In the beginning

Here's the location for my container garden: a passageway between houses that’s separated from the back yard by a gate. There’s often a breeze here, but the side porch shelters part of the area from the wind. It also creates a small private area behind it.

Behind the porch are a small metal table and two chairs. In the heat of summer, it's the coolest spot. Because we don’t have air conditioning, it’s a necessary refuge when everywhere else becomes unbearably hot.

To make it feel even cooler, I want to install a small container water garden.

 

The water feature will have to go in this corner if I want to use a pump so the cord can run under the porch to the electrical outlet.

In spite of its considerable charm -- the yard waste bag is a nice touch I think! -- the space could maybe use a little upgrade.

I always like to keep something dead in the garden, don't you? For visual interest.

This is how I want my container garden to feel:

• cool
• private
• lush
• exotic
• relaxing