Today’s photos come from Jill Blodget in Cameron Park, California (west of Sacramento).
Every day we look for silver linings in the current worldwide situation. This is one of ours: a trellis-arbor made from items we already had. It supports pickling cucumbers and pole beans, and it has a second round of snow peas starting at the far end, with a few zinnias thrown in for fun! The approximately 1875-square-foot garden is completely enclosed by galvanized fencing, as we live in deer and rabbit country.
We used material left over from past landscape and building projects to make this arbor, since we couldn’t just run to the store for materials. We used bender board, metal T-posts, and coated 3×3 wire. It is not exactly the same height throughout, as we were working only with materials we had. We used leftover fencing material this season to make tomato cages for our Early Girl and Better Boy tomatoes, which are currently 7 feet tall.
The arbor makes a great support for the growing cucumber vines.
The goldfinches come out in droves every morning to perch on the arbor.
We added the pavers between the beds last year for weed control, and added the fountain for the birds as well to add to the ambiance for us.
And seating gives us a place to enjoy the beautiful garden.
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Comments
The whole construction creates something magical, especially as you add the sunflowers and water to draw the goldfinches. Jill, you've taught us how to make clever use of materials on hand and you should be congratulated for your results!
I love gardens like yours where the owners take just what materials they have laying around and use them in such a creative, beautiful, and useful way. It gives the garden area a distinct personality usually missing from landscaped gardens with all the i's dotted and t's crossed.
I love when people recycle/reuse & I love your little arbor.
Your photos and your story are irresistibly delightful.
Terrific! Great job.
And I loved the photo with the finches.
Thx for sharing.
Happy zinnias!!!
I confess, I had no idea what bender board was, and as I looked into it, it appears to be similar to the plastic edging for flower beds. What a great way to use it! I always love zinnias and goldfinches, so your photos were a true delight this morning. Thank you!
Oh so pretty! I love it!
I was in such a hurry yesterday, so I came back to take a much longer look at your garden.
I just love the way the Goldfinches hang out on your arch, and all those healthy zinnias...wish I was drinking my coffee there right now!
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