As I walk through my neighbourhood, I am always so thankful for the fantastic gardeners that live close by. Their efforts at growing vegetable gardens and stunning flower beds are a treat to behold. Every season brings its gifts and challenges but there is one bright spot that I always look forward to: seeing my neighbour Patti’s planters. With every change in season Patti has the most beautiful decorative planters at her doorstep. They are always creative, original and effervescent. From the start I knew these ‘eye catchers’ must be handmade. So, for your benefit and mine, dear reader, I used this newsletter as an excuse to ring her doorbell and ask her how she makes them.
Patti has no professional background as a florist and has not even taken a flower arranging class. She has always had a general interest in design (she took a class at university and even built furniture). The real cornerstones of her practice are appreciation, planning, and preparation.
Keep a Keen Eye (Appreciation)
Patti sources her materials year-round, foraging from her own yard and area forests (don’t cut anything down, just use deadfall!), dollar stores, and going-out-of-business sales. Red Barn Mercantile in Okotoks is a favourite for red willow, pinecones, and cedar and spruce greenery, the Silk Plant Warehouse in Calgary for artificial flowers. Tree lots are also a great resource because they keep off-cuts from purchased trees and sell them inexpensively. Rummage through your own Christmas and Halloween ornaments to make it festive.
Preparation
Year-round:
• Keep your artificial flowers’ reusable materials in plastic tote bins. This keeps everything clean and dust free.
• For December holiday planters start in November so that the planters can be enjoyed through to December. These planters can easily last six to eight weeks.
Night before:
• Leave the planters in the garage overnight so that the soil is warm.
• Soak any fresh greens overnight so that they get a good drink.
Planning
• Keep it green. Look for large plastic planters made from recycled rubber tires.
• Use a liner pot inside (these are reused planters from old plants), a liner pot will sit on a small lip or shelf within the larger planter.
• Crush plastic water bottles (with the cap on and no water inside) to give the pot drainage without extra weight.
• Put soil on top.
• Start your planter with birch branches.
• Because of the anticipated water shortage this year Patti uses artificial flowers.
• Pull pieces size-wise: birch, then large evergreens, fill in gaps with flowers, add décor and get creative!
Thanks so much to Patti for beautifying our neighbourhood with her vibrant planters and for sharing these great tips with us. Her appreciation, planning, and preparation make all the difference.
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