"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Thursday, September 19, 2013

This year, I have let my main large zinnia/flower garden

rest.
Although, my loyal scarecrow, Gertrude, watches over it all.
For years, this garden has produced the most beautiful zinnia and other flowers. But the last couple of growing seasons has not had good results. Along with letting it rest, I have been adding compost,  tilling in the weeds that grow, and trying to remove all of the thorned grass burs that love a vacant field.  All of this, in hopes that the ground will start "living" again and hopefully next year will produce well.

I am also wanting to design a specific look to this garden. Adding unusual paths and "garden art" that I create along the way. These stones are nothing more than plain and boring chunks of concrete that were broken up from a field next to our property. The farmer was more than happy for me to carry these off .

Since I have learned how to be creative with cement, I embellished a few of the stones with cement, using my pumpkin and gourd leaves to leave a decorative impression on them.

I also used pine tree cuttings and pine cones.
Now the path will have an interesting look to it along in the garden.

Since I have a large amount of beautiful leaves in the pumpkin patch, I decided to preserve some of those in cement as well.

These will be beautiful in my garden design..........

and to work with the cement pumpkins I am making.

I have also created bird baths as well as shallow watering dishes for the birds and  small reptiles to enjoy a drink from. Now that the weather is cooling, I will be spending much of my days out in this area...............hoping for beautiful results by planting season next year.
How about you?
Do you have any problematic garden spaces that you want to work in?
I would love to hear!


21 comments:

Connie said...

I love the decorative cement work with the leaves and such, Kathleen! You are so talented and so creative. I think those stones will look fantastic in among your zinnias. I love your bird baths and watering dishes too.

magnoliasntea said...

Hi Kathleen,
We let our tired garden lay fallow this year also, and hope it will be better for it next year.
Love those garden stones and the pumpkins. Can't wait to see next year's garden after you've finished. Have a great weekend.

Karen said...

I love your leaf sculptures and the beautiful stone dishes. How nice that you provide water for the birds and little lizards!

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

Love that Gertrude is so loyal to her spot. lol Loving the cement stones and pumpkins! I may have to try your idea of making some bird baths. My kitties would love to have them to drink out of..

Nancy J said...

Lovely garden art and stonework, super with leaf patterns set in cement, And all gardens need a rest now and then, next season will bring renewed growth. Greetings from Jean

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Love what you're doing out there, Kathleen! The cement pumpkin leaves and pine cones our outstanding.

lil red hen said...

Nice to see more of your creative work! I think I need your help here in my flower beds. :) Irises are some of my main flowers, and the dogs have decided to make them their resting place. I had planned to move some of them after next spring's bloom time when I could know for sure what colors I wanted to save. Now I'm not so sure they will bloom at all.

Flat Creek Farm said...

I love your cement art! The pumpkins are something I've been thinking of trying, along w/ a cement bee skep. I am encouraged and inspired by your projects! We started a brand new garden plot this year, and it's done really well! I think your too-tired garden will take off for you after this rest! -Tammy

Wonky Girl said...

So glad you shared about the garden and cement items. Our back yard is surrounded by a block wall and has a few small pine trees. The ground is bleak dirt. It sure would be nice to have rock put down with a dry creek bed and lots of your decorative cement work. Are there directions on line showing how to make the items?
I remember on DIY network they showed how to make planters using cement and something mixed in to make the material lighter. So many ideas out there guess I need to just try something. Thanks for the inspiration ;-)

Debbie said...

You are so creative. What a great idea using free supplies and embellishments. You sure do pretty up the prairie. The last two years have been a flop here for me too. No rain. I'm hoping for better next year too.
Debbie

Cindy said...

I love those embellished cement stones, especially the one with the pinecones and needles. I am now inspired to give that a try:)

Paula said...

Your creations are so beautiful, Kathleen! And I'm glad to see Gertrude is still on the job... *giggle*

peggy said...

I love garden paths and your cement work is really beautiful specially the pumpkins.

Hill Top Post said...

You are working wonders with the cement ~ perfect additions to your gardens. I am looking with envy at the bird baths ~ how our blue birds would love dipping into one of these on a hot afternoon!

Three Sheep Studio said...

I love what you are doing with your cement work.
Very clever designs.
Your zinnia garden will be lovely.
Rose

Patty H. said...

I love your little concrete creations.

Bev C said...

Hello Kathleen,

Your cement work is amazing, I remember seeing something similar on a garden show years ago, they used half a cabbage with lovely texture to make a bowl.

Happy days.
Bev.

Michaele said...

I am so impressed! I love the cement work. I will have to research how you did that. That is also a big flower garden space. Hope you get it just as you like.

Anonymous said...

You are one amazing and artistic and busy lady.

Blessings!

Sue

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

You are a very creative person. The designs on the pumpkins are very pretty.

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Love your cement work Kathleen! So creative and inspiring!