Bonnie Simple Garden Projects

SIMPLE GARDEN PROJECTS

Most projects can be done in one hour or less

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A Penchant for Parsley

Think Outside the WINDOW box

Step Out: 3 Fun Paths

Create HerbInfused Candles

2 Ways to Deter Pesky Caterpillars

“Bucket List” Garden

“Spring is the perfect time to breathe new life into your garden, not only with fresh plantings, but also with fun, new projects.”

-P. Allen Smith

TV Host, Author & Lifestyle Expert eMagazine/eCatalog published by Hortus Ltd./ A P. Allen Smith Company.

Content, images and videos are designed, produced and owned by Hortus. bonnieplants.com

3 | Container Gardens

A PENCHANT FOR PARSLEY In your yard, in an herb planter, or even as an ingredient in a recipeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;parsley takes center stage with these three simple ideas

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A Penchant for Parsley

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Use this aromatic herb to create a natural perimeter in the garden

You already love having parsley in your herb containers and kitchen garden, but have you thought about using it as a border in landscape? Plant a thin row of parsley to create a natural border around the edge of your vegetable garden or any area of your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landscape. Here, it is paired with colorful pansies and petunias to create a bold border around the raised beds.

Upcycled Herb Basket

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Turn an old basket into a useful and attractive plant container

Materials needed: wicker basket plastic potting soil herbsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we chose flat leaf parsley, rosemary, and Greek oregano

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Line your basket with plastic to keep the weeds out and the soil inside of it. Place holes in the plastic for drainage.

2. Fill the basket with potting soil, plant your selected herbs, and water accordingly.

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# PARSLEY PESTO Healthy Kale Parsley Pesto

Shop your garden for the essentials you’ll need to make this flavorful sauce

Ingredients: 4 cups chopped kale leaves (ribs removed) 1 cup parsley leaves ½ cup pine nuts 3 garlic cloves juice from 1 lemon (about ¼ cup) ½ cup extra virgin olive oil + additional to cover before storage ¼ cup water salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add kale leaves and blanch until just wilted—about 3045 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water; squeeze dry.

2. Combine pine nuts, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is well mixed 3. Add kale and parsley to the mix in the food processor; process until almost smooth. Gradually add olive oil, followed by the water and continue to process until well blended. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Before storing, add a layer of olive oil to the top of your pesto to prevent browning.

4 | Garden Projects

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THINK OUTSIDE THE WINDOW BOXES Three New Takes on Window Boxes

Hanging Pails

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Materials needed:

3 medium-sized galvanized pails

herbsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we used rosemary, lemon thyme, and Greek oregano hooks and installation hardware potting soil drill a medium-size bit

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Flip the pail upside down, and use a drill to create several drainage holes on the bottom.

2. Turn the pail upright. Fill the pail with soil and plant the herbs. Water the plants.

3. Use the appropriate hardware for your surface to hang the hooks in your desired location. Be mindful of sun exposure when selecting an area for this project.

4. Hang the pails on the hooks. When you need a fresh herb for cooking, simply take the pail down and snip your desired amount.

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5 | Garden Projects

THINK OUTSIDE THE WINDOW BOXES Reclaimed Wood Shelf Materials needed:

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reclaimed woodâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we used an old garden gate wood screws drill small containers planted with herbs (we used 6 inch in diameter containers for our project)

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Decide on the size of your shelf, and gather the necessary amount of wood.

2. If desired, repaint or stain the wood in your preferred hue.

3. Create the ledge portion of your shelf. For our shelf, we took an old gate, disassembled it, and used one of the planks in the condition that it was found.

4. Create the brackets to hold your shelf. We cut remaining wood scraps into two brackets for our version. Note: If you prefer, purchase iron brackets and mount them to the wall with the provided hardware, rather than creating your own.

5. Attach the brackets to the wall using wood screws at both the top and bottom of the bracket to hold it in place securely. Lay the ledge across the mounted brackets to complete the shelf.

6. Use your shelf to hold small lightweight planted containers and coordinating saucers.

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Hayrack Container Materials needed: 30-inch metal hayrack/ feeder (4) 3-inch wood screws

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Step-by-step instructions: 1. Mount the hayrack to your selected surface using the provided hardware and instructions. For our project we used wood screws and a drill to attach the hayrack to our surface.

2. Insert the coir liner and fill the container with potting soil. Note: If you are concerned about water leakage, you can add a layer of plastic to the liner to help retain water.

Make sure to create holes in the plastic to allow for some drainage.

coir (coconut mat) liner potting soil herbs of your choice drill

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3. Plant the herbs according to their specifications and add water to the planter.

Shop your home before buying the materials for these projects. Chances are you may have scrap wood and galvanized pails—and perhaps even a discarded hayrack—lying around and ready for good use. Also, have fun with the location and don’t limit yourself to just windows. These fun DIY projects could be done on a fence or garden shed wall.

7 | Garden Projects

STEP OUT: FUN GARDEN PATHS

Forge your own trail with these inventive options for walkways

Roll-and-Go Pallet Path Materials needed: pallet wood (15 – 20 planks)

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two 25-foot rolls of flat PVC discharge hose Note: The length of hose that you need will depend on how long you make the walk.

Buy 2x the length of your walk. ¾- or ½-inch wood screws (#10 coarse thread, length depends on thickness of pallet wood) drill scissors measuring stick

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Step-by-step instructions: 1. Disassemble pallet wood using a reciprocat- ing saw or grinder. The planks will splinter if you try to pry or pull them off.

2. After you have gathered enough planks to create a walkway that is your desired length, lay them out next to one another, leaving 1.5 inches of space between each pair.

3. Stretch two lengths of the flat PVC hose across the lined up boards; when attached, they will keep the boards in place. Lay each length about 6 inches from the edge.

4. Use the drill and screws to attach the hose to the planks, tight enough to keep the hose in place and for the screw to sit flush. To keep the boards in place while attaching the hose, lay a wooden marker or measuring stick in between in planks. This keeps your space between the boards uniform, which is key to the finished product’s ability to be rolled up neatly. Take care to make sure your screws do not poke out of the back side of the wood after drilling. If this happens, use shorter screws or grind the tips flush to prevent hazardous points. Roll the path out with the PVC side down.

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Weed-Free Walkway Materials needed:

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newspaper rake mulch, pea gravel or straw

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Use the rake to prep the area you want to turn into a walkway. Remove rocks and sticks, and fill in any holes.

2. Lay down 8-10 layers of newspaper, putting more in spots where water might pool. Lightly dampen the newspaper if you are having trouble getting it to lay flat. The newspaper will create a barrier that will kill any plants under it, preventing weeds from springing up.

3. Once your newspaper path is laid out, cover with mulch, pea gravel or straw (whatever you want).

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9 | Garden Projects

3 FUN GARDEN PATHS Decorative Stepping Stones

KID- LY D N E I R F

Materials needed: ready-to-use concrete mixâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we used Quikcrete five-gallon bucket, trashcan or wheelbarrow for mixing concrete plastic molds or large plastic planter saucers hoe or trowel decorative stones, tiles, or any other small, durable items your child may wish to use concrete sealant paintbrush

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Have your child join you or watch from nearby as you mix the concrete according to the directions. Be sure you both wear protective eyewear and a mask while doing this.

2. Ask your child to help you pour the mix into the plastic saucers or your selected plastic mold forms. Allow to set for 5 minutes.

3. Have your child press the selected decorations into the wet concrete forms. Allow to set overnight.

5. Have your child use a paintbrush to apply a concrete sealant to extend the life of the piece before placing it in your garden.

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4. Ask your child to help you remove the plastic saucer or mold, and allow the stone to fully dry for 4-5 days. Do not walk on the stones during this time.

For a sweet and sentimental twist, have your child press his or her hand or foot into the wet concrete before adding embellishments. bonnieplants.com

CREATE HERB-INFUSED CANDLES

Rather than melting down like wax candles, these olive oil candles work by drawing the oil up the wick to the flame.

They release a light, herb-infused fragrance as they burn.

Materials needed:

Step-by-step instructions:

fresh herbs for your selected scent—rosemary, lemon thyme, lavender or basil are just a few recommended herbs that make fragrant options

1. Select the container you plan to use for your candle. This size of the container will determine how much olive oil you will need. You’ll want enough to fill it near to the top.

steel galvanized wire candle wicks (available at craft stores) olive oil (you can use pure olive oil) glass container—we used 1/2 pint mason jars

2. Pour your required amount of olive oil in a glass bowl or container and add five or six, three-inch sprigs of your selected herb. Cover and allow to sit for one week.

3. Cut a length of steel galvanized wire long enough to wrap around the lip of your selected candle container. Cut a length of wick tall enough to be suspended from top to bottom of your container.

Wrap one end of the wire around the wick and suspend it from the top of the container in its center. Wrap the remaining portion of the wire around the top of the container to keep the wick in place.

4. Pour the herb-infused oil into the container.

5. Wait a few minutes to allow the wick to soak up the oil before lighting the candle.

HOW TO CREATE HERB-INFUSED CANDLES bonnieplants.com

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Note: Remember to never leave candles burning unattended.

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Lay the herbs on a cutting board or chopping block and use a wooden spoon to press down on them. This will bruise the leaves and help to release their fragrance.

11 | Garden Projects

2 WAYS TO DETER PESKY CATERPILLARS

Prevent troublesome caterpillars from attacking your Brussels sprouts, collards, turnips, kale, or cabbage with one of these quick-and-easy solutions. Be sure to wash your harvest thoroughly before eating to remove any remnants of these mixes.

Dry Brush Mix Materials needed: baking soda

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flour

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Using a 1:1 ratio, mix the flour and baking soda together.

2. Use a brush to dust the leaves of your targeted plant with the mixture.

Note: Do not apply to wet leaves. Avoid doing this immediately before or after rain showers.

Caution: Use sparingly because baking soda contains sodium, which is harmful to plants and the soil if overdone.

Spicy Spray Mix Materials needed:

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approximately 2 cups of any fresh hot pepper, such as Tabasco, Dragon Cayenne or Chili Red Hot 1 pint of water

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Wear gloves to handle the peppers. Grind or crush them in a food processor.

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3. Spray on plants.

Note: Be sure to reapply after a hard rain.

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2. Add one pint of water and the ground peppers to a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix.

Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to prevent pieces from clogging the sprayer. bonnieplants.com

“BUCKET LIST” GARDEN

Use five - gallon buckets to grow an edible garden

Materials needed: (3) 5-gallon buckets, each in a different color potting soil greens—we used red romaine, spinach, and buttercrunch lettuce drill with a at least a ¼-inch bit

Step-by-step instructions: 1. Turn each bucket upside down, and use a drill to create three holes for drainage in the bottom.

2. Turn each bucket right side up and fill it near to the top with potting soil 3. Plant two to three leafy greens (of the same kind) in each colored bucket.

The different hues of the individual buckets are a fun—and easy—way to identify each variety and keep them separate from one another. ndy T

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If you can’t find buckets in different colors, consider using spray paint, such as Rust-Oleum’s “Paint for Plastic” to create your own. Or for a different take use colored duct tape to create stripes on plain buckets.

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