SoS: Garden Project Ideas

Good afternoon (now evening), fellow gardeners! It’s now our turn here in the Western Algarve to enjoy the excessive temperatures suffered elsewhere. Like most older folk (yes, I am finally owning the fact that I am in my winter years), I don’t fare well in temperature extremes, whether hot or cold. Ho hum… so … forays out to the garden in the searing heat are restricted to plant resuscitation, laundry to utilise the power generated by the solar panels or a quick dip in the pool before sheltering in the house or garage to enjoy gardening projects such as revamping a broken pot, getting creative with an old chair (which we will use as a plant stand, repurposing a terracotta plant pot and dish into a side table etc.

1. New Seating area

Before the extreme temperatures, we managed to create a new seating area where the massive Washingtonia Palm presided.

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after a lot of humping brita (small stones), raking and levelling. I have another area to fill with plants. YaY!! I wanted roses and hibiscus. Maybe more Dipladenia, but these need regular water. Maybe I will devote this area to succulents and cacti.

2. Revamping broken pot

I just need to decide whether to keep it plain or decorate. I made this one a few years ago.

3. Repurposing Old Chairs

We repurposed this old chair a few years ago, but over time, the legs rotted in the wet. Mr P is going to try to rescue but the wood may well be too far gone. We will see.

If not we found another discarded, broken chair just waiting to be repurposed.

4. Creating a side table

This chair is perfecly located to catch the late afternoon rays during the winter and spring months. A perfect place to enjoy a sundowner and reflect. The only problem I needed a place for my drink. Thanks to the ants and other creepie crawlies putting it on the floor is not an option.

5. Providing Shade with plastic crates

I am a great fan of repurposing plastic crates. I don’t know what they were used for but you can usually pick up at least one at our local Lixo (bins)

Today I used them to offer shade to several plants wilting in the strong sun.Our outside thermometer recorded temps of 48 °C in direct sunlight. Scary if this is accurate.

6. We have the technology

With temperatures still rising, we have the technology

Despite temperatures registering 28 °C indoors, I would not allow Mr P to turn on the air con. Why? Yesterday, we turned on the aircon (our new toy for heating in the winter) and discovered the cooler it was indoors, the greater the discomfort when you ventured outside.

As for outside air conditioning, we thunked outside the box

perfect. Plus the breeze discouraged the flies while we were eating.

Finally, my thanks to Fred the French Gardener for sharing some Aquilegia seeds which I will hold off planting until the autumn. Thanks, Fred! and our Six on Saturday host, Jim!