“All winter long, I envision what beautiful blooms I’ll have…I can even smell them, their scents as wonderful as in my mother’s garden.” – Author Unknown

Now you’ve had a little peek into my heart… this quote is the essence of my soul… it’s what I long for all winter. I don’t think I could have said it more eloquently then this if I’d thought on it all day. When I gaze out the windows and longingly look at my gardens it makes me feel anxious… this yearning rises up in me, and no matter how hard I try to put it at bay, it knows what it wants. The touch and feel of the dirt in my hands… the rainbow of colors feeding my visual senses… the aromas wafting in the gentle breeze as I rock on my front porch… spring and her promises.

My front porch in early spring a few years back… I can’t wait to sit a spell.

I woke up to rain drops pattering on our steel roof… ‘more rain’, I thought. It’s been raining for five straight days with a little break here and there, it rained most of last week as well. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t a complaint… just a fact. Although blue skies definitely make me and most others feel lots more cheery, we need the rain. The robins are happily splashing about in the puddles and gobbling up the worms as they come up for air from their water logged burrows. Although the sparrows look a bit tired of it ;-)….

I thought it would be fun to do a series on ‘Garden Junque’ with a special focus on several items that cottage garden lovers adore. Today lets look at ‘Garden Bikes’.

Bikes aren’t just for riding anymore… we love old, funky, big seated bikes and even cute, rusty tricycles. Leaning on a potting shed or picket fence… propped in a garden bed with a basket of cascading petunias, happy are we who have one.

What do you do with them once I find one? Well here’s a few tips:

*Where do I find a garden bike? The best places to go are antique shops and outdoor flea markets. Estate and garage sales are always hit and miss, but worth a try. Watch for auctions and of course check on line- Craigs List http://www.craigslist.com and eBay.

What a stunning display of petunias on a neat little shed.

*What kind of bike do I look for? Well you want something old, not a new ten speed or dirt bike. It has to have character that can only come with age. Look for old tricycles and bikes. Big seats and baskets are a real find.

*Where do I put my new bike? Your imagination is the only limit you have, but here are some ideas: lean on a tree, potting shed or picket fence. Prop in a garden- to secure, use a step in T-post pounded into the ground and then lean on that.

Beautiful display of a bike rested on a tree

*The paints all chipped, what should I do? Decide if the distressed look is what you’re going after or do you want a bright, eye catching color. If that’s your choice by some spray paint and doll it up.

Perfect paint job… personally I like a little bit of rust!

*Should I put any plants on or around it? Absolutely! If it’s in a garden, use short plants all around the bike so it flows with naturally in the space, rather than sticking out or being lost. Attach a basket, properly lined with a cocoa fiber or moss and plant with petunias or pansies on the handlebars. If it has a rack for one over the back tire to secure one on and plant up as well!

Nice example of using a burlap bag to plant in.

Please go to my blog at http://www.fordragonfliesandme.wordpress.com to see lots of inspirations…

Some of our herbs are starting to come though and tempt us… here’s a yummy recipe to use on the last of your root storage potatoes!
Fresh Chive Topper
Use on baked potato, scramble eggs or anything else you like Sour Cream on!

Blend all ingredients:
1 c or 8oz container Sour Cream
1/4 c shredded cheddar or Colby cheese
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp fresh chopped chives

Happy Day,
Jean