My backyard is cut in half by a picket fence and archway. The part between the house and fence is mostly lawn, with side gardens. The part behind the fence is a mixture of vegetable gardens, flower gardens, and a large shed, with what used to be an attached greenhouse/chicken coop.
When the deer would come into my yard from next door, I would send the dog, Moby, a dachshund, out to bark and chase them out of the yard. But because the picket fence on the left side of the above photo did not reach all the way to the side fence, and the open archway, the deer just ran in circles, with Moby in pursuit. Eventually, Moby gave up, and the deer stayed.
In an effort to solve some of this problem, I extended the picket fence on the left side by adding two more sections, helping it to reach to the fence line on the left side of my yard. It is slightly hard to tell in this photo, because there is no color in the yard when this photo was taken in March, but the two new sections are unpainted, natural wood on the left.
For the gate, I did a lot of searching on Pinterest for ideas. I started a new board there entitled gates, where I kept all my ideas while pondering the options. The gate I liked the most and thought most capable of making myself, is the photo below.
And this is my version.
I liked the rabbit cutout, but my daughter thought it was too cutesy. In the end, I did agree with her, and went with a hummingbird cutout, which I like so much better.
At first I wasn’t sure I liked the gate, as it made the yard feel more closed off and greatly hindered my view into the back of the yard. But I have grown to love it and the personality it adds to the yard and gardens. Plus, it creates the sensation of separate garden rooms, waiting to be explored.
There used to be roses on each side of the archway, but over the winter, they died. So, I replaced them with large pots planted with pink petunias and Euphorbia “Hip Hop”. Growing nearby the potted petunias are Lamb’s Ears and Nepeta, with Clematis climbing the fence.
I love catmint (Nepeta). It is one of my favorite “go to” garden perennials to create the quintessential cottage look. And the cat likes it too.
Nepeta plays well with so many other plants, softening the look of everything around it. I especially love it planted at the feet of roses.
I used my favorite shade of green paint on the gates. It is a Valspar Duramax paint from Lowes called “Backwoods”. It compliments every shade of God’s green earth. The photos do not do justice to the loveliness of this shade of green paint. So, if you are considering painting anything outside green, be sure to check out the color in person, at the store.
While I was at it, I also made a matching gate for the side entrance to the back yard. This gate also has an arch over it. I hung a wind chime from the arch as another deer deterrent.
New fences and gates mean lots of painting, which is what it seems I’ve been doing all spring. The new materials needed fresh paint, and the old fence sections needed lots of scrubbing to get the algae off. I hope to finish off these fence sections this weekend.
White picket fences are a symbol of suburbia, and represent old-fashioned America, when life seemed slower and simpler. They are a lot of work when they need repainting, but always worth it . . . once the painting is over. Unfortunately, there are still two sections of fence in the front yard, that need scrubbing and painting. But the end is in sight.
Wishing everyone a lovely Memorial Day Weekend and some time to sit and relax.
I can’t believe you do all this yourself. Your work is just beautiful and so we’ll thought out. I love it!
Thank you kindly! When you have no one else to do it for you, you learn to do it yourself. I have learned I can do more than I ever thought, it’s just a matter of trying.
Hi Cindy! ~ You KNOW I love everything about this post! You have created such a beautifully thought-out and well functioning garden haven! I will definitely be looking into the paint color also. Do you have a favorite outside white paint color?
I just use Lowes or Home Depot’s plain white or bright white. I just get the white that doesn’t need mixed.
The pictures don’t even do justice to how pretty a green paint it is. I’ts soft and coordinates with everything around it. My house is gray with white trim and black shutters, and I wasn’t sure how the side gate would look up against my gray house, but it is absolutely fine. More and more I consider this color of green a neutral because it plays so well with other neutrals like gray or beige, black or white. I was a little nervous about painting it a color, but I’m so glad I didn’t just stick with plain white. I hope you can find a use for the color around your home. I have plastic Adirondack chairs that sit near the gate that are the same shade of green and I painted a wooden bench in the garden this same color, and the watering can from the last bouquet. And I’m probably not done yet! Have a great holiday weekend Terie!
I am so impressed you made those gates yourself, Cindy! And the hummers are so charming, perfect for the garden. We had a white picket fence when I was a kid – I hated painting it! I still don’t like painting to this day. 😉
It was a little scary making them as I had no real plans. I just had to “wing it” from the picture. My Dad and husband were both carpenters, so I picked up a lot from them along the way, which comes in handy when you live alone. I try to make things myself, but hire it out, when it is become my skill level. I know my limits.
I hate painting it too, but try to make the best of it, since I have so many picket fences. I am always relieved when it is finished.
Have a great holiday weekend Eliza!
Thank you!
Your gate is gorgeous! Love your garden. It is all so pretty. You really do have an eye for design, and the practical skills to go with it!
Thank you for your kind comment Ali! I love YOUR gardens! I wish I could grow half the things you do, especially all your David Austin roses. I would kill for for a few of those, but I can’t even get the “so-called” hardy roses to thrive or survive here. I guess I’ll just have to be content with your beautiful photos.
That’s a lot of painting. As you say the end result is worth the effort. So pretty against the nepeta etc
It is a lot of painting. I have just one more coat to go on the fences and then it will be done for several years. Alas, there are lots of other places on the house that need touch ups. I don’t usually mind painting, but right now, I’m painted out!
Oh my goodness Cindy! What an absolutely stunning area! I adore the fencing and gate, along with the flowers you chose to accent it all. I can only imagine you spend some time just having a relaxing seat, admiring the beauty around you. (I hope you do anyhow!) Job very well done!! ♥
Thank you Holly for your kind comments. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet learned the art of sitting, relaxing, and enjoying my gardens. I work full time, have a part time Etsy business, and try to keep up with my home and gardens. That doesn’t leave much time for just sitting. I am trying to learn how to do this and old age is forcing me to sit more. I will be retiring in a year and a half, and my, oh my, I am so looking forward to relaxing more.