Fort

I need to have the fort built by the first week of May.

I saw a vertical pallet garden here http://lifeonthebalcony.com/how-to-turn-a-pallet-into-a-garden/, and decided to take this concept and make a fort.

First of all I picked up 6 pallets FREE from Mitre10 Hardware store.

Next on the list is to paint the pallets as they are all assorted colours and in different conditions. I will use gumtree green, as I already have 1/2 tin left from painting the edging on the deck and the door on the studio. This will hopefully be done over the Easter break, as it's something the kids would love to help with.

After the painting comes the planting....

I need to cover the backs of the pallets with a garden material, something that breathes but keeps in soil - I think I have some old shade cloth somewhere, so I will see what I can find.

The shadecloth will be attached to the back of the pallets, then they are turned over with the front facing up. Next the gaps are filled with potting mix. After that comes the fun part.

Picking out plants to put in...

I will pop in some brightly coloured flowers, some strawberry plants, as well as nasturtiums, as they are bright and cheap.

The pallets then have to lay flat for a few weeks, for the roots to settle.

After a few weeks the pallets will be stood up on their ends, and attached together - forming 3 walls. Each wall has 2 pallets.

I'm actually not planting the back walls, as they will be in the shade and back onto the garden where they won't be seen anyway.

Taa daa... Instant fort with vertical garden.

The front will need a piece of wood across the top to brace it.

The roof will either be all decking or part decking, part hammock.

Underneath, inside the fort will be pinebark, rubber matting or fake grass.

I am thinking of covering the inside walls with thin cement sheeting and then painting in blackboard paint. Mainly to stop little fingers poking holes into the weed matting, and spilling out all the soil.

I will take some photos of the progress as things get going.