Do you like to container garden?
I do.
I have annual flowers, herbs, succulents and vegetables growing in a variety of containers around my garden.
Containers are a great way to expand the boundaries of your garden. Even if you don’t have any piece of earth to grow a plant in, you can create a garden in a pot.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw some beautiful containers at a client’s home.
As you can see, they weren’t being used except to hold a child’s pool toy.
The pots were from Italy – Tuscany to be exact.
The pots had come from her husband’s restaurant, which had recently had their landscape redesigned and no longer needed the pots. So, he brought the pots home where they have sat ever since.
My client mentioned that she was trying to get rid of them and did I know of anyone who would want them?
Are you kidding me?
Of course, I knew of someone who would want them….me!
Now, I just had to figure out how to get them to my house. These pots were big and heavy. But, I knew of at least two strong men who would maybe help me out.
My husband and nephew were kind enough to come out on a very hot afternoon and help me out.
The pots were quite heavy, but they were able to get them up into our truck bed with a little help from me.
The pots were a little heavier than we expected, but finally we got all three up into the truck.
On the way home, we stopped by a Dairy Queen for ice cream sundaes and to cool off.
I can’t believe that I didn’t have to pay anything for these pots, saving me hundreds of dollars.
Of course, I am so thankful for the generosity of my client.
Now I just have to figure out what to plant in them. I will be using them in my back garden, which I hope to re-design this winter.
What would you plant in them? I’d love to hear your ideas…
Come back tomorrow, when I will begin sharing a week’s worth of unique containers that I hope you enjoy!
Unique Containers: Day 2 – ‘Trashy’ Containers
Unique Containers: Day 6 – These Boots Aren’t Just for Walking
Containers, UncategorizedA couple of years ago, I visited a beautiful winery in upstate New York.
I must admit that I was more interested in the gardens that surrounded the winery than the wine itself.
The gardens were filled with a variety of perennials and even a prickly pear cactus that thrived in despite the frigid winters.
But, it was this unique planter that caught me eye…
These old boots were filled with hen & chicks succulents that sit amid flowering thyme.
I don’t know about you, but I have never thought of an old pair of shoes as a plant container. I must admit that I really like it, how about you?
You can see more about my visit to this beautiful garden as well as other adventures in upstate New York, here.
Unique Containers: Day 5 – Flowers on the Move
Containers, UncategorizedAs we continue along on our week-long journey of unique containers, I thought that I would share with you one that is portable.
Marigolds and Dianthus
This old wheelbarrow makes a very useful container because you can move it easily to a shady or sunny area as needed.
This antique wheelbarrow is filled with marigolds and dianthus and was located along Route 66 in the historic downtown of Williams, AZ which is a place that we spend time every summer.
This stretch of Route 66 is filled with fun and quirky examples of Americana that I shared in an earlier post.
With any container, you need drainage holes, so you would have to add some to whatever unique container you decide to plant.
Tomorrow, I’ll show you a container that you may find yourself sitting on by accident.
Unique Containers: Day 4 – Flowers On Two Wheels
Containers, UncategorizedToday, I have two different unique containers to show you and both are on two wheels.
Different Unique Containers
This old bicycle was located in a place where bikes and horses are commonplace and cars are not.
I saw this unique container while visiting Mackinac Island earlier this summer. The front basket was lined with moss and filled with geraniums and trailing ivy. The side baskets were also planted too.
The bicycle was sitting in the front garden of a quaint house and I noticed that there was a hummingbird feeder on the handle.
This bicycle planter was located in front of a shop in the historic downtown area of Noblesville, Indiana, which is located just outside of Indianapolis.
When we were young, my sister had a pink bike much like this one while I had a purple one.
As you can see, I see many neat gardening ideas on my road trips. You can read about my trip to Mackinac Island, here and my trip to Indiana, here.
Tomorrow, I will show you a portable container that has only one wheel and not two.
Unique Containers: Day 3 – A Rusty Bed
Containers, UncategorizedOne of my favorite unique containers came in a most unexpected form…
My Favorite Unique Containers
Okay, what does an old, rusty pickup truck have to do with plants?
The bed of the pickup was filled with soil and potato plants.
Now, if that isn’t a unique container, then I don’t know what is.
I saw this bed of potatoes growing at the University of Tennessee garden last year.
I don’t think that the truck runs anymore, but it certainly functions as both garden art and a planter.
Tomorrow, I have two different unique planters to show you and both are planted on two wheels.
Unique Containers: Day 2 – ‘Trashy’ Containers
Containers, UncategorizedWhat kind of containers do you have planted in your garden?
Are they terra-cotta, glazed or plastic?
Do you have any unique containers?
I like seeing plants that have been planted in unusual containers. So this week, I will be sharing with you some of my favorites that I have seen on my travels throughout the United States.
Today’s unique container comes from Tennessee.
‘Trashy’ containers
Have you ever seen a trash can used as a container for plants?
On a visit to the University of Tennessee Gardens, I visited their wonderful kitchen garden, which was filled with surprises and I came away inspired.
You can read more about my visit to these gardens and see some more pictures of these ‘trashy’ containers, here.
See you again tomorrow, when I’ll show you another unique planter that has 4 sets of tires.
Unique Containers: Day 1 – A Gift From Italy
Containers, UncategorizedDo you like to container garden?
I do.
I have annual flowers, herbs, succulents and vegetables growing in a variety of containers around my garden.
Containers are a great way to expand the boundaries of your garden. Even if you don’t have any piece of earth to grow a plant in, you can create a garden in a pot.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw some beautiful containers at a client’s home.
As you can see, they weren’t being used except to hold a child’s pool toy.
The pots were from Italy – Tuscany to be exact.
The pots had come from her husband’s restaurant, which had recently had their landscape redesigned and no longer needed the pots. So, he brought the pots home where they have sat ever since.
My client mentioned that she was trying to get rid of them and did I know of anyone who would want them?
Are you kidding me?
Of course, I knew of someone who would want them….me!
Now, I just had to figure out how to get them to my house. These pots were big and heavy. But, I knew of at least two strong men who would maybe help me out.
My husband and nephew were kind enough to come out on a very hot afternoon and help me out.
The pots were quite heavy, but they were able to get them up into our truck bed with a little help from me.
The pots were a little heavier than we expected, but finally we got all three up into the truck.
On the way home, we stopped by a Dairy Queen for ice cream sundaes and to cool off.
I can’t believe that I didn’t have to pay anything for these pots, saving me hundreds of dollars.
Of course, I am so thankful for the generosity of my client.
Now I just have to figure out what to plant in them. I will be using them in my back garden, which I hope to re-design this winter.
What would you plant in them? I’d love to hear your ideas…
Come back tomorrow, when I will begin sharing a week’s worth of unique containers that I hope you enjoy!
Unique Containers: Day 2 – ‘Trashy’ Containers
Southwest Plant Profile: Texas Sage
Southwest Texas garden, UncategorizedAre you familiar with Texas sage, also referred to as Texas ranger?
If you live in the Southwest, you have undoubtedly seen these beautiful shrubs.
Believe it or not, these purple flowering beauties are a fuss-free plant.
Unfortunately, some people over prune them…
The one on the left has been pruned into a ‘ball’ while the one on the right hasn’t been pruned as severely.
Want to learn more about this native shrub and how to care for it properly? Check out my latest plant profile for Houzz.com
Favorite DIY Posts – Day 7: Self-Watering Bottle For Containers
DIY, UncategorizedHave you ever had to leave town for a few days and wanted to ensure that your potted plants don’t dry out?
Look no further than your wine cabinet…
Glass bottles, like this empty wine bottle, can help water your potted plants for a couple of days.
Create your own self-watering bottle
All you need is a clean glass bottle and water to create your own self-watering bottle.
Create your own self-watering bottle
1. Water your potted plants well.
2. Fill an empty glass bottle with water and cover the top with your thumb to keep the water from dripping out as you turn it upside down.
Create your own self-watering bottle
3. Insert the mouth of the wine bottle into the soil, about 2 inches deep.
That’s all there is to it!
As the soil dries, water will slowly seep into the soil from the bottle, essentially watering your potted plants for a couple of days.
*This can also be done to plants in the ground as well.
So, the next time you find yourself putting empty glass bottles in the recycle bin, keep out one or two to use to water your plants while you are away.
Grow Vegetables in Pots!
Favorite DIY Posts – Day 6: Growing Vegetables in a Grocery Bag
Uncategorized, vegetablesI enjoy growing vegetables in both my garden and in containers. While some of my containers are rather traditional, one of mine is not.
This was one of my favorite projects because it was an unexpected sight for visitors to my vegetable garden.
While you would expect to see leaf lettuce poking up from a grocery bag – you certainly don’t expect to see it growing inside of one.
This is a very simple DIY project, which are the kinds that I like best.
“What Am I Growing in a Grocery Bag?”
You can grow many different types of vegetables in a grocery bag. Would you consider doing this in your own garden?
Favorite DIY Posts – Day 5: How to Dry Herbs
DIY, UncategorizedI enjoy growing herbs for two reasons. First, they are easy to grow and second, I love to use them when I cook.
In addition to fresh herbs, I also use dried herbs from time to time, especially in winter when some of my favorite herbs (basil) aren’t growing.
While drying herbs is rather simple, there are some guidelines to follow, which I wrote a blog post about…
“How to Grow and Dry Your Own Herbs”
Do you have a favorite herb that you like to use when you cook?