I love springtime for many reasons, but I especially enjoy seeing vegetable stands and bodegas around the city turn into flower-filled garden shops. They all seem to sell bins of flowers that burst with spring color – bright blues, pinks, yellows – I love them all.
Why not take advantage of the bounty and create a container garden? Even the smallest patio, porch, stoop, terrace or indoor coffee table can be enhanced by a container of flowers!
Get creative in your choice of containers.
Traditional terra cotta pots can be painted in a variety of colors with acrylic paints from the craft store.
For more artistic containers, use a vintage soup terrine, wooden boxes, ice buckets, decorative tins or even tiny teacups and coffee pots for your “garden.” Match the container to your garden or living-room décor. The possibilities are endless!
If you plan to use a container that does not have a drainage hole, line the bottom with gravel before planting, or use the barbara k! power drill and the appropriate bit to drill a 1/2-inch to 1-inch hole in the bottom of your planter. Cover the hole with a shard of pottery or a stone to keep dirt from falling out while allowing excess water to drain.
Use a growing mix made especially for container plants – usually sold right next to the flowers you’re buying.
Since containers dry out fairly quickly, check the mix everyday and water as needed. Don’t overwater, but don’t allow the planter to stand dry for days on end either. Some flowers, like geraniums, dry out between watering but other flowers like to take a drink more often. Check the label on your plants for specific watering instructions.
Barbara K is the author of “Invest in Your Nest: The Insider’s Guide to Adding Style, Comfort, and Value to Your Home” (Rodale). Visit her online at barbarak.com