see the Rye Grass is doing well in our lawn.
In this picture, you can see where our once beautiful Crepe Myrtle once stood. Sigh, after too much pruning by the previous homeowners she succumb to the damage over time. All that remains is a round circle of pine straw. Sprigs are already popping up from the area and next year, this will more then likely become a larger garden.

As I say goodbye to my friend OJ, I walk away but cannot help but stop, turn around and take one more glance of the beautiful crisp day. Filled with SHADOWS AND COLORS, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden