TACKY OR FANTASTIC?

By Marilyn McKinley

OSU Extension master gardener volunteer

111I think it’s a great way to display treasures that I have collected over the years.

Friends have given me plants and “art.”

Placing the art close to a plant that a friend has shared makes me feel happy; never fails to bring a smile to my face.

However, I have wondered, is it “art” or is it just plain tacky?

Truth be known, I don’t care, and I have some of both.

But that’s the beauty and fun of garden art.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I feel it’s a personal choice.

Sure, I’d love to have some beautiful (and costly) sculptures, fountains and such.

My personal choice is to avoid things like pink flamingos.

But I have to admit, seeing them makes me smile.

High on my “tacky” list are the wooden painted things of grandma bending over in the garden.

Sorry, but that’s how I see it.

I do like metal objects in my garden.

I have a bird of sort made out of old garden tools. He’s one of my favorites. I call him Oscar.

I do have a bottle tree. Yep, it may be on many people’s “tacky” list, but I like it.

I also use old picture frames for small garden beds.

I like stones and rocks, too. Just seems natural to have them in the garden.

I have collected rocks while traveling, placed them in jars and set them in the garden.

I have also found large rocks, like ones I can only roll — sandstone is a favorite — and scattered them in the garden.

I have water features in my garden.

I am planning to add more.

I have a fountain that is battery-powered; it proudly sits at the very back of the yard, not far from the fire pit.

What could be better than sitting by a fire and hearing running water?

I like light in my garden at night.

I have been known to light candles and place them around the garden.

More night lighting will be one of my garden projects this year.

I guess you could say my tastes are pretty eclectic, boarding on eccentric.

But, it’s my garden and I like it.

For me, garden art is also about reusing, recycling and repurposing.

There are many websites that have all kinds of information.

One I especially like is empressofdirt.net. It will show you all sorts of fun things to make.

Also, the University of Florida extension garden article on repurposing is interesting.

Use your imagination; be creative!

To get some more ideas about recycling and decorating in your garden, go to: http://go.osu.edu/gardenart.