Flower & Herb Garden

TheHubby and I have been trying to do a little home improvement around our townhouse. But it's hard because very few things can be permanent. If we paint, we would have to re-paint.  And let's be honest, no body wants to paint a room twice in 2 years.

So this past weekend we focused on our patio/yard

We bought some furniture and an umbrella, and it cooled it down immediately!

But it was still pretty blah. 

What could we do that wasn't permanent but would brighten up our space?

We decided on a little flower and herb garden.

AND

Since our last frost day had come and gone, what better time to get out the dirt and the trowel and get our hands dirty.

All of the supplies were found at Lowes and Walmart

The hardest part was figuring out a design.

Well the design and finding perennials (because I'll be darned if I have to buy new flowers every year)

So here is what we came up with

For the herb garden

I found 3 galvanized steel troughs, about 24 inches long.

I probably planted them too close, but we didn't really have the room to spread them out, also it is SUPER hot on the patio, so they might not all make it

I planted 3 tomato plants (2 big boy and 1 heirloom), 2 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 2 cucumbers, basil (YUM!!), parsley, rosemary(yum!), and thyme.

They look awesome!

For the flower garden

We got a 4 foot wooden box, lined the bottom with a single layer of river rocks (to drain the water) and filled it up with dirt

We planted Asian Lilies, dianthuses (or is it dianthi plural?), sweet mint, and some ground cover

It also looks awesome!!!  It really brightened up the patio. TheHubby want to do another wood box, but we kind of shot our wad this weekend.  But it has made a huge difference.  With the umbrella, furniture and decor, it really added another room onto our house,  Which is wonderful, especially in the summer, so we don't have to be cooped up inside!