My Great Outdoors: Casi's Lush Garden and Dinner Deck

Name: Casi
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Type of space: Back deck
Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: I grew up surrounded by gardeners and when we moved to the big city, I wanted to keep the tradition going. Because it is a second floor deck, I have to keep everything in containers. I wanted to be able to harvest vegetables in addition to having flowers. I'm growing lots of tomatoes, zucchini, sweet and hot peppers, peas, lettuce, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, basil, purple sage, rosemary, and thyme. I use the herbs in my cooking and can't wait for tomato season! I made sure the cats have their own edible garden and planted cat grass and cat nip in a window box on the floor for them.

How did you create it? When we first moved into our apartment, there was no deck. Last year, our landlady offered to build a deck and we said heck yes! It took about two months longer than she said it would but it's been worth it! I had to add the trellis to make sure our cats stay on our deck and am using it to grow climbing plants.

Recommended store, site, product or resource? IKEA is great for foldable furniture, which allowed me to use the space as a lounge and dining area. I went plant shopping at First Seasons in Vermont when I was home visiting the family and schlepped most of the edible plants back to Philly. Greensgrow has been mentioned for Philly and it really does have a wonderful variety.

See all Readers' My Great Outdoors submissions here

Comments (10)

WOooah! Wowzer! Whewee! What a great back deck.

posted by mlleErica on June 30th 2009 at 9:46am
view mlleErica's profile

Your cats are very lucky.

posted by travers on June 30th 2009 at 10:08am
view travers's profile

WOW!! this is exactly the kind of deck/balcony space i have dreamed of creating in my own little apartment! Love it!

posted by kittystockings on June 30th 2009 at 10:45am
view kittystockings's profile

What a beautiful place!

posted by goodLife{eats} on June 30th 2009 at 10:49am
view goodLife{eats}'s profile

What a beautiful space!

posted by adiaphane on June 30th 2009 at 11:44am
view adiaphane's profile

I was wondering, what do you do with the plants once winter comes by?

posted by daiz on June 30th 2009 at 2:51pm
view daiz's profile

thanks for the compliments!

@travers, they sure are! I think I created monsters though--it's hard to get them to come inside at night and in the mornings, they're right at the door, crying to be let out!

@daiz, most of the plants are annuals and will die off once the growing season is over. I've overwintered inside some of the herbs, might try with a geranium or two this year as well...

posted by caskull on June 30th 2009 at 4:24pm
view caskull's profile

Oh, and the second photo was taken mid-May--it's nuts how quickly everything grew with the constant rain we had this past month!

posted by caskull on June 30th 2009 at 4:50pm
view caskull's profile

I may swoon!

posted by leskat on June 30th 2009 at 6:15pm
view leskat's profile

What a nice landlady! I don't think I've ever had a landlord generous like that... (although I suppose, for her, it was adding value to the property?)

That is a great-looking deck garden--I'm very impressed (and just a little jealous).

posted by muse2323 on July 3rd 2009 at 12:22pm
view muse2323's profile