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Live Like You're Traveling

Ideas to Turn your Everyday into An Exotic Adventure

July 28, 2013

IDEA118: Transform Your Urban Garden

by Mu-Hsien Hsieh Lee


{ After }  ~ Go Zucchinis!...Summer Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Banana Peppers, Green Beans, Cucumber, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbages...

{ After }  ~ Go Zucchinis!...Summer Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Banana Peppers, Green Beans, Cucumber, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbages...

{ After }  ~ Go Zucchinis!...Summer Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Banana Peppers, Green Beans, Cucumber, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbages...

{ After }  ~ Go Zucchinis!...Summer Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Banana Peppers, Green Beans, Cucumber, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbages...

Onthesamepage_blog_mu_small2.jpg

I kind of have a habit of popping up shop. A glutton for INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
Earlier the same day, the above looked like: this scene { the before }.

I couldn't wait. I bought a little of everything from a local shop that would be a staple. 
Not pictured are also batches of herbs, parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary and other greens, Arugala, lettuces... our garden was now becoming a reality! 

• • • 

In addition to the back garden, we also addressed the back porch which was a drabby open area. Using bamboo rollup blinds and hanging plants (5' long), we enclosed it for greater privacy outside and to warm up the space for breakfast on the porch and al fresco dinners.

privacy garden porch design
privacy garden porch design

From the inside... we like to open the kitchen windows wide open make it feel like it extends out towards the porch.

OTSP_ExtensionofKitchen.jpg

And now with a proper garden...a proper work space was in order. A similar potting bench was put together the same day I planted all the new veggies. Again...instant gratification! BONUS: It also doubles as a serving/side table for the porch.  

OTSP_deck_plantingtable.jpg
OTSP_plantingTable.jpg
OTSP_landscaping_for_privacy.jpeg


For more ideas on creating privacy, we've been getting ideas from: Landscaping for Privacy, by Marty Wingate

Next up for (part 3) - we'll take a closer look at the varieties of flowers planted and those planted just for the purpose of helping out the veggie garden!  

 

 

 

• • •    WHAT ABOUT YOU?    • • •

How do you create privacy in your yard? 
What do you use to organize your gardening tools & space?

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling


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TAGS: Urban Garden, Vegetable Garden, Bamboo Rollup Blinds, Alfresco, Potting Table, potting bench, World Market, Landscaping for Privacy, Outside, Flow, Nature


July 23, 2013

IDEA116: Get Rid of the Old to Make Room for a New Urban Garden

by Mu-Hsien Hsieh Lee


{ Before } of the garden space

{ Before } of the garden space

{ Before } of the garden space

{ Before } of the garden space

Onthesamepage_blog_mu_small2.jpg

Pretty uninspiring no?

After a year of renovating the inside of the house, we were finally in a place to be able to focus on creating a garden in the back. I considered raised beds but since I had already witnessed a friend grow a bountiful garden last year straight from the ground...my eagerness pushed me to get started already. Prior to the scene above we had to clear away some awkwardly placed trees with the help of hubby's good friend. I think he enjoyed himself :). 

ted_cuttingtree.JPG
ted_goodbyetree.JPG

Then came some help of my own... (go team!) 

erica.jpg

We weeded, raked and tilled... I also re-used the stone that was left over from the previous owner to create the two boxed in areas and integrated zen stones to be nestled within the flowers bed-to-be. One box for veggies, another for flowers. Paver stones were used to create a walking path in the middle of the boxed in areas for access to the plants. I decided to use a more organic shape for the path... what do you think? 

OTSP_before.jpg

Preparing the soil

What I learned in this process:
Essentially the plants are only as healthy as the soil. Mind-blowing I know, but I never gave that much thought to soil and kind of expected plants to grow with sun and water. Now I understand that there are different types of nutrients that certain types of plants thrive in (ie. nitrogen rich etc.) 

Materials I used:
• Organic top soil to cover and mix into the top 6'
• Worm castings (worm poop) to enrich the soil. 

Next up in (part 2)...a transformation of plants, creating deck privacy and a new potting area! ~
M

 

• • •    LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

Not all shit is bad.

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling 


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TAGS: Urban Garden, Vegetable Garden, Flower Garden, Outside, Nature, Flow


 

Ideas by Travel Element:    SAVOR    |    NATURE    |    MOVE    |    CONNECT   |    FLOW    |    EXPLORE

Free ideas to turn your everyday into an exotic adventure.

Hiya Neighbor! – We looking forward to connecting with you! 
 You're on your way to creating a lifestyle you love and feeling that travel-high...everyday!

~ Alla & Mu-Hsien, Co-founders

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