How to Create the Perfect Mother's Day Planter
Mother's Day is coming up, which means many of us are trying to find that perfect gift to send mom. In 2020, this has become more difficult with the global pandemic due to COVID-19. So what does someone get mom when they can't see her? Close those flower delivery browser tabs, because we have the perfect DIY to create a gift that is not only long-lasting but as wonderful and unique as your mom is! The best part? You can easily leave it on her doorstep to brighten up her day!
Pick or Build Your Planter
Pick a planter that reminds you of your mom. Here at Norick's, there are a variety of pots and window boxes available to choose from, so you are sure to find something perfect for mom.
Prefer to DIY? You can quickly build and paint a planter just for her. Hardy cedar or redwood are perfect choices for an outdoor rectangular planter, as they can withstand rot and are naturally weather resistant.
While you're at it, go ahead and paint the box to her favorite color or get the kids involved and have them decorate with handprints, pictures, or colorful designs. After you are finished, don't forget to drill a couple of drainage holes on the bottom to ensure the plants survive well after Mother's Day!
Plan the Plants
Once you've chosen or built the perfect planter, it's time to select the plants. If your mom loves color, you can pick out colorful blooms like pansies, marigolds, or violets. For the mom that loves herbs, choose herbs like rosemary, thyme, and basil. If your mom loves salads, create a mini-salad garden complete with various types of lettuce, cabbage, and herbs like dill. For the mom who is lovingly known as the plant-killer, consider something like a succulent container garden. Need more ideas? Check out our Pinterest Board to get the creative juices flowing!
Once you have an idea of the plants, you want to use, layout how they will fit in the container. Generally speaking, you will want to make sure the plants you put in the same container have the same sun and watering needs. For example, rosemary prefers drier conditions and therefore won't work well with water-loving parsley. Be sure that any invasive species, like mint, are placed in their own container before being added to the planter.
You can easily plan the container by keeping the plants in the containers they came in to organize them in the planter. For flower-filled pots, you'll want one tall statement plant that is the centerpiece. Surround it with medium-sized fillers, and then edge the planter with flowers that trail. If you are planning an herb-filled garden, make sure to plant the taller plants towards the back so they don't take up all the sun.
Vegetable containers will do well if you plant them with companions to help them prevent pests and attract pollinators. For example, gardeners have planted roses with chives for hundreds of years to control aphid populations.
Plant for Long-lasting Growth
The key to creating an everlasting container garden is to choose the right soil, fertilizer, and sun exposure. Using high-quality soil specific for containers and planters is key to making sure that mom doesn't accidentally drown her plants. Depending on the plants you choose, you will need to get a fertilizer specific to it. Succulents need far less fertilizer than flowers, and some herbs prefer none at all!
When planting, you will want to lay down a paper towel or newspaper in the bottom of the container to prevent soil from escaping the drainage holes. If your container is too deep for the plants you chose, you will then need to fill the bottom with a layer of gravel. Otherwise, fill the container 2/3rds of the way up the container. Pre-moisten the soil by watering it well. Then add the plants according to their instructions and then top with a layer of soil. There's no need to fill the container to the top with soil as you will need room for watering. Water and fertilize (if required).
Once you are finished planting, you can add optional decorations for mom to use. For instance, you can add a mini-hammer for the DIY mom, a to-go coffee mug for the java-lover, or a salad server set for a health-conscious mom. Lastly, you'll want to add a card with care instructions so she can enjoy this year-after-year!
When you're ready to get all the supplies you need to create this memorable gift, let our Norick's garden experts help! We'd love to help you find and build the perfect container garden for your mom. Don't worry- if you're not the DIY type, we have plenty of beautiful, ready-made containers that you can simply pick up and deliver!