Spring Curb Appeal Enthusiasm

Warm weather and longer days put us one stepping stone closer to spring curb appeal enthusiasm.

spring-curb-appeal-front-yard

HGTV Magazine – Photography by Ball & Albanese

Exterior charm rates key in the overall design flow to create curb appeal.

curb-appeal-accents-spring

Updates, changes, additions, and refreshes to the exterior of your home don’t have to break the bank.

English-cottage-garden-curb-appeal

Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Bob Stefko

Spring into summer color combinations such as bright and bold or classic château chic neutrals put an emphasis on welcome.

30in-green-yellow-bee-coir-doormat

'Come In' Coir Doormat Natural - Threshold™

‘Come In’ Coir Doormat Natural – Threshold™

Seasonal colors make a most effective statement.

petunias-spring

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Alison Miksch

Front yard flower beds and planters are ripe for the planting in an elevating  by cultivating way.

Better Homes and Gardens offers their readers an informative how to mulch guide here.

how-to-mulch

extras-graphic-1

browns-tans-benzara-wall-mount-mailbox

Spacious Brown Copper Metal Wall Mounted Mailbox

Natural Elements Lawn Plaque with Stakes

Natural Elements Lawn Plaque with Stakes

Round Cement Floral Stepping Stone

Round Cement Floral Stepping Stone

Outdoor-Faucet-Bird-Spigot

Outdoor Faucet Bird Shaped Spigot Solid Brass Antique Finish

Large-Terracotta-Red-Concrete-Planter-Pot

From the curb to the front door, color on parade is both a preached and practiced way to instantly pump up the spring curb appeal enthusiasm.

Alyssum Seeds

Alyssum Seeds

Ember Gray Resin Planter

Ember Gray Resin Planter

Better Homes & Gardens 8in Plant Bracket

Better Homes & Gardens 8in Plant Bracket

japanese-koi-piped-spitter-statue-verdigris

Design Toscano Japanese Koi Piped Spitter Statue

double-front-doors-polished-brass-knobs

 Alyssa Rosenheck

Creative Co-Op Gold Cast Metal Butterfly Door Knocker, Antique

Creative Co-Op Gold Cast Metal Butterfly Door Knocker, Antique

Knock, Knock!

Who’s there?

Theodore.

Theodore who?

Theodore knocker is beautiful!

Bronze door handle fist & ball door knocker

Bronze Door Handle Fist & Ball Door Knocker

Ressi Victorian Scroll Iron Outdoor Rocking Bench

Ressi Victorian Scroll Iron Outdoor Rocking Bench

Portside Dark Roast Outdoor Rocking Chair with Cushion

Portside Dark Roast Outdoor Rocking Chair with Cushion

Burchett-Outdoor-Acacia-Wood-Club-Chairs

Burchett Acacia Wood and Wicker Outdoor Club Chair

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, in what direction will your garden hedge design grow?

geometric-boxwood-hedges

Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Gabriela Herman

Train up a vine in the way you want it grow, and when it thrives it will beautifully create curb appeal.

espalier-graphic

Espalier is the art of growing a plant along a flat surface.

1 : a plant (such as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall)

2 : a railing or trellis on which fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow flat.

white-shake-siding-garage-with-black-doors (1)

Collins Interiors

Click here for a great diamond patterned trellis vine wall tutorial.

copper-lanterns Better Homes & Gardens

Simple changes such as the addition of new house numbers, exterior lighting, and decorative fencing can produce big results.

casa-marseille-17-inch-high-textured-black-outdoor-wall-light

Casa Marseille Textured Black Outdoor Wall Light

Warwick 28 in. Aged Copper Finish Hardwired Outdoor Wall Lantern Seeded Glass

Warwick  Aged Copper Outdoor Wall Lantern Seeded Glass

garden-lighting-landscape-curb-appeal

Butter Wakefield – House & Garden Magazine

Santa Barbara Dark Sky 1-LT Outdoor Wall Lantern

Santa Barbara Dark Sky 1-LT Outdoor Wall Lantern

Luxury Industrial Chic Outdoor Wall Light

Luxury Industrial Chic Outdoor Wall Light

Here’s to  decorative and affordable curb appeal ideas that create spring curb appeal enthusiasm.

Darleen-signature-love

It’s The Dog Days of Summer

Today’s Fetching Friday places the late summer spotlight on the dog days of summer in keeping with August 26th being National Dog Day.

fetching-definiton

bergère-chair-Westie-dog

The Cottage Journal- Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele

Sweet thought provoking quotes, seasonal scenes in garden light and summer night silhouettes, and photos of pretty little pooches all in a scroll keep the dog days of summer tolerable.

stone-steps-garden-Photographer-Tracey-Ayton

House & Home – Photography by Tracey Ayton

Light of a late summer afternoon paired with garden blooms in perfect palette and placement gives visitors a visually impressive summer place to admire nature at its colorful best.

Melanie-Turner-green-cabinets-home-bar

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Pluto-Goofy

Pinterest

Making memories for kids of all ages through the decades of amusement in the good old dog days of summer.

Hillary-Duff-pink-front-doors

Better Homes & Gardens

red-Dutch-door-dog

 The Design Atelier

“There’s just something about dogs that makes you feel good.
You come home, they’re thrilled to see you.
They’re good for the ego.”

— Janet Schnellman

dogs-in-garden

Scott Shrader Exterior Design

Ralph Waldo Emerson authors a house favorite of Places In The Home.

I will build upon Mr. Emerson’s words that indeed the ornament of a house and garden is the friends and the furry friends who frequent it.

outdoor-dining-table-in-garden-Photographer-André-Rider

House & Home- Photography by Andre Rider 

“Everything good, everything magical, happens
between the months of June and August.”

—Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

ceramic black-and-white-tilework

Veranda

Delicious details.

dog days of summer

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.”

—Sam Keen

summer-hammock-over-pond

Photo by Mael Balland on Unsplash

“Oh, the summer night, has a smile of light, and she
sits on a sapphire throne.”

—Bryan Procter

ferris-wheel-at-night

Photo by Matthew Daniels on Unsplash

Enjoy your Friday, your summer, and your weekend.

Darleen-signature-love

Fetching Friday: Exterior Entryways

Exterior entryways welcome distinctive style to house, home, curb, and post this fetching Friday.

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Exquisite exterior entryways go the extra mile when the objective is creating superb curb appeal.

exterior-entryways-Jeffrey-Dungan-Architects

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

What defines exquisite is subject to personal design style preferences.

greenery-climbing-roses-exterior-entryway

Southern Living – Robbie Caponetto

To me, exquisite is exterior entryways flanked by landscaping that rivals classic works of art.

Tuscan home exterior

Energize Builders, Inc

Less is more is thoughtfully achieved through well-appointed and well- positioned accents.

exterior-entryways-Milieu-magazine-Jeffrey-Dungan-Architects-photo-Leslee-Mitchell

Milieu Magazine- Jeffrey Dungan Architects – Photo by Leslee Mitchell

Long Acre Farm

PJS Building & Maintenance Ltd

English-inspired-architecture-Buckhead-entryway

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles – Photo by Chris Little

The beauty of uncommon design lies within the details.

Bevolo-lanterns

Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights

Symmetry promotes a pleasing balance.

D. Stanley Dixon Architect

D. Stanley Dixon Architect

Peter Zimmerman Architects (1)

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Exquisite exterior entryways standout as the focal point feature that most contributes to the desired effect of curb appeal- an aesthetic that beautifully welcomes style home.

love signature

 

Get To Growing Garden Goodies

Get to growing garden goodies grow a long way in the beautification process of the spring flower and vegetable garden.

get-to-growing-garden-goodies-graphic

Planting cool and warm season crops in the South is common practice with many farmers and gardeners who believe Good Friday to Easter represents a symbol of fertility and rebirth.

Get to growing garden goodies inspiration often comes from a flower or vegetable garden sight to behold.

country-garden-geraniums-pansies-osteopermum-silver-petiolaris

House & Garden Magazine is a phenomenal source for lawn & garden inspiration, and it is my pleasure to share these enchanting examples.

English cottage gardens visually fascinate me.

At our last house I designed and planted a small cottage garden, and although small in size, it commanded a large presence among the total landscape.

Osmanthus Tea Olive Shrub with White Fragrant Flowers

Planted in the garden right outside our bedroom window was a sweet olive tree.

Fragrant scents floated through the late afternoon into evening air, making spring into summer deck sitting times an aromatherapy session of sorts.

fragrant

adjective

having a pleasant scent or aroma; sweet-smelling; sweet-scented:
a fragrant rose.

delightful; pleasant:
fragrant memories.

Stanton-Residence-garden

In regards to planting your own English cottage garden, there’s no need for a large parcel of land or sprawling estate.

Better Homes & Gardens offers plans for creating the perfect cottage garden suited to your taste, zone, and design vision.

Here’s the link:  Garden Plans for Cottage Style 

Garden Plans for Cottage Style

Illustrations by Mavis Augustine Torke 

Aim to create a quaint garden space rich in color, fragrance, and charm.

knee-high-mix-sweet-pea-seeds

Knee High Mix Sweet Pea Seeds

The design objective of the cottage garden is refined undesign.

color-rich-English-cottage-garden

“I am rooted, but I flow.”

— Virginia Woolf

Quote means something altogether different, but I thought it fit the occasion.

hollyhocks

Laying out the design of a cottage garden is similar to styling a coffee table.

High, medium and low is a working concept with considerations to factor in.

When I’m styling a coffee table I sit down on sofa, chair, etc…  and choose the primary sight line.

X marks the center spot- the prime location for a medium or low height object placement.

Outer areas balance the method with graduated heights to continue the flow, theme, and visual engagement.

Border Charm Peony Roots

Color bursts runs intertwined in greenery grandeur.

English-cottage-garden-hyacinths

Mix and mingle annuals with perennials, textures and patterns, the shabby with the chic.

Contrast produces an informal, romantic, distinctive and visually pleasing aesthetic.

Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea White Flowering Shrub Bare Root

Weave unique planters, chippy garden statues, and accents of interest throughout.

Woodland Excelsior Foxglove (Digitalis) Mixture Live Bareroot Perennial Plants (5-Pack)

When planting and placing, work with the design rule of odds.

Sunday Lilac (Syringa) Live Deciduous Plant Purple Flowering Shrub

Groupings of three or five fashion the essential casual yet elegant design concept of the cottage garden.

Inese-Bite-Garden

Fencing of wood, iron, or hedge complete the desired intention of creating an intimate space.

Dark Green Metal Garden Fence (9-Pack)

Montebello Wrought Iron Garden Edging

Montebello Wrought Iron Garden Edging

Knockout roses.

garden-roses

Climbing roses.

Pinkie-New-Dawn-Climbing-Roses

Garden roses.

salmon pink rose

“There is simply the rose; it is perfect
in every moment of its existence.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Grand Freesia & Ranunculus Bulb - Set of 25

Thankfully, the ice storm spared both the flowering quince and azaleas.

flowering-quince

Did you know azaleas are classified as an evergreen shrub?

pink azaleas

Harsh winter weather was cause for concern with so many of our plants and shrubs; however, these Southern Indica azaleas are rated for down to zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Spring’s in full bloom gift graces the vases and tabletop places in the home.

pink-white-azaleas-in-vase

Our Deep South planting soil to temperature zone indicates the essential need for particular plants to be planted in the ground and growing by Easter in order to be strong enough to survive the heat of this region.

Some planting zones, climates, and soils ready for spring gardening quicker than others.

My steadfast rule and suggestion to fellow gardenistas is to first consult a zone map to know the best time for planting vegetables and/or flowers in your part of the world.

usda_plant_hardiness_zones

Two gardening go-to sources I consult is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide from the  LSU AgCenter.

In this area April is the time for planting eggplant, okra, squash, cucumbers, peppers, snap and lima beans.

Based on information gleaned from a host of gardeners in the know,  azaleas, jasmine, viburnum, camellias, and flowering quince are prime for pruning as soon as they finish flowering.

What, how, and when to cut back to promote new growth is a question for our local extension service-  a get it growing source of valuable lawn & garden information and get it growing tips.

bees (1)

Beauty and the bee is all the buzz, and you know I’m all about the theme.

bee plates WSBee Salad Plates

Marble Honeycomb Salad Servers

Marble Honeycomb Salad Servers

garden fresh salad ingredients

Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Pumpkin Tomato Creamer

Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Pumpkin Tomato Creamer

Pass the buttermilk dressing.

 

Bee-outdoor-pillow

Outdoor Throw Pillow in Bee Script

 

Outdoor spaces decked (porch or patio) out in color, texture, and pattern invite the look of the season to sit in style for awhile.

tomatoes-in-sink-Delft-tiles-photo-Johannes-Mueller

House & Garden – Photo by Johannes Mueller

Crisp lettuce.

Tom Thumb leaf lettuce seeds

Leaf Lettuce “Tom Thumb” Seeds – Butterhead 

Home-grown tomatoes.

Beefsteak heirloom Tomato

Beefsteak Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Fresh from the garden vegetables deliciously complement spring and summer grill it up favorites.

hamburger-patties-ready-to-grill

garden-vegetables-citrus

Edible Plants

There’s a whole host of reasons for gardening.

Gardening is:

Therapeutic.

Relaxing.

Visually gratifying.

Expresses creativity.

never-underestimate-the-healing-power-of-a-quiet-moment-in-the-garden

National Garden Clubs Inc. 

Early spring is an excellent time to plan, plant and Easter parade your flower and vegetable gardens accented with get to growing garden goodies.

spring signature

 

Spring Garden Buzz is Building

The first day of spring is right around the corner, and spring garden buzz is building.

bee-on-spring-flower

Green is the color of spring- a back to nature neutral that lushly complements all shades of green and spring related colors.

garden-paint-colors-benjamin-moore

“Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need
to be walking in a garden to know it.”

—Rumi

violet-hydrangea

Photo by Yoksel Zok on Unsplash

Hydrangeas tend to prosper when fertilized with coffee grounds. The earlier fertilized the better in the spring season, ideally in March will give these plants beneficial nutrients that support early growth.

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, a necessary nutrient plants require.  Using coffee grounds as a fertilizer for hydrangeas results in advanced root health, a source of nitrogen, and help with beneficial drainage.

coffee-grounds

Photo by Mae Mu

Did you know you can naturally change or deepen the color of hydrangeas with coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are slightly acidic which modifies the pH levels of the soil to naturally change or enhance the colors of hydrangeas by turning or deepening the blooms to blue or purple.

spring garden center

Fliers from local nurseries and garden centers are beginning to arrive in the mail, and I’m plotting the potting garden path to full bloom color.

farming

Local farmers are preparing the fields, ready to plant, water, and harvest the sweetest corn and tomatoes soon to be the stars of the local farm stand.

“Springtime is the land awakening.
The March winds are the morning yawn.”

—Lewis Grizzard

gardening-tools

Flickr

There’s no two ways about it, getting garden ready involves getting a little garden dirty.

Enter the garden workstation.

Opening a bag of potting soil, filling a pot or planter with it and working the soil, adding the seeds or gingerly removing a plant or flower from the nursery pot, and placing the plant or flower into the pot is a relaxing therapy session of sorts.

Spring Garden Buzz

Country Living – Photo by Tim Street-Porter

Garden workstations, potting tables, and potting benches make life in the garden so much easier.

Outdoor Garden Wood Storage Furniture Box Waterproof Tool Shed w/ Potting Bench

Outdoor Garden Wood Storage Waterproof Tool Shed w/ Potting Bench

There’s plenty of options of both the retail and DIY kind.

The chippy chic farm table I found at a curbside boutique (trash) worked for years until it disintegrated.

Before that, two saw horses and a sheet of pressure- treated plywood got the job done.

The point is a garden workstation is garden potting, trimming, storage hub.

garden theme cabinet knobs

Customizing a potting bench is as simple as a gallon of paint and garden perfect hardware and hooks.

Bee Metal Wall Hook

trowel gate handleBetter Homes & Gardens

Estate and garage sales are garden supplies treasure troves for finding pots, planters, tools, and decorative garden statues in good and stylish curb appeal condition.

Sharon-Santoni-Gardens1

Flower Magazine

rabbit-in-garden

Flickr

Garden cloches help to keep cute garden visitors from feasting upon plants and flowers.

22 in. H Willow Cloche Protector

Wind chimes doing their spring thing, early morning into afternoon serenades from the feathered choir and full blooms of back yard azalea bushes remind me of early Aprils spent in Texas lazing around the sleep porch at my great-grandparent’s house.

Vegetable Greetings Card Pack

Vegetable Greetings Card Pack

Emails, E cards, and online greetings rule the present day communication preferences, but there’s something about the handwritten note that is still so special.

SAFAVIEH Handmade Chelsea Aubree French Country Trellis Wool Rug

SAFAVIEH Handmade Chelsea Aubree French Country Trellis Wool Rug

In keeping with the ever popular bee theme, I’m sharing these spring garden buzz appropriate and ever stylish dish and decor options.

bee-motif-china

The taste of spring in a bottle becomes a recipe project ready to bee keep and gift.

rosemary-honey

Photo by Jose Picayo 

Rosemary Honey

Ingredients

8 cups mild honey

10 sprigs of rosemary

Directions

In a medium saucepan over low heat, cook honey and 6 sprigs rosemary just until honey begins to bubble around the edges.  Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes.

Using tongs, remove and discard rosemary sprigs and any stray leaves.  To decant, divide honey among 4 clean 16-ounce jars.  Let cool completely, about 40 minutes.  Insert 1 fresh sprig rosemary into each jar, and tighten lids to seal.

-Country Living Magazine

bee tagsFree Printable Bee Tags

Embellish the jar with a free printable bee tag of your choice secured with natural raffia or bee inspired ribbon for a fun and festive look.

bee ribbon Etsy

After sourcing and sharing these spring garden lovelies, I know I can certainly see what all the spring garden buzz is about.

With just a few days to go until the first day of spring, it’s time to plan your get it growing garden.

spring signature

Spring Gardening Tips

Spring gardening tips prove once again it’s time to ready, plan, and plant spring flower, vegetable, and herb gardens.

garden-dresser (1)

Warmer weather and longer days naturally entice us to spend more time outdoors, and gardening is the outdoor activity many enjoy come spring.

Now’s the time to get your garden growing ready with these spring gardening tips.

spring-gardening-tips

Spring Gardening  Tips

Not all planting zones are created equal.

Some planting zones, climates, and soils ready for spring gardening quicker than others.

Find your zone by clicking on the link: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

grow zone map

For the gardenistas who live in a zone not ready for planting, now is the time to get your garden growing plan together.

Remember, too, indoor container, planter, and windowsill gardens grow indoors year-round.

Spring gardening tips help you to decide your flower, vegetable and herb garden of preference and get your deck, patio, porch, terrace, or windowsill garden growing ready.

Best Choice Products 3-Tier 4x4ft Elevated Wooden Garden Bed Planter Kit

Best Choice Products 3-Tier 4x4ft Elevated Wooden Garden Bed Planter Kit

Good soil is the foundation of a good grow, and a good spring cleaning of sorts prepares the soil for proper growth.

With a garden fork, gently work the soil with a soft dig to loosen the soil.

You’ll only need to loosen the soil in a vegetable or flower garden one time in the spring.

Consult a weather app, Farmers Almanac, or give your local extension service a call to find out when the threat of Jack Frost is past before planting your vegetable or flower garden.

Most vegetables and flowers require approximately six hours of full sun each day.

Choose the area of your yard, deck, patio, porch, terrace, or windowsill that gets the most sun during the day and plant accordingly.

What and when to plant?

Tone on Tone

For vegetables:

Top 10 Easiest to Grow Vegetables (according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac)

Tomatoes

Zucchini squash

Peppers

Cabbage

Bush beans

Lettuce

Beets

Carrots

Chard

Radishes

herbs-blue-walls-kitchen-house-home

House & Home

Mid to late March through May is a good time to get your spring vegetable and herb garden going and growing with tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, squash, eggplant, okra, basil, oregano, sage, thyme, dill, chives, rosemary, and mint.

clay pots garden

garden twine

4 Terracotta Pots In Wire Basket

If you’re wondering what vegetables to plant, think of food pairings.

Tomato and basil.

Spinach and lettuce.

Carrots and rosemary.

Corn and squash.

Good decorating pairings bring about a fresh look.

Good gardening pairings bring delicious flavor and delightful fragrance to the table.

Outsidepride-Petunia-Multiflora-Veined-1000-Seeds

For flowers:

Mid March to early May is the rule of green thumb for planting perennials.

Annuals fare better when planted in late spring.

Clean out your flower beds by removing last year’s leftovers.

Cut back last year’s perennials and ornamental grasses to encourage healthy new growth.

Remove exhausted bulbs and divide perennials.

Consult your seed packet(s) for directions on when to plant, depth of planting, and spacing.

spring-scent-flowersColor comes to call in the spring garden.

Peonies, wisteria, hyacinth, lilacs, and lilies fill your garden with gorgeous color and fragrance.

lilacs kitchen

Pinterest

Round Galvanized Metal Planter With Handles

Lilacs grow best when planted in fertile soil and placed in full sun.

Lilacs will not fully bloom if overwatered.

A layer of compost followed by a layer of mulch helps to retain moisture and combat weeds.

hummingbird

Hummingbirds and butterflies are fascinating little creatures to watch.  Southern Living offers spring gardening tips for almost everything gardening under the sun and shade.

Ragin’ Cajun Ruellia gives a shout out to my Louisiana roots.

hummingbird-moving

Bells of Fire™ Tecoma is another perennials tubular flower that attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.

hummingbird-arrival-forecast

Click here to learn more plants to spring plant that will attract hummingbirds.

ruellia_ragin_cajun_bloom_power

Ragin’ Cajun® Ruellia

A day trip to Forest Hill, Louisiana, better known as the nursery capital, to purchase a Cameo Japanese flowering quince is on the spring gardening agenda.

flowering-quince

Azaleas in full color and full bloom means beauty and the beast I call pollen is all around as evidenced by this hot pink azalea bouquet and the pollen streams in the driveway.

pollen

Mulch cuts down on weeds, adds a layer of insulation, and keeps plant roots moist.

mulch-colors

Fresh from the produce department tomatoes will do for now, but there is no substitute for fresh home garden tomatoes.

garden-tomatoes

To give your tomato plants a good grow, feed the soil with a small amount of fertilizer and compost at planting time.

Plant the roots as deep as possible.

Freshly planted tomato plants will require a daily healthy watering for a couple of weeks after planting to properly seep into the soil and moisten the area.

Garden tomatoes require at least 1-2 inches of water a week.

Low and slow applies to watering tomatoes.

Water the plants low at the stem and water slowly.

person-watering-garden

Tomato plants are slow drinkers.

Flooding the area is not what we’re going for here.

Water your tomato crop once every two or three days at the height of summer.

Early morning is the best time to water.

As summer temps soar, you may want to water the plants both in the early morning and early evening on the days you water.

spring gardening tips

Bacon sandwiches, homemade hamburgers, fresh from the garden salads, and spring to summer dishes deliciously begin and end with the homegrown tomato.

As I typed fresh from the garden salads, it reminded me of the story a friend shared with me about a dinner menu conversation she had with her husband.

bibb-lettuce

The friend asked her husband what he wanted for dinner.  Her husband answered in perfect course order beginning with (his words not hers nor mine) a little house salad.

gurney-vegetable-herb-seeds

Curious about what exactly the husband thought a little house salad was, the friend asked the husband to expound.

“Well, you know, it’s a little salad you make at the house.”

All I know is the husband’s vegetable garden produced the best tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers, squash, and radishes that went into many a fresh spring to summer salad mixed and enjoyed at their house.

I’m learning more and more the best way to go in spring and summer entertaining is to set a casual and inviting table, keep the menu, ingredients, music, and conversation fresh and simple, and have plenty of homemade buttermilk dressing on hand.

Godinger Wheelbarrow Salad Bowl with Servers

godinger-wheel-barrow-salad-set-with-servers

Wheel Barrow Salad Set with Servers

Spring Gardening Tips, Tools, & Accessories

firm-grip-gardening-gloves

Protecting your hands, skin, and feet is a must.  Sunburn, dry and weathered hands, and wet feet do not a happy gardener make.

cotton-crusher-hat

Cotton Crusher Hat

totes-Women-s-Ultra-Tough-Super-Comfy-Lightweight-Durable-Gardening-Clog-Veggies

Mrs-Meyer-s-Clean-Day-Liquid-Hand-Soap-Basil-Scent-12-5-Ounce-Bottle

dove-intensive-cream

I bought two Dove Nourishing Care Intensive-Creams on at Dollar Tree, and am so glad I did. The formula is rich, smells divine, and has good staying power without being greasy.

It gets my perfect for gardening hands seal of approval.

gardening-goodies (2)

Tools

Fiskars® 3pc DuraFrame Garden Tools Set
Ames Poly Scoop 
Barebones Living Small Garden Scissors
Fiskars P341 Bypass Pruner: Lightweight Garden Shears

Planters

Pure Garden Outdoor Rattan Style Planter Box
Better Homes & Gardens Ember Gray Recycled Resin Planter
Aged Charcoal Cast Stone Flower Rectangular Planter
Square Charcoal Cast Stone Column Planter

Essentials

Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Home Wheelbarrow
ZenSports Foldable Garden Kneeler Seat
Gilmour 50 foot Pro Hose, 5/8″ Diameter, Yellow
Orbit Impact Adjustable Zinc Tripod Sprinkler

Goodies

Lunar Moth Garden Statue
Solar Powered Black Lattice LED Walkway Light with Glass Lens, 8 Lumens
Dragonfly 12-1/2 in. x 10 in. Terra Cotta PSW Pot
Liora Manne Front Porch Mum Indoor Outdoor Rug

Garden statues accentuate the design and the beauty of your garden.

Children First Love StatueWinter is in the rearview mirror, and our sights and tastes are set on the spring flowers and vegetables planted and produced in the spring yard, deck, patio, porch, terrace, or windowsill garden.

spring signature

Deliveries. Issues. Solutions. That’s the Way It Goes With Major Home Improvement Projects

My posting plan to bring you the companion piece post to Do You Know What It Means to Love the Decorating Styles Characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District didn’t quite make it to deadline.  Deliveries, issues and solutions have taken priority over my normal posting schedule, but that’s the way it goes with major home improvement projects.

roofing shingles delivery

Home improvement projects are not without problems, delays and contractor issues.  Don’t you just hate that?

roofing supplies

We are now back on track, and from the looks of things it’s time to get things started up on the roof.

home improvement projects

Lawn and garden cleanup is on schedule.

And loud.

Dave reminded me, “if you think this is loud, wait until the roofers get started.”

tree debris removal

A good suggestion for surviving major home improvement projects is to always be prepared.

bose headphones

Have a wonderful weekend.

love your style

 

 

Budding and Blooming Spring Curb Appeal

Budding and blooming spring curb appeal lawn and garden enthusiasts know the beauty and the value of curb appeal.

blooming spring curb appeal

Spring motivates home improvement.

The first day of spring rollout makes it official, and by the look and buzz of things around the neighborhood everything’s coming up roses, azaleas, marigolds, verbena, zinnias, impatiens, begonias, sago palms and hanging baskets of fern.

We’ve got this budding and blooming spring curb appeal covered.

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Heydt Designs

d0114c52-5118-4cea-934c-682d3bf3b070_1000

potted-flowers-curb-appeal

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Consulting the buds and blooms bible aka the LSU Ag Center Bedding Plants for Louisiana Landscapes for plant this, grow that advice confirms we are a go for grow.

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Color leads the way when orchestrating palette and planting.

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Barn Nursery’s Fool Proof Color Guide to Container Gardening gives color combination advice for creating beautiful color combos, height and size suggestions and recommendations for low-maintenance blooms.

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Speaking of budding and blooming spring curb appeal gorgeous DIY projects, here’s an idea for an address number wall planter from HGTV.

house numbers

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Regardless if you are sprucing up your already in place exterior features or adding new, the budding and blooming spring curb appeal is rooted in the lawn and garden details.

curb appeal stepping stones BHGBetter Homes & Gardens

Painting the front door instantly adds a zip of spring spectacular color.

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Dunbar Road Design

Decorative stepping stones walk the garden path walk of function and curb appeal style.

Orson Composite Urn Planter

Danna Weathered Antique Ceramic Garden Urn

Outdoor planters have come into their own, stylishly speaking. This urn planter with decorative floral accents has Mother’s Day gift written all over it.

 Antique Grey Lightweight Concrete Outdoor Garden Urn Planter with Floral Accents

Lightweight Concrete Outdoor Garden Urn Planter with Floral Accents

Making the spring curb appeal gorgeous gotta have it list is this brass alligator door knocker by Michael Healy Designs.

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Brass Alligator Door Knocker

Regional designs and decor accessories reflecting regional attributes impress a touch of home.

new-light

Dave snapped a shot of the new recessed LED retrofit downlight with his cell phone.  The yard and beds show winter wear, and are no where near spring ready, but you get the idea.

Looking at the house from the street/curb/sidewalk, the light is not as bright as it appears in the photo. It’s a very pleasing choice of exterior accent lighting.

lamps-on-porchDresser Homes

Lamp(s) on a front porch create such an inviting ambiance.  Isn’t that the idea?

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From season to season, garden statues benefit from a quick cleaning, paint touch up or even a color change.

spring curb appeal

Our side yard factors into the curb appeal equation. In fact, it gets more lawn and garden attention than the front yard.

It has quickly become a bird bathing-bird feeding-bird watching neighborhood attraction.

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Budding and blooming spring curb appeal goes a long way in making the right first impression.

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