Metal Wonders Continued from Last Week

By: Pamela Nobles

6/19/2008

Last week I shared with you one of my trials with a metal plant container. So to continue in that vein, let me give you some more ideas that might catch your attention. Any metal object that can hold soil and provide drainage can be put into service. Locating recycled metal containers can be as simple as shopping curbside on trash day. Try shiny galvanized cans, flashy metallic buckets or you might want to utilize a giant metal ladle that can be hung from a tree that can hold a trailing plant or possibly a birdbath or bird feeder. For that matter, you may try an old salvage yard or at your next adventurous Rummage Sale for the unusual.

Maybe memories of Grandma’s old teakettle could be utilized, an old bicycle with a wire basket, a colander, an old washtub, or maybe an old worn out discarded chicken feeder that will start up a conversation with friends and family the next time you break bread together. By the way, I’m eyeing an old one row Coleman planter that a man close to my heart just might let me use. Potting soil, slow-release fertilizer, and plants are all you need to turn your containers into classy plant pots. Let me enlighten you on the fact that metal absorbs heat when exposed to sunlight, so your plants will appreciate the addition of water-absorbing crystals (available at many plant nurseries) to the soil. Be sure to drill drainage holes into the bottom of solid metal containers. When choosing perforated metal objects, such as old strainers or metal baskets, line them with cocoa fiber or sphagnum moss before filling them with potting soil.

Sun-loving herbs; succulents; and drought-resistant plants whether annuals or perennials, such as Lantana, Verbena, Portulaca (rose moss) are excellent plant choices for metal. Gray and silver foliage plants, such as Lamb’s-ear, Wormwood, Dusty Miller, or Common Sage are especially eye catching in gray containers.

Till next time, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, Pamela