Aug 30, 2024

Homestead Happenings - Summer 2024

 Lots of hustle and bustle around The Homestead in 2023:

• Shrub Removal HERE.
• Flower Bed Landscaping HERE.
• Concrete Work HERE.
• Planted Climbing Roses HERE.
• Planted Hostas HERE.
• Planted Irises HERE.
• Planted Daylilies, Peonies and Tulips HERE.
• Planted Mums and Setup my Water Feature HERE.

What's new at The Homestead in 2024?
 
The railing on my front porch really needed to be painted.  There were quite a few areas showing rust.
 

Preparation is the key to a good paint job.  I needed to protect not only the concrete, but also the brick of the house.
 
Some may say it's overkill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.  Ask me how I know...  I used gloss black Rustoleum spray paint to freshen up to wrought iron railing.
 

Doesn't it look much better?  There was an ulterior motive to get the railing painted.
 
Last year when I got my Bailey girl, her first mama was moving out of state and gave me three deck planters similar to this one, but without the coco liners:
 
Since my railings were painted, I could install them.  Yay!  My problem with installing these was the bracket is made for 2x4 deck railing and my railing is wrought iron.  What to do?  What to do?  Zip ties to the rescue.  They very securely hold the planters in place and since they're black they're not noticeable.


I soon filled them with plants, and look how lovely they looked.

 

Fast forward several months and they've filled in nicely.  I couldn't be happier.


Since I didn't have time last fall to finish all the mulching that needed to be done, I did more this year.  Twelve bags so far. 
 

I mulched the bed on the west side of the house.  It went from this in 2023...


to this...
 
to this in 2024...
 

I've had these rocks forever and thought this was a good way to use them and hold the window well covers in place. 

I also mulched the southwest corner of the house.  I call this The Alcove.   


The roses are Knockout roses. I've figured out that if I trim the faded flowers, it blooms more profusely.  It only took me 15 years to figure it out. Hee Hee!

I still need to put a border between the mulch and the grass.  I have bought some to finish the front and start on the other beds.



Until Next Time,





3 comments:

Marilyn said...

Your railing turned out so nice, the baskets look awesome with the flowers.
Great job!
Marilyn

butterfly said...

Good job done , all looks great .

Carol said...

What a great job you did on the railing painting and the basket installation, Meari! Good old zip-ties to the rescue :) Are you still working? When do you find time for all of these projects?! I'd love to have half your energy! Have a wonderful September.