Planter in a Planter

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Apr 21, 2007 5:49 pm

Last fall I used concrete blocks to redo a bed on the south side of the house west of the concrete slab. I had one part 'raised' a little bit higher than the rest on 3 sides, but didn't want to take up space with more blocks. So I thought I would try to get a piece of metal to be the 4th side. Then a couple of days ago inspiration hit me & I used this piece of cement that I salvaged when I got the blocks last summer. And I found what I hope will hold it in place OK - old expandable curtain rods. Hopefully they'll work ok - they are all pretty long.

No pics since they had to be cut back, but I've got Guacamole in the upper deck & in the lower part, I've planted Fried Green Tomatoes [rear center] & Fried Bananas [SE corner]. I will add Fragrant Bouquet in the SW corner.

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Apr 21, 2007 5:51 pm

Here's a view from the west.

thy · Post by **thy** » Apr 21, 2007 6:43 pm

Looking good to me... they are on both sides and you are going to fill both sides of the wall

with soil

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Apr 21, 2007 10:35 pm

Yep. I took the before/during pics, but moved on to other things as soon as I had it done. So there's no after pics.

Yet.

maidofshade · Post by **maidofshade** » Apr 21, 2007 11:00 pm

I can't wait to see how great this is going to look when the plants are all up and growing. Isn't it weird how dismal things look when there is no green around. We had rain today and temps are climbing so it will look better soon, mulch and no plants is a dreary site.
Do you think that the curtain rods will rust away? Or by then I suppose that the dirt and plants will hold the cement piece in place. You come up with the neatest ideas.

Now we will have to wait for some pictures. you better get your sitting area done so you can rest a bit after all that work

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Apr 21, 2007 11:11 pm

Thanks for the nice comments, Maid.

I don't know if the curtain rods will rust away or not. If they do, then I'll have to replace them or the wall will just fall over. My original idea was to use rebar, but I discovered these instead & liked the way they curve over the top of the concrete holding it secure. When the hostas are leafed out, I doubt that my 4th wall will be very visible.

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » Apr 22, 2007 7:27 am

I think it's going to look fantastic and I can't wait to see pics! I also love the fact that you've been able to recycle materials! New life for old stuff.

Linda P · Post by **Linda P** » Apr 22, 2007 8:20 am

Brilliant!!!
I'm thinking the curtain rods might rust away over time, but not any time soon. When I was cleaning the back room of the basement this winter, I found some that had been down there for who knows how long. We've been here for 20 years, and I don't think I put them there. This is the part of the basement that leaked every time it rained, so they were constantly wet for years on end. They're rusty, but not rusted out.
Maybe if you run across some rebar you can just pound it in for a little extra reinforcement. Then, if the curtain rods begin to weaken, the rebar will hold it up.
Linda P

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Apr 22, 2007 11:30 am

Thanks, Joan - I do the best I can with all of my old junk that rarely gets tossed.

That's a good

, Linda. Thanks!!