CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Midday Muse: CARE For a Garden

casasugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:00:10 -0800

This plate of figs, which is held by Palestinian Nadiya Zaqzuk, represents just a little of the bounty that her garden offers. Zaqzuk, a widow who needed a way to support her six children, can now grow vegetables and fruit in a greenhouse that the organization CARE provided for her. CARE's mission is to "tackle underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change."

The new US administration's electoral mission statement was "Yes We Can," and "Change." Now that the election is over, I've been looking for ways to carry out this mission. Do you support or volunteer with any organizations in your community that provide similar services to CARE?
Source

Cool Idea: Kartell/Philippe Starck Topiary Garden

casasugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:21 -0700

As part of Milan Design Week 2008, Kartell installed seven 13-foot-tall topiary sculptures depicting a selection of its best known outdoor products at the Triennale Garden in Milan. The super-sized shrubs included a giant Dr. No chair, Victoria Ghost chair, Bubble Club chair, La Boheme stool, and Mr. Impossible chair, all designed by Philippe Starck. Starck announced in March that he will retire in two years, so this foray into the garden serves as a bit of send-off. And, since Starck has expressed shame for driving consumerism and materiality, this is certainly a step in the right direction for him. To see more images of the garden,

How Doesn't This Garden Grow?

casasugar — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:30:41 -0700

There's one thing that these plants, known as Tillandsias, don't need to grow. They require minimal maintenance, and are ideal for you black thumbs out there. Can you name the one ingredient that these plants do not need to grow?

Garden Therapy: A DIY Compost Bin

casasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:00:32 -0700

Craftster member Gwydion has inspired me to use the extra lumber left over from some home projects to build a new compost pile. I'm tired of wrestling with my flimsy plastic composter, which seems to never stay in place and whose top always folds into the compost itself. Yuck! Gwydion DIYed her compost pile for a fraction of the cost of one she'd buy in a store.

To find out how she did it,

Where Do You Put Your Leaves?

casasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:30:54 -0700

Many of us rake the leaves that fall into our yards in the Autumn. But where do you put them? Source

Where Do You Put Your Leaves?

I leave them in the yard to compost.

I put them in the green bin.

They go to the dump.

Rake leaves? Not at our house!

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Casa Verde: A Coveted California Garden

casasugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:45:43 -0700

Lou Dixon, owner of Bio-Friendly Gardens, a landscape architecture firm in Berkeley, CA, creates gardens that are both beautiful and eco-friendly. A trained horticulturist, forester, and entomologist, as well as a landscape architect, Lou works in garden styles ranging from modern to Craftsman to traditional Japanese. No matter what garden style Lou works in, however, each of his projects is marked by beauty and consideration for location. Lou recently showed me around his latest project. Check out the slideshow for more photos.

Casa Quickie: Plant Carrots With Radishes

casasugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:30:46 -0700

One smart move I made when planting my Winter garden was to mix my radish seeds and my carrot seeds together. I used Easter egg radishes and Chanterey carrots for the garden, which are both known for their mild flavor. I also favored the Chanterey carrots because they are short, and thus suited for raised beds that might not have as much soil depth as some gardens.

But why did I mix the seeds together in the same row? What's the advantage, you ask? Well, radishes mature in only a month, which means that once you pull them, your carrots, which take at least twice as long to mature, will have more room to spread out and grow. Also, since the soil has been loosened, the carrots will have an easier time growing. Just make sure to pull out your radishes gently; you don't want to pull out your baby carrots before their time!

Source and Source

Su Casa: Hanako66's Backyard Makeover

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:30:25 -0700

Su Casa member Hanako66 recently put in a lot of work to make her yard and garden shine.

She writes,

These pictures were unfortunately not taken in the spring when everything was in bloom, but will give you an idea of what our yard looks like. I still really need patio chairs too! When my husband and I moved in, the yard was completely dirt. We installed all irrigation, plant material, grass, and our pavers all on our own. My husband even built me a planter for my garden! The only item that we contracted out was our concrete.

I'm impressed by the amount of work Hanako66 and her hubby did. All of that landscaping and building adds up to a lot of weekends! For more pictures of her beautiful outdoor space,

Cool Idea: Drawer Planters

casasugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:30:55 -0700

I talk often about various forms of recycling and upcycling, and I've seen plenty of ingenious ideas for reusing what might seem useless. But sometimes you needn't change a thing about a household item to give it a new purpose. Sometimes all it takes is a little dirt. That's surely the case with these old drawers that were effortlessly transformed into planters with some soil and seeds. If you want to try this on your own, though, I'd recommend drilling holes in the drawer bases for drainage. And to think: I spent all that time building my own garden box! Ohh, hindsight.
Source

Home Away From Home: A Garden Tour in Laos

casasugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:33 -0700

GiggleSugar recently traveled to Laos, where she snapped a ton of gorgeous photos of her hotel, surrounding homes, Buddhist temples, and bountiful gardens. Take a look at this slideshow of her pictures from Luang Prabong, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. To take this tour, in GiggleSugar's own words, check out the slideshow.

Primer: Plants That Deer Don't Like

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I recently showed you some tricks for repelling deer from your garden without pulling out your rifle. But probably the simplest way to keep Bambi away from your beloved plants is to choose plants that he doesn't find palatable. To begin, you should certainly avoid planting hostas, lilies, tulips, hollyhocks, impatiens, sunflowers, crocus, daylilies, lobelia, phlox, rose, and yews, which are deer faves. Here is a list of plants that should be safe from being Bambi's breakfast, lunch, or dinner:

Ornamental grasses. Try astillbe, baptista, bleeding heart, catmint, bloody cranesbill, dusty miller, evening primrose, ferns, foam flower, foxglove, iris, lavender, monarda, nasturtium, peony, salvia, santolina, and yarrow.
Strongly scented herbs and plants. Try sage, lemon balm, monarda (bee balm), chives, chili pepper, garlic, mints, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, and Russian sage.
Prickly, thorned plants (except roses). Try cleome, holly, boxwood, butterfly bush, Colorado blue spruce, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, Japanese maple, magnolia, Russian olive, viburnum, barberry, and purple coneflower.

Check out Northern Gardening and UGA for more plants that deer tend to avoid.
Source

How-To: Keeping Deer Out of Your Garden

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Growing up in the country, deer and other creatures were daily visitors to my garden, nibbling and trampling upon everything in sight, and they often caused car accidents in the area. Needless to say, they're not my favorite forest creature. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to wait for deer season to keep them away from your casa; there are plenty of ways to keep them out of your garden without increasing your daily venison intake. Here are a few:

Install an extremely high fence. Deer can jump quite high, so it must be about eight feet tall to keep them out. Consider invisible deer fence, which isn't such an eyesore. And remember to fence off your driveway entrance or install cattle guards, which they can't cross.
Get a dog to scare the deer away.

There are plenty more to hear about, so

Name This Flower

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:00:40 -0700

It's more of a shrub than a flower, and blooms in a fantastic array of colors. Do you know its name? (Hint: its name relates to the insect it attracts.)

How-To: Ten Garden Uses For White Vinegar

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:30:11 -0700

Now that you know the household uses for white vinegar, I thought you might like to know how you can expand its use to your garden. As you may remember, white vinegar is an eco-friendly product, and it's also cheap: You can buy a gallon of white vinegar for less than $3.

The word "vinegar" is from the French term vin aigre, meaning "sour wine." White vinegar is made from allowing a distilled alcohol, like white wine, vodka, or gin, to oxidize. This changes the chemical components of the alcohol, making it more sour, but also more useful.

To find out how you can use white vinegar in your garden,

Six Perennials With Late-Flowering Habits

casasugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:01 -0700

For most of us, Summer is about being outdoors, enjoying the warm weather, and surrounding yourself with nature. When Fall comes, we bundle up, move indoors, and say goodbye to our gardens as they begin their descent into frosty Winter. But, one way you can have an endless Summer is to choose perennials with late-flowering habits for your garden. Want to find out about some plants that will help extend the flowering season at your home well into October? Then .

Sneezeweed. A bronze/red daisy that blooms mid-September for three to four weeks.
Aster. Another daisy-like flower in white, purple, lavender, pink, or red that blooms prolifically through October.
Chinese lantern. Flowers in mid-Summer with bright-orange seedhead in Fall.
Chinese anemone. Rose flowers bloom in mid-Summer to early Fall.
Autumn joy Simple, pink flowers bloom well into October.
Goldenglow. Golden disc flowers bloom in mid-Summer to early Fall.

A few houseplants you might also try are palms, ferns, mother-in-law’s tongue, euphorbia, and croton. Once your flowers bloom, be sure to share photos in our Su Casa group!
Source

Cool Idea: Drought-Resistant Landscaping With a Twist

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

If you live in a drought-prone area, it's smart to landscape with succulents and cacti, which require very little water. That's what this household did. By covering the soil with mulch, this garden further decreases its need for watering. But what's that plant in the left-hand corner of the picture?
Yes, there are some vegetables mixed into this succulent landscape. More specifically, it looks like some Summer squash, perhaps zucchini, is sharing the front yard with succulents and cacti. I love this mix of plants; it's something I wouldn't have thought of trying, and I think the plants look great together.

Would You Pasture This Pony in Your Garden?

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:15:00 -0700

I don't think I've revealed to CasaSugar readers yet that I've always been a bit of a horse freak. In fact, I've been riding, reading about, and dreaming about horses since I was a wee babe. Not even injuries, buckings, and bitings have dissuaded me from this preoccupation. Given that history, there's no question whether or not I'd give this Teak Horse Sculpture ($4,700) a home on my range: I most definitely would. But are you going to say "neigh" to this pony?

Would You Pasture This Pony in Your Garden?

I love it! Absolutely.

Maybe, but I'm not whinneying with enthusiasm.

Neigh all the way!

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Show Me Your Summer Garden and Su Casa!

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:00:25 -0700

How's your Summer garden growing? Is it as bountiful as mine? OK, I have a confession to make. This isn't actually my garden; it belongs to my brother and sister-in-law. I've been enjoying the fruits of their labor as I hang out at their farm, getting ready for my wedding.

Do you have anything popping up in your garden? Is your Summer home looking fresh? Show off all of your home views, both interior and exterior, in my group on TeamSugar called Su Casa, where readers can share snapshots and stories related to home decorating, crafts, organizing, and gardening.

A Su Casa post could be anything from a photo of a loved one's home to a tiny nook you're tickled by. Think of it as a Look Book for home style. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might feature it on CasaSugar, so don't be surprised if you get an email from me!

To learn how to join and post in the group,

This Just In: Eat the View Petitions For White House Edible Garden

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:30:28 -0700

Edible estates are a growing trend at homes around the country as food costs rise, along with food-safety concerns and environmental awareness, but there are some who think we shouldn't be confined to our own lawns. Eat the View is a nonprofit campaign to plant healthy, edible landscapes in high-impact, high-visibility places, and is petitioning for a vegetable garden on the lawn of most visible home in the country, the White House. I myself recently volunteered at one of these high-visibility gardens, San Francisco's Slow Food Nation Victory Garden, which sits in front of City Hall. The premise behind Eat the View's campaign is that as "America's House," the White House should set a positive example for the country and the world. The fresh, healthy, and environmentally-friendly produce grown in the garden would go to the White House kitchen as well as local food pantries. There is currently already a staff of 13 gardeners and groundskeepers, who maintain everything from the Rose Garden to the presidential putting green. And, it would not be the first time the White House had a green thumb: in the 1940s, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt grew a victory garden of her own. To see a video about the subject,

Steal of the Day: Titanium Garden Seat

casasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:00:38 -0700

Garden stools have been trendy for a couple years now, but I never understood why they were priced so high for what is basically a ceramic drum — see here and here. They're cute though, and versatile, as they can serve as seating or a small side table. If you feel the same, and haven't yet made the splurge, maybe the Ballard Designs Titanium Garden Seat ($89, reduced from $149) will appeal to you. I like its bead detailing
and Chinoiserie-style cutouts. Its price tag also won't break the bank, and its polished titanium finish doesn't have the tiresome cutesy kitsch of some of its brightly colored counterparts. Yay for sale items!

Summer Style: Don't Forget the Lanterns

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:00:14 -0700

One of the most economical and pretty ways that you can decorate your outside space is with colorful paper lanterns. Not only are they inexpensive, they also look great during every hour of your party. If you choose brightly colored lanterns, like the ones shown here, they'll create a huge color splash during the day. At night, once the lanterns are lit, they'll provide a more muted, yet still colorful, addition to the party decorations. I love the festive look of hanging lanterns at garden parties, and just a few strings of paper lanterns can take a party's look from boring to brilliant. Do you decorate with paper lanterns at your parties?

Nice and New: Garden Plan Tray

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:00:16 -0700

Formal gardens have gone out of vogue since Marie Antoinette's time, and most of us can't afford the upkeep anyhow. But, we can still appreciate their beauty. And, now we can do so in our very own homes, with the Garden Plan Tray ($135) from the New York Botanical Garden Shop. The beautiful black lacquer and silver plate tray features a garden plan from Détail des Nouveaux Jardins à la mode, by Georges-Louis Le Rouge, a book published in Paris in 1776. The combination of its silver plate greek key handles and the period garden image balances modernity and antiquity with poise, making it the perfect piece of history for a contemporary home.

Casa Verde: Grow Your Own Fruit

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:30:43 -0700

Last night I picked some of the Empress plums from the tree in our backyard. Empress plums, also known as Italian prune plums, have a sweet, yellow flesh and purple skin. This variety is an easy grower, too — our tree is dropping plums faster than we can harvest them. While I have plans for making some pies, and maybe even plum cornmeal cake, I know that to get the most out of this fruit harvest I'll have to freeze or can some of the plums.

Besides the delicious treat that a backyard plum provides, another important reason to consider planting a fruit tree at your home is that the fruit doesn't need to be trucked or flown in from halfway across the world. By becoming a backyard fruit farmer, you're providing some locally grown food for your home. And by freezing fruit, making preserves, or even drying it, you can enjoy the sweetness of Summer all year round.

Do you have any fruit growing at your house? Do you visit nearby orchards to pick your own?

Midday Muse: Parasol and Plums

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:00:57 -0700

Paper parasols aren't just for keeping the sun out of your eyes. They'll also add some instant Summer Style to your garden party. Just stick a few in larger shrubs or low-hanging tree branches, and let the fun begin!

Name This Plant

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:00:04 -0700

This yummy veg will twist and turn around these bamboo poles, first flowering, and then producing long, pretty pods. Can you name this vegetable?

How-To: Throw a Garden Bridal Shower

casasugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:15:54 -0700

My lovely sister recently threw me a garden bridal shower. She knew that I wanted a low-key, simple affair that focused on my friends, and with that in mind, she came up with the concept of a garden tea party. This casual affair was a fun, backyard gathering that my sis made elegant with her decorating choices and signature style. To see how she did it, .

Cool Idea: Color-Coordinating Your Plants

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:30:31 -0700

When I volunteered at the SF Victory Garden, I was inspired by this small garden bed, which provided a fun twist on an edible garden. Using scarlet runner beans and rhubarb chard in the bed, the gardeners matched the colors of the two vegetables; the red of the chard stalks matches the red of the blooming bean flowers. While color-coordinating flowers is nothing new, using vegetables as ornament is a very neat idea. The matching colors are eye-catching and pretty, but the fact that these plants are also edible makes them doubly appealing.

For some ideas on coordinating veggie colors,

Cool Idea: Gardening With Rice Wattles

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:30:54 -0700

Last week, when I volunteered at the SF Victory Garden, I was intrigued by the rice straw wattles that were used to form the garden beds. Rice straw wattles are essentially rice straw, an agricultural bi-product that is enclosed in a netted tube. Both lightweight and malleable, rice straw wattles are often used for erosion control in landscaping, but also work well for garden beds.

I definitely think rice straw wattles are a good option for first-time gardeners who aren't that handy with woodworking tools. By simply connecting a few wattles together, you can create a garden space in a fraction of the time it would take to build a garden box. They also would work well in a space, such as a rooftop garden, where weight is a consideration. I also love the organic, circular shapes that are easily created with wattles.

If you're interested in trying these for your garden, check out Earth Savers' wattles.

Cool Idea: San Francisco's Urban Farm

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:00:57 -0700

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend all day weeding garden beds, helping fix irrigation lines, and water seedlings in a 10,000-square-foot garden. But I wasn't on a rural organic farm, I was in front of City Hall in San Francisco.

Just last week, over 150 volunteers rolled up a huge swath of sod in front of City Hall, and over a few days, established this 10,000-square-foot edible garden. All of the organic garden beds are planted in rice straw wattles, which are essentially long tubes of rice straw. The project, called the Slow Food Nation Victory Garden, is open to the public from July 13 to Sept. 21. Stocked with beautiful, edible vegetables and native, drought-resistant Bay Area plants, the garden provides visitors with an up-close look at gardening, as well as inspiration for creating their own garden.

To find out more about the Victory Garden,

Summer Style: An English Cottage Garden

casasugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:15:18 -0700

Do you need some inspiration for remaking your home's garden or outdoor space? Susi has developed a beautiful English cottage garden across the pond from us, and the results are rather awe inspiring. From a kitchen garden to a pond to an outdoor dining area, I am absolutely in love with her beautiful outdoor space in Hampshire, England. Source

Steal of the Day: Brocade Home Patterned Tool Set

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:30:20 -0700

For all of the fashionista gardener girls in the world (and yes, they do exist), this Brocade Home Patterned Garden Tool Set ($34, marked down from $69) is made to order. It's more than a little bit over the top, but how fun would it be to break out this tool set when you need to replant some wisteria, lilac, or other similarly shaded flowers with these matching tools? I may not always love matchy matchy, but in this case I will make a definite and enthusiastic exception.

How-To: Save Water in Your Garden and Yard

casasugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:30:48 -0700

Did you know that in the Summer, outdoor water use at homes increases from 10-50 percent? This can lead to water shortages in some areas of the United States, as well as a big increase in your monthly water bill. Don't despair though, there are many easy ways to cut your water use.

Don't water your soil in your garden or lawn until it's dry. You can test for dryness by digging your finger beneath the soil surface. If the soil is dry at one-and-a-half inches deep, it's time to water.
You can reduce water needs for your lawn by raising the lawnmower's blade level so grass is cut at two to three inches or higher. Longer grass needs less water, since it shades the plants' roots, which in turn encourage deeper growth.
Water early in the morning, when your lawn or garden will retain the most water.

To hear the rest,

Get the Look: Bastille Day Garden Party

casasugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:00:48 -0700

In honor of Fête Nationale, or Bastille Day, I created a festive look for a garden party celebrating the holiday.

As France's tricolor flag wears red, white and blue, I decided to incorporate those colors, but not overly so, as many Fourth of July celebrations do. Inspired by Claude Monet's Red Poppies at Argenteuil, I chose a poppy printed tablecloth, and decided on French café chairs for seating. Of course, a cheese board is a must for any French fête, and a fleur-de-lys topped trellis makes instant royal French décor. Throw in a silver candelabra, some Diptyque candles, some appropriate reading, a red toile platter, and some blue accents and you'll be ready to storm the Bastille, figuratively. Voilà!

Before and After: Mystery Squash

casasugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:00:39 -0700

Remember when I found these mystery seedlings taking over my row of beets?

I pulled up many of the mystery seedlings, but left a few in the garden, since my curiosity was piqued. Well, that tiny little seedling has now become something of a monster plant. I've had to trellis it two separate times, and now I think my best bet to deal with its massive size is to simply drape it on the ground, outside of the garden box.

To see what it looks like now,

Before and After: Don't Fence Me In

casasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:15:42 -0700

These tired-looking redwood boards were left over after my friends replaced a section of their backyard fencing. While they were full of rusty screws and were only half an inch thick, I saw potential.

Curious about what I did with this old redwood fence? Find out what happened to it when you

Cool Idea: My Sky My Water My Garden

casasugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:30:29 -0700

London-based designer Tithi Kutchamuch design was too lazy to lean her outdoor chairs against a wall in case of rain when her mom asked. Instead, she designed her My Sky My Water My Garden (inquire for price), a garden table that collects water in its central base, which can be used as a pot for plants and flowers, potentially saving 178-510 liters of water a year. The design functions as a table, a cache-pot, and a watering can all in one. As she puts it, it's an "effortless eco-friendly object." Kutchamuch also designed a bird feeder, which collects water from its roof and channels it into a bird bath underneath it. In a world where solar panels are still unattainable for most, it's nice to see eco innovation in the simplest things.

Ask Casa: Garden Gifts For Wedded Friends?

casasugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:30:12 -0700

Hi Casa,

My friends just got married, and even though I attended their wedding (gorgeous, by the way!), I still haven't given them their gift. I feel a little guilty about it, but I just couldn't imagine getting them a cheese grater or a set of pillow shams from their registry. I want to get them something a little more unique. So, when they told me at the wedding that they'd recently decided to start a garden at their home, and basically were starting from scratch, I knew that I wanted to get them something to help them in their gardening dreams. They're starting a big gardening project upon return from their honeymoon, so I'd love to have my gift waiting for them. Do you have any ideas for reasonably priced, cool, and unusual garden gifts?

Thanks in advance,
Mosspink

To see my suggestions,

Steal of the Day: Hungarian Baby Bathtub

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:00:43 -0700

Since the advent of Summer is fast approaching, I thought I'd focus on two elements that are crucial to your experience at home this season — gardens and parties! The Garnet Hill Hungarian Baby Bathtub ($159, from $228) will serve up plants in the garden or drinks at parties all Summer long. You can get creative with it and use it in the bathroom to store towels. It'll fit in anywhere, really! The authentic antique tub, made of enameled porcelain, is sure to add vintage charm to your home, regardless of how you use it. I'm liking the idea of champagne though . . . .

Photographer to Watch: William Wright

casasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:30:02 -0700

Seattle-based photographer William Wright contributed the lush shots in the book Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways, which documented secondary living spaces around the US. Wright's talents extend far beyond the backyard, though. A commercial photographer since 1984, Wright specializes in architectural and garden photography, and has been commissioned for projects by architects, authors, and interior designers. He has a talent for capturing tiny, compelling details in a room, while also bringing out the best in exterior home shots. Take a look at the gallery for some of my favorite shots from Wright.

Source

Gardening Gifts For Dad

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:00:01 -0700

Father's Day is just around the corner, and I know that I've been thinking about what to send my dad. That's him (with my brother) in the photo above, tilling his garden and planting potatoes. My dad's always been an amazing gardener, but he likes to kick it next to the garden as well, after he gets his planting or weeding finished. With him in mind, I rounded up a bunch of gifts to satisfy any backyard- or garden-oriented dad out there. Whether your pop likes to plant perennials, oil the cedar deck, hack away at the foliage, or just settle in a lawn chair with a cold one, I've got him covered. Check out the ShopStyle Living spread below to see if anything strikes you as a good Father's Day gift for your dad.

DIY: A Terra-Cotta Fountain

casasugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:30:51 -0700

It's safe to say that I'm a little obsessed with water features in gardens. Whether it's a koi pond or a granite fountain, I'm all for it. So, when I found this Martha Stewart post on making a backyard fountain out of economical materials, I knew that it would be a hit with Casa readers. You can even make it more eco chic by using gray water for the water in your fountain.

What You'll Need

Three terra-cotta pots that can stack top to bottom, as seen in the photo and diagram, for the inside body of your fountain
Two supporting pots
Foam sealant (even better, use a green foam sealant)
One-inch diameter plastic tubing, a little shorter than the height of your pots (you can trim it after you've built the fountain)
Water pump
A power cord that will connect to the pump
Flow-control valve
Terra-cotta feet for the bottom pot

To find out how to make it,

Midday Muse: Backyard Paradise

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:00:24 -0700

As I was reading through AT:LA, I paused at this gorgeous photo of AT:LA reader Justine's backyard. Everything about it just makes me want to stop, linger, and relax until she kicks me out. From the comfy seating to the tropical foliage to the glass lanterns, it's absolutely spot-on lovely.

Have you turned an outdoor spot into a little piece of paradise? Tell me about it in the comments!
Source

Eco Chic: Doreen Westhphal's Plantable Lounge Chair

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:45:56 -0700

I would love to plant this chair in a rather drab section of a patio or garden, as it would really contribute a conversation piece to your outdoor entertaining. Called — yes, it's true — "Let´s Grow Some Balls!", this chair combines a lounge chair with a plant container, and the entire thing is made of recycled plastic. Pretty cool, huh? Designer Doreen Westphal presented the chair at the Object in April of this year at the Salone Internazionale de Mobile as part of the Tuttobene exhibition.
For another look at the chair,

Before and After: My Garden's Blooming!

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:30:36 -0700

A while ago, I showed you how to build a garden box and plant it.

Here's how my garden first looked after I planted seeds and seedlings in it.

To see how it's growing,

Casa Verde: The Best Time For a Shower

casasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:15:56 -0700

A shower for your garden, that is! To get the most bang for your water buck, water your garden after the sun goes down. This way, less water will evaporate from the sun and hot daytime temperatures, and it will be more likely to penetrate the soil. If you have trouble with slugs or snails invading your garden at night, switch your watering routine to the very early morning. This way you'll reap the benefits of watering at a cooler time of the day without exposing your plants to moisture-heavy, snail-tempting vegetation.

Source

Casa Quickie: Slug Safe

casasugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:47 -0700

While flowers gardens may be pretty, and herb gardens yummy, one of the realities of gardening is that bugs are inevitable (and gross). I've shown you before how to make homemade aphid spray, but that's not a solution to all insect problems. One garden annoyance I tend to encounter is slugs. You can keep slugs and snails from intruding on your potted plants by smearing your outdoor planter's outer rim with a bit of Vaseline (petroleum jelly). The household ointment will keep the little guys from slithering by and your plants safe from the slugs! Do you have another effective method for banishing slugs?
Source

Su Casa: This Garden Is Coming Up Roses

casasugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:45:54 -0700

Even though Good to Grow month is over, I couldn't let a technicality like that prevent me from sharing some photos of SweetpeasMom's lovely flower garden.

She writes,

This is a little area on my back deck. SweetPea couldn't stay out of the picture. On the left on the deck are two miniature rose plants and then some white flowers I don't remember the name of. On the right side on the deck is a pot with tulips (which didn't bloom this year... so far... that's wishful thinking for you!) and it also has strawberries growing in it. . . . And I don't know the names for any of the flowers along the top, I got them all because they were different shades of purple and I wanted color out there. We had a stormy night a few nights ago, and it kind of beat them all up. I don't know if they'll come back, but I'll keep them there until I'm sure they're dead. (Again, wishful thinking!!) I didn't get a picture of it, but I planted some jasmine this year off of the deck and I'm hoping it will grow up through the lattice.

Anyone know the name of any of these other flowers? Be sure to also check out the gallery for the pretty shots of SweetpeasMom's roses. Want to share your photos? Here's how to join Su Casa.

Garden Therapy: Growing a String of Pearls

casasugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:30:52 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,

I am in need of some advice. I have always wanted to grow my own string of pearls, and I finally went out and bought two plants. I don't know what I am doing wrong but I think I am slowly killing them both. Any tips?

Thanks for your time,
Karebear25

To see my advice, and to leave some advice for Karebear25, just

Midday Muse: An Equine Topiary

casasugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:38 -0700

I spotted this fairy tale-esque horse topiary in a post Danny Seo recently wrote about Stella McCartney's new Beverly Hills store. This is just part of her lavish garden in the back of the store. I love it, but can't imagine having a manicured, shaped topiary at my house. Can you see one in your garden?

Souce

Casa Query: What's Your Favorite Outdoor Spot?

casasugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:30:15 -0700

The beautiful Spring weather recently here in San Francisco has had me aching to be outdoors all day long. Be it unwinding with a glass (or two) of wine on my back porch, working in my garden, socializing on a friend's city rooftop, or playing with my dog in the backyard, when the sun is shining, I can't bear to be indoors. I know that not everyone has the pleasure of having rooftop or balcony access, but even enjoying a small patch of grass in your front yard is better than sitting inside on a beautiful day!
What's your favorite spot at home (or a friend's home) to be outdoors? Do you live in your front porch rocker? Read on your fire escape? Dip in your pool? Absorb the sunlight on your rooftop? Give me the lowdown in the comments below!
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