2009greatoutdoorsbadge.gifName: Erica Good

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Type of space: Balcony

Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: This is my balcony for one. I've had to battle a flock of pigeons for ownership of the space, but I think I've finally won. Only 4'x8', and with a stucco wall that blocks the sun, I'm not able to use my space to grow veggies like I'd originally hoped, so I've turned it into a little oasis instead. I've had such fun this spring shopping for bargains and clearance so that I could turn a former pigeon litter box into such a nice space on my tiny shoestring budget. Now it's my little bit of the outdoors to sit and recharge while I read in the morning, or enjoy a cold beer after work. It's the one place in my apartment that's pure luxury. I sit down with the scent of jasmine, thyme, clematis, rosemary, and basil all around, prop my feet up, light my citronella lamp, and get to just revel in the beautiful Texas weather.

How did you create it? After ejecting the pigeons (which involved a lot of shoo-ing and waving a broom around for a couple weeks), and scrubbing the presents from the concrete, I bargain shopped. The coconut fiber planters came from the dollar store (they were $15 a piece everywhere else I looked!), the ceramic pots, chair, and ceramic side table were all on clearance at Garden Ridge. The rug was on clearance at Target, and the lantern I picked up for 3 bucks at a flea market. The herbs and flowers were all either started from seed, or bought at 50% off (except the jasmine). The whole kit and caboodle cost around $150

Recommended store, site, product or resource? Garden Ridge supplied most of what you see here -- they have great sales, and a pretty big clearance area where you can find some real steals.

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