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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

A Quick Weekend Project :: Repurposed Ladders

Believe me when I say it has been a VERY long time that I've wanted a pergola in my garden. I can't even pinpoint for how long I've seen visions of dappled shade from wooden rafters overhead. It was a dream that never came to fruition in my OLD garden. I'm happy to announce that we just finished having one built in the back yard of my NEW garden. I'll detail the process of building the pergola in another post. You needed to know about the pergola so I can tell you the next story.
During the build of the pergola (December 2014)
Under the pergola my ultimate plan is to create a multi-purpose area. We opted for a roof to keep it dry underneath. It's big enough for a seating area and a work area. Foremost, the idea is to have a gardening work area. I'm waiting right now ... I do a lot of waiting ... I know you do too ... most of us do when it comes to dreams. The plan includes having a work bench built for potting and projects. Then I'd like some open, stacked shelving where I can put my trays of seed starts and plant starts. Everything gets accomplished in stages around here. I'm good with that...continues to teach me patience. While I'm waiting for the next phase of my plans, I decided to improvise on the stacked shelving for the interim.
Clear polycarbonate roofing over the pergola
I've been holding on to an ancient wooden ladder for quite a long time. I knew I wanted to repurpose it for something in the garden, but wasn't sure what/how/where until we moved into this house. The previous owner left me his slightly shorter ancient wooden ladder. With two wooden ladders I'm ready to get busy. Do they even make wooden ladders anymore?

This is by no means an original idea. I've seen ladders painted and displayed in other situations. In the back of mind I imagined I would make a display for pretty potted plants using the ladders somewhere out in the garden. Clarity has struck ... you know, like an aha moment... when all those swirling thoughts come together and you can SEE IT. I will use the ladders under the pergola for my temporary stacked shelving. It's the perfect place and use for them.

My old wooden ladder is 6' tall.  I've had this ladder for over 36 years. It was the first ladder Mr. Meems and I ever bought together. I've puttied, caulked, painted, stenciled, drilled, papered, washed, nailed, leveled and scraped climbing this old wooden ladder. It was long ago replaced by a fancy metal one or two. The new life I'm giving it will be a bit of a memorial to the tasks accomplished up and down those steps. 

Here's how my weekend repurposed ladder project went down.

First, I scrubbed the ladders with a good cleanser and brush to be sure they were ready for paint. They've been resting idle for a long time. They dried in partial sun and overnight. In the meantime, I raided my ample supply of spray paints to determine which bright colors I'd use to transform them.
I had bought an extra can of Rustoleum Summer Squash with this project in mind a few months ago when I used it for some autumn decorating. After all this time it was still my first choice. It is a delicious golden yellow color that says 'smiling sunshine' when I look at it.

The second color for the shorter ladder was almost as easy to decide. I've been spray painting clay pots with Rustoleum Lagoon and I'm loving how it blends with green/chartreuse plants. I wanted something bright and quirky, but I also kept in mind colors that work with my garden/house. 

I gathered some old salvaged wooden planks of varying sizes out of my garage to place on and between the rungs of the ladders. I just had to paint one of them (again Rustoleum) Paprika. The others are already gray. (Rustoleum is getting some free advertising here. I do love their spray paint because it is primer and paint all in one.)

The posts under the yellow ladder are leftover pieces from the pergola that I painted Rustoleum Espresso. They make another layer for more trays.

Pergola is east-facing with lots of filtered morning sun.
I'm ready now to gather up the grow-trays of baby cuttings that are hiding out in the garden hither and yon. This protected area is going to be perfect for starting seeds, too.


Plants that need shade are placed toward the back. It is nice to have them all in one spot. There is a water spigot under the pergola which makes it easy to manage watering duties for whatever plants/seeds end up resting here.

I hope you are enjoying your gardens this season if you live in a warm climate like Florida.
Happy gardening, Meems

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17 comments:

  1. Brrr, here it is way too cold to be doing this kind of project. It is one that I could think about. Warm thoughts.

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    1. I hear ya Lisa... our winter is kind of like your spring. It's so pleasant right now in Florida that it is a good time to get to our projects. Less sweating. :-) Stay cozy. Meems

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  2. I love my ladders! I think I'll paint one blue like you did. I love blue in the garden and it will coordinate with so many other things! Really like the idea!

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    1. Hi Patty, I couldn't part with my old wooden ladders either. I'm excited to be able to use them again. Meems

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  3. What a great idea Meems. I love what you have done. I look forward to hearing about the building of your pergola too.

    Every time I visit with you, I am inspired. Thank you. I worked outside yesterday in my main garden and it felt great. Still a lot more to do, all in time.

    Have a wonderful 2015 ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thanks, Lorraine. The pergola area has really helped define the back yard and it has given us a great place to have coffee and meals under its cover. Happy 2015 to you also! Meems

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  4. Your creative mind and projects are an inspiration! Great project!

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    1. It was a fun and easy project, Diane. I can't take credit for origination. We all inspire each other when we pay attention. Thank you for you kind comments... always. (hugs)

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  5. It's looking very cozy around there. I love the things you are doing to make it yours. I am still looking for my second ladder but it's freezing here so no outdoor painting. Can't wait to see it in February.

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    1. Your second ladder should be easy to find with all the cool nooks and crannies you have available. I know you'll have your eye peeled for it. February! ah. yes.

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  6. Love your ideas! I am waiting to get my hot patio covered up with a nice pergola so I can have my house plants outside. And have a place to put a potting center, like the ladders you put up.

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    1. Waiting... gardeners do it well Debra! You will love having some broken shade over your patio. It creates its own ambiance as well as a good place for plants and people.

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    1. Thank you, Gail. It was a lot of return for the amount of time I invested. Easy-peasy with spray paint.

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  8. Won't that be a fun place to work and savor the sight of your garden. The colors are so bright and cheery! Well done!

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    1. We are already so in love with this space, Daisy... it really provided a unifying element to the back garden.

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  9. How clever you are! I'd venture to say that your new garden is turning out even better for you in the long run.

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

Back Garden: October 2010

Louise Philippe: Antique Rose

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