A lot of people have areas around their homes that are nothing but wall-to-wall concrete, and it makes gardening seem impossible. But Maureen Gilmer has some ideas that are going to solve all those problems. She's going to transform a carport with virtually no soil at all by planting a garden in some unusual -- and inexpensive -- containers. The plants she has chosen are tropical one that are suited to the Southern U. S.
First she downloads a photo of the area and uses garden-planning software to create a plan. The next step is a shopping trip -- it's a good idea to have all your materials on hand before you get started, so you don't have to interrupt your work time with trips to the home-improvement store. This project will take 10 hours over a weekend, and it's rated a 2, for intermediate do-it-yourselfers.Materials
Plant material
Salvage lumber
Flues and sewer pipes
Bamboo shade
Pots
Potting soil
Galvanized-metal cans
Mirror
Electric drill
Masonry anchors A decidedly unlovely window air conditioner needs to be camouflaged, and Maureen has a perfect solution: an inexpensive bamboo shade, hung diagonally across the corner, will hide the unit while still allowing free airflow. 1. She marks for placement on the overhang (figure A), then installs two long wood screws (be sure to leave a generous amount of each screw sticking out of the wood in order to provide stability) (figure B).
2. The shade has two hanging brackets, one on each side, which fit over the screws (figure C).An easy-to-build potting table is next: two heavy terra-cotta flue pipes (figure D) topped with a platform of salvaged packing-crate wood (figure E). Be sure to leave space between the boards to allow for drainage.
Time spent: 1 hour.
RESOURCES :
Corrugated Metal Containers
JaniSan
Website: www.janisan.com
Potting Soil from Whitney Farms
Whitney Farms
Website: www.whitneyfarms.com
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