I've been busy lately refinishing our kitchen floor and trying to get our garden going, so I haven't had time to blog about our garden.  So this is the first of many new garden post to come, also the first post in a new series I will be doing this summer "Tips and Tricks to Grow Fruits and Veggies".  Instead of giving a detailed progress report of what we are growing every few weeks to a month like I do every year.  I plan to give a few garden tours this season, and highlight what is currently in season with a list of my tricks and tips for growing them I've learned over the years, along with my favorite recipes for that fruit or veggie. 

This is the second post in our enchanted garden series that is my garden inspiration this season. Check out our first post in this series: How to Add Bright Greens and Pops of Color all Season Long Here.

An Enchanted garden just wouldn't be right without lots of wildlife in your garden.  It's a lot more fun to hang out in and to watch your garden too.  I learned about how entertaining wildlife can be when I visited what was my grandparents (have since passed away) favourite restaurant Whiskey River in St Peter, MN.  I was amazed at the beautiful view of their stream from a four seasoned patio that was full of wild life.  Of course their was the usual animals like squirrels, rabbits, and birds but we also saw turkey's, deer, and a wood pecker.  The reason for all the wildlife was that they had various different types of feeders all over as well as having a stream that runs from the river (I.E.the perfect location for wildlife).

My inspiration for colour: Enchanted Forest in the movie Snow White and the Huntsman

After watching the movie Snow White and the Huntsman I started dreaming of turning our yard and garden into an enchanted forest.  I've been working on a post about my ideals inspired by the ideal of an enchanted forest for a long time now and I realized today working on it that I have just too many good ideals to put them all in one post.  I was really trying to write 7 posts into one.  So I'm going to turn this into a series and this post will be the first in the series.   In part two we will look at how to attract wildlife.  And part 3 how to add whimsey and mystery to your garden.  Because what's an enchanted forest without life?

HGTV: The tranquil seaside sunbeds at the Afro Chic Diani Beach Kenya

I've been so Inspired by an article I read on HGTV  DIY Outdoor Projects Inspired by Boutique Hotels.
They used a lot of pretty resorts and hotels  as inspiration to creating a backyard oasis.  I like the ideal of your backyard feeling like a resort, your escape on the weekend.  One example  in this article is to use white or sheer curtains  off your deck or balcony and to use bright yellow accents.  They also suggested styling with beach accessories (pictured below).   Don't have a deck or balcony?  You could make a gazebo using PVC pipes or purchase one for $100-200 ( I did a quick search and found one at Home Depot for $150).  

DIY Glow in the Dark Stepping Stones From Birds and Blooms

In the winter I dream of next years garden.  While dreaming I was thinking of easy ways to use solar to illuminate our yard and garden.  This time of year it gets dark at 4:30, and it's so much nicer coming home to a glowing yard.  I can only imagine it helps in terms of security too since the police seminar on preventing burglaries said that lighting and a well maintained yard deters crime.

My criteria is it must be easy and solar so it doesn't increase our electric bills.  My solution?  Solar lights and glow in the dark paints.