A Rustic Garden Blog

In January I found the best product to line window boxes and wrought iron planters. This heavy green material is slow to absorb water so the moisture will collect near the roots of your planting longer. After soaking up the excess water will drain  away leaving the perfect balance of water and oxygen needed for beautiful flowering plants.

Click on this link to see our video explaining how to use this planter liner. Moisture Mat Planter Liner  

You know it is not perfect… you will still need a good fertilizer. I like using granular time released fertilizers like Osmocote in addition to the boost you get with Miracle Grow type liquid fertilizers. Gardening is so much fun!

The holidays are here and that means it’s time to head out and brave the challenges and frustrations of holiday shopping. From traffic and crowds to long lines and high prices, holiday shopping is something very few of us look forward to. My wife can be particularly challenging to shop for which can only add to that feeling of helplessness when facing a crowded mall and no idea what to buy.

Since my wife likes spending so much time in her garden I think I’m going to spring for a cast iron planter. She’ll appreciate its durability and its uniquely attractive look. And the best part is I don’t have to head out to a huge home improvement store or big-box retailer to get it. With lower shipping costs I can now get great garden décor online. And I can save myself a bundle in the process. So if you’re anything like me and you don’t know what to get the missus for the holidays, take a look at her garden and you’re sure to come up with more than a few good ideas.

Whether to choose a small garden topiary or a large one. Experience tells me to have high expectations in the garden. Just a little bit of the right elements and your flowers and vines will flourish. Enriched soil, water, and fertilizer will do the trick.

Many times the larger size is just a few dollars more. Seeing the perfect wrought iron obelisk standing in your flower garden is a eye catcher during the summer or during the off season for interest when your plantings are dormant.

The forecast for middle Illinois is wonderful. The temperatures will cross over into the 70’s and everyone is ready to welcome spring and plant their garden planters. Anticipating the changing weather lifts my spirit and spring brings optimism for a prosperous year with my garden business A Rustic Garden. 

During the winter months it is hard to be confident that the online customer will find us again this year on the world wide web. Google, Yahoo, Msn and a 1000 other search engines bring me to my knees for sure. With so many webs sites to place on that precious 1^st page, how can I be found? 

So far it seems that I will not be disappointed. March came in slow but by the 15^th we were scrambling trying to find a way to process all those wrought iron fence orders. Luckily our good friend Troy Markert came to help. Here is a great big THANKS for all your help!

Your front entry or back on the patio can become much more comfortable by just adding a braided rug. If your have rustic garden decor you can pick country colors. If you have a more formal setting then you can choose a solid color to accent without overwhelming the space.  Manufacturers have come along way and now have introduced area rugs for the out doors. You can now add an area rug under your garden bench or outdoor furniture. These rugs are easy to maintain by just hosing them with the garden hose.  

Now you can coordinate your chair cushions and rugs to make a beautiful, comfortable seating area for your family and guests during the summertime barbecues. A Rustic Garden carries country braided examples that will cozy up your living space.

Decorating you garden can be as much fun as your indoor living space. This vintage cast iron pump will be a nice vertical focal point and the white shabby chic finish will be a great contrast from the green shadesof summer.

 Your lawn and garden decor can be much more interesting when add a garden statue or even a country antique.

I was in middle Mo and saw the weeping willow trees turning yellow. The beginning of Spring is finally here. Time to clean out your flower beds to make room for the beautiful new growth that will soon be here.

I have many grasses that need the dead cut away. I have 2 different tips that are pretty easy and fast.

If you grasses are close to a structure they will need to be cut away. I uses hedge trimmers. The waste does not scatter as much as a weed eater.

The fastest easiest process it is to light a match to the dead grass. It really burns hot so take precautions and only do this if your plants are far away from anthing that fire could hurt or spread. I like to have my garden hose close.

The new growth will come right up through the burnt stubble. Now your landscape will be ready for garden wrought iron benches so you can sit and watch the spring emerge.

It is amazing how the amount of light can create a calmer more serene feeling.  Evening hours are more enjoyable on the patio with a chandelier hanging with their candle lit. 

Did you know that there are battery candles that you can place in your wrought iron candle holder. They are rustic and even have a vintage look with a wax covering to mimic true candle light.

Lawn ornaments can function for several different uses. Looking Good is one of my top priorities for the garden decor that I use in my landscape. No doubt that these three topiaries fit that criteria.

 Strong, stable structures would be another. We want our investments to last for a number of years. 

Size is also important. I always recommend that my customers purchase a large size. Don’t underestimate your ability to grow vigorous flowers and vines.

Economics is very important these days. Finding all these important attributes is easy at A Rustic Garden.

In many parts of the United States the weather will soon warm up. Selecting just the right garden container to plant your colorful annuals can be confusing. Steve Griggs, ASLA Landscape Artistry Specialists created this stunning floral scene. 

For more Garden Designs  http://www.landdesignstudio.net/

Cast iron urns will last for generations without the weather deteriorating them. Their look has been modeled after antique examples from the late 1800’s. Functionality is also important so choose a garden planter that has plenty of depth to add rich potting soil. Maybe the most important thing is to make sure the vessel has a drain hole. Your plant’s roots need oxygen to survive so draining the water is very important. Your flowers and their roots will love you for it.