The Good, The Bad & The Dirty

When we started our backyard update, we debated all of our options for our space.  We had one major problem, though...

Two 70 lb. English labs that will leave no plants behind.  They are my babies and I love them dearly, but they are PLANT DESTROYERS.  They make it their mission.  They may look innocent and sweet, but they are two crafty bitches.  We swear they can talk to each other, and that they plot against us.  And, unfortunately for the yard, if it's at a lab-mouth level, it will be eaten.  The local nursery even sold us spray that promised to keep dogs from eating/chewing the plants.  Instead, we found them trying to lick the spray off of the plants... 

We were determined to win the backyard war, so we needed a lab-proof strategy.

We originally considered planting some azeleas, but that would require that we put a barrier (i.e., chicken wire) around them until they were large enough to survive being trampled.  After visiting two local nursuries, viewing all of our plant options and costs, we came up with a solution: we needed large planters/ceramic vases, which would elevate the plants.  This would allow create a more modern asthetic and bring color into a very monochromatic area all out of reach of the enemy lab-mouth. 

This only led us on a wild goose chase.  The large ceramic planters at the local nursuries were way too expensive~ around $180 PER POT.  Not happening.  So, first we hit up Garden Ridge.  We were sure it would be a great low-cost option.  They had some nice planters that fit the bill looks- and size-wise, but they were still $100 each.  At this point in our search we weren't willing to spend this much.  From there we searched at Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, and another local nursery.  FAILURE.

We thought we had the best idea, but it was looking like it wasn't going to happen.  Then the husband blurts out, "Why don't you just let me make you concrete planters?"  He said it so non-chalantly.  Like he did this everyday.  He'd never made concrete planters.  But why not let him try?  And, so the journey of building our own concrete planters began.

Check back tomorrow for our DIY hit and miss on concrete planters.  Let's just say it didn't go as planned...  But, so far we're winning the war!