The lovely weather we've been enjoying has given Todd and me a chance to get the garden cleared out. At last, we are getting the weeds under a bit of control, and the mulch guys will come and do their thing some time next week.
Our restructuring of the garden has left enough room to finally pay attention to garden art, something our garden has seriously lacked. With the exception of a gnome with his own little house and a few other small items, our large garden is sadly bereft of art.
We're not interested in having tons of cutesy little items strewn around. I see gardens like that and wince. But every well ordered garden needs multiple focal points for people to enjoy as they stroll around.
Sadly, much garden art is terribly expensive. And it's possible that what looks good in the garden store won't work in an actual yard. Before we go garden art shopping, we try to consider where we want art, why we want it there, what material it should be and how much we have to spend.
It's great to run across something fabulous and buy it on the spot. We found a cool, funky concrete cat, about three feet tall, last week. Before we bought it, we knew it would go at the corner of the border where it meets the driveway. So, before you buy, take some pictures of the areas that might work for art, and carry them with you on your phone or print them out and leave them in the car so you have a good idea of where you can place the new purchase. Before you buy, consult the photos.
Weight and size are super important. When considering the purchase, remember that anything that is relatively light, like wood, ceramic or plastic, will need to be anchored somehow, through pushing it into the ground, if possible, or weighted down.
Next, why do you want the art where you plan to put it? Is it something you want to really stand out? Or would you rather it be a little surprise? Is its purpose to cover a tough-to-plant spot? Great! But make sure art really will work there. A large potted plant might be better than an angel statue or concrete frog.
As for money, be prepared to spend a bit on desirable concrete items. They can easily run to $300 if they are large, but they wear very well and look better with age. Scout garage sales for art or look into what you have in the basement. And old chair can be transformed into a fabulous planter with a bit of ingenuity. Do you have an old statue that you don't want in the house anymore, but could be weighted down in the garden? Go for it. Last of all, look for sales at local garden stores. Sooner or later, they mark stuff down. If you can wait until fall, you might get some terrific buys.
Patience, like all things garden related, is key here. Don't buy something you don't love because you just want to fill a space. It will annoy you sooner or later. And joy should be the primary feeling you experience in your garden. Even when you're weeding.
If you'd like to share your own home memories or tips (or recipes), send ideas to tkwolford@aol.com. Or you can write me via traditional mail at The Farmer's Exchange, P.O. Box 45, New Paris, IN 46553.