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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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Money? Who needs money for great yard art? (Not you!)
Posted Nov 8, 2009 by Loren Omoto
Updated Nov 8, 2009 at 04:29 PM
I’m a day late (but not a dollar short!) in telling you about Hillsborough County’s recycled yard art contest. I’d hoped to post something yesterday to get y’all out to the Hillsborough County Fair today to vote for our own Susan Gillespie’s definitely win-worthy entry. And maybe get some good plant deals at the FNGLA auction (see Chip and Diane’s comments on the post before this.)
But I was having fun and nowhere near a computer when I thought I might be. So, my apologies. But I love yard art, and better still, creating it from stuff that might otherwise go to a landfill. And, as an objective journalist, I have no qualms about pouring on the love for an FOD’s entry.
Our own Susan Gillespie made this beauty (I love it!) from a wooden plant holder she bought at a yard sale. She bought tiles on-line, but did the front and back of kitty’s face from dishes purchased at Goodwill for about $1.
I love Susan’s kitty and I hope it wins! (There’s a People’s Choice award, where fair-goers vote on their favorite, and a first-place voted by judges. Each comes with a $100 prize. Today was the last day for voting, which is why I feel bad about my late post. Mea culpa!!)
Here are some other entries—not as good as Susan’s (in my opinion) but certainly deserving of a polite round of applause.
Bird bath and/or feeder made from an antique aluminum bowl, platter and copper pipe. Submitted by Zachery, Everett and Nathan Salazar.
An orchid submitted by Robert Dickey, Brandon, FL. Made from a shovel and floor tiles.
Banjo made of an old fire pit, wood from recycled telephone pole, plastic straps from hay bales and a grill rack. Submitted by Nicholas Fernandez, Plant City.
Dragonfly! (Looking at this one, I have to remind myself—GOOD bug!!) No details on what it’s made from.
If you’re even mildly creative, I’ll try to give better notice about next year’s contest. Get thinking! (I am.) My fingers are crossed for Susan’s cool cat.
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Reader Comments
Posted by (Chip) on November 08, 2009
Very cool cat Susan! we saw your entry and all the others but had no Idea that it was yours. Like I said we didn’t even know the county fair was going on we thought this was a plant auction only so I did not even vote. Let us know how you do!..“Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on November 08, 2009
You guys are so sweet. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Hopefully everyone aggress with you. That orchid from a shovel is pretty cool though.
Posted by (Chip) on November 09, 2009
For anyone who loves plants the auction is yearly event that you just must go to! some of those plants were just such a bargain! I saw Tree’s that sell for $150.00 for for $40.00 and It is a lot of fun. >>..“Chip”
Posted by (Janna) on November 09, 2009
I don’t want to miss the plant auction next year. Sounds like there were some great deals to be had.
I love the unique yard art photos! Susan, your kitty is GREAT and I agree that you should win first place. You are quite talented!
Posted by (mangoman) on November 09, 2009
Wow. What creative work! I LOVE the cat!! You did an excellent job Susan! What is the criteria for it to be considered “recycled” though? I sure hope you win! Please keep us updated.
Eric Young
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on November 09, 2009
Thanks Penny, Chip, Janna and Eric. I certainly will give you the “exclusive”, Penny, if and when I get that call.
I questioned the recycled part as well, Eric, and sent a picture before I submitted Boots. (that’s his name) Since I got him in a yard sale and used cut up plates from Goodwill they considered it recycled.
I am sorry I missed that plant auction, Chip and Diane. All the good stuff happens on Saturdays, dang it. I didn’t realize it was an auction and was going to go out there Sunday for a plant sale. Glad you posted it was an auction instead.
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on November 09, 2009
Susan, The kitty is FANTASIC!!!!!I hope you win. It seems like all of us had a great plant weekend. I went to Monica’s Open Garden and met Eric (mangoman)he is a very nice young man. I would hightly recommend anyone who can stop by Saturday to the Open Garden to do so. Her site with directions and bio is gardensflorida.com
Posted by (Chip) on November 09, 2009
I am going to start campaigning to bring back the fish fry part of the auction! Having the auction at the same time as the fair was just icing on the cake. I still have not found a good spot for my avocado I had to put it into a large pot to hold it until spring when some space will open up the garden.The tomatoes got shoe horned in with my wife’s rose’s. I am seeing more and more nostrum’s popping up so keep your eyes out for yours they should have started by now they like it wet when they first get going but so does all seeds and until all the seeds we planted come up my water bill is going to hurt!...“Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on November 09, 2009
Thanks Janice. I’ve always wanted to go to Monica’s open house. It’s just around the corner from me. Her books and columns are some of my favorites. Maybe she’ll have some pics at her website.
Is it too late to plant those Nasturtium seeds or did I miss the window?
Posted by (Chip) on November 10, 2009
Not to late for nostrum’s at all I think you put the nail on the head Penny they like it cool. Who knew we would be having summer like whether in October and November? Does any one have a farmer’s almanac? just wondering if it had predicted this warm whether…“Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on November 10, 2009
I’d love to go to Monica’s but I have a busy morning at work. Good business-wise but bad socially. What’s a girl to do? Take some great pics if you go.
Posted by (Janna) on November 10, 2009
Thanks to everyone for the info on Monica’s garden - I checked out the website and it looks like it would be a very interesting place to visit! Do you help her out often, Eric?
Like Chip, I’ve had more nasturtiums pop up recently. (Mine are in pots.) Hang in there, Penny - I’m sure you’ll be seeing yours soon. (Yay for cooler weather!) Glad to hear that your new Susan vines are doing well. I’m now looking for sprouts from the yesterday, today and tomorrow seeds I planted after the field trip. I still have to get some milkweed seeds planted…
How’s the school garden coming along, Janice?
Posted by (mangoman) on November 11, 2009
Hi Janna, I just started working with Mrs. Brandies in the last month or so. I’m doing it about once a week right now. I may be away this next weeked but I’m sure I can leave the skullcap seeds with her to give to you.
I love this cooler weather! I think My lettuce loves it too.
Eric
Posted by (Janna) on November 11, 2009
Eric, Mrs. Brandies is lucky to have you working with her! I’m going to TRY to make it to her garden on Saturday, but because of prior commitments, I may not be able to get there this weekend. Thanks for saving me some skullcap seeds, though. We could wait for the next gardening event, or if you want to send me an e-mail (Penny has the address), we could exchange mailing addresses and send seeds by mail. I have some hollyhock seeds if you (or your mom) want them. You can see what they look like on the October blog titled ‘It pays to water those mystery weeds.’ My hollyhocks came from Janice via Penny…
Glad your lettuce is happy and thriving in this wonderful cool weather! (I’m still going to plant some!)
Posted by (Janna) on November 12, 2009
Penny, I could swear I posted my last comment before I saw yours! Anyway, if you are going Saturday, let me know, maybe I can finagle some time to go…
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on November 15, 2009
Janna, You asked me how the school garden is coming, very nice. Today I planted about 50 bromelaids, 4 elephant ears, 2 of the plants Penny brought me. I am trying to make a path like Hoe and Shovel has in her yard. Calling this stage 2. Janice