New Gardener: Repurposed grill given new life and lilies in bloom

Note: Everybody Gardens videographer Jess Levo will be chronicling her adventures as a first-time gardener under the guidance of Doug Oster this year.

What is old is new again.

repurposed grill

We’ve been in our little house for just over three years. There’s a built-in gas grill in the side of our yard, which is really cool, but we’ve never used it. Plus, there’s a tennis ball-sized hole in the side. It’s become a home for hornets’ nests rather than sizzling burgers, so I figured it was time to do something about it.

With a little elbow grease and some spray paint, I’ve turned it into a flowerbed!

I filled the repurposed grill with gravel for drainage, then topped it off with some potting soil. It doesn’t get much sun, so I planted impatiens, bargain begonias and bargain geraniums. To be totally honest, I had little-to-no expectations for this new project with these cheapy flowers. Right before I left for vacation, my bargain geraniums appeared to be dying, but upon return (and much to my surprise), they have blooms again.

I call it my “galaxy flowerbed” because I just had to add teal glitter.

So now that everything in my garden is planted, off on vacation I went. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I returned, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Did it rain here or something? Haha, I can tell.

In addition to my resurrected geraniums, everything is blooming beautifully.

Apparently, I planted these hauntingly gorgeous lilies last year. I don’t remember them at all, and neither does my husband, but they’re just to die for.

Also on the agenda: I definitely need to get some stakes for my tomatoes and a “happy accident” — my sunflowers from the birdseed.

I plan on harvesting some super chilies, more basil, strawberries, and my garlic scapes that Doug taught me about this week. (For more on garlic scapes, check out his “In The Garden” video.)

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I planted my mint in a pot, thanks to Doug’s recommendations. I don’t want it taking over. I already don’t have enough room.

Stay tuned for more gardening adventures, as I still have the front of the house to tackle. Yikes! My neighbors probably hate my unsightly weeds. If only they could see the back of the house. Oh well.