I recently finished one of my favorite projects. My gourd arbor has been planted.

It consists of two large pots planted with birdhouse gourds. As the seeds sprout and begin to grow I put a large cylindrical cage inside each pot.

The cages are made from chicken wire formed into a tube. I use cable ties to secure the wire to itself to hold the tube’s shape.

When the tubes are placed in the pots a cross brace placed between them forms the top of the arbor. Anything will work as a cross brace. I like to be creative when making the top.

If the wire tube is too short a second tube added to the top will make it taller.

As the gourds grow they will fill the cages. It doesn’t take much encouragement for the gourds to find and cross the top of the arbor. It looks wonderful to see the gourds growing across the top and sides of the arbor.

The only real maintenance is keeping the pots well watered and occasionally redirecting a vine where you want it.

In the fall you’ll harvest your gourds. After they’ve dried they make wonderful birdhouses and other craft projects. I even use them as water scoops and feed scoops.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

We have posted a few pictures from LANDSCAPE ON A BUDGET. The link to the photos can be found on that page. There will be more coming soon.

Please note: Some of these photos were taken in progress, the beds may be done but pathway not installed yet and so forth.

Another thing to remember- I used smaller plants to stretch the budget. You won’t recognize those plants when I do more photos in six weeks or so!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Raised beds can be a wonderful addition to your vegetable garden. They could also be your vegetable garden. Many types of plants can be grown in raised beds.

A raised bed can be a blessing for those with bad backs, sore knees or other ailments. They may be able to allow people to continue gardening who otherwise could not.

Gardening in a raised bed provides ease of maintenance. No rototiller is required.

The elevated nature of the bed allows the soil to warm earlier in the spring. This means an earlier start to the growing season. Since you don’t walk in the raised bed there is a reduction in soil compaction. A good soil mix is easy to maintain because you control what you fill the beds with. Any amendments you add remain right there in the bed.

Features can be built into the beds that allow for easy additions of frost protection, row covers and shade cloth. This feature will allow you to extend your growing time in the fall as well.

Next we’ll discuss options of what to plant in a raised bed. I’ll also include the basic steps for constructing your own raised bed[s].

Stay tuned!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was cleaning up the patio in preparation for the Memorial Day weekend.

It just needed a couple tiny weeds removed from the cracks and a layer of sand swept into the joints in a few places. Spraying it down with the hose completed the task.

I thought I would pass on a few tips for repairing any damage to your patio.

This tip will work for you whether you’re replacing a broken block or just raising an area that may have sunk. It is very easy to remove a broken patio stone. You don’t have to worry about breaking it. If the block is undamaged I try to put screwdrivers on opposing sides and lift the block out. When the base has been repaired you are ready to reinstall, or install a new, block.

I like to use a bar clamp when reinstalling that block. When the clamp is reversed it acts as a spreader. By placing the spreader in the opening, you can attempt to give yourself a tiny bit more room by opening up the space slightly. This helps a lot when installing a block somewhere other than an edge. A small block will just drop in place.

If you are using larger blocks it takes more effort to place one without damaging the base or your fingers. By using the bar clamp as a clamp you can prevent those problems. Clamp onto the block as high as you can while keeping a grip on it. Place the block into its place and release the clamp. It should drop perfectly into place.

Once you’re sure the repair is satisfactory sweep sand into the cracks and wash it in.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I just completed building and installing a trellis in my front landscape. This is a part of my ongoing landscape on a budget project.

My total cost for this project was absolutely nothing.

I had a small pile of boards from a piece of stockade fence stored behind my garage.  Three of these boards were used as the uprights. Two more were cut in half and used as cross braces. The boards were screwed together to form a trellis six feet high and three feet wide.

I dug three small holes to anchor the trellis. A used fence post I had on hand was driven in behind the trellis for extra support. The stake was secured to the trellis.

Morning Glories and Sweet Peas were sown around the base.

This is an easy project with wonderful results. Re-using the boards gives a weathered look. This project doesn’t even require a tape measure. Any cuts  or uprights that are crooked seem to add to its charm.

When renovating or adding to a landscape, the goal is to make it look like whatever was added has always been there. This project accomplishes that.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

There are times we forget things. What variety of tomato was our favorite last year? What was the name of that plant by the garage?

Here’s a suggestion to help with that.

When adding a new plant to the landscape, note its location and name on a sheet of paper. Keep the paper in a three ring binder. Take the tag from that new plant and punch or drill a small hole through it. It can then go in the binder as well.

You’ll not only have a name and location, but all the information pertaining to the plant. The best part is it will be all in one place.

This same procedure will work in the vegetable garden as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m just getting started with some landscape renovations around our house.

I’ll be doing the work myself while keeping you updated. I hope you may pick up a few tips along the way.

When completed, you will see the before and after photos. There will also be a complete cost breakdown.

Stay tuned!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Welcome to The Backyard Gardener. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it.

My goal is to help everyone get the most out of their gardening experiences. It doesn’t matter whether you are growing vegetables or plants, wondering what perennials would work best in that shady spot, or have other questions about anything else; I’m here to help.

Here is a sampling of things I’ll be including:

• At the Garden Gate (page) – To answer your questions and offer helpful tips
• In the Shed (category) – Covers hand an powered tools; includes tips for care and maintenance, and purchasing suggestions
• Birds and Bees (category) – Here you can read all about beneficial insects, birds, and related items

There are many things I hope to cover throughout the year; but much will depend on your questions and requests.

Spring is upon us, so I’ll begin with typical springtime projects. When summer arrives, I’ll cover ways to get more abundant harvests from our gardens. As fall approaches, it will be time to harvest the last of our plantings, and hope to extend the growing season as long as possible. That will also be the time for lawn and yard cleanup, and preparing our tools for winter storage.

I hope to finish the year off with topics such as: choosing and caring for a live Christmas tree; decorating; and gift ideas for the gardener.

I’ll see you in the backyard!