What's in your garden?

Julie Graver is often on the hunt.

If it's old and she can sink a flower pot into it, chances are you'll find it in her Lehighton garden. The spot is an oasis in the middle of town.

And it's not just the hot tub, the secluded deck and the colorful flowers that abound throughout the space that makes it such a charming place to be. Graver's yard is filled with interesting garden art that enhances her surroundings.

"I've been doing this for about five years," Graver said. "I go to yard sales. If it's something old that a flower pot or flowers can be put in, I want it."

Her most unusual flower pot? An old bathroom sink planted with vinca vines, impatiens and two green Depression glass plates.

"The sink was in a garage when we bought it," Graver said. "I knew right away I would put it in the garden."

Along the side of her yard she has an old cane bottom chair, missing most of the caning. In the space where the caning is missing, Graver dropped in a large pot filled with purple and yellow petunias.

"A friend of mine gave me the chair," Graver said. "He was going to throw it out."

Graver's yard also features some architectural finds, such as an old screen door leaning up against the house, which provides a place for clematis to climb, and a section of balustrade she got from a neighbor, who was redoing her house. (A second section, she gave to her friend, Cheryl Freundt. Look for a story on Freundt's garden on next Friday's Home page.)

Graver doesn't grow fruits or vegetables right now, but she does have a section dedicated to herbs - a water trough for feeding animals.

"I got it because I was running out of space in the garden, and that worked perfect."

While Graver's garden is filling up with all her interesting finds, she remains on the hunt.

"Next year I want to get car tires or tractor trailer tires," Graver said. "I'll paint them bright colors and stack them to vary height."

She said she'll fill the tires with annuals. She's also on the hunt for a wagon wheel to lay flat, and between each spoke, she wants to plant a different flower.

And of course, there's always that interesting, unusual item she doesn't even know she wants.

"When I see it, I'll know it."