Surprises in the Garden!

Usually when I'm thinking about additions to the garden, I'm thinking about plants.  This year, I've ended up with a lot more - much of which I wasn't expecting!

My favorite surprise addition is a stepladder-style shelf I found and have repurposed.  I had no plans in this direction at all, but it's in great shape and seems sturdy, so I lugged it home!  I'm deciding whether to paint it or just seal it as is; in the meantime, check it out:

Hooray for free and unexpected!  I'm thinking I'll establish a part-shade herb and flower garden and use the lower shelves for storing pots and such.  Either way, it's a welcome addition and certainly in my price range!

Another dandy addition is my LED, solar, color-changing dragonfly mobile, from Plow and Hearth.  The kids gave it to me for Christmas, and I can't help but love it.

Super cute, and I love watching the colors turn at night.

I also finally put up my TARDIS bird house - yes, I am in fact a huge Dr. Who geek, and proud of it!  I can't wait to see if the chickadees take to it as well as they have the other birdhouses.  It replaces a cute little country cottage birdhouse that didn't survive the late summer humidity and winter rains.

Today saw the completion of rose pruning.  I'm worried about my Gingersnap rose and my Dick Clark rose, but they've still got green on them.  Everyone else seems to be okay.  My new Moonstone rose got potted today, so now I have two more to go: Neil Diamond, and when it arrives, Miss Congeniality.  I also have some dahlias to plant - first time with those!  Credit for inspiration go to my brother and his wife, who have grown them beautifully in their Center City Philadelphia home.

Before the end of April, I'll be adding a swiveling hanging basket, which I'll plant with a hummingbird-attractant red-belled. . .something.  Still deciding.  I've also got a mini greenhouse to build. . .and find a good place for!  Yikes!