Trash to treasure
Cathy Wanderaas of Montana was looking for a new idea to landscape a part of her backyard. She was also looking for a new use for a swing set her children have outgrown.
She ended up creating a fantastical ‘doorway’ that leads from one side of her garden to the other. Now, she is getting compliments from Flea Market Gardening! I know I’d like to see what’s beyond Cathy’s path, don’t you?
Cathy’s arbor from an old swing set
Inspired recycling
Cathy says, “This is the arbor that I made from our old swing set. I removed most of the rust and painted it cream and hunter green. Chicken wire is attached to each end from about 2 feet from the ground up.
I drilled holes in the middle of three 40 inch 1 x 3 boards and attached them crosswise to the top rail with eye bolts and nuts. I used the pre-drilled holes already in the swing set! The chicken wire covering made a canopy and makes it easy to hang planters.
I planted two Virginia Creepers at each end and gave them free reign. A hail storm one year pretty much destroyed the foliage and it isn’t as lush this year as I have seen it, but it’s coming back.
If I ever re-do it, I will probably place the chicken wire lower to the ground. It would then keep other plants from invading the main area
Creative details
With a paver ‘floor’, hanging pots with a bit of blue and the addition of plant stands and container plants make a lush garden focal point for Cathy. The old swing set now makes a lovely wide ‘gate’ that leads you into the garden. Transforming something useless into something priceless is our favorite thing to do and Cathy is really with it,…hip and swingin’! ~~ Sue
