Container Renovations 4! (smile)

Jeanne: Yes, you do live and learn when you go though something like this.

It get's weary doesn't it? People are also not the same. It sure weeds out who your good friends are. Just hang in my dear! It takes a while to get back to normal as for a long time I felt my brain was bruised. It gets better though.

Here's my property after Charlie...There used to be a Gazebo on that dock.Wind just destroyed it and threw it on the land...Flimsy lawn chair survived though! hahaha

The pool cage was completely demolished. Windows were broken in the house (water damage on the wood floors) and something big flew through my roof and broke a few trusses. I wasn't back in my house for a month...and I'm in the construction business???

Please try not to get frustrated. It will all come back together. It just takes time.

Kat

Today was funny! I call my guy the "Pruning King". He drive's me nuts! He knows what he's doing, but cut's off all the flowers. Yeah, they usually grow better, but I'm starting to get peed off about it! He's not allowed in my container garden! hahaha!

Kat

My yard crew cut back my three Mexican Fan Palms. They were all huge. Really big leaves touched the ground. I loved them. Now you can see the bark up about two feet at least. I'm sure it is safer. At least now snakes can't hide under there!
Oh well. We only lost a very few plants.

I called around today for canopies. Basically no one has any until Spring. I'm considering putting up a metal carport type cover that would withstand a hurricane, but they aren't very "tropical" looking. I guess that's what the hut and plants are for.

It's all good. It can be fixed.

Jeanne

Glad you're ok after the storm, Texas.

Be careful with the Benadryl. There's a warning on their labels that you're not supposed to use the topical form when you take the pills or capsules. It doesn't say how that may be harmful--and obviously you're all right--but they must have a reason for the warning.

Jeanne...what kind of canopy are you looking for and for where?

I've called around to price aluminum patio covers and got prices from $750 to $1600.00. That's out of my budget at the moment, so I thought I'd just get one like I had before......Black frame with corner shelves, canvas top......Here's a picture.

They were $219 at Home Depot a few years ago.

Another shot.....

That's right! I do remember your photo's and it was adorable! I also was looking around for a canopy for a potting area and came across several. Unfortunately, the canvas just won't do it for me with the wind around here, but here's some I found:

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=6102

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&Ne=4294967294&category=Canopies%2C+Gazebos+and+Pergolas&N=0+4294948924

http://www.target.com/b/ref=sc_iw_r_9_0/601-6051170-0443348?node=10824111

Although I know you're looking for a covered roof, this is what I opted for:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/901664/

kat

Thanks for the links! I'll check them out. I like your choice. It's really nice!

I'm a very happy Gal! I now have my new place - situated outside the "Lizard Lounge". How good is this???

The "Potting Lounge" haha

This message was edited Oct 9, 2008 2:09 AM

I kind of went a little nuts and extended the area. I'm very happy I did that as I know now I would have looked at the pavers under the potting area and said...why on earth didn't you extend that?

Moved the furniture out of the Lizard lounge to the Potting lounge (hehe) and now I have room to clean this mess up!

This is what I call major container Renovation!

and the pile is growing!

I played hookie from work yesterday and just went to town!

For all of you that think my Garden/Pavers/Lanai always look's so neat...it's not always so! LOL! Here's the real-deal, I just usually show the pretty pictures!

Kat

Arrrggghhhh...I just can't believe I did this! Looked for my camera and it wasn't here on my desk.

OMG...Left it outside sitting in the Lizard Lounge and It rained 2". I just want to kick myself in the Butt!

I did something like this once before and it dried out! Crossing my fingers that this happens again!!!

How crazy is that?

(one good sign is it's still taking pictures...not good ones, but is still operating!) YIKES

Kat

Looks great; love the changes. What size are your hanging baskets? They are so pretty; what is the plant in the middle of each basket. You have such a knack putting arranging plants in containers.

Wow Kat...great job. I wish I had half your energy!! The potting lounge looks great.

"Someone left the camera out in the rain"...Isn't that a song? Or was that a cake?

I'm just being cheeky because my little Sony is working again! haha. Still won't play back photo's but that's okay.

Thanks Patty...

Those baskets are about 16" - I just picked them up at Home Depot. I wanted to try the coco-liners to see how they would work out. Those middle plants are lemon-lime dracaena. I had the impatiens already growing in another pot, but added in some red ivy and lime green sweet potato vine...

I'm not sure the dracaena is going to like it out there as they usually like a little more shade. We'll see.

Arlene: Did you say energy? That is fading fast! haha

You asked on another thread about annuals for winter. There really isn't a lot out there right now, but it is getting better. I was at Home Depot, Lowes and Target on the weekend and everybody seems to have something different.

There's not a lot of impatiens but everybody has periwinkle (vinca). I wouldn't plant it in the ground as it's very invasive, but in a pot it's not bad. This pot started with 2 little accent plants tucked in over a year ago. It's non-stop blooming and I just let it sprawl. It's about 3' wide right now.

Lowes had some "blue daze" which I was surprised to see so late in the season. Mine has been blooming it's head off lately! hehe

Lowes also had some Angelonia...Purple and white

Home Depot always sells these packs of various (and sometimes unusual) trailers and ground covers. You really get a lot out of them and you just break off what you need. I like to poke them into my containers for some added interest.

Here's a plant I also use a lot of in containers for filler. It's called Artillery fern and it grows crazy (although not invasive). I never see it in the stores, but I have tons of it if you would like some. After the impatiens in this pot expired, this just took over.

Look at my pretty Mandevilla today! I cut my boug standards way back and it's taking over!

Do you like the coco liners? I have never used them before.

After cleaning up the pots in the Lizard Lounge - I've got a lot of nice plants to work with this weekend! (on my new potting bench!!!)

Patty - 1st time for me! Not sure yet.

Kat

Still trying to figure out what to do with Shaggy!

Hello Kat,

The red mandevilla looks fabulous against the black wrought iron. Very effective. Thanks for all the tips on the annuals. I .didn't realize the vinca would do so well in pots. I'm going to be very busy this weekend!!

Annette ('',)

Me too Annette! Maybe I'll see you at HD or Lowes! hehe

Check out Target. Sometimes they have some unusual plants the others don't carry. The only problem is that they sometimes carry plants that really don't do that well here as I think their buyer isn't thinking about zones and just sends everything out to all their stores nationwide. I have gotten some plants there though that really pushed the zones and they've lasted a few months! Seeing that it's cooling down, it's not a bad time to try them.

I loved these lambsears I got there last year...they lasted a few months and then when the heat came they just melted. I would try them again though!

You know...If you're looking for something colorful and lasting (perennial) maybe you would like Crown of thorns. Mine bloom all year round and they get huge. There was a good variety out there last weekend! Pinks/reds/whites

Looks great Kat! I agree....sure wish I had as much energy as you!....Actually I'd settle for half of it at the moment! LOL!

Me too!!

KatG, I have thoroughly enjoyed all the pics and talk you've shared here. Lots of ideas and your gardens are to die for.

What I'd like to know is where did you find that amazing potting bench. I have the old fashioned kind with shelves and it is rather large--I love the built-in bucket for soil--but I really need something behind me, i.e. just more space.

Hi Seawatch: Nice to meet you!

Thank-you for your kind words.

I looked everywhere for a potting bench with no shelves. Finally found a good variety of them at "Charlies Greenhouse". They come in all different sizes ranging from 24" - 36" wide/48"-72" long, with all different kinds of top options. It came in 3 tall skinny boxes and I'm like oh no, this looks like it might be a puzzle to put together. Not at all...In fact, I put it together myself and it only took a couple of hours and a good drill. Here's the link:

http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/index.cfm?page=_a2&sr=1&cid1=192&cid2=212

I'm really pleased with it and it's exactly what I was looking for!

Hope you find what you're looking for!

Kat

I'm thinking this thread is getting just a little too long...let's go here,

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/911768/

Kat, may I show the Yorkie picture to my sister who has a Yorkie?

I love all of the photos!!!

Absolutely Sallysblooms!

This is Ziggy...and he's just such a little Ham!

The picture cracks me up!

Kat

PS: I love your photo! Is that Penta and Bacopa?

This message was edited Oct 11, 2008 1:29 AM

Thanks, I can't wait to show her.

It's been a while since I've checked in on this thread. Just skimmed and want to go back to read again. I did want to make a comment here though.

Kat, you said,