earth day

Happy Earth Day

Published April 22, 2014By Wende

It’s been awhile, so I thought I’d repot my tea tins in honor of Earth Day. I only did 3 this year — chives, mint, and a flower for color. I’m hoping to put them outside on the new patio once it gets painted. (she says, holding her breath in hopes she didn’t just jinx it!)

In reviewing my own tutorial just now, I realized I skipped the plastic liner step. Oops. We’ll see how it goes. Guess I better go find some cute plates to put under those, eh?

It was so cold outside today, I potted indoors on the kitchen table. Shhh… don’t tell.

Hanging out in the window. Crossing my fingers they’re out of reach of Ms. Kitty Slug.

Did you do something special today in honor of Earth Day?

Posted in GardeningTagged earth day, repurposing, tea tins, this life, Tutorials2 Comments

Earth Day Project: Tea Tin Herb Garden

Published April 24, 2012By Wende

My Earth Day Project: Filling these stunning tea tins with fresh herbs. (Tins from Harney and Sons, Mint from Brim’s)

This weekend delivered the most beautiful weather to the coast. Not just one day, either… but 3 glorious days of much needed sunshine. Lawn mowers hummed, neighbors chatted in their yards; with a collective sigh, we cleared out the cobwebs of winter and ventured outside. Our street looked like a tv ad for Home Depot.

Some of us even got a touch of a sunburn. (time to buy more sunscreen!)

IZ and I spent the better part of the weekend, like our neighbors, reclaiming our yard and porch. In our case, there was such a huge build-up of construction debris on the porch, we decided to empty it and give it a good scrub down. Hours of elbow grease later it’s gleaming out there. “If you squint your eyes, it looks like we just painted!” (if you don’t look down at the floor) Or so my industrious husband would have me believe.

The porch truly is beautiful, even with the chippy paint. We had our first out-door brunch of the season (which we were too busy eating to even think about photographing) and we got so excited about the lovely weather we even put up the bunting early.

We also did a little gardening. In my case, clearing out the shade bed and replanting the holes that didn’t make it through this very weird winter. And I planted this adorable Herb Garden in Tea Tins.

I’ve been meaning to do this for ages with all my left over Harney’s tins. I have lots of them, since I’m such a huge fanatic and it’s hard to throw them away, they’re so pretty. An herb garden seemed like a great use for a few of them. I’ve posted the short tutorial below the fold; it’s super easy to do and bonus, you get to use a power tool!