Create a transitional,  "winter to spring" garden vignette using potted plants while you wait for the sun to shine.

I appeared on "Good Things Utah" recently to present some container garden ideas that are realistic for cold winter areas.

 

Container gardens are the answer to space-challenged yards and urban patios and balconies with tiny square footage.

Instead of just setting out a mishmash of potted plants, create a "garden vignette" or a grouped collection that tells a cohesive story.

 

 

 

Garden Vignette 101

A vignette should start with  a decorative focal point.

 

I employed a metal trellis as a background and covered it with spagnum moss decorated in a checkerboard pattern.

 

You will need a small tree to anchor your container garden.

I elevated a leafless Corylus 'Contorta' (Harry Lauder walking stick) tree to sculpture status!

 "Harry" is planted in a shiny, ochre colored ceramic pot and propped on top of a copper planter.

 

 

 

Two, topiary  Blue Star Junipers  flank the small tree and contribute more structure to the vignette.

Narcissus and Hyacinths round out the ensemble, bringing a welcomed jolt of color and fragrance to the winter patio.

 

Did You Know?

Junipers are the extreme survivors in nature and are able to withstand extreme heat, drought and cold temperatures!

 

There are hundreds of juniper varieties with growth habits that range from  prostate, mounding, twisting,spreading, spiraling and more.

You can also find Junipers in every hue of  gold, blue, green and silver!

 

Junipers are very common plants, consequentlly, they don't receive the adulation they  deserve.

 

Let's take a moment to contemplate their amazing characteristics!

 

Enjoy the video and get started on your winter garden vignette!

 

So what's thriving in your container garden right now?

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"Portable raised garden beds for the urban square foot gardener."

I don't think I've ever written such a long blog title, but it works!

 

It's exciting to be able to present some space efficient options for those of you who are short on yard space but big on dreams of growing your own food.

One of the most important characteristics of all the raised container gardens presented here is that they are all portable!

When you live in an apartment or townhouse it's helpful to have portable gardens so that you can use your patio or balcony more efficiently.

If you are entertaining and need more space for furniture, roll your gardens out of the way!

Temporarily, of course.

 

Let's take a look at some  gardening options for apartment and small space gardeners.

 

1. The Home Allotment Planting Bags by Burgon & Ball

Don't let the beautiful willow basket fool you! Soil will not bleed through the wicker slots because there is a "grow bag" inside the basket.

 

The planting bags come in three sizes for different plants: Herb Planting Bag, Salad Planting Bag, Vegetable Planting Bag & Potato Planting Bag.

You guessed it, the potato planting bag is the deepest.

 

I recommend that these allotment planting bags be set on top of a 1 or 2" inch layer of pea gravel to lift the bottom of the baskets away from standing water.

A less expensive alternative to this stylish system is to grow your vegetable directly in an open bag of soil or even a potato chip bag!

Yes, you can even grow tomatoes with their deep root systems this way.

The roots will spread laterally.

 

 

2. Self-Watering Stacking Planters by Nancy Jane

 

These sturdy stacking containers can be stacked up to 10-tiers high.

That's a lot of planting space and the system is self watering for extra appeal.

Excess water from the top levels drain to lower levels where the water is caught in a removable tray.

I appreciate the rolling casters on these stacking planters so the garden can be moved around.

Vertical gardening is a smart approach when lateral space is at a minimum.

 

 

 

 

3. Eleanor's Garden ("Just Add Water") Raised Container Gardens

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What sets Eleanor's Garden apart from the other two is this container garden comes with the soil and seeds!

The "gardener," (and I use the term loosely), just has to water the instant vegetable garden.

Eleanor's Garden is a complete, compact and portable garden kitchen that is delivered to your door.

 

Anyone can assemble the garden bed in less than an hour and the proprietary drainage system lets you garden in a variety of locations.

 

 

If you are into  modern or contemporary design, the clean lines of Eleanor's Garden may appeal to you.

 

Here is some more information on this instant garden as presented on Eleanor's Garden website:

The beds are made of durable, lightweight plastic and can be moved depending on the amount of sun your fruits, vegetables, herbs or flowers need. Eleanor's Garden Basic Kit comes complete with:

• 1 garden bed  24 x 24 x 8" that provides 4 square feet of gardening space
• 1 Quick-Start Guide  Instructions for quick and easy assembly
• Coconut Peat growing medium – No need to drag bags of soil home from the nursery
• 2 square foot dividers  provide a total of 4 individual square feet of gardening space
• 4 packets of vegetable seeds. Plant a different vegetable in each of the 4 square feet
• 4 legs  Makes raised bed gardening easy
• 1 drainage field mat Made from non-woven 100% recycled plastic, the lightweight mat creates even, thorough drainage and allows oxygen to reach the vegetable roots.No need for rocks!
• 1 drain outlet.  Allows recycling of water. Collect the runoff and use it again for your next watering
• 1 watering cup.  Makes it easy to water individual square foot sections as needed
• 1 drainage connector. Allows you to connect the drainage systems of separate boxes
• 3 drain plugs. Let you control which side of the box your water will drain. Great for balconies so you won't flood your neighbors below

Eleanor's Garden is available for purchase at independent garden centers across the USA.

 

 

This is a system that I like because of the planter design itself.

 

The square foot grid appeals to me!

 

 

Everyone should thank Mel Bartholomew, author of the "Square Foot Garden Book."

 

Mel invented the "square foot  gardening" system that allows one to plant in square foot grids to maximize crop yield.

 

Now the whole world is "square foot gardening!"

 

 

 

Visit the Garden Center TV website and community to preview new garden products from around the world and share your opinion about them!

 

I had Chicago all wrong!

Chicago IS a model for sidewalk garden urban chic and a shining example of urban renewal.

I was expecting downtown Chicago to be another congested, concrete jungle, as is the case with many high profile cities.

As a Los Angeles native, born and raised downtown, I had low expectations for Chicago based on my experience here.

 

The Chicago streetscapes  along Michigan Avenue in Chicago's famed "Magnificent Mile" area are jaw-dropping beautiful!

 

Apparently, the taxes  there are outrageous, but many of the merchants  contribute and fund these gardens that beautify storefronts, restaurants, hotels and offices.

Great example of someone else's sacrifice for my enjoyment!

 

Entrance to the Independent Garden Center trade show

 

I was in Chicago to report on the latest gardening products showcased at the Independent Garden Center Show.

But, I have to admit, I was a little distracted.

 

To my surprise,  there was a proliferation of neat and tidy curbside gardens everywhere, even in the parking lots!

 

I was so busy scoping out the gardens, I didn't pay attention to the "A-List"  fashion stores along the boulevard.

There's nothing like free entertainment and this garden lover enjoyed it in spades!

 

Check out these fashionably coordinated gardens and garden art installations along Michigan Avenue and some lesser traveled side street gardens.

 

I wish my Los Angeles urban areas looked like this:

 

Chicago's Magnificant Mile Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Umbrella garden" dress with  tropical coleus and impatiens plants.

 

 

Recycled bottle cap dress and pink begonias

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coca cola dress in lush garden

 

 

Fake flowers never looked so fashionable!

 

 

Pristine lawn and flower beds with red impatiens and sweet potato vine to enjoy from behind an iron fence.

 

 

Re-purposed shower curtain dress on a mannequin used as focal point in this garden.

 

 

Recycled table cloth dress on mannequin in small garden surrounded by box hedge and filled with white impatiens.

 

 

For more information on this garden walk, check out:  www.TheMagnificantMile.com

 

 

Just another "median strip garden"  filled with red fountain grass, purple salvia, red begonias and yellow marigolds  in Chicago.

 

Downtown Chicago is a premiere garden destination!

 

 

This curbside dining oasis was shared by at least four different restaurants.

 

The small gesture of placing dining tables behind simple, white picket fence panels transfomed a humble sidewalk into a dining destination!

Add container gardens and you have "Eden-esque" dining.

I didn't even notice the cars!

 

 

 

This is my kind of bus stop. I wouldn't mind waiting here for an hour!

 

The sound of water trickling from this stone fountain creates enough white noise to distract and muffle the sound of traffic for the weary traveler.

I was so absorbed by it, I missed the bus!

 

 

Cordyline, coleus, sweet potato, impatiens, red begonia….a little color in downtown Chicago

 

 

 

This is the best dressed fire hydrant I've ever seen!

 

Even the dogs show  respect for it!

It's cool how the red fire hydrant takes on a sculptural role in this small curbside garden.

 

 

 

Croton madness!

 

This red monochromatic planting scheme was hanging on a brick wall in front of a hotel.

Downtown Chicagoan's tuck their plants everywhere.

 

Garden enthusiasts will be thrilled by the "free garden tours" in downtown Chicago.

Make a point to visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens while you are there.

Don't miss it!

Contaminated tomatoes have supermarkets and restaurants scrambling this week to remove them from their shelves and menus in at least nine states. I hope the people who fell ill to the salmonella poisoning are back on their feet soon. Times like this make me appreciate the fact that I grow many of my own favorite vegetables and fruit. Tomatoes are on the top of that list. I must have 10 different varieties this year tucked into my “square foot garden” and the overflow, in pots.

“Honk” at me if you grow your own tomatoes. Anybody enjoying an early harvest? Anybody get sick?

Before- A small patch of grass and a lone palm tree- did someone run out of plants or ideas?

 

I’m not against front lawns per se, just uninspired designs like this one that are ultimately a waste of water and time to maintain.

My clients,  Joe and Randi Grinbaum felt the same way when they looked upon their  small patch of lawn and lone palm tree that comprised their front  yard.

 

Another issue I had with this yard was that it lacked a dedicated walkway to the front door.

Dodging parked cars is not my idea of good design, so,  I had a few design  issues to address and I was anxious to get to work!

After- Not only did the garden courtyard bring functionality and color to the yard, it also attracted hummingbirds, butterflies and the attention of passersby!

 

To remedy the problems, I removed all of the lawn and  designed a 4 -foot- wide flagstone walkway that lead through a  new fragrant Mediterranean-style garden.

It was amazing how much larger the space felt as a garden courtyard than as a lawn area.

 

 

 

The Grinbaum’s were amazed at the transformation and welcomed the fragrance  and colorful bouquets they were able to bring indoors from the garden.

If you are interested in seeing another one of my front yard gardens please read this post.

 

My raised vegetable bed is in germination and growing mode with all my favorite lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, squashes, sugar snap peas, curry, chayote and more! Next to gardening, I love to cook and I can’t wait to see the first set of leaves burst through my 2″ layer of mulch. I’m not the only one waiting though …

I set out some whimsical sheep and geese garden ornaments to give me something to look at while I wait for my culinary babies. The birds are scared of the ornaments too, so I have a built in scarecrow. What luck!

Take a look.

“Mother Goose” waits on my Persian baby cucumbers called, “Green Fingers” from Renee’s Garden to sprout. I looked high and low for these small, crunchy cucumbers that are usually found only in farmers markets.

This sheep was cheap! Only $2 dollars at the market in the “Easter Decor” clearance bin. How do you like my wooden spoon plant marker? I planted “Runway Arugula” also from Renee’s Garden. It is supposed to be slightly less tangy than regular Arugula, but same peppery taste!

The sheep decor straddle my “square foot” wood dividers. Have you read the book, “Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew? It is a clever planting method for intensive and effective yield of maximum vegetables in small square foot garden areas!

A few weeks later when the veggies and herbs start to grow, the sheep and geese look like they are in a foraging field! As for me, I am in heaven.

I'm busy preparing for my presentation on "Art in the Garden" for  Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival   next week, April 4-7.

It's a big subject, but I'm narrowing it down to "functional garden art"  because I like beautiful things that serve a purpose.

 

Artistic garden furniture is a great way to infuse creativity and place your personal stamp in the garden.

 

 Here's a little preview.

I designed a custom flower arranging table with holes for flower buckets and painted it to match the "antique" potting table.

All the furniture was sealed with 3 coats of marine varnish.

 

My inspiration for the "French flower market" garden came from these French linen striped towels.

All the colors are represented in the yard.

 

An old park bench becomes garden art when it has a favorite poem verse handwritten across the back.

 

This one is in French!

I painted the bench in yellow to tie in with the other garden furniture.

If you like the look of this garden, please visit my website  at ShirleyBovshow.com  for more photos and a complete before and after chronicle of this yard makeover.

I even include  a plant list!

Get over there now!

 

Or, you can come and listen to me at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in Orlando Florida!

Here are some photos from the opening day at the festival.