On The Prowl: Garden Inspiration

With snow in the forecast here in Denver (and still a couple of MONTHS until gardening season officially begins, boo!), I'm taking my garden ambitions indoors - and prowling the internet for some inspiration.  We are going to be SO ready to get outside and start working on our garden space once the weather allows... it's fun to start brain storming and planning the kind of space we want to create!  Doing this sort of planning in advance will also enable us to keep an eye out for materials to hunt down and set aside between now and then.  Here is a collection of photos that caught my eye as I 'surfed' my heart out this am.

This is a great shot of a typical raised bed planter box - one that the Mr. can certainly replicate (he built several boxes similar to these in the garden of our former home).  I love how this photo shows what they look like when you first build them, and then the aged look they take on shortly after.  Great tutorial on this site, too - more here!

I'm excited to mix things up a bit in this garden, since we will have so much more space to work with than we have had in the past.  I'm envisioning a number of different planter box styles (made of various materials), like this corrugated option.  I'm sure that we could come up with plenty of DIY-versions of this - but these can also be purchased pre-built if needed.  Info on this particular box HERE.

I really like that mixing up materials would not only be visually interesting, but would also allow us to make use of some things that we already have laying around the yard/house.  Take these cinder block raised beds, for one.  Can't you just see some lovely veggies in the middle and a marigold or zinnia border?  I'm DEFINITELY going to incorporate this into our design somewhere.  More on this cinder block raised bed HERE.

And how great is this look for along a wall or fence?  (Photo from Apartment Therapy - more here).  Love it!

And continuing with the mixing-of-different-materials vibe... I'm really into the idea of using some unexpected containers for planting.  This photo shows the use of a whole desk, which I find so charming - more info here.  I think you could easily use just a single drawer in place of a traditional pot as well.  So fun!

Of course (along-side the charm) we need to keep practicality in mind, which is why I loved this idea for removable pvc-type garden hoops.  As produce ripens later in the season, these could provide the framework for keeping all those pesky critters away (and also act as a quick structure to cover plants in an unexpected cold spell).  More here.

(Sidenote: This is quickly turning into my longest On-The-Prowl-Post ever!  I'm having so much fun and there are so many great ideas out there!)  I love this raised bed / arbor combination, and I know the Mr. could come up with a cool design for something like this.  I can also envision some chicken wire or lattice on either side for a climbing vine or two.  Very cool.  More on this photo HERE.

What fun would the garden be without a separate space for the kiddos?  I'm already feeling the urge to go NUTS with the kids-garden-thing... check out these amazing ideas!

(Top Left):  Confession. I'm straight-up STEALING this idea.  How fun will it be for the kids to have a little growing TUNNEL to hide inside?  Too cute!  Now I just need to research the perfect fast-growing climbing plant for this project.  Maybe one that attracts butterflies?  The more magical, the better.

(Top Right): I think this hand-painted, rustic sign is adorable.  Big Sister will definitely be painting a sign or two for her garden space.  Small ones could make adorable labels for what is growing in her space, and add to the eclectic vibe.

(Bottom Left):  I ADORE the use of the brightly painted surfaces in this kid's garden.  I also love the raised bed at table height (see bright green table in the center of the photo) for a perfectly sized digging space for small children.  If you link to the full photo, you'll also see that they used a number of pots scattered about the space.  I love that concept for the kids - to help keep their area well-contained and low-maintenance.

(Bottom Right): Perhaps too ambitious for THIS year, but I LOVE this idea for a private kids-only deck/seating area in the garden, and I know the Mr. would enjoy building this.  Can't you just see a little tea party or lunch in the sunshine atop this kid-sized structure?  And the space below would be the perfect hideout space while mom is working in the 'grown-up' section.  :)

Speaking of which, this Momma is going to need a place to take a load off while working on all of these projects (especially with Baby Sister in tow).  If we can get to a fraction of the ideas I've got cooking in this brain of mine, we'll have an amazing sanctuary to enjoy all summer and fall.  So I'll leave you with a few of my favorite seating ideas. The first, I found via one of my favorite Designers... Emily Henderson (of HGTV).  She is so adorable, how can you not love her?  Found this garden stool highlighted on her former blog (which is now www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com) But you'll find the post with this garden stool HERE.

More Info Here

I already know exactly where I can find some second-hand rustic outdoor chairs in Denver (when their outdoor section opens... can't wait to go browse!!)  Throw one of these in a shady spot with a cushion or two?  Yes.

More Info Here

I could KICK myself for not hanging onto more of the sections from a huge silver maple we had taken down last year.  I could have totally replicated this and had some to spare.  *Yes, KICKING myself.*  I think these would be SUCH a great addition to outdoor space, though... maybe there is a way to get my hands on some once again.  : )

Ahh.  Now I need a glass of lemonade...