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A Cultivated Nest

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Sprucing Up the Deck

By Manuela Williams

A Cultivated Nest  deck planter

I really need to re-do the stain on my deck – it’s been peeling all summer. But that’s too big of job to tackle right now so I thought I’d start with this –

weedy concrete planter

I know…awful right? A summer of neglect and hot temps and what was a planter full of colorful petunias is now one dried up petunia and a bunch of weeds!

You can paint concrete planters!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

painted concrete planter

So I started by removing most of the dirt in the planter (I used it to fill in a hole in the backyard).  Then I painted the top of the bench (I got this bench at Goodwill in 2009). I also decided to paint my planter red.

I had painted these little concrete planters red a few years ago and they still look great. The concrete seems to absorb the paint. I just used regular latex satin that I had leftover from another project.

You can pain those plain concrete planters! This one is red planted with white geraniums

This time I didn’t do the color as solid as the small planters in order to give it a more weathered look and I added some fresh potting soil and filled it with some pansies, ornamental kale and a mum.

red concrete planter

I also like to keep my little gnomes in this planter.

gnome on mushroom

I collect gnomes…

gnome decoration

I have the larger gnomes in the garden.

sleeping gnome

I just think they’re funny – my daughter thinks they’re creepy 🙂

yellowmum

The window behind this planter is my kitchen and there’s a window seat.

deck planter

So now when I look out that window, I have something nice to look at once again!

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Filed Under: In the garden Tagged With: decorating the deck, exterior decorating, planting in containers

« Decorating My Barn
A Little Fall Decorating on my Outdoor Buffet »

Comments

  1. Vee says

    September 15, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    You can look out at the gnomes and they can look in at you. Perfect arrangement. Don’t share this with your daughter. Ha!

  2. Vee says

    September 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    Shoot. I meant to say that my favorite thing is the blue mushroom.

  3. Susan says

    September 15, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    The petunias in your first pic look like some of mine. The ones in my big flower box look great and are trailing and full. HOWEVER, there are a couple of pots that were often forgotten and look very sad. So, it’s time for them to be replaced with mums, just as you have done. I have a question ~ do gnomes attract fairies or keep them away. Have a great weekend!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    • Manuela says

      September 17, 2012 at 4:09 pm

      I believe that fairies and gnomes work together 🙂

  4. Debbie J says

    September 16, 2012 at 6:14 am

    Beautiful!

    I have a bunch of things that look like the “before” picture. I’m ready to put in some pansies and mums.

  5. Paula says

    September 16, 2012 at 6:34 am

    Isn ‘t it fun to change out planters with the seasons? I love how you made your planter look weathered when you painted it.

    Buying pansies is on my “to do” list.

  6. Deanna says

    September 16, 2012 at 7:33 am

    I like it all freshened up! The red on the planter is great –

    Not such a fan of gnomes though…kind of with your daughter on this one!

    Happy Sunday!

  7. Theresa H. Roach says

    September 16, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Beautiful! I never thought to paint concrete planters:) Great idea! Have a blessed day with your new view out the window! HUGS!

  8. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    September 16, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Great planter, Manuela! My petunias looked like that, too. I threw them out a few weeks ago. I’m about ready to get some mums now. Love the red. Your gnomes are cute! I have a statue of a couple that I put near our front door. I told my hubby that if we were gnomes that would be us!

    • Manuela says

      September 17, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      So glad to see another gnome lover 🙂 !

  9. Glenda/MidSouth says

    September 16, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Pretty! I some some potted plants that look like your “before” pic, only mine are impatiens. Can’t do much in the courtyard, due to the hickory nut shells falling. Hope the squirrels finish their feeding frenzy soon.
    Enjoy your Sunday.

  10. Leslie's Garden says

    September 16, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    I love the planter in your new fall colors! The red looks great. Re: the golf cart riding….you said you have a town near you with golf carts, I bet it’s the same town! I live in Georgia, too. I’m in Newnan and my dad lives in Peachtree City. Is this the one you were referring to?

    • Manuela says

      September 17, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      Yep that’s the one. I’ve never been to Newnan but my neighbor went with her book club for a tour of some antebellum homes and said it was just lovely!

  11. Debby Messner says

    September 16, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    I love it. An autumn fairy garden. I can’t wait to put it together but I bought a pumpkin fairy kit at the Country Living Fair. But, I need a pumpkin to put it together.

  12. Merle Turner says

    September 17, 2012 at 7:29 am

    I really like the mushrooms I have been collecting them but only seem to find red or brown ones.Merle….

  13. Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita says

    September 19, 2012 at 11:52 am

    The perfect little pick me up. And proof positive that little changes can make a bug impact!

  14. Comeca says

    September 21, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    How cute! I think they are sweet as well!

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A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

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