I don't usually do much in the garden during the winter months, but this year is a bit different.
As part of the garden shed redo project, I wanted to install a gutter and rain chain. Unfortunately, I had to wait several months before the gutter install contractor could schedule my project into his docket. The gutter was a narrow gauge cream colored gutter with a leaf guard. Honestly, the shed doesn't need a gutter, but without one, I could not hang a rain chain.
The chain I purchased was an 8.5 ft. copper plated lotus cupped chain that I found on Amazon for approximately $40. Each cup is only 4 x 2.5 inches, much smaller that the cups on the rain chain I installed last year on the back porch.
I won't keep the chain hung in the winter, only spring through fall. Taking it down may help it last longer by limiting its exposure to extreme cold, snow, and ice. In the spring, I will still need to adjust the drainage bucket and underlying gravel. I will then landscape the surface around the terminus with stones and crushed granite to make it appear more natural.
In addition, I purchased a small lantern I found on Etsy to hang on the opposite end of the shed from the rain chain.
I chose the small sized lantern at $95.00. It was the perfect size for the location along the shed overhang. It even came with a battery-powered tea candle within.
This lantern is wood, and very delicate, so I plan to keep it out only spring through fall. It does have some water proof/UV protection, but hanging outside as I plan to do will probably require an additional coat of clear varnish to help it weather the elements.
It looks great, appropriately sized for the location, and relatively affordable when compared with authentic metal lanterns from Japan that can cost 4 or 5 times more.
The outside renovations for the shed are now complete. In the spring I will begin the interior renovations. Sorry, no teahouse, just a simple tool shed for the garden.
