Quote Originally Posted by mhara View Post
Only (slight) problem at the moment are the neighbours two cats which are thrilled to have a hunting-ground right by them!
I worry about that too. I'm told that keeping the bird attractive plants, bird feeders, bird bath, bird coffee shop ... just kidding about the last one up and away from predator cover helps.

I have a teeny tiny tiny patio in my condo.

The patio is also where my dog lives when I'm at work and when she's not off walking my dog walker.

When I got the joint it was a patch of cement without a stick of green.

The problem is the small size, dual purpose (doggie) and light. To the East is the other unit and carport roof, the South is the other wall o' the condo, to the West is sliding glass door off the kitchen, and to the North and all sides some big trees.

What I'm planning to do is grow up, no not me the plants.

Two large planters now have redwood trellis and I planted clemetis (sp?). My Mom suggested those plants because they like their "feet in the shade but their heads in the sun". They will make the big boring blank wall....less blank.

These flank a 3 tiered planter stand filled with plants I so far have managed not to kill. and there's a pottery bird bath on it.

I also have a planter on a tricycle, gotta have that bike theme.

Yesterday I found another 3-tiered planter shelf at an Oakland charity run thrift store. That's probably going to go under the kitchen window.

Plan is to ring the patio with plants, add tiny table and chairs so it becomes "oh, nice place to have a cup of coffee" when I turn the joint.