Sometimes I wish I lived in a small ivy-covered English cottage. Wouldn’t it be cozy? Reading great novels, eating tiny egg & cress or cucumber sandwiches with no crusts! As it is, my apartment is no cottage, and there’d be nothing to train the ivy on…unless I had one of these Screen-Pots.

The steel grates are great (har) for helping climbing plants to take hold, though I think it’d still look striking and graphic without any vines winding through it. Perhaps my dream of some quaint ivy is attainable after all. In that case, I think I’ll have another spot of tea, please.

Remember two months ago when I was bemoaning the end of the summer? I’m sure those of you in warmer climes thought I was being melodramatic, but, listen: WE’RE SUPPOSED TO GET SNOW TODAY. Snow. People, it’s not even November. This is exactly the kind of wackadoo weather that makes me wish for a lazy (albeit humid) NYC summer day. But I’m not giving up the ghost on enjoying the rest of the fall outdoors. Not when this rustic metal fire pit from At West End exists.

I like how casual and charming the design is. Makes me want to heat up a mug of hot chocolate, light some kindling, and rub my palms together over the crackling glow. Snow be darned! These weenies aren’t going to roast themselves!

Gardening may be tough for me, but for designer Sebastian Bergne, it’s child’s play. Literally. Behold this fully-functional greenhouse he constructed from LEGO bricks!

Photo: Tafline Laylin

Bergne was tasked by LEGO UK to assemble the hothouse for the 2011 London Design Festival, and though it took an astounding number (approximately 100,000!) of translucent and brown blocks, it has me wondering if I could build a box for some veggies and flowers. Hmm. Perhaps I’ll just try a store-bought terrarium first. Still can’t believe your eyes? Check out Inhabitat for more cool shots of the structure.

It’s been well-documented that I am a miserable failure at taking care of plants. But if I had this sweet elephant watering can, I’m betting I’d be better at gardening. In fact, I’d be dying for excuses to use the little guy.

I’m sure budding gardeners (har) would appreciate this can’s playful pachyderm shape, too. And if all else fails, I think watering cans make perfect centerpieces when filled with fresh flowers. The elephant could be a terrific table topper at a kids’ circus or zoo-themed birthday party.

If you came to my house right now, you’d see 50′ and 100′ garden hoses strung out all over our front yard and backyard. It drives my husband crazy, but I have no desire to wrangle these unwieldy, slick beasts all the way back to home base when I’m just going to have to pull them out all over again to water the garden the next morning. I’ll admit, though, it looks a little ridiculous to have two giant green mambas strung out in the grass, but I’m not changing my ways. That’s why I was overjoyed when Anna shared with me the chicest garden invention since paisley printed watering cans. I’m talking about Hose Clothes, people.

A sassy leopard print covering for my gangly, green monstrosities? MEOW! We partnered with Dirt Couture (my new favorite online store, btw) to give away one handcrafted and mildew-resistant Leopard garden hose cover. To be entered for a chance to win, simply leave us a comment in the field below before 12/11c Monday, August 29.

This week’s question: What ugly household necessity should Dirt Couture produce covers for next? The boring, black cable TV receiver? Utilitarian washing machines and dryers? How about the metal fuse box?

Click for official rules.

It’s Caitlin for the win! Like a teapot, a handle and a spout are expected in the design of a watering can. However, this one sports a cylinder body and a flexible hose. I’m assuming that’s why a few of you guessed a hookah pipe. Like Sue and ‘tokenblogger’, I first thought fire extinguisher or tire pump. Watch out for Lori, she guessed a gas tank siphon.

This stylish and minimal indoor watering can, by Born in Sweden‘s co-founder and designer Pascal Charmolu, comes with a built-in magnet so the hose can attach to the can’s body when not in use. Pascal’s outdoor watering can is pretty nifty, too.

I’ve found that watering cans are something people develop great affection for. After all, they hopefully help us keep our beloved plants alive. My favorite of the three in our household is an antique French watering can that leaks, but I don’t care. What about you? Do you have a cherished watering can?

Tell us in the comments below.

Glass houses: Not so great for stone-throwing purposes, but pretty excellent for growing plants, as these stylish West Elm terrariums demonstrate.

The terrariums trap condensation, which makes them perfect places for small plants and succulents to thrive, but you could use these in lieu of bell jars to display decorative objects instead. Or, you could do both, like the super-cool company Twig Terrariums does. You grow, girl!

If your garden is anything like mine, it starts to look a little haggard come August. It’s not that I’ve given up on keeping it in tip top condition. I’m watering it regularly, I swear! But all that was once lush and bright has faded, and my spindly petunias and wilting gladiolas are making me sad. That’s why I’m ready to take on another garden project. August and September are the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space with some hardy, colorful plants that will thrive through cooler fall temps. While you’re at your local garden center, swing by the hardware store for some metal trashcans and the limited additional supplies you’ll need for featured blogger Brian Patrick Flynn’s fast and easy mobile container garden how-to. The combination of glossy metal containers and fresh plants is the perfect decoration to wow guests at your up-coming labor day party!

Clockwise from left: Galvanized mobile container garden :: “Killer Klown” coleus :: “Purple Knight” alternanthera

This project is so easy and involves so few steps that there’s no excuse for an ugly summer or fall patio. My favorite thing about this project is the price — metal trash cans are a fraction of the cost of new containers. I also think the wheels are a major selling point. Do you know how much a container weighs when it’s filled with soil and plants? Being able to push them around to accommodate extra guest seating or a dessert table is absolutely priceless.

What are your best tips for lifting your garden out of the dismal days of late summer?

Share them with us in the comments below.

If you grow flowers, these Normann Copehagen grass vases would be a beautiful way to display your blooms. But honestly, I think they could elevate even the most humble of grocery store bouquets into a stunning arrangement.

The design duo Claydies transforms dull lumps of clay into these totally organic shapes. (Check out their handiwork in “The Making of the Grass Vase” video.) Suddenly all my glass vessels are seeming plain by comparison. I guess the grass is always greener on the other vase…

I would call myself a habitual plant murderer, but because there’s no intent, let’s downgrade me to a habitual plant manslaughterer. The longest I’ve ever kept a plant alive was three months. It was a beautiful white orchid that reminded me of the ghost orchid (I was on a big Susan Orlean kick at the time), and it seemed hearty. Until I went on vacation. On my return, the faux-ghost was but a ghost of its former self, and I ended up giving it a proper burial at trashcan. The good news is, I think I’ve found a planter that may reform my deadly ways yet…

These LECHUZA Delta planters are self-watering, thanks to each planter’s “sub-irrigation system and water reservoir.” After the initial root-growing phase of your plant, you only have to put water in once every three months. The plant will then supply itself with as much water as it needs. So whether you’re bad with plants, travel a lot, or are simply forgetful (or, all of the above, like moi), your flora will still flourish. What has two black thumbs and will be stocking up these cool containers before the long Labor Day weekend away? [points thumbs at chest] This girl!