Spring Break Projects

Spring Break proved to be a time for me to do all the projects around the house that I've been thinking about, but have had no time for. Exhibit A: The patio.

This is what our patio looked like last summer.

Pretty nice, right? Peaceful, even. Now imagine that scene with all dead plants and pots full of dead snails intead. Slightly less peaceful, and perhaps even a bit disturbing. Due to the unique circumstances of our weather & patio locale (no rain, very sunny but not on our patio) added to the fact that I forgot to water the plants for 6 + months, our deck was a little sad. Okay, a lot sad.

I use the patio almost everyday when I get home as a place to decompress with a cup of tea and a book. Out chairs were really uncomfortable wire things that did not make you want to sit out there for very long.

So, about a month ago, I went to our local botanic garden and talked with them about the weird situation of our deck. It is basically a full-shade patio with the exception of a month or two in the summer when the deck gets about two hours of sun in the middle of the day. Plus, all the plants had to be able to live in containers. Plus, they had to be able to live if neglected for months at a time by their preoccupied owner. There were five plants that fit that description, and I bought them all.

The low tan planter appears to be full of dirt but actually contains wild California strawberries which should fill in the whole pot over time. We might eve get a few strawberries to eat if Charlie would stop eating the flowers.

The succulents were planted last summer and managed to survive (and even thrive) under my reign of neglect. Our new plants seem very happy in their sunless, waterless home.

We also got a new love seat for the patio which is a huge upgrade from the previous table and chairs situation.

It is very, very comfortable and nap-worthy. Our deck is now less of a snail-plant graveyard and a more restful place to relax and study. Wouldn't you like to come visit us so you could sit here, too?!