Unusual Gift And A Basket Of Flowers

Hi Again

A nice gift for family or friends is a wicker basket planted with flowers. They're easy to do, and look stunning on a balcony or patio table.
They look lovely filled with bulbs, pansies, or a colorful mix of summer annuals.

You will need:

Container

A wicker basket at least 6"(15cms)deep, 16"(40cms)wide, and 20"(50cms)long. The handle needs to be high. Seal the basket inside and out with 3-4 coats of an outdoor varnish.

Filling

Sphagnum Moss
Plastic sheet cut to fit the bottom and sides of the basket.
Quality potting soil
2-3 handfuls of coarse grit.

Preparation

1. Line the basket with the moss, work it up the sides and form a collar above the rim of the basket.

2.Cover the moss with the plastc sheet,making sure to cut slits for drainage.

3. Cover the base lining with the grit, and fill basket with 2"-3" soil.

4. Place the bulbs, plants, or seedlings into position and fill the basket with soil, firming the plants into place.

5.Water gently and top up soil to the rim. Gently tease the moss collar until it sits neatly around the basket, and trim any plastic that may still be visible.

6.Place the basket on ceramic 'feet' or small blocks to allow air circulation underneath and good drainage.

7.Keep the basket moist, and protect against frost during winter.

I found some more great gift ideas as well as some unusual garden products when I clicked on the links at:

Great Gift Ideas

Nature lovers will also enjoy a visit to the nature mall, where you can find some excellent products. If you're into camping, bird watching, bird songs, butterflies or frogs, from books to binoculars there's something for everyone in this fantastic mall:

The Nature Place

All The Best And Have A Great Day
Margarete
webmaster@antspants.biz