7 Timeless Garden Decor Practices

There are a multitude of things that you can add to your outdoor living space to make it comfortable and inviting and still provide you with few hours of work on maintenance.

Here are 7 ways to add Decor to your Garden.

Tip 1: Unadulterated Is Best. When adding products outdoors, from belongings to statuary, you should always look towards the most nature-based of products. When you do this, you'll allow for something that fits within the landscape, not something that sticks out in it.



Tip 2: Flow Is Essential. If you have a large garden or landscape, you can create a flow throughout it to make it a much more homely and unadulterated environment. For example, a pathway leading through the garden is essential as it provides for a way to move through the area enjoying all of the principle sights along the way.



Tip 3: Overboard Is not Good

Over crowding a space with too much decor or even too a large number of plants is bad business. Instead, look for a more untouched by mankind landscape element. Smothering plants can cause them to eventually die or take over the entire garden. To much decor can make it look cluttered instead of lavish.


Tip 4: Use Lines
Lines from your home or your edging can help to create a lavish look within the garden. The roof line of the house can be a line that leads the eye to something fantastic at the end. Use the lines that you have to create a flow to the eye.



Tip 5: Charm Means Theme.

While you don't need a specific theme throughout your garden decor, you should look towards the same or related resources. For example, if you place a white metal table under your trees to make a restful place, make sure that the chairs that go with it match it. Add a white picket fence or other matching pieces to tie certain areas of the garden together as well.

Tip 6: Uphold It.

A multitude of of the aspects within a garden are going to need some maintaining. If you pull your weeds, don't let this be overshadowed by the fact that you haven't washed that white items in a year. Keep up on broken or misplaced items as well. For the duration of harsh winter months, make sure to put anything and everything in storage that can be broken.

Tip 7: Garden decor is not complete without the look for lovely patio valuables. Allow it to mesh with the surroundings that you have created too. For example, in a woodsy area, look towards an untouched by mankind, beautiful product such as teak to keep it looking as if it belongs there.



These things and more can help to contribute to a gorgeous and fashionable garden decor that is timeless, easy to manage and a welcoming place to call your own.

Garden plaques and supplementary significant garden decor data are on hand at http://www.gardendecorstyle.com. You're welcome to visit day or night!

Article Source: http://www.article-planet.com

Organic Gardening Means Befriending Beneficial Insects

Not all insects are pests. In fact, the majority of bugs living in your garden are helping your plants to grow in numerous, unseen ways. If you are having a problem with pests in your garden, you probably have an imbalance of fauna or an imbalance of soil nutrients. The more insects and other fauna in your garden, the less likelihood the “pesky” ones have of surviving. You will find that most insects eat those moths and maggots that are eating your plants.

How biodiversity keeps your garden growing

Biodiversity is the key to a healthy organic garden. Biodiversity means the presence of a diverse collection of plants and animals. Commercial mono-crops require obscene amounts of chemicals because they have an un-healthy level of diversity.

In un-touched nature, pests and plant diseases do exist, but rarely get out of hand. This is because there is a natural system of checks and balances, which keep these things under control. Of course, your garden is not “untouched nature”- it is quite touched. You have planted plants here, which are not naturally occurring, you weed and dig and manipulate the earth and you will likewise have to encourage a balance in natural diversity.

How to control your aphids

If you have a problem with aphids in your vegetable or flower garden, you may want to introduce an insect, which feeds on Aphids. The most common of these is the Ladybug. The Ladybug and her larvae feed on Aphids, mites and small caterpillars. The larvae are especially active between May and July. Ladybugs are available at your local nursery as well as through mail order. Gardens Alive, an environmentally responsible gardening company is the preferred place to purchase them.

Encourage beneficial insects to visit your garden

If you are having a problem with fruit tree spider mites, green flies or small caterpillars, you can encourage Hover flies in your garden. Hover flies resemble dark bees or wasps. They tend to hover over plants and dart around quickly. Bring Hoverflies into your garden by planting marigolds, phacelia or “poached egg” plants throughout.

Dragonflies are good for your garden too. Dragonflies eat mosquitoes. If there has been spraying in your area for mosquitoes, chances are the spray has killed the dragonflies too. If you are afraid that your dragonfly population has been taken out, re-introduce them either by purchasing through mail-order, or by planting reedy plants in or around your garden.

A frog is a prince in the organic garden

Building a pond near your garden will encourage amphibians. Amphibians, especially frogs, are great friends of your garden as they eat many flies, moths and flying insects. A pond will also encourage dragonflies, which eat mosquitoes.

Plant and encourage the growth of as many different types of aquatic plants in your pond as you can. With an increased density of aquatic plants an increased diversity of pond associated insects (including dragonflies) will inhabit your pond and feed on an wider range of insect pests.

Why most insects should be protected

An organic farmer should not and cannot eliminate every insect in his garden. Most insects are so tiny and mobile that most people never even realize that they exist. Spraying pesticides indiscriminately is the worst thing you can do for your garden. Take some time one afternoon to sit quietly in your garden and watch your plants, you will be amazed at the amount of life that exists there! Appreciating all of the life in your garden is part of being an organic farmer and a friend of the earth.

Bees are great insects for your garden. Fruit trees that require pollination cannot live without bees! Encouraging bees in your garden is easy; they love flowers. Plant lavender, rosemary, daisies, cosmos, heather and/or marigolds around the outside and amongst the other plants of your garden and the bees will come.

Organic gardens are for the birds... seriously!

Birds are another great form of natural pest control. Birds and bats live off of bugs. It is unfortunate and ironic that pesticides often end up killing or harming local birds. Plant your garden near tall trees. Birds will establish nests in the trees and visit your garden to eat pesky beetles, moths and flies.

Imitate Mother Nature through Diversity

The very best way to encourage a diverse collection of life in your garden is by planting a variety of plants. While some of the pests will be attracted to some of your plants, the other plants will attract the friendly insects. The more plant diversity in your garden, the more insect diversity. Talk to your local nursery about native plants in your area and stick with those.

The importance of buying local

Be aware when buying potted plants that they have been grown locally and carefully. Imported plants may contain imported insects. If your pests are local, chances are they have local enemies. If your pests are imported, they may not have any local predators in your garden.

Organic gardening is about maintaining balance

Be aware when introducing insects into your garden intentionally, even beneficial ones. Do not introduce insects if their prey does not exist in your garden. If you introduce a population of insects but not feeding them, then you are harming the diversity of your garden rather than encouraging it by throwing off the balance.

When you look at your garden is it a mess of beautiful color? Are birds, bees and flies hovering overhead? Does your garden fit naturally into the landscape with a variety of native plants and animals? With a healthy diversity of insects and other fauna, your garden will be healthy, have very little insect herbivory and local populations of animals will maintain healthy populations.

Beneficial Insects Will Control the Bad Insects

Some insects like the Ladybug and the Green Lacewing are called beneficial because they are the good guys who are on the hunt for the bad guys that are feeding on your plants. Here is a list of beneficial insects, with links to where they are offered by an Earth friendly distributor.

Green Lacewings Chrysoperla carnea
Green Lacewings are an all purpose beneficial insect that feed on insects such as aphids and other insects that will come and feed on your plants. Green Lacewings are perfect for a backyard garden, larger garden, or a greenhouse.

LadyBugs
The most popular beneficial insect, these cute little beetles eat Aphids and Spider-mites and can be purchased readily in most nurseries. Don’t discount their black, alligator like larvae which eat up to a hundred aphids a day!

Minute Pirate Bug
These little guys eat Thrips, Corn Earworms, Aphids and Spider-mites. Though be careful not to pick these guys up as they have a nasty bite.

Predatory Mites
These mites feed on Thrips and Pest mites.

Praying Mantis
These big guys also eat a lot of beneficial insects, so they are not recommended for your garden.

Rove Beetles
These beetles feed on soil-dwelling insects like Root maggot eggs, larvae and pupae, especially those of Cabbage maggots and Onion Maggots. They also eat slug and snail eggs.

Soldier Beetles
These beetles eat Aphids, Caterpillars, Corn Rootworms, Cucumber Beetles and Grasshopper eggs.

Spiders
All spiders are beneficial predators. You should encourage them into your garden by using a straw mulch.

Spined Soldier Bugs
These bugs eat the Larvae of Colorado Potato Beetles, Sawflies, Cabbage Loopers and Tent Caterpillars.

Tachinid Flies
These flies eat Caterpillars, Armyworms, Cornborers, Cutworms and Stinkbugs.

Tiger Beetles
These beetles eat various soil-dwelling larvae.

Trichogramma Wasps
These weird and tiny wasps lay their eggs inside the eggs of moths, killing the mother moth in the process.

Yellow Jackets
These bees feed the larvae of flies, Caterpillars and Grasshoppers to their young.

Most of these beneficial insects can be purchased in a nursery or through mail order. Those that cannot be purchased may be naturally attracted to your garden if you plant specific plants.

Do not release these beneficial insects into your garden if their prey does not exist there. If you do so, you may disrupt your garden’s natural ecosystem and possibly worsen your pest problems.

Growing a diversity of plants in your garden will attract a range of insects, and most insects are beneficial. Beneficial insects are only one of many reasons to maintain a diverse collection of plants in your garden.

Beneficial creatures are not all insects. Birds and bats feed on insects as well and may be helpful to have in the neighbourhood. Pesticides, ironically, can kill birds, which may themselves be your best ‘pesticide’.

Reptiles and amphibians are also beneficial creatures. Building a pond on your land will encourage frogs and toads to reproduce, and these amphibians will then eat flies and other insects.

Source : http://www.helpfulgardener.com/organic/2006/beneficial.html

Attract Birds to Your Garden by Adding Features that Birds Like

Many gardeners are bird watchers too, and they can design a garden with features that birds like. Birds look for food, shelter, nesting sites, and water—having just some of these will encourage birds to visit.

Providing food for birds

Do a little research on the birds that are common in your area and the types of food that they prefer if you want to make the most of feeders.

There are two ways to provide food : through bird feeders and by growing plants around your yard that offer fruits, seeds and a habitat that birds love. Black oil sunflower seed is the best seed to attract a diverse group of birds to your feeder, including chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, sparrows, blackbirds and jays.



To attract insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, offer suet in the wintertime. Ground feeding birds like juncos, sparrows, towhees and mourning doves prefer cracked corn scattered on the ground or placed in an elevated tray.

Plants to add to your landscape include serviceberry, dogwood, fir, hawthorn, sweet gum, crabapple, pine, coralberry and fruit-bearing viburnums. Seed-producing flowers that will attract birds include aster, blanket flower, cone flower, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, California poppies, goldenrod, marigolds, phlox, salvias and zinnias.



Providing shelter for birds

Birds like transition zones between dense forest and open space—a garden with tall grasses, shrubbery, and patches of open breezy trees will provide shelter and attract lots of birds. Ideally, there should be patches of growth in the open and open spaces among the trees. Trees take a long time to grow and many gardeners don’t have the space, but most gardens can be designed with patches of taller shrubbery at the edges or near other garden features. Keep in mind that shrubs can shelter predators as well, a factor to consider when locating feeders, bird baths, and dust baths for birds.

Providing nesting sites for birds



A garden with good bird shelter will also offer nesting possibilities. Leave old trees with cavities in them, if possible, as these will entice cavity-nesting birds. If you want to add nesting boxes, platforms, or shelves, you might want to wait till autumn—many birds start nesting very early in spring, and a new nest box hung in the fall will be weathered and feel more natural by spring.

To encourage birds with nest building, offer short bits of string, yarn, thread, and hair, fabric scraps, twigs and other nesting materials. Dead plants from last season offer nesting materials as well, so don’t be too tidy!

Providing water for birds


A bird bath is the most popular way to provide birds with water. Locate the bath away from garden features that provide hiding places for cats and other predators, but close enough to shrubbery to give birds a place to flee to. Make sure you refresh the water in the bird bath regularly. You can also add a water feature to your garden, like a pond or waterfall, or provide a regular spray with a sprinkler or soaker hose. Some gardeners also build a dust bath for birds to help them with preening.

Tips for growing an indoor garden

Successful decorating is about being clever with what you have, so try to see your indoor garden in a different light.



1 – Although certain plants do really well indoors, they still have the tendency to reach towards a light source. For instance, if your light source is towards the right side, all your plants would be inclined towards the right side in order to get sunlight. Its better to rotate your plants occasionally for them to grow straight

2 – During the summer time keep the plants out in sunlight to boost them up.
If your plants do not get their daily requirement of sunlight they might appear very thin and frail. Use artificial lights with a fluorescent lamp if your house has limited lights. If your home doesn’t get ample sunlight then buy plants that are appropriate for medium to low light environments. Rotate the plant after keeping it under light for a healthy growth.

3 – Make sure that the water is drained out of the bottom of the pot. The quantity and the intervals of watering vary. So before buying collect all the necessary information about its routine care. Make sure you use room temperature water. Although different plants have different watering needs but you can follow one thumb rule – Too much dryness and too much wetness are both bad for your plant. Make sure your containers and your soil have proper drainage.



4 – Bathe your plants occasionally. Often grime and dust tends to settle over the plant leaves and stem that is why it is important to bathe them. You can add a spray attachment to the nozzle of your hose pip and gently shower your plants.

5 – Like ample sunlight, plants require ample fresh air too. The plants tend to suffer a great deal if they are kept in smoky or stagnated air. Keep your doors and windows open and allow your plants to breathe fresh air.



6 – Keep a check on your home temperature. Plants tend to grow well at a certain temperature i.e. 65-75 degrees at daytime and about 10 degrees lower at night.

7 – Keep a record of each of your plants’ name, species, purchase date, fertilizer dates, repotting dates etc just as you would maintain your child’s medical reports. It will help you to maintain your plants systematically.

8 – Fertilize your plants regularly. Every time we water, some of the soil’s essential nutrients get flushed out of the soil. You can use a liquid fertilizer and add it in small amounts when you water your plants. Although you can avoid fertilizing in winter. Keeping a track of your fertilization dates would help you. If you fertilize your plants too much or too often, you will end up burning your plants.

9 – Soil is an integral for a healthy plant. If you are growing your plants in a container, avoid using soil from the garden. It wont yield good results. Besides, it may also risk insects, weeds and other diseases to your indoor plants. You can buy good container soil from a plant nursery.

10 – Make sure your pots have proper drainage holes on their surface below. Most pots tend to be sold without drainage holes, but you should make holes on your pots yourself. With out proper drainage holes, the water in the soil tends to collect in the pot and damage the roots and your plant will almost certainly die.

Ten Indoor Gardening Tips

Beautiful Garden by Bird Feeders

When bird feeders are first offered in your yard, it may take the birds a few weeks to discover and recognize them as a source of food. Bird feeders are containers resembling lanterns into which solicitous humans place seeds or other types of bird feed, to attract and feed the birds in the surrounding area.

Bird feeders are the the surest and fastest way to attract birds to your garden. Bird feeders are a must for home birdwatching, and many people have webcams trained on their feeders, where birds often congregate.

Bird feeders are an attractive inclusion to the gardens, courtyards and terraces and are easy to put up and easy to take care of.

Hanging bird feeders are usually hung in trees or below the eaves of a porch or patio.

Stationary bird feeders are available in two types:
1 those that can be attached to a tree
2 those that are perched on top of a pole.

Squirrels may visit the bird feeder and hoard all the seeds, not to mention, scare away all the birds, but very few bird feeders are truly squirrel proof. Platform bird feeders are for the birds that like to eat off the ground.

Window bird feeders are a great way to bring birds close to your house. Squirrel proof bird feeders are also a great way to protect your bird seed from being eaten by other animals, but if you like squirrels too, then this feeder is not a consideration for you.

Many times, bird feeders are only used during the winter since thats when their food source is the lowest. Although there are all styles and types of bird feeders, the most successful bird feeders are dependent upon the placement of the feeder and the type of food source on the wild bird feeder.

Pole Bird Feeders are great for encouraging lots of bird types to your garden, but having a Pole Bird Feeder is also a great way to discourage bird-eating cats from pouncing on your feathered guests.

Three basic types of bird feeders are available: hopper, tube and platform. While bird feeders are thought of as winter projects, urban and suburban areas can benefit from bird feeders year-round.

Stone bird feeders are generally available in marble, granite, sandstone and soapstone.

With a natural gift for life, bird feeders are uplifting, relaxing and entertaining. After your bird feeders are up, make a covered notebook and keep track of all the birds you see.

Tony Harries

www.jacksworldshop.com/Bird-Feeders

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Harries

Beautify Your Garden With A Bridge

If you love your garden as a hobby you will likely want to have a different kind of garden than one that is low–maintenance. Get a bridge for your garden in any kinds of styles and designs to choose to give beautiful touch to any garden.

Garden bridges can add a touch of country or formal designto a garden. Small garden bridges are easy to find. Thereare many garden bridges that you can find in garden centersor home improvement centers. One of the best places to findsmall garden bridges may be online. There are lots of sitesthat have many ideas for small garden bridges.

A small garden bridge will look attractive in a smaller garden and draw attention to a specific area. If you have a smaller gardenyou will want a smaller garden bridge.

There is a Japanese maple to fit every garden

One of the most striking characteristics of a Japanese maple is the colour of the foliage: crimson, gold, pumpkin orange or multiple shades of green.

The Japanese maple is also known as Acer palmatum; it's dramatic and unforgettable and provides vibrant fall colour in the garden. Although Japanese maples come in a number of varieties of greens - for example the cultivar 'Versicolor' has green foliage mottled with white and pink - the majority of people tend to prefer the familiar crimson.

When it comes to Japanese maples, there is a variety available for every gardener, suited to any size of garden. Interestingly, the hardier forms of Japanese maple are the larger leaf varieties with green-coloured foliage. Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is one of the hardier red-leaved maples for sheltered gardens in the Toronto area.

A number of varieties have foliage that change colour with the seasons. In shadier conditions, some Japanese maples will appear less red and display more shades of green.



Some varieties, like 'Katsura,' will change colour depending on the season. There is lots of opportunity to design contrasting shapes, colours and textures with companion planting around a Japanese maple. The red foliage of a Bloodgood Japanese maple will contrast well with hostas underneath of a green gold colour. As you can tell, the possibilities for design are limitless.

Japanese maples are such a versatile plant with many forms and varieties available. Here are five distinct shapes of Japanese maples:
- Weeping,
- Upright single stem in a tree form,
- Upright multi-stem shrub,
- Mounding multi-stem shrub,
- Dwarf varieties.

Read about it There is a Japanese maple to fit every garden

10 Stunning Garden Decorations!

Linda Gray breaks down some options. Whether you're playing games in the garden or preparing for winter bulbs, give a thought to decorating your outside space. There are lots of fun and interesting things you can do without spending tons of money...


1. Wind-Chimes - There are some beautiful wind chimes on the market, and you should be able to find some that suit your style and budget. However, you could go one step further and make your own. Study how they are made, and get the kids to join in! Wind chimes are soothing and very compatible with gardening, so position your chimes well.

They must be in at least a slight draught, which you should be able to find outside with ease. Also, they can scare the birds away from your fruit bushes. Hang them on the patio and in the vegetable garden.

2. Lights and Lanterns - For those smooth hot summer nights. Choose candles for calm nights and opt for lanterns if there's a breeze about. Solar powered lights are a good choice as there aren't any cables, batteries or plugs to worry about. They must be in sunlight during the day to re-charge though. Large garden candles will burn for many hours and are available in all sorts of aroma-therapeutic scents.

3. Garden Furniture - Invest in some comfy chairs for the garden. We don't spend half as much time as we should outside, simply because we don't feel comfortable. Look at unique ways of furnishing your garden. Do you have a couple of trees a hammock could be strung between? Or how about a park-type bench with comfy cushions set under the shade of the apple tree? Whatever the style or size of your garden, look for relaxing furniture so you can fully enjoy your outside space.

4. Fake Flowers - Well, hey, we don't all have mature gardens and fresh flowers blooming all year round! If you have to resort to a little 'deception' who cares if it looks good? Hang some pretty silk flowers on a wall, or low roof or even in a tree! If nothing else, you'll keep your visitors guessing :-)

5. Colour it up - If you still need a bit of colour around the place, get the kids involved. No, I don't mean let them loose with a tin of paint and brushes... what they could do is draw some great pictures of trees, flowers, animals etc, and you can pin them around the patio area or 'blu-tak' them to a tree or two. Remember to rescue them if it rains!

6. Cut down on Big Toys - Children's outdoor toys, such as swings, slides etc; can take up loads of room in the garden, and they're not always very attractive. Look for something a little less permanent. Maybe separate items you can load away in the shed at night, or go for something completely different and build a giant chess set. Or if you really feel creative, what about a tree-house? They can always go to the park for the swings!

7. Containers - Collect large pots and grow plants you can move around the garden, every day if you like! Grow herbs and flowers and position sweet smelling plants on the patio or round your seating area. Strawberries grow very well in containers as do other useful plants. Make sure the pots aren't too heavy for you to move, or invest in a garden trolley if they are. If you grow colour co-ordinated flowers, a wonderful display can be created by positioning your pots well.

8. Wild Corner - I know this may be hard if you like a neat and tidy garden, but leaving a wild patch can be very entertaining and visually very pleasing. Nettles and other wildflowers attract butterflies and bees, and it's often suprising how delicate and colourful wildflowers can be when allowed to grow in their own space. If you're still unsure, how about building a little fence around the area and making a wooden plaque declaring it a wildlife zone...well, it was just an idea!

9. Water Features - are becoming more and more popular and also more affordable. Create a water feature that will suit your garden. Try not to be persuaded by an over-enthusiastic sales assistant trying to sell you a system that will be far too big or even too small for your outside space. Do some research before you start. There could be a fair amount of physical work involved and you should arrange some strong arm help. You could go for a full waterfall and pond or perhaps a simple water feature on your patio.

10. Rock Gardens - Rock gardens can take on different themes and colour schemes throughout the year with a little careful planning. There is again some heavy physical work involved when you're putting together your rock garden but well worth it in the end. Make sure you can get to all areas for weeding, watering etc; Try out different rock plants and flowers until you feel happy with the overall view, and even then you can change it. Nothing's set in stone!

These are just a few ideas. Let your imagination free and decorate your outside space with love. Read through the Garden Decor and Garden Ideas pages on the Flower and Garden Tips website for more ideas and resources.

About the Author

Decorate your home and garden with style! More ideas and places to visit can be found at Linda's website, Flower and Garden Tips. Drop in on the home and garden page and wander round from there - Bring a cuppa! Home and Garden

Source : http://www.gardeningart.com/moxie/ARTICLES/10-stunning-garden-decora.shtml

The Elegant Beauty of a Butterfly Garden

There are a number of different garden types, with the most poplar types being vegetable and flower gardens. There are also hundreds of flower varieties which you can plant depending on your taste and the climate of your area. There is also a type of garden where gardeners plant flowers that are known to attract butterflies. Have you ever seen a butterfly garden before ?

My grandmother had a butterfly garden in her backyard before they became popular. When I was a child, I used to sit patiently near her garden as she worked, waiting for the butterflies to come along, and fly among the flowers. However, I was often disappointed because at my young age, I did not realize that while these gardens are designed to attract butterflies, there would not be hundreds hanging out there all the time.

I can’t exactly recall the specific flowering plants that she planted in her butterfly garden, but I can remember that it was beautiful. My grandmother paid as much attention to it as her vegetable garden, and would sit out there in her spare time to enjoy the result of her efforts. Butterflies were indeed attracted to her butterfly garden, and I was inspired to have one of my own.

I don’t have one yet, but I’m planning to start making one next year. If you are also interested in making your own butterfly garden, you can get information about it on the Internet. You can also talk with an employee at any garden shop, and they would be able to give you some information about the flowering plants that should be included in your garden.



If the butterflies are slow in visiting your butterfly garden, you should consider looking for other ways to attract them before you surrender. Milkweeds are known to attract Monarch butterflies. Monarch larvae eat the leaves of this plant, and attach to it when they make their cocoon. If you can get some of this plant nearby, your butterfly garden will soon be teeming with Monarch butterflies. You should also consider the location of your garden. If it is near a busy highway, or where children play often, the butterflies may not be attracted to your garden.

About the Author:

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Butterfly Garden. Visit our site for more helpful information about Butterfly Garden and other similar topics.

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Garden Art Ideas -- How to Make Your Planters Into Beautiful Garden Art

Garden stores have so many different types of garden art for your to choose from – there are beautiful water features like ponds and fountains, as well as statues, wind chimes, birdhouses, and so much more. But why not go ahead and make your own garden art? Why not make sure that your garden fully reflects your own personality, and nobody else’s ?

When it comes to making your own garden art, there are so many different possibilities as to what you can do that it can almost be overwhelming. That is why I am going to focus on just one type of garden art in this article: planters. Check out these fun and unique ideas for your garden pots and planters:




The Spilt Planter

Add a little humor to your garden with a “spilt planter.” Find an ordinary pot or barrel and tip it on its side in your garden. Fill the planter part way with soil, and then spread the rest out in front of it as though it has spilled out. Choose a few of your favorite flowers and plant them in the spilled-out soil. Warning: this fun and whimsical idea is one that may have do-gooders coming up and trying to fix the spill… until they see that the plants are actually planted in the ground.

Bathtub Planter

Find a bathtub (a clawfoot tub, preferably) at a thrift store, garage store, or even from your remodeled bathroom. Fill her up with good soil and then plant a small garden! It can also be fun to use a bathtub as a pond. It is even possible to find a way to hook your garden hose up so that you can have water coming out of the bathtub waterspout.

Thrift Stores Gems

There are many other things that plants can be planted into (besides planters and pots… and bathtubs). Why not go to an antique shop or a thrift store and see what you can find! You can plant a pair of cacti in a pair of cowboy boots. Why not plat a snapdragon in a tea cup? You can use vases, pots and pans, tires, helmets, and so many other things as planters. You may not know what item can double as a perfect garden planter until you go out and find it.

Pottery By Your Own Hand

Why not sign up for a pottery class and make your very own planter! Granted, you may make a pot that is only large enough for one petunia, but it is so much fun to create your own shapes and to glaze your pot in whatever color you want. Homemade pots with a flower in each make excellent gifts, as well.

Pot makeovers

If you already have a pot that you like, why not just dress it up a bit? Go ahead and glue a ribbon around the rim or even add sequins, buttons, scrabble letters, or other items! You can also completely makeover a pot – you just need some Mod Podge (a wonderful, glue-like substance) and some magazines. Cut or rip out some favorite pictures from magazines (or use photographs, newspaper, brown paper bags, tissue paper, etc.) and Mod Podge them all over your pot. Use a weather-proofing finishing spray to top it off.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on gardening and garden art, please visit Garden Art.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke