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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Melissa R

Winsted, CT
1 Follower 3Likes
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Featured Photos


Recent Activity


  • This is what my backyard looked like after a recent rainstorm. 2
  • lasagna gardening- laying down newspaper on the grass 2
  • covered tthe newspaper with cardboard
  • After running out of newpaper and boxes had brilliant idea to use paper lawn refuse bags to complete the rest of the yard. Still ended up with blisters and sore hands from cutting 55 bags! :(
  • Thought that 5 yards of garden soil would be enough to cover the yard- NOPE- only covered half- Had to order 5 more yards. Mulch is on order for after the planting! 1
  • 5 yards of soil only covered half my yard! Had to order 5 more yards!!!
  • Finally done applying all of the soil (10 yards worth)! Placed birdbath in center-this wil be one focal point in my dream garden! Watered the soil.
  • Mulch added today- My blank garden slate is ready and I am ready to begin transforming my yard into my secret garden! Let the garden games begin :) SOOO excited!
  • I've been buying perennials and herbs to plant.
  • In the meantime, while waiting for "planting time", I bought and installed a cool OUTDOOR sink!!!
  • Some of the seeds we've planted have started to come up ! So excited!!! 1
  • My future grandson-in-law carved a cute little stool out of a tree stump! Here it is by some tulips that have brightened up the yard, motivating me with sign of great things to come! 1
  • See 9 more photos

Transforming my Backyard into a Secret Garden- Part 1

Love my backyard, but after a rainstorm it turns into a lake! I've decided to completely get rid of the grass and transform it into a beautiful, peaceful flower garden retreat. I will not ...»
only be adding soil to the low spots which will help redirect the water, but I will create a beautiful space where I would much rather spend my time with the flowers and plants than cutting the grass :) Huge undertaking, but I am psyched up for it!

So far, I have used some "lasagna gardening" techniques- covered all of the grass (and weeds!) with newspaper, cardboard or paper yard refuse bags. Second step, top that with garden soil mix. I am waiting until I'm sure there are no more frost advisories before I start to plant my flowers and vines. I've started collecting the seedlings I'm going to plant as well as growing some from seeds. (I've got an ENTIRE back yard to fill with flowers!!!) I've been planning my secret garden layout and I can't wait until I can actually start planting my flowers! Wish me luck!

Irma
Irma Trenton, MI
49 Comments | Post Comment | 14112 Views
  • Melissa R
    Commented on May 10, 2013
    You can go right through the bags/newspaper if your new soil isn't deep enough. You can use a ...»
    pointed shovel or a knife to cut through. If you still have a really wet spot, plant bog type plants or native ones that prefer damp soil. or make a rain garden in that spot, which will add visual interest.

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  • Like 79
  • Clip 45
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  • Garden inspiration
  • Gardening
  • This is my "totem".  I've had it outdoors for several years now. It's held up really well except for the "ladder" incident last fall while a helpful neighbor was helping me clean out the gutters. 10
  • These are the tools you'll need. I use GE II Silicone for Windows and Doors (clear) with a caulk gun.
A level will come in handy to make sure your totem doesn't lean. 4
  • Wash and dry (thoroughly) your glassware. I suggest you let your vases and such dry overnight. If you have ANY moisture inside, it will be sealed inside once you apply your sealant.
  • apply your silicone to one of your pieces, then add your next piece to it.
  • remove the excess silicone with your finger or a paper towel. 
*tip*  I generally glue two pieces together, while gluing another two pieces together.  After those four pieces set up overnight, then I glue the two (or 3) sets together.
  • *tip*  to keep water from standing in your plates, turn them upside down.  I like to separate my large vases and such with clear plates. A microwave plate makes a great base piece. 3
  • You can use a plate on top right side up to make a bird feeder or a birdbath. 6
  • See 4 more photos

Repurposed Glassware=Garden Topiaries (easy project)

We all have those vases and bowls hanging around. You know, the ones you get flowers in, but then just put in the cupboard. I have the perfect solution for all of those, and it will help ...»
"prettify" your garden or flower bed. For more pictures see my blog post-Repurposed Glassware (totems and more) http://bit.ly/Lws0Y1

#Bestof2012

Gail--My Repurposed Life
gail--My Repurposed Life Louisville, KY
84 Comments | Post Comment | 52508 Views
  • Melissa R
    Commented on Feb 11, 2013
    i used a deep candy dish upside down over a vase that was curved gently wider at the top. when ...»
    turned over, it was a perfect mushroom. The picture is of a glass angel candle holder, a plate and a vase.

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  • YARD IDEAS
  • Garden
  • This is the finished bench. The colors remind me of a gypsy wagon. I toiled over the colors for a year and finally was inspired by the color on a plastic tumbler. I took it to the lumber yard and they matched the color. 23
  • This is the bed how I bought it from the thrift store for $35.00.
  • This is the bed with the footboard turned upside down and it fashioned into a bench before the painting started. 3
  • Got it all sanded and primed and still had no idea what color it was going to be. 1
  • First color. Deciding what should be what color was the fun part!
  • See 2 more photos

Garden bench

I made a bench out of an old bed. I'd seen these before, but not in Julee colors! Here are before, during and after photos... ...»

#Bestof2012

Julee S
Julee S Bangor, MI
102 Comments | Post Comment | 41772 Views
  • Melissa R
    Liked on Feb 05, 2013
  • Share 16K
  • Like 296
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  • garden
  • Members posts I like
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Mason Jar Solar Lights

Using just three materials and a wee bit of time you will quickly have stylish mason jars to light up the garden or patio. www.gardentherapy.ca/mason-jar-solar-lights/ ...»

#Bestof2012

Stephanie @ Garden Therapy
Stephanie @ Garden Therapy Canada
20 Comments | Post Comment | 83756 Views
  • Melissa R
    Liked on Feb 02, 2013
  • Share 15K
  • Like 271
  • Clip 368
Clipped to:
  • outside
  • Crafty
  • Here is my tea pot fountain in full bloom. 7
Clipped a photo from:

Tea pot fountain instructions.

Julee S
Julee S Bangor, MI
7 Comments | Comment on this photo
  • Melissa R
    Clipped on Feb 02, 2013 to Backyard Escapes
  • Share 8.8K
  • Like 107
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  • Garden inspiration
  • Garden Ideas
  • mason jar ideas

  • Melissa R
    Followed 1 board on Jan 31, 2013
Becky Sharon @ mrs. hines class FunkyJunk Interiors - Donna Leah Donna Dixson Karen - The Graphics Fairy Miriam I
  • Melissa R
    Followed 7 people on Jan 20, 2013
  • Milk Can & Cow Themed Planter 3
Commented on a photo from:

Got Milk???? or better yet, GOT FLOWERS?

Debi M
Debi M Washington, NC
3 Comments | Comment on this photo
  • Melissa R
    Commented on Jun 15, 2012
    Pole goes up the center of each clay pot. Fill bottom one with dirt around pole. Put on next ...»
    pot, angled to one side, fill with dirt. Repeat. Plant. Then water, water, water. they dry out very quickly.

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  • Clip 3
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  • Terra Cotta
  • Backyard Escapes
  • Carriage House 14
  • Rest of the backyard 6
  • Inside carriage house 4
  • Other side looking into main room.  Stairs on far wall up to the loft. 1
  • See 1 more photo

Landscaping & Gardening and Outdoor Living

I am trying to figure out what to do with this 100 year old carriage house in my backyard. It has a huge room with a huge sliding door on each side. I've included pictures of the house, ...»
the rest of my backyard and the inside of the carriage house (please excuse the mess....I don't know what to do with all of this outdoor stuff). I am thinking some kind of covered eating area or hot tub destination...but it is rather far from the house. There are lights and electricity in all rooms of the house and off the main room is another room that has cabinets and and another room that is a horse stall. It is an awesome place but I need assistance on how to incorporate it into my landscaping! I'm in Alabama by the way. Help???!!!

Victoria S
Victoria S Ozark, AL
21 Comments | Post Comment | 2881 Views
  • Melissa R
    Commented on May 30, 2012
    The first thing you should do is check the zoning regulations for your area. there may be ...»
    limitations on what you can and can't do. Otherwise, a beautiful outdoor eating area with a hot tub sound wonderful.

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  • Like 7
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Sharron W Linn L Jeanette S Nancy P
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Can anyone tell me what this vine is?

My mother had these growing in her yard when she moved into her house...I took a cutting...and they grow like crazy! I just love their miniature "clematis/passion flower" looking blooms...but I would sure like to know what they are!
Tammy@Deja Vue Designs
Tammy@Deja Vue Designs Amherst, TX
52 Comments | Post Comment | 4081 Views
  • Melissa R
    Commented on May 25, 2012
    It looks like Dog Strangling vine, also known as pale swallowwort. try this link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/fi...
  • Share 104
  • Like 2
  • Clip 1
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