I built a pentacle planter on my sidewalk strip as a birthday present to myself.
I used bricks from the backyard barbecue I am dissembling. I laid out the shape in the backyard grass to get the size right and make sure I had enough bricks. I brilliantly remembered the log carrier by the fireplace, and used it to haul the bricks from the practice pentagram to the sidewalk. I did this really early in the morning when no neighbors were up and about yet. I weeded the mulch first. Then I roughed out the shape with my tape measure and poles.
There was much futzing with the bricks. I had a little workstation spot and chipped off more mortar when needed. I set them down into the mulch slightly. The circle was made with rocks that past housemates used for landscaping that they got by sifting backyard dirt as they built raised beds years ago. I found some mushrooms growing under some rocks, near the tree roots, and dug them up, and buried them next to a prominent piece of tree root that is in the center of the pentacle.
There will be more futzing with the placement of things when autumn rains come and everything shifts, but for about three hours of main work, I’m very pleased. Once we get to cooler temps and seasonal moisture, I will be able to easily plant some flowers and herbs, and nature will do the nurturing. Outside the circle, it just needs a touch more weeding and a fresh application of mulch.
