Sunday, April 22, 2012

Ladder for the Garden




Last fall I found this ladder at a garage sale for $1 (!)  Since it was so late in the season, I left it in the garage until today. 



We started by making boxes out of fence boards for two of the shelves. 




My trusty aging technique of Apple Cider Vinegar and Steel Wool made them look older within an hour. Directions for this process are HERE








We secured them to the ladder and added drainage holes to the back where the box wasn't resting on the ladder step.  (you can see here how different the box looks just one hour later)





You may remember my post last December about the 93mph winds here that blew 60' trees down.  I don't anticipate winds that strong again anytime soon, but we do live right by the mountains and get windy days. I put 24" stakes in and we secured the ladder to them.  You can see them right now, but once everything starts blooming, they will not be seen.



I know it's early to be planting annuals, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have too many freezes from now on.  I planted these wave petunias in the boxes.







We secured this birdhouse to the center step.



And the potted geranium on top.  We'll see if the geranium is a keeper as the season goes on... Right now I like it, but may change it later.  :)  I didn't put anything on the bottom step because it'll be hidden very soon when the spirea in front starts blooming.


 I'm excited that there are daisies and coneflowers underneath that should envelope the bottom of the ladder soon.   I'll be sure to take more pictures as everything comes back to life.

Thanks for your visit!

Pam



I am linking to the following parties:



>
Home Stories A2Z
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia


Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Rooted In ThymeCottage Garden PartyFunky Junk Interiors

42 comments:

  1. I say keep it, it is just darling. I want one. LOL
    Great use of the ladder and very crafty:)

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  2. I love the way it looks Pam!! What till those petunias fill in and hang over the planter boxes!

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  3. I love your ladder, Pam! The flower boxes are such a nice touch. Just wait until everything fills in. It will be even more beautiful!

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  4. It's so neat! I can't wait to see it when the flowers are all blooming!

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  5. Oh that is so wonderful.
    I had a ladder set aside for a project similar to this one...left it in the elements too long and well, it deteriorated.
    Very clever to add the planting boxes! Enjoy it while the weather permits!

    ~Pat

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  6. Love, love, LOVE your ladder in your garden - - -and the "new" old touches you gave it "make" it.

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  7. I LOVE THAT IDEA!!! Do you mind if I copy? Thanks for sharing, this is such a neat project.

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  8. What a great idea! When I moved in my house 17 years ago I had did not have a place to set my pots on so I dug out my Grandmothers little white step stool and put it on the porch with the pots.

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  9. Wow! this is a wonderful idea and I love the rustic element to it. The aged finish of the boxes sets off the pretty flowers beautifully... love the effect:)Thanks for sharing this!Have a great week!~Poppy

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  10. What a great idea! I need to get me some steel wool and ACV!

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  11. That is so very clever! I have an old ladder that is not longer safe (though I continue to use) but it really does need to be put out to pasture. You did it literally!

    You should link this up at The Nester's Planty Party! Seems like it would be a perfect fit ... just a suggestion. I in no way work for or benefit from your linking up there...

    :)

    Linda

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  12. Nicely done! I love the added window box. What a great touch :)

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  13. This is a really cute idea!

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  14. You did it again Pam!!!! I love it!

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  15. I love that--I want to do something similar. I hope I can find a ladder for $1!

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  16. Your ladder looks great and I am definitely going to use your Apple Cider aging tip. I never knew you could do that and it was taking forever to age naturally.

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  17. Awesome post! Especially securing the bird house at the center step is really good idea.

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  18. This improvements really inspired me a lot. Thank you for sharing.

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  19. I love your ladder with the potted plants. Such a great idea how you bolted the boxes to the ladder and the stakes to keep the ladder from blowing over. I was wondering about that.
    Mary Alice

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  20. Hi Pam,

    Your ladder looks so cute out in the garden. I just followed your lead and aged wood today. OMG I could not believe how old the wood looks.

    Dee
    P.S. It's still cold here! lol

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  21. This is such an adorable idea. I love the way it turned out! I'm your newest follower!

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  22. Pam, your ladder looks fabulous! I have been wanting to do a similar project, but I have to find an old ladder first. I really like how you added the boxes and birdhouse. Please show us a picture of it in about a month!

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  23. Wow what a great use of a ladder. I would of never thought to do this and the price was great!

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  24. I love the ladder idea. I found a cute little step ladder last year and painted it a chippy light blue and used it for bird houses and plants too. I love the idea of adding the planter box.

    I just found you via Savy Southern Style.

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  25. Hi darling, hope this finds things good your way. another gorgeous day on the horizon today. More work later this afternoon before the rains move in their calling for... still loving this ladder... hugs ~lynne~

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  26. Love what you've done with that ladder! It's gone from old, ugly piece of ancient equipment, to beautiful garden furnishing!

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  27. The ladder is such an amazing idea and making the boxes is perfect. This is so cute and what a great look. Love it. Hugs, Marty

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  28. Awesome idea! I would love to do this too in my garden house.

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  29. Hi Pam!

    Thanks for visiting me and a special thank you for becoming a follower via type pad. You can also follow via the linky tool if you'd like. I am now following you via google. So sorry to hear that you were injured. Hope it doesn't keep you from gardening for very long. Can't wait to read some of your other postings!

    ~Sandy

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  30. Such a pretty focal point for your garden.

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  31. I love it Pam! Looks great!

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  32. love the garden ladder idea, pam! and how cute is your dog in the pond (below):)

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  33. Great idea! I am in love with the look of this. It is so nice to have something a little bit taller in the garden but I didn't know what to use...now I do!! Thank you! Have to pin this!

    Maggie
    www.thehellonheelshousewife.blogspot.com

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  34. This is such a great project. Just found this post and love it. Would love for you to share on Simple & Sweet Fridays. It turned out so cute and looks amazing in your beautiful garden. New Follower.

    Jody

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  35. Thanks for sharing this creative idea on Simple & Sweet Fridays!

    Jody

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  36. Looking forward to seeing your posts when your garden is in full bloom. Great idea!

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  37. Thanks so much for linking up to the Cottage Garden Party over here at Fishtail Cottage! I love the ladder in your garden and thanks for the tip on aging wood with vineger! love that look! xoox, tracie

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  38. I’m really happy that i found your website you wrote a lot of interesting posts Kepp working !

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  39. Great idea! ....just became your newest follower and subscriber! Come on by my blog for a visit and maybe even subscribe if you like! Have a fantastic day!

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