Monday, June 20, 2016

Dad's Garden

My husband Frank's garden has been a work in progress for the last couple of years. It started with this great sign I found on Etsy.



Followed by the Lion statues, the authentic, vintage local fire hydrant and the superhero stepping stones.



Year after year he has wanted to put some funky, exotic plants in but it is a part shade, part sunny spot and nothing did well or lasted year to year.

Finally, this year I decided to go for it for Father's Day and get him a bunch of succulents. I did some research and found that for our area, it is best to plant them in a container and then move it inside for over the winter. We went together and chose those that would like our sunny/shady spot.


I woke up one morning thinking about what to use for a container that he would like, would fit in the spot and work well with the succulents. Then it hit me! What better "container" than the vintage red Radio Flyer wagon he used to pull our little boy in around the neighborhood. A perfect Father/Son memory for Dad's garden. The little boy is now almost 18 and just graduated from high school!



We tried it in the garden and thought it looked great. Then we got to work and drilled some holes in the bottom for drainage. That didn't hurt me too much because the wagon was already so rusty and beat up from sitting all these years.



With some Miracle Gro potting soil and a few rocks from our yard, we designed the garden together with some really funky succulents.


For now, we are leaving the patch of oregano to the left, the mums on either side and the ferns and Mock Orange Blossom tree behind. it. Originally Frank wanted to plant something in front of the wagon but we decided it would take away from the look. We took his two super hero stepping stones and created a path to the wagon garden. It wasn't until I was editing the pictures that I realized we had created a face!


Some close ups......


He couldn't resist putting a superhero figurine or two in the garden. I call it Kitschy, but it reflects who he is and what he likes!


Some long views....



Now, if I can keep him from putting too many plastic toys and superhero's in there, it is a cute garden that fits right in with the rest of my gardens!

Are you still planting gardens?
AnnMarie xoxo


I am linking up with these great blog parties:


You're Gonna Love It Link Party
Share Your Cup
Simple and Sweet Friday
Home Sweet Home
Vintage Charm
Thoughts of Home
Five Star Frou Frou
Happiness is Homemade
June Garden Party
at

28 comments:

  1. StephanieJune 20, 2016 at 1:43 PM

    Oh AnnMarie, what a darling little garden and putting it in the wagon was such a cute idea. Also, the action figurines were the perfect touch :)

    Happy summer to you! Hugs!

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  2. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieJune 20, 2016 at 2:15 PM

    Oh, this is too fun, AnnMarie! I love that you used your son's wagon - what a great idea! Too funny about the superhero figures. My Hubby has a whole collection of little toys he has found in the yard from my boys. I need to show him this! Happy Summer! xo Karen

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  3. vintageandartJune 20, 2016 at 3:51 PM

    Lovely garden AnnaMarie, so clever and so funky. Love the wagon idea and the super hero additions to the succulents you've planted in it.

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  4. Row homes and CobblestonesJune 20, 2016 at 7:37 PM

    AnnMarie, Absolutely adorable! When I liked your photo today on IG I was smiling ear to ear, superheroes but of course. Love this so very much... Thanks for sharing,
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  5. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJune 20, 2016 at 8:43 PM

    The whole theme - Dad's garden, your son's wagon, came together beautifully! The super heroes are a great touch!

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  6. Christine @ Rustic-RefinedJune 21, 2016 at 5:07 AM

    Loving this! Those succulents look great in the wagon, great job!

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  7. Celestina MarieJune 21, 2016 at 1:44 PM

    Hi AnnMarie, WOW your hubbies Dad Garden is beautiful. I love the red wagon and the succulents are perfect.What a special piece to have there since it was your son's wagon. It looks great in the garden and if you need to move it, just pull it away. I would love to find a wagon like that for my garden and do a little fairy setting in it. Thanks for sharing. Great job!!
    xo

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  8. Jemma@athomewithjemmaJune 21, 2016 at 2:50 PM

    Good Afternoon My Friend!
    I love this idea of using the sweet little red wagon that you toted your son around in as the planter for these succulents!
    This is very, very clever-pinning this too!
    Thanks for the tip on the glue-just edited the post.
    xo
    Jemma

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  9. BrendaJune 21, 2016 at 4:40 PM

    What a great looking garden! That's cute that it turned out making a face. How neat to incorporate that wagon.

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  10. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresJune 21, 2016 at 4:51 PM

    What a great idea. You could always wheel it around to another area of your garden if you need to. Love the accidental face :-)

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  11. Mary K.June 21, 2016 at 5:27 PM

    AnneMarie I used to have one of those wagons and had to sell it when I moved to Greece many years ago. Everytime I see one it brings back fond memories of my boys playing with it. And you have put it to good use with the garden.

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  12. Debbie HarrisJune 22, 2016 at 8:18 AM

    What a great idea for the garden! I love red wagons, though I do not have any around. I remember the sound of the wheels as we would play in our little red wagon as children. My brother was always the one to pull us around.

    I just finished planting all my window boxes and they look lovely this year. I went with red white and yellow for my colors this year. I usually go with pinks and purples but felt drawn to reds. I was slow in planting due to being away. Summer is here and I am loving it.

    Enjoy your day~~

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  13. StaceyJune 22, 2016 at 10:38 AM

    I love this!! Why didn't we keep our kids red wagon? I ask myself that question every summer when I see cute gardens planted in them. Succulents, rocks, and superheroes definitely belong together! :)

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  14. SylviaJune 23, 2016 at 3:06 PM

    AnnMarie, The wagon was a perfect choice. It looks great. It's nice to each have a space to do as you think works best. Sylvia D.

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  15. Gloria's Bits and PiecesJune 24, 2016 at 6:58 AM

    Everything looks so nice in the garden and the wagon is such a neat idea too! We have daisies, roses, and some others blooming right now.

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  16. gluten Free A_Z BlogJune 24, 2016 at 1:30 PM

    My garden consists of pots on my deck since poison ivy invaded our herb patch last year! I love the idea of using a wagon since you can pull it anywhere. great post- thanks

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  17. Vicky HuntJune 24, 2016 at 4:05 PM

    I love the red wagon as a planter! The dad's garden is a great idea and I love that he put his personal spin on it with the superhero stuff. Have a great weekend!

    Hugs, Vicky

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  18. Decor To AdoreJune 24, 2016 at 8:07 PM

    What a darling wee garden. Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful post at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

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  19. bj June 25, 2016 at 5:59 AM

    This is the CUTEST garden, ever.....

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  20. Julie's LifestyleJune 26, 2016 at 8:02 AM

    Oh AnnMarieI love the way the garden looks and the cute wagon with the succulents. What a great idea and I love all of the inspiration I get when I visit your blog and thanks! :) Enjoy the day. Julie xo

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  21. chateau chicJune 27, 2016 at 5:48 AM

    You all really have beautiful gardens around your home. Love, Love, Love the idea of using the wagon as a planter...so creative!
    Mary Alice

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  22. StaceyJune 27, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    Sweet! Pinning this again. Thank you for joining the garden party.

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  23. My thrift store addictionJune 27, 2016 at 7:30 PM

    What a perfect Dad's garden and I love all of the whimsical touches!

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  24. Sharon @ Blue Willow HouseJune 28, 2016 at 6:08 AM

    Love that you used the little red wagon as a planter. It is a great garden piece and has a lot of family sentiment too, perfect for Father's Day. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm and I hope to see you back again this week.

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  25. Jemma@athomewithjemmaJune 28, 2016 at 3:09 PM

    So happy to see you at the party! I love this post and oh this wagon!
    Hugs,
    Jemma

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  26. White Lace and PromisesJune 28, 2016 at 6:38 PM

    I think a little red wagon makes a great planter. His garden is great! Love it! And you don't have to do any of the work. Good training, mam!

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  27. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJune 28, 2016 at 6:59 PM

    A fun garden for your hero Ann Marie. I have a little old wagon just like that I drilled holes in years ago as well. I used it as an herb garden. Haven't planted it in years. You think yours is rusty, you should see mine. lol! Thanks for joining the garden party.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  28. MimiJune 29, 2016 at 2:26 AM

    Dear AnnMarie, aren't succulents just the most abundant and rewarding little darlings? Your sweet wagon is a beauty! Thankyou so much for sharing this post at Five Star Frou-Frou this week. Love, Mimi xxx

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