I finally tackled one of my spring goals. Sure, my hands and car were an absolute mess, and my bank account was sporting $25 less dollars than it had previously, but to me – it was worth it.
I assembled (with great assistance) my first container garden for our front porch.
Our front porch is a bit rundown and rickety. Old wood is chipping away, and the paint that has a century of layers attached is still hanging on tightly for dear life.
Better Homes and Gardens would never do a feature on my porch. There will most likely never been any Pinterest boards inspired by it either.
But to our family, our porch is our sanctuary.
We have three mismatched chairs, and two little decorative tables.
One small side of the porch even has rope lights to add ambiance for the warm summer nights.
We often bring out a bluetooth speaker system, and play music by Norah Jones, Bela Fleck or Michael Giacchino, as we watch the cars drive by on our somewhat busy street.
Our front porch is also the one place in our house that truly brings peace to Itty Bitty. He could be screaming like the dickens, but once he is outside, he suddenly smiles and babbles a little tune. Maybe it’s the cardinals that fly to and from the trees across the street, or possibly the abundance of Brown University runners – wearing their neon shorts and matching running sneakers. I know for certain that he loves waving hi and bye to all of the friendly neighbors with four legged friends, after which he will pat his leg (sign language for “dog”) and explain “daw!”
I love being out on our porch, we utilize our small grill, bring out extra folding chairs and tables when friends join us, and enjoy each other’s company. The only problem with our porch, is that it just looks so darn ugly.
Being one not too concerned with looks, this hasn’t really bothered me before. But now that we have lived here for almost two years, I’ve decided to make a little change.
I can’t paint the house, since we rent, and I’m surely not going to scrape and repaint the porch. Maybe one day we will get a beautifully matched patio set, but that just isn’t in the budget at this time. I could afford about $25 though.
So recently, after crummy doctors appointment, I decided to take matters in my own hands. Pinterest be damned, I was going to be bring beauty to the outside of my home. Using the ever trusty Yelp App, I searched for a Nursery & Gardening supply store, and found the highly reviewed Jacavone Garden Center in Johnston, RI.
I mulled around the space, feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland. All of the colors were so vibrant, and the smells were lovely. People were there purchasing flowers on their lunch break, and retired folk were perusing the isles, planning which plants would be added to their backyard oasis. I’m not going to lie, I was overwhelmed.
That’s where Connie stepped in. She asked me what I was looking for, and I told her I wanted a pretty pot of flowers for my sunny porch. Nothing to hang, since I doubt we hand hangers, and I sure wasn’t going to install those. I needed no drama flowers, bright with color, that would last me through the summer.
Together we walked the isles, and she asked me my preference on colors and textures. Before long, she grabbed a pot, threw in some soil, and magically threw my choices beautifully together.
Now my container garden sits lovingly on the side of my porch, always in my sight while I sit outside to write – or when I’m there playing with Itty Bitty. Already people have complimented it as they walked by, saying how pretty it is.
Who knows, maybe I’ll give Connie another trip in the future, and get another plant to put on the other side!
What do you think about my first container garden? I’m excited to hear your thoughts.
I can feel the coziness of your porch! I love front porches – we're in our first house since we bought our first one in 1994 without a front porch and I feel the loss! Flowers are the perfect solution to cheer up any space. I'm a big gardener and love that, from the very first flower that peeks out in the spring until the leaves cover my garden in November, I clip flowers and have fresh blooms in my house every day! It literally just makes me happy to look at them! And the smell of peonies at this time of year! Fills my whole office with fragrance! … Oh sorry – I've gone off into my little dreamy sanctuary of flowers … ๐
Aw thanks! It is going to be hard for me to ever live anywhere without a front porch. I love that you constantly bring your flowers inside to enjoy throughout the growing season — maybe one day I'll have a bigger garden and will be able to do that as well ๐
I love it! You've inspired me unlike Home & Gardens. I look at their stuff and go, "Nice….I could never do this. It would cost a mint!" But this i could make my family smile with this. Thx!
Yahoo! I hope you do get to make one ๐ It's super easy and I just water it whenever it gets super dry.
I think it is great! I need to create one too! ๐
Aw thanks Melissa – you totally should. It was really easy and cheap
My 2 little ones are the same way, they absolutely love being outside. It's like the porch is a magic tantrum stopping portal.
Yes – silences the cries right from the start it seems ๐
Cute first container garden. I want to do that for tomato plants when I get around to it. I like your little sanctuary – I wish I had an enclosed patio to relax on. We also have (or I should say 'had') that same exact brown chair, and someone just plopped down in it, and fell through.
Oh no – I'll keep an eye out for that to happen to my chair. Thats actually a replacement chair from a previous one (not the same kind) that broke when someone sat down. These darn chairs! They have one job to do ๐
Very beautiful porch! Looks very cozy and relaxing! I could see myself in the rocking chair enjoy nature around me.
Aw thanks – it is completely relaxing
That is very cool. A new store just opened in my town to do gardens inside, outside, fertilizer, anything you need to make a garden anytime anywhere. I wish I didn't live on such a busy street or me and my kids would be out sitting on it every day.
Maybe you can make a little indoor herb garden or flower garden to sit in a window
I love your porch! Your little garden is just perfect- maybe add a few hanging baskets around the top… and you've got yourself a new oasis- and things for Itty Bitty to look at! <3
Ooo hanging baskets would be super nice. I'll have to see if Blake can get up there to hang them for me ๐
Cute first Container! I have been wanting to do one for our front porch but haven't found the time or the money to do it! I think it looks perfect for your porch. I love the rocking chair too. So relaxing.
Thanks so much – You should totally jump in and get a container garden
The flowers look really beautiful! And I'm in love with your porch over all. Amazing work!
Aw thanks Joanna – I love it there
I like sitting on the deck and just staring into nothing.. I can say its my sanctuary as well..
Listening to the sounds outside, seeing the birds, etc – so relaxing
How lovely that she helped you put it together. It's really pretty!
She was incredibly kind and helpful!
What a pretty plant. I have a number of containers on my back porch. I just started growing roses in a container.
I never thought about doing it with roses. That must be so beautiful!
shabby chic furniture, a personalized container garden, happy people inside, this is what makes any house a warm, cozy home. congratulations! your home improvement is inspiring!
Thank you! I love it for sure!
Your porch looks sooo relaxing, love the container garden.
Thank you so much Justine! It is relaxing ๐
It looks great!!
Thank you!
It looks beautiful! Im trying one out for the 3rd time! LOL Just be sure too water, water, water!
I also have to make sure not to drown it as well – I think I did for the first day ๐
I like the addition of rope lights! I've been thinking of doing the same ๐ LOVE your flowers!!
It is a beautiful garden container and the flowers are so gorgeous. I love the ambiance you've created. Music, observing, enjoying each other's company. It sounds cozy and it looks great!
I think it's a really nice touch! Great job!
LOVE your cozy little porch and the garden is the perfect touch!