Decorating Projects

There are clumps of sea oats in a narrow strip along the side of Paul's house (figure A), and while he likes them, the birds spread the seeds all over the landscape.

Removing sea oats is easy: Paul simply digs under the base of each clump with a shovel and pops out the entire plant. Although he could replant them, he's more inclined to give them away or toss them.

Paul wants the space to be useful so he places his watering cans and hose reel there and adds a few colorful plants. To top it all off, he installs a handful of birdcages to add a little more life to the hardscape (figure B).

These brooms, made in Thailand, are functional, but Paul wants them to do wonders for his wall (figure C). The brooms are also said to bring good luck.

In a glazed pot without a drainage hole, Paul places a bamboo fountain that comes complete with pump (figure D). After positioning the pump and the bamboo, he adds a few stones to stabilize the pieces, fills the pot with water and plugs in the pump.

If freezing temperatures threaten, he takes the fountain inside the house and enjoys the sound of running water.

Paul uses big bamboo, known as timber bamboo (figure E), which is relatively easy to find online or at retail stores. It's not cheap, but it lasts a long time, even when it's in contact with the ground.

He digs a trench to establish the new border, digging down to a depth of about eight inches and just slightly wider than the bamboo. A trenching tool makes the job easier, but a shovel works as well.

Then, using a bow saw, Paul cuts the bamboo to various lengths — between 12 and 24 inches. The random lengths make the border more interesting, but if you prefer a more uniform look, cut all the pieces evenly.

Do you have bamboo panels you don't know what to do with? So did Paul — until he realized they would come in handy for his new vegetable beds.