Linda {Calling it Home} 3/11/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 3/11/12

Adirondack Chairs

I have a few Adirondack chairs, nothing special...the plastic kind. They are tired, faded and could use a fresh coat of paint. I just can't decide what color.

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Do you have a favorite color? I must admit...I think mine is the last one. I just love French Blue in the garden.

Linda {Calling it Home} 1/4/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 1/4/12

Pergola Over The Garage

I love the look of a pergola over the garage. In fact, I love a pergola almost anywhere. It's winter, so my longing to garden has begun. This is the time when I start dreaming and planning for warmer weather. Since this was one of the wettest years on record, I did not spend enough time in my garden. Of course that only leads to even BIGGER plans for next season! Here are my thoughts:

A white pergola, more boxwoods, and a splash of purple

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I would like the pergola over the garage. My garage could use a little zuzhing

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Houzz

Do you have any experience with pergolas or arbors?

Linda {Calling it Home} 11/15/11 Linda {Calling it Home} 11/15/11

Winter Window Boxes

It"s Winter Window Box time! I love looking at window boxes, and I am lucky enough to have two boxes. In the summer, I always have a great debate (with myself) for color combinations. I will share with you, that my window box plants are so much happier because of the drip irrigation I installed.

This year, Fall came and went fast....other than mums....I did not do the Fall Window Boxes I was planning.

So, I'm am going to plan and dream for winter with these inspirational images

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Do you have a favorite? What is your window box style?

**Here are my current winter window boxes**

I have a crazy fun post coming later this month for "out of the box" Holiday Window Boxes! Please join me, e-mail me your favorite picture(s) of Holiday planters, boxes or front porches.... and I will share them with everyone!

******UPDATE< HOLIDAY WINDOW BOXES********

Linda {Calling it Home} 7/18/11 Linda {Calling it Home} 7/18/11

Self-Watering Containers

Several years ago, I purchased this

a square, black, polyurethane container for my front porch. Like most of my decisions for my home, the size and shape were perfect......the fact that it was self-watering was a plus!

Obviously, something went wrong

One very dead plant. After much clicking around and several tutorials later, I realized a needed a wick so that the water could travel up to the plant. This was not in the directions provided by the container company.

So, I went to the hardware store and purchased this

Polyester rope and clear plastic tubing. The tubing was not part of any tutorials that I found....I am adding it for "insurance". Here is what I did

1) Dump everything out on a tarp/sheet

2) Make sure the holes are large enough to drop the rope and tubing down into the reserve of water

3) Add tubing and/or rope into the holes making sure to leave a long enough tail so that it will reach the plant(s)

once the tubing is inserted, slide a piece of rope through to act as the wick

4) Put back the fabric paper (this keeps the holes from getting clogged by dirt) and add back some of the soil mix.

5) Place the plant at the proper height making sure the wick comes in contact with the root-ball

6) Add remaining soil and additional plants if desired

Hopefully, that will fix the problem!

Linda {Calling it Home} 7/12/11 Linda {Calling it Home} 7/12/11

Drip Irrigation

This week, I have been working on #6 of my TTD list. I love to figure out the plant combinations for the window boxes. This year, I planted roses in them. The containers take a bit more time to get them just right. However, remembering to water them is not as easy for me. I get busy with the kids...and it's HOT!

So, since I am lucky enough to have a sprinkler system, I have decided to install drip irrigation into all of my containers (did you catch that it is not even on the TTD list?). That is another story for another day.

Here are two great tutorials on how I did this (thank you YOUTUBE).