Wednesday, April 18, 2012 | By: Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

Look what I found when I took a walk in my yard this morning...

After the light drizzle of rains from Monday and Tuesday...
the flowers have opened beautifully...

Next door I found visitors...no, the goats aren't mine, 
but mine will arrive in just a few short weeks...

The tomato and pepper plants are growing...
and did you notice there are no weeds?
The paper and hay combo is working exactly as it should...

The "miracle" pear tree is loaded!!

A glimpse in the top of one of the tomato upside down bucket gardens...
the greens are coming in nicely...very nicely...

How refreshing and relaxing this day has started...
Hugs, Rita

Sunday, April 15, 2012 | By: Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

The Bucket Garden...

 This is my second year to work the bucket garden. However, this year I expanded each bucket a little bit. In the bottom are the tomatoes and in the top I planted greens - Spinach, Turnips, Collards, Lettuce. We shall see if they come up and how they do...

 My bucket garden is very simple. I got 5 gallon buckets from Home-Depot for about $1 each last summer and then used a combo of top soil, manure, and fertilizer along with my plants. The buckets have wholes drilled in the bottom of them so the plants can fit into them either through the inside or from the bottom.

I empty the plant over the bucket to get as much of the original dirt into the bucket as possible. I don't know that this is necessary but I feel the plant is more at home if it has familiar surroundings =). Then I gently shack the dirt off the roots of the plant until I see which end will fit through the hole of the bucket easier. I don't concern myself with hurting the plants or how deep I bury the plant because neither hurts the process. I was blessed with this plant, I had 2 plants in 1 with this sweet tomato plant ((happy dance)). 

Just a fun view into the bucket from the plants point of view lol...
After I finish filling the bucket up with dirt to 1" below the edge, I spread 1 packet of seeds over the top and then cover with a very thin layer of dirt and gently cover the seeds with it. I let them all rest and water the following day. I will hang the bucket where it will get full sun. The plants may curl upward at first toward the sun but then it will start hanging down once the fruit begins to weight it down. The production is lovely and amazing...

Now the question of the day...
how is it more dirt gets in my shoes on my socks than in the buckets...
Curious...
Hugs, Rita


Friday, April 13, 2012 | By: Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs

My repurposed artista garden toolbox...

 This sweet $5 old toolbox was a find at a yardsale a couple of years ago which came with the red tray in tack. I have wanted to make a flower garden out of it for a while and finally sat down and did it. The whole thing turned out fabulous!! =)

 I decided on three flower sets, top soil mixed with manure and a bit of fertilizer to go inside the toolbox and punched two holes in the bottom for drainage.

 Here is the view of the back of the toolbox, rust and all. It is a wonderful, adorable find. I can't wait to find another one to repurpose into something different or to use it for very much the same. =)

I found the perfect home when I planted a dogwood and azaleas along the driveway in front of our house. I added the wrought iron chair I got at a second hand store years back and who-la, a perfect place to enjoy the evening cup of coffee.

Hugs, Rita