Spring Home Improvement 2014
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Looking for something to spruce up your patio or maybe you want a place to store favorite dinnerware and accessories? The King’s Gardener offers a selection of handcrafted pieces suitable for both inside and out.
“I make planters that include a trellis for climbing plants. It takes about a half day to make one. I start with rough, Eastern white cedar and plane it down to three-quarters of an inch. There’s a great deal of tedious work planing, sanding, tongue and grooving, and piecing everything together,” said owner Randy Martin.
Martin said the trellis can be detached for transport or storage, but for stability it would be best left on.
“If properly painted and sealed, these planters can be left out in the winter; but our winters are so rugged that I fear the trellis may be damaged by heavy snow loads,” said Martin.
He said the first group of trellises he made were identical but he can make them to suit any need.
“This first group that I made are all the same size, but custom orders are welcome,” he said.
Martin said he enjoys woodworking and creating different pieces with a variety of functions.
“I have made benches in the past but try to have something different each year. I will build anything that a customer wants,” said Martin.
The planters give those with limited space the ability to enjoy growing flowers and even vegetables.
“I built these with shut-ins in mind or people living in places where they don’t have a garden space. Imagine a grape tomato and pole beans going up the trellis with some lettuce and radish in the box. Cucumber vines could spill over the side and onto the deck,” said Martin.
“There are lots of flowers that would thrive in these planters as well. Any annual flowering vine would work. Several people have inquired about clematis, but clematis require cool roots in the summer and warm roots in the winter. It could be done with a great deal of due diligence on the part of the gardener,” said Martin.
Martin has also built things like china hutches and cabinets. He said nothing goes to waste.
“The small pieces of wood left over from furniture pieces are used to build birdhouses and planters,” said Martin.
The King’s Gardener will officially be open for the season on Thursday, May 1.
For more information, email kingsgar@atimaine.net, call 764-8034 or stop by 157 Johnson Road, located off the Parkhurst Siding Road in Presque Isle.
