I'm doing the whole
Handmade Christmas this year. Of course I have a couple of those people on my list that have everything they need and don't collect anything. So what to make them? How about a little spot of colour to brighten their home for a few months?
Something inexpensive, from the heart and appropriate to my loved ones. Seriously, if you grow these suckers from seed you'll spend about $2.00 for as many gifts as you like. Also, they don't collect dust, need batteries, make noise or need maintenance (apart from a little water now and then
)
Mine are filled with delicious strawberries
I can move the pots to the best position, they drain well and the fruits will tumble down the side without rotting
Materials:
* Clean, empty tins or plastic drink bottles (mine are baby formula containers and 3L juice bottles)
* Garden wire
* Spray primer
* Paint (I used sample pots of wall paint)
* Paintbrush
* Drill
* Craft knife
* Sandpaper
* Potting mix/garden soil/compost
* Seedlings
1. Turn your containers upside down and drill some drainage holes in the bottoms
2. Bottle planters - cut out a hole for the plant to go into (towards the top of the bottle), it needs to be just big enough to
squish in the root ball of the plant. If needed, sand the holes to remove sharp bits
3. Can planters - drill two holes at the top of the can opposite each other to thread a hanging wire through. Sand the
holes lightly to keep sharp bits at bay
4. Roughly sand your containers to give the paint something to stick to. It's important to note that the shiny paint finish on
formula containers will repel the paint if not sanded. It doesn't have to be perfect, just rough up the paint or plastic a bit
5. Prime your containers with the spray primer. Allow to dry (it won't take long!)
6. Paint your containers and decorate as you wish. You will need a couple of coats for good coverage. Allow to dry well
7. Snip and attach a length of garden wire to use as a hanging loop. The length will depend on whether you wish to hang
your pots from a fence, tree branch or ceiling hook)
8. Bottle planters - lay your bottle down and fill with soil through the cutout. Scoop out just enough soil to fit the root ball
of your seedling and carefully but firmly pack the plant in. You can keep the bottle laying down for a couple of weeks
until the plant is established but I carefully propped mine up immediately
9. Can planters - fill with soil, leaving enough space to put your plant. Carefully pack in the roots of the plant and top up
with a little more soil
10. Give them a drink and put them in a suitable spot to get established until it's time to give them away!
Notes:
* Raise your own seedlings from seed and this project may well only cost you a couple of dollars
* To give as gifts, choose a pretty annual flower. That way, at the end of the growing season your recipient can either
re-plant or recycle their pot. No waste and no clutter! Perfect for the person who has everything
* If you want a no-hassle gift plant your pots with succulents
* For a kitchen goddess (or god ;P) plant your pots with herbs
* For kids, plant a yummy treat like strawberries. My strawberries adore these pots since they like good drainage and if
you add a hanging wire the strawberries will tumble down without rotting!
I have heaps more pics and progress shots on my blog, there's far too many to copy over here!
Thanks for looking and I hope you can brighten your own home with some little recycled lovelies
