Gettin’ Dirty With Fran Fox: My Front Entry Makeover

This weekend I got my hands dirty and did a front yard makeover on my rental town home in Los Angeles. I tell you it’s a rental because like many who read my blog, I don’t own the property and need solutions that are non-permanent. With the help of Los Angeles-based garden designer, Fran Fox, (great name right!) we made miracles happen with a limited budget and her professional insight. Fran has worked on the grounds of many Hollywood homes. So when I told Fran we had a $100 budget, she was up for the challenge. Here’s how it went down:

THE PLAN:

Perform a garden transformation of a boring “service looking” home entryway with a budget of $100 without altering the current landscaping.

THE SOLUTION:

Utilizing pots, we were able to plant flowers without making permanents changes to the property. Even our trough was secured by wire and easy to remove.
We kept costs low by shopping for our pots at local thrift stores and yard sales. Discount stores like Tuesday Morning, Ross and Marshall were also key.
We chose a pot color scheme that would compliment the house. Gardening elements shouldn’t match the house but add texture and interest. We went in a terracotta and blue direction.
- TIP: Always buy pots with holes for drainage.
Buy plants that are easy to maintain. Fran suggested hardy Geraniums to line my steps along with a Jasmine vine that would drape the railing and add fragrance when you walk in the house. We also made the flora functional by planting some of my favorite herbs like mint, parsley, thyme, oregano and rosemary.
- TIP: Plant mint in a separate container because it’s invasive.
A definite plus was that were able to buy plants at wholesale, as I had a professional working with me. I’m a big fan of supporting local nurseries, but Home Depot and OSH are also easily accessible options.
- TIP: Create your own starter plants by breaking off plants you like from those of your friends and family. You could even ask your neighbor. Place one end in water for a week. When roots form, plant the seedling in a pot.
- TIP: It’s VERY important to buy the current season’s plants even though the nursery is selling last season’s plants.

THE PROCESS:

Place your pots where you would like them to live. Keep in mind the space needed for walkways. If you were to have grocery bags would you knock over a pot?
Fill your pots with potting soil 3/4 of the way full using a large gardening scoop. If you don’t have gravel for drainage, line the bottom of your pots with coffee filters. This will prevent dirt from escaping during watering.
When planting, hold your starter plants in place and add dirt around the plant.
- TIP: Don’t be skimpy on dirt! Buy more than you think you’ll need. It newer hurts to have extra potting soil.
Firmly press down the soil to make sure the plants are in place. You can place multiple kinds of plant in the same pot. We even added some small flowering plants to our herb garden for color.
- TIP: Keep your plant ID tags for your herbs, but discard the planter tags for other flowers. This is tacky with a capital “T” according to Fran!
Immediately water plants after planting. During the first week the plants will need lots of water. The ground around your plants should be moist as an indication the plants are getting enough water.
- TIP: Best to water plants in the early morning or evening to avoid burning the flowers.

THE OUTCOME:

A more welcoming, interesting entryway that adds character and direction of where my front door is located.
Take a look at the video to see Fran and myself in action.
Have fun and don’t be afraid to get dirty!