My Container Garden Project

(Working With A Problem Area)

~ By Jus Kuntree ~

I had this area that earlier I'd listed as a place that I wanted to turn into one of this year's projects. I wasn't sure just how it would go, how far I'd get, or what would happen as the project unfolded. A number of ideas run through my mind, some of which I stuck with, and others that I changed, but kept the basic concept of where I wanted to go with it.

The area in mind was one where an annoying grass was a problem, and where digging was limited. It all started when my son brought me some nice chunks of sandstone, and being caught off guard and unprepared when he showed up with them and asked where I wanted them put, this was where they ended up. Which I must say, turned out to work really well.

Of course nothing happens overnight, and this was last year when he brought them. It took me till early this year to begin to formulate a plan. In the meanwhile last year, I did plant two small forsythia bushes within the confines of the now rock lined area.

Previously you may have seen a picture of my little project area. This is what it looked like.

I began by laying out some black plastic to cover the grass, and added a few things to help hold it down. Originally I'd thought to buy some bags of landscape rock to fill in over the plastic, but in sizing up the situation, quickly came to the conclusion that given the area and depth I needed to cover, it was going to be cost prohibitive. I had to come up with a "Plan B."

Here you can see where I've laid the plastic down.

It didn't take long for an alternate plan to come together, and I decided it would be much cheaper to go to the local rock quarry which is just a short drive and within eyeshot of our house, and get a load of small rock from there. So, on my way home from town one day, I stopped and got close to a ton of clean 3/4-1 inch rock, which runs about $8 per ton, and this is what went down over the black plastic. This size of rock is often used for walkways, since it's not large, and is easy on the feet. Well, unless you're barefoot!

I was very pleased with the results once the rock was down and raked out. Things were beginning to come together! And I was very thankful to have some help with getting the rock unloaded and spread. Now, to start adding things!

We had an old cast iron bathtub that we used to water horses in, so I enlisted some muscle power from family, and had them move it into the area. Then I started looking around for other things that could be used for containers to plant in, and with a lot of recycling, came up with a variety of additions.

Now for some planting! In some containers I planted flower seeds, and in some I put bedding plants. There are flowers and veggies scattered about in the various containers that I scrounged up to use. I have tomatoes in the big cast iron tub, and as an afterthought, stuck in a couple of sweet potatoes that were sprouting in my potato bin. In another container I have four broccoli plants, and yet another sweet potato in an old worn out chicken feeder.

Since our weather has warmed, I decided to go ahead and take some of my potted plants out and add them to the area. There are several large pots of geraniums, Moses In The Basket, and another plant that my sister gave me last year when she was moving her houseplants in for the winter. Next I added some colorful rocks that I've collected, and a couple of garden angels that were tucked in. At one end, up against the deck, is what is left of the old cream seperator that belonged to my grandparents. Somewhere along the way, I scattered some bright colored glass discs, and added a little garden plaque.

Am I done yet? Oh, it's hard to tell! You never know what else I might find that tickles my fancy, and moves me to add it to the area. Now I'm waiting for seeds to sprout, plants to grow, and hopefully before long there will be even more color and variety displayed. I started with a problem spot that I didn't know what to do with, created something that is pleasing to us, much brighter, and a lot of fun to watch change as things came together. I just wish my camera took better pictures!

         

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