I don't know if it was the year anniversary since COVID hit, or just me needing a creative outlet, but I decided to create a secret garden. Of course, I've posted on FB so it's not really a secret. I call it that because you can't see it from the house. You need to walk thru a narrow path by our lemon tree to get to it. As an added bonus, you can see it from inside the Casita if you open the blinds. That's something I need to do more. I don't know why, but I live with lots of blinds down!
I got my inspiration from my friend, Arlene. She lives in Fallbrook and has a farm at her house. Yes, donkeys, goats, chickens, pigs, and she used to have bunnies too. She took me to her side yard that used to be a dog run. She's turning it into a lovely garden.
I came home and took stock of the land where I would lay claim. There already were stepping stones in place where a plum and peach tree used to be. Both died, so it's been pretty barren back there. We did replace the old sprinkler valves, so that was the only upgrade to the area.
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| Little did I know that this would be only the first upgrade to the area! |
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| dead plum tree |
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| I decorated it to bring life back to it! |
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| Poor peach tree. Only one branch looked alive |
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| Our one and only peach |
After I pulled out the peach tree, we planted a Sweet Lime tree, but it looked sad and wasn't getting enough sun. So we transplanted it to a sunnier spot. So, now I was done with trees. It was time to rethink the area. A garden it would be! I decided I would make my garden by using both old and new items.
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| I saw this cute wagon and just had to have it! |
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I knew this bench would be perfect for the garden. A hummingbird theme it would be!
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We had an old bedroom blind leaning up against a fence by our trash bins, and also a pallet that had been used to deliver our patio dining table. I started the transformation by taking apart old party bags. That's right. Who knew that party bags belonged in a garden. I had taken an old mirror frame from Arlene's house and didn't know what I was going to do with it. Then it hit me! Use party bags to hang flowers and herbs and make a drying station. I had the bags apart and lying in the frame, but when I tried to move it, the frame broke apart. Oh well, I still used the bags. I just hung them on the side of the casita for some color and distraction from the sprinkler valves.
Next it was time to haul the pallet across my backyard and into the secret space. I also moved a raccoon and an owl from my backyard to keep watch over the new territory.
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| Pallet down with the raccoon and owl keeping watch |
Then I went shopping in my garage. I found containers and fake flowers to help me visualize what the garden could become.
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| I need to put things in front of me to visualize. I just can't do it in my head! |
Then it was off in the rain to Lowes to go flower shopping. I knew the area was primarily in the shade, so a lot of flowers I like wouldn't be appropriate. I ended up with a Fuchsia plant, Cyclamen and Impatiens. The best part was a hummingbird stake that I found. I then proceeded to put everything in my car and came home. After getting home I realized I didn't have the Hummingbird so I drove 20 minutes in the rain to go retrieve it. Some things are just worth it, even if they don't cost much!
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| I got you my lovely! |
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| The finished pallet. I love it! |
After I finished the pallet I waited a few days for my hummingbird bench to arrive. In the meantime, I put my hummingbird stake in the ground around newly transplanted ice plant that some animal was eating. My hope was that it would act like a scarecrow and make them go away.
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| Garden awaiting my bench, wagon, and other purchases |
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| I needed to create a powerpoint jpeg to help me visualize where everything would go |
The bench arrived and was simple enough to put together, or so I thought. I had it almost done when I realized it did matter which side leg went where. So I undid the whole thing and started over. The entire time spent was 39 minutes. But, it was worth it because I love the bench!
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| I moved a rusty table with a glass top and updated it with stone piece from another part of the yard |
I love the hummingbird bench, but was super disappointed in the blue wagon. I don't know how they took the photo, but they made it seem quite large. Reality was a different story!
For my piece de resistance, I commissioned a painting from Arlene to do on the old blinds. What a transformation!
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| Blinds before and after! |
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| I sent Arlene some inspirational shots. |
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I absolutely love the finished piece!
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To complete my hummingbird themed garden, I purchased a solar lantern and a solar bird bath. I was pleased with both of them. They actually do light up at night!
Next it was time to plant some seed mats. Time will tell if they produce gorgeous flowers!
Area where I planted the seed mats. I also added three glass hummingbirds above the drying stations.
After planting the mats, I wanted to try and cover up the sprinkler valves. I took some old product I found in the garage and constructed a box. However, that didn't hold up. So, I settled for painting a piece of plywood. I can't draw so it's a good thing it isn't too big. Could you imagine if I had tried to paint the blinds? They wouldn't have been worthy of being hung!
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| before and after |
Now, I told myself I was done. That was until I saw cute colored flowerpots on a FB ad.
So, I ordered them and some fake sunflowers to finally complete my secret garden!
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| View of the secret garden from the other side of the fence |
I haven't spent too much time yet in the garden, but I know I will. I was lucky enough to catch a hummingbird feeding outside our kitchen window, and it only reinforced why I wanted to make the secret garden a hummingbird theme. You can't have too many hummingbirds.
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| When fantasy becomes reality! |
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| I love the sunflowers and colored baskets with the blind painting! |
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| The finished garden |
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| View from inside the casita |
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| I could sit here all day! |
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| Of course I needed a bird and flower mug to take to the garden! |
Overall, I'm quite pleased with how my "March Madness" went! I got inspired, got creative, spent some bucks, and now have a place to call my own! The 15 hummingbirds and I welcome visitors.
