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Friday, June 19, 2020

Potting Bench, the Back Porch and New Landscape

I got a late start on the back porch and container planters this year. My cervical spine surgery really put the kibosh on my fun this Spring. We had a cold and rainy May this year which didn't help getting things put together on top of everything else. My husband and I finally got around to doing some outside clean up and then for Mother's Day he helped me pot some sun-loving plants to get the back yard up to speed.



(cast iron rabbit on the back porch retaining wall)

I think I may have only shared one other post of the back porch and yard, and that was early in the season last year. We had a lot to do on the landscape back here to clean it up and make it presentable and functional. The Back Porch and Potting Bench 2019. Things haven't changed too much on the porch except to switch places with the Potting Bench and the old metal park bench. That put the old door (that cuts off a lot of light) directly behind the china cupboard in the Garden Room dining area. It's a much better placement.





So... my husband reminded me how "junky" this all looks from the back view. Well, ok, it is cluttered I admit, but I finally have a place to put my stuff so I guess it may stay for a bit.

(bad pic, so sorry. It's hard for me to get good shots outdoors)



The entire landscaping beds were originally mulch. Maybe 10-15 year old mulch that was mold and bug ridden. so gross. So we had them re-done with river gravel late last year. Now they are much cleaner and tidy looking and my cringe-factor is way down.




We have oak, hickory and walnut trees, actually a few more than I'd like.
They're pretty and offer a lot of shade but they are continually "dropping" stuff.
Leaves, pollen, nuts, sticks, helicopters, shaggy junk with seeds on it.
It goes on and on...
From late March till early June it's constant clean up of the back porch.
















My potting bench needed another coat of paint this season to cover up all the critter stains.














We really enjoy the covered back porch. It's really accessible since you can walk right out from the Garden Room through the sliding glass door. No planning, No thinking about it. Just open the door. It's always cool and inviting; most of the time with a nice breeze.








The new plants in the containers were really teensy when I first planted them. They've grown quite a bit, at least to the place where I can actually show them now.



This is my view from my kitchen sink window. The fountain and square concrete flower bed were planted last year with amazing purple petunias. They were gorgeous. But this year I just didn't plan for it, and I haven't been back to find anything else. Right now there is some random Lamb's Ear in there, so it may not get a makeover this year.

















The back beds were a massive sea of hostas. Now, I like hostas, but not overkill.
They were pretty for about a month, then terribly unattractive for the rest of the summer.
The deer would funnel back here and eat them.
 As you can see there are a few small holdouts
that the clean-out missed. That's okay... I like a few.

















We have a really nice mowing guy, but the yard is still a lot of work. Since the trees make a big mess we're constantly dealing with yard debris. And let's not even talk about what it's like when there's a storm with wind and rain. Remember the old game "Pick Up Stix"? yeh. that would be the game we play afterwards. If you missed my post of a few weeks ago out front, you can catch it HERE.









Thanks for coming by. 
After a month of rain,
we now need another shower. 
Have a great weekend!



Hope you'll join us Monday Evening!



joining in here:

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
 Celebrate Your Story at The Zucchini Sisters,  Create Bake, Make at Across the Blvd
Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda,  LouLouGirls Fabulous Party
Tips and Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z,  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Party in Your PJ's at Apple Street Cottage
  Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles  
Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Charming Homes and Gardens at Shiplap and Shells
Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 
Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  Grace at Home at Imparting Grace
 Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique, Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge



12 comments:

  1. Your back porch and potting bench are pretty. Love the fountain too, trees can be pretty but at times are a very big chore. Deer love Hosta as I'm sure you know, like filet mignon.

    Have a great rest of your day!

    Cindy

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    Replies
    1. thanks Cindy, the deer come from down the street at a nature trail. We'd see 5 and 6 at a time and they would consume the hostas. I'm hoping our yard won't be quite as interesting now.

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  2. I love your back porch area. Love all your great things you have for decor. I love the river rock. We put mulch down but I am going to show Terry your river rock for maybe doing this for next year. It does look so pretty and cleaner. Happy Thursday.
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. thanks Kris, I love mulch and we've used it many times, but this was so old and yuckky, unhealthy. The rock is so much easier to keep clean and to keep ahead of the weeds!

      Delete
  3. Wow, that's a great space, Debra! I don't remember ever seeing it. Our town is full of similar trees, over 100 years old many of them. They are scary when the strong storms come. I completely understand your woes with pick up stix, but the overall appearance and shade sure make for a nice place to be able to sit and enjoy.

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  4. Debra,
    I am so jealous of your lovely covered porch!! I dream about having a covered porch like this!! Everything looks so cozy and inviting!! Such a charming place! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  5. I love your back space...and rocks is a lovely (allergy safer) alternative. We too, have tons of stuff falling from trees...I think I will have to speak with hubby about rocks instead of mulch. Enjoy your cozy (not cluttered) space!

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  6. Love your cheery porch! I know what you mean about "cringe factor." But nothing like the feeling when it all comes together!

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  7. I love your back porch area. It looks so inviting and relaxing. I really love the look of the rocks. We're getting ready to landscape the front yard so I'm going to consider using rocks instead of mulch. It looks better.

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  8. What a gorgeous backyard! Looks like a very peaceful place to sit, and relax.

    Alexandra
    EyeLoveKnots.com

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  9. I have an old potting bench that I can't figure out where to put. You've given me great inspiration! I love how you've decorated it. Pinned!

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  10. I just love this space Debra! That potting bench is just the cutest! Thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens!

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