Create Your Own Garden Art
Posted by Jayme on March 30, 2008
I recently stumbled across this unique succulent chair by Sandra Nelson, a fellow blogger at Art In The Garden. Susan found this retro style chair at a thrift store and was drawn to the shiny chrome frame. Although there are no before pictures, the photo shows Susan cut off the less-than-fabulous material and replaced the form with chicken wire.
As with any wire container, you must keep the soil from seeping through the holes by filling them with dampened sphagnum moss (note: don’t buy sphagnum peat moss). Be sure to press the pieces firmly into the holes and fill the spaces completely. Chicken wire and peat moss can be found at any local, full-service nursery or home improvement store. To limit messy leakage when watering, line the moss with a sheet of plastic, which also acts as a moisture barrier. Remember to cut one good drainage hole at the bottom of both the seat back and bottom.
Next, slit the plastic where you plan to insert the roots of your succulents. Sandra planted sedums, hens
and chicks, and thyme. Buy the smallest plants available to make inserting the plants’ roots through the wire holes and plastic slits easier.
Fill the frame’s center with potting soil. Not just any soil but a free-draining potting mix with slow-release fertilizer. Firm the soil around the roots of the plants by pressing it down with your hands.
Ever so gently, water your self-acclaimed artwork thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist until new growth appears. At that point, you only have to water when the soil becomes dry. You’re better off giving your container a good soaking, rather than just misting the top layer. TIP: If the plants start looking wilty, then you’ve waited too long.
Be prepared to learn from your mistakes because no one said this was an exact science.
Thanks Sandra for your creativity and best of luck to you! Imagine how fabulous this chair will look once the plants fill in. If you would like to see your project featured on my blog, please respond with your ideas or visit Have A Garden Question .
April 1, 2008 at 4:59 am
Now, that is an interesting project. The chrome looks good against the succulents.~~Dee
April 2, 2008 at 8:59 am
What I like about this is that it pushes people to think in new ways. Art in the garden is an essential element. It is especially personal when one does it for themselves. Gardening does not have to cost much money. One just has to be resourceful and open to new ideas. You are fun to read.
April 7, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Hi Jayme, making herbsalt is very easy. You can use your oven, the sun or a dryer. Mine is a Vacola dryer, inexpensive and does a good job. Always dry the herbs under 50 C ( as it is around half that should be 25 F.) That way they stay nice and green and retain some oil. I use what grows in my herbgarden plus lots of celery leaves. I don’t use rosmary or thyme, as they are always available in my garden and I use those fresh. I also add a little chilli and calendula flowers and borage flowers. They are full of different minerals, look at the colours, and in addition make pretty flecks in the salt! I use parsley, some borage leaves, some comfrey leaves (just a few) Marjoram, peppermint, (basil takes longer to dry) and what ever herbs are available. Do not wash the herbs. Spread them on what you have available for drying. In my dryer it takes 1 day and 1 night at around 45 C. Some herbs dry quicker. I hope this is a little help. It is worthwhile. I use seasalt to mix with the herbs, which can be crushed by hand as they are so brittle. I like it finer so I blend them with the salt. The quantity is up to you how much you need and what quantity of herbs you can gather. Once the herbs are dried the quantity shrinks dramatically! You will get quickly the hang of it.
April 8, 2008 at 1:37 am
This is an interesting project, its really fun to read.
April 9, 2008 at 7:41 am
Trudi - thank you for sharing this herb salt recipe. I don’t have some of the herbs you mentioned above. This gives me a reason to start looking in the local nurseries
April 25, 2008 at 6:07 am
That is garden artistry! I love it. Have a broken chair I’ve been wondering what to do with…