My new planter

I built another raised bed for the front patio. This time a much simplified design which was placed directly on concrete. Not giving anyone a chance to steal this one I filled it with soil straight away.

Don't leave anything hanging around, I had a length of leaky hose which had been safety sitting outside for the last 6 months until last night when someone walked right in behind the planter and took it. Probably looking for tools. There were three old cat beds, too small for Frank, behind a wall on the patio, they took them. Not upset about the lose, more the fact that someone invaded my space.

There's still a bit of work remaining like finishing the top edge and drainage holes around the bottom which will happen in the next few days. The design changed a bit, pine sleepers which I had in mind would have been too heavy and out of scale in this space. Cannot wait to start planting.

My planter box was stolen

Very much to my annoyance when I got up to go for my walk this morning, my planter box had been stolen. They must of been determined as it was almost 2 metres long and 1 metre wide, about 80 cm high.

I was angry with myself as it was almost complete and had promised myself to finish it for Christmas. I was looking forward to planting herbs and other plants that Amy liked to sniff.

My Planter box

I got lucky and found some timber in a lane way about two weeks ago. It was just the remains of an Ikea bed, so the timber is very light and not that well suited. If I paint it and line the inside with builders plastic it should last. Although I wanted a planter for the courtyard, the frame was too big, so decided to replace my pots on the patio with a huge planter, also puts a bit of a barrier to passersby as well as we don't have a front fence. I also want to brighten up this area with some intesting perennials and herbs.

I realised I've made a bit of a mistake as well. I should have used vertical boards rather than horizontal, it would have saved on timber.

The planter is also very deep, I'll get some polystyrene boxes from the local green grocer to fill the fist 20 cm and fill with some good potting mix.

Projects: Wooden planter box

I thinking of trying to simplify my backyard and replace the many pots I have with a single large planter box. It would reduce water wastage, raise the plants off the ground for better drainage and light and reduce the clutter.

My poor lemon tree desperately needs some help, it is growing very slowly and leaf colour is good for now and not producing a lot of fruit. A planter box might also give me a chance to grow some more vegetables as well.

Hopefully if my poor partner can stand me making another 'mess' I start working next weekend.

My shed

I've now finished my shed, just a small zincalum 'lean-to' from Bunnings which will hold my gardening tools. I did think it would look awful in my small yard but it fills a void and all my tools are out of sight. It sits on a timber base, not ideal, but I couldn't put down a concrete base as we rent.

I took some photos when I was building the base but there was a bit too much swearing going on in the in between stages and I was occupied with getting it all straight and stable. But here is a picture!

Building the base:Finally complete: