Create a container garden on my porch

They’re rats with a better wardrobe.

Squirrels have been digging in the container planters to eat the roots of some of the plants – and have nom’d the tops of others, like the portulaca, to the bare soil.

I realize they’re hungry – and this must seem like a convenient and safe buffet – but I do wish they’d eat the stuff in the yard (pinecones and such) rather than scattering the dirt and ruining the planters on the porch.

I broke down and spent $7 on seeds this week. I have starter trays. It’s been raining cats and dogs here but its still in the 80’s.

I wonder if I could use something other than what I’m visualizing, plastic pots, to plant? Hmmm.

I’ve spent months waiting for the universe to provide me with pots. Its time now. I’ll get some seeds. Its starting to rain hard, so I’ll have to figure out how to deal with that. Need to know what will make it through the fall here.

I swapped the spent zinnias and marigolds out for crysanthemums, and added two more lantanas since they should be OK up until the first frost.

While I was at it, I replaced one of the bird feeders and added a third that is supposed to be more squirrel resistant.

It looks great!

While I was gone last week, the creeping jasmine put out a good bit of new growth, so I need to take a bit of time to weave it into the topiary form.

The zinnias and marigolds are completely spent at this point; the petunias are bedraggled and sorry looking.

I’d like to switch out to mums, but it’s still pretty hot… I need to think through what I could tuck in to the containers to replace the worn out stuff.

Reading Bountiful container….wonderful book!!

The cilantro died in the last 90 degree heatwave. That’s three plants that I’ve killed this summer. Ah, well. Maybe next year.

The petunias on the front porch railings were looking a little bedraggled, so I pruned them rather vigorously & inserted an underlayer of mini flowers. The thought is that a little more cover on the soil will help keep the root temperature from climbing too high… We’ll see if it helps.

Here’s a picture of one of the newly arranged container gardens.