Creating creative planters by Charles

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creating creative

planters Planters of the past went hand in hand with terra-cotta, but gone are the days where this was the case. Those pervasive red clay pots, long beloved by gardeners, make great showcases for plants of all kinds, but they have some

limitations and are now seriously outdated. f you are looking for alternatives,

some money as well. This simple DIY

often you will need to water. You

you will find plenty of containers

project is sure to add visual interest

can manage the drainage holes by

made from various materials.

and colour in your landscape or

placing a layer of pottery shards

From rugged stone to lightweight

even your living room! Before you

over the holes, this will keep the

fibreglass, they look good, age

get your greenfingers out there are

soil from washing out. If you require

gracefully and can hold up all

some tips and guidelines to keep in

more drainage then add to 2 to 3

year-round in any climate. A local

mind when creating your creative

inches of gravel on top of the shard.

gardening store will hold a good

planters:

Soil

stock with a wide variety. drainage

Choosing the soil is, unfortunately,

Another way to cater to your very

Your

specific needs is to make the

watering

planters with excess garden soil.

planters yourself; this gives you

drainage holes will affect how

Garden soil does not offer enough

total creative freedom and can save

much water is required and how

air, water or nutrients for container

ISSUE 154 WORCESTERSHIRE Now april 2016

prized and

planter

will

need

the

amount

not as easy as filling up your

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The best flowers for containers can be found in the ´annual’ or ´bedding plants´ section of the garden centre

ISSUE 154 WORCESTERSHIRE Now

grown plants. Containers require

live one summer, they’ll bloom

a lightweight potting soil, or soil

the entire season. Other flowering

mixed with sand or perlite for

plants (such as perennials, bulbs,

drainage. Ask your local nursery

and shrubs) may be blooming

or gardening centre for potting soil

beautifully

that is water-retentive in order to

flowers will be gone in a few weeks.

lock in the moisture and nutrients.

Don’t forget to read the labels to

To put the finishing touches to

be sure your chosen spot offers

a healthy planter you can add a

the right light and temperature

slow-release fertilizer to the soil

conditions for the plants.

right

now,

but

the

when planting; once plants are feed

Now you can apply these tips to

regularly. Remember that the type

almost any container imaginable

of soil mix also depends on the

if you stay within the guidelines.

plant being used.

Here are some of our favourite

established,

continue

content The best flowers for containers

successful creations that you can try for yourself or use as inspiration.

can be found in the “annual” or

kitchen delightS

“bedding plants” section of the

A colourful colander can be used

garden centre. While they only

as a perfect planter. There is no

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need to drill drainage holes and

and are perfect for giving a room a

you have the option to place a chain

subtle fresh feeling. These are very

or strong rope to each handle and

intricate and can be tricky so being

voila! A DIY hanging basket. Loaf

patient is key. Some of my favourite

tins are another easy way to make

examples of these delicate planters

funky planters. Pots and pans can

are made from egg cups, light

even be used and come in a variety

bulbs, books and even bottle corks!

of shapes and sizes for all different

These are best used with plants

styles. You just need a drill strong

that do not require much water or

enough to get through the tough

care and are best for indoor use for

metal.

example succulents and cacti.

uSe the giftS of

Whether you're planning to use

mother nature

them as the basis for a courtyard

Tree trunks can be modified to

container

create a table-top of flowers and

pair of shrubs on either side of

can transform a ugly stump to a

a front entry, or simply to add

beautiful display. Empty shells can

visual interest and colour in your

also be filled carefully and drilled

landscape—or even in your living

appropriately to create a wonderful

room—creating a planter is a great

mini display for both the indoors

way to achieve all this.

and outdoors. mighty miniS Mini Planters are awesomely cute

ISSUE 154 WORCESTERSHIRE Now

garden,

hold

By charleS mcQuaid

Tree trunks can be modified to create a table¯top of flowers and can transform a ugly stump to a beautiful display