Thursday, March 14

SPRING BLOOMS: DIY DISH GARDENS







CONFESSION.....I AM NOT A HUGE FAN OF CUT FLOWERS. A dozen red roses. Vases of pink carnations. Beautiful and fragrant, but to quickly they die. Early in our marriage I informed Mr.P that if he felt the need to buy me flowers to please make them potted. I do believe I just heard audible gasps from women all across America. But think about it, a flowering dish garden can give you years of enjoyment, if taken care of properly, and a much better use of money. And if I haven't mentioned it.....I am conservative when it comes to spending money. My husband would say....CHEAP!

So if you are you ready for the sight of beautiful spring flowers, then you'll love making an easy and gorgeous basket of potted flowering plants. Just follow these simple instructions and how-to photos.


GETTING STARTED:
When planning your mini-landscape, consider the environment. Indoor or tropical plants don’t mind sitting in wet soil and can survive with artificial sunlight. Get creative with color, shape and texture by choosing plants and a container that represent your personal style.



Materials needed 

  • Container that doesn’t drain, such as a metal bowl or a basket lined with plastic
  • Charcoal
  • Quality potting soil
  • Sheet Moss, Green or Spanish
  • Pots of flowering plants or greenery such as ivy
  • Watering can



Step 1 - If using a basket, insert plastic liner into the bottom of the basket, trimming edges to fit. If using a metal container, line with heavy duty plastic to avoid rust. Begin by filling the bottom of the container with charcoal, a few inches will do.  



Step 2 - Next, pour potting soil on top of charcoal. A few inches of enriched potting soil is sufficient. Do not press down the soil.



Step 3 - Now it’s time to place plants into the container. First, decide how you want to arrange your plants. I sit my plants, pots and all, in my basket to find the best possible arrangement, positioning them accordingly. A mix of high, medium, and low plant heights is pleasing to the eye, but several pots of one variety of flowering plant can also be closely spaced to create an even mass of flowers. Once decided, remove the plants from their foil, floral paper cover or pots. Make sure you loosen the root balls before planting. No overcrowding, you want them to have plenty of room to grow.



Step 4 - Fill the spaces between your plants with additional potting soil. Once plants are settled, water with a watering can. First, water around the outside edge of the container, keeping the can’s nozzle close to the soil. Then, carefully water around the plants in the middle. Try to avoid getting water on leaves and petals.



Step 5 - Next, slightly dampen moss. Pull handfuls of moss apart and use pieces to hide and cover visible soil. Cover lightly, you don't want to suffocate the soil. 



Step 6 - After the initial watering, the garden will only need to be tended to occasionally. Before watering again, touch the soil. If the top is damp, the garden does not need to be watered. Be sure to read the care and light instructions that come with each plant. Replace any plants that perish with a new pot or green plant such as ivy.

AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION & INSPIRATION:


Making an easy and gorgeous basket of blooms will unexpectedly bring an early Spring to your home. Let your creative side loose....
....you'll be glad ya did!


ENJOY!
This is my own little dish garden I made a few years back. 
I keep it in my kitchen window with a favored rooster.
~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA

Step-by-Step photos provided by Lynn Wilson



3 comments:

  1. Ronda, this is such a lovely idea. Did you know, if you have a big pot, you can use some Styrofoam packing kernels to keep it lighter by putting some in the bottom under the soil or mixing into the soil. I'm with you on the potted plant thing.

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