window frame, some really weathered Adirondack chairs, some wood, power tools and lots of paint and created a wonderful space on the

deck. We're very pleased with how it turned out.

To see all the projects on how we created this space, please visit my blog.

http://transformationsfromtheheart.blogspot....

porch? This screened in porch faced due west, so the sun was unbearable in the late afternoon. We used copper pipe for curtain rods as a unique touch. Admittedly, the price of copper has gone up since 2009 when this project was completed, so you might use regular curtain rods or even spray painted PVC pipe instead of copper, but it gives it a unique look. We added rope lighting around the top for night time ambiance.

Tools needed for this job:

cheap 9x15 canvas paint drop cloths

a few packages of Levelor curtain ring clips

lengths of copper pipe found in the plumbing section of Lowes

copper endcaps, curved 90 degree and straight connectors to give the pipe a finished end

curtain rod hangers

screws

rope lighting

tassels or lengths of rope for tiebacks

Screw the curtain rod hangers at a length so the curtains will barely skim the floor when pulled back. Assemble the copper pipe and cut down to size if needed using a tube cutter if you have one, or a hacksaw/ table saw. If you make curved curtains that wrap around your porch you can use 90 degree connectors for a continuous length of pipe. Or just use two straight runs and make it easy. Hang the dropcloths using the curtain clips, then tie back with tassels.

You can see the full tutorial at my blog: http://unskinnyboppy.com/2009/06/drop-cloth-...

all across our nation now. Even if you save your own Impatien seed and keep other garden center plants away from your carefully and lovingly tended imps, you are still vulnerable as this is an airborn pathogen that will stay in your soil from one season to the next. It starts on the underside of the plant where you don't always see it. You won't notice until the leaves turn yellow and fall off, the plant withering and dying. There is nothing as of yet that effectively will combat the virulent attack.

This is my list of alternatives to the dilemma of what to plant to give that same heavenly splash of color in the shade garden.

My top picks are

1) Begonia , green wax leaf, tuberous , angel and dragon wing

2) Torenia

3) Browallia

4) New guinea impatien

5) Diascia

6) Fuschia

7) Balsam

8) Shade coleus

9) Lobelia

10) Euphorbia 'diamond frost'

11) Geraniums

12) Ageratum

13) Caladiums

14) Strobilanthes

15) Fan Flower(Scaevola)

There are a bunch more that will take part shade such as Nicotiana, Salvia, and Sweet Williams.

I will miss the sweet sweet impatien, but while the experts search for a cure, it gives us all the opportunity to step out of our garden box and into the wild new territory of DIFFERENT and awesome plants that will put a smile on our garden faces.#itchingforspring