Huge news from The Spring Cottage garden today, my friends… I’ve discovered the secret of how not to kill my plants! (no jinxies!)
Those of you who’ve been following for a while will remember how pounding rain, scorching sun and my own deft hand (read: black thumb) have made light work of demolishing everything ever planted at The Spring Cottage. Until now. A few weeks ago, in a fit of genius, I re-purposed this old Ikea computer desk into a portable garden cart. The key point is that the desk is on casters – it can be wheeled around the verandah in and out of the elements, thus keeping its leafy passengers safe and thriving. I know it’s not the prettiest (read: pinterest-worthy) garden accessory going around, but it didn’t cost me a penny. And when I had the pleasure of snipping fresh basil and thyme onto my salad last night from plants that were alive more than a month ago, that felt like a big ol’ WIN worthy of sharing.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great idea – my herb garden always struggles – thrives for a while then succumbs!
That was my story exactly, before herb trolley! Although if I’m being perfectly honest, I still can’t keep cilantro going more than a few days. Anyway, with gardening you gotta figure it’s as much about the journey as the destination… although something to put in the guacamole would be nice! Good luck with your struggling patch!
x Catherine
This is a great idea! I live on a tiny block in the inner suburbs so we grow what we can in our north facing front yard (and lose a few tomatoes to passers by!) but this would be great for moving things around in the backyard to catch the sun!
Thanks Liz! I used to have tomato plants in my front garden in Sydney, and I’d come home to find people literally camped out helping themselves to everything… so I completely commiserate. Putting your garden on wheels would certainly keep the neighbours on their toes!
Hope you’re having a wonderful week,
Catherine
So is that temporary place for that plans or solid one ? are you always before big sun or big run move the plants from garden to here and then from here to garden ?
Hi Marek, It’s a solid, permanent place for the pot plants. I usually have the trolley parked just under the roof of our verandah to protect them from the hottest sun and hardest rain, but if I think they need a few extra rays or a bit of a drink, I just push them where I need to be. It’s also really good if I’m cooking a big meal and need lots of herb, I wheel my whole garden right up to the kitchen door where I can reach it more easily!
It has been sooo wet… right? When I first came to Australia I thought it was basically a desert, and I’ve never worn rain boots to work so many times in my life!
Hope you’re having a great week!
Catherine
Great idea Catherine! The weather’s so changeable here in the UK that I struggle even in summer to keep some plants alive. Last year though I had great success growing cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket, simply because I could bring them inside really easily if we had a chilly spell or when it was especially cold at night. I got a pretty good haul that way so I’m going to give it another go this year x
That’s a really good idea Claire, and I love how hanging baskets look so much! It’s almost time to get planting in the UK – I hope your little garden has great success this year! There’s something so extra delicious about things we grow ourselves – and cherry tomatoes are my absolute favourite garden snack!
x Catherine