In yesterday’s post I showed you how Jamie and I planted succulents(hens & chicks) for her wedding reception.
These are the plants I brought home from the wedding. I needed a place to plant them.
If you follow me on FB or Twitter you already know what I ran across while cleaning these cans out! I generally post what I’m working on if you’re interested in following there. The can on the right had a MOUSE family that committed suicide in it. There was a cap on the top, apparently they went in through the spout. Joyce said she thought it was a great mousetrap!
After I got it cleaned out, I drilled some holes in it.
Then I used a pair of tin snips to cut a larger hole. I tried a hole saw, but it didn’t want to work very well on the roundness of the can.
I used a file to remove some of the sharp points.
I filled it up with a sandy topsoil. Not pictured: I drilled many holes in the bottom for drainage, and added some rocks to the bottom for drainage. These plants need well drained soil.
I didn’t fill all the holes because I thought the babies would come out of the holes. Cathy thinks they won’t. Thoughts? Can you help me know how these things work?
This is just for staging because it is too shady in this area of my flower bed.
I will have to move it to a much sunnier location.
I had a few more plants, and wanted another unusual container. I found this vintage watering can in my shed.
I drilled and cut holes in it too. I also did drainage holes and rocks in the bottom.
This is a very small decorative watering can. I put some of the leftover plants that were not used at the wedding.
This is an old furnace grate. I used all of the leftover dirt and garbage roots from the container that Marybeth delivered Nana’s (aunt Jean’s) hens & chicks in. I have this in the sunniest part of my back yard. I will keep you posted if this “garbage” produces any plants. I am hopeful that it will. update: it did nothing 🙁
updated to add: I built this container for Jamie to grow her Hens & Chicks, and it's doing great. You can see how I built it in my post Planter Made With Reclaimed Fence
What is the most unusual container YOU have used to plant flowers/plants in?
gail
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Nicole
This post is a few years old now, how did these cans grow in? If you still have them, can you post some pictures? I have some Hens and Chicks that I picked up from the nursery last weekend and I'm looking for some creative ideas on how to plant them. 🙂
girlfromwva
I think what you did using the cans is really interesting and unique! great job! I plant flowers & plants in all kinds of things. I have used thrifted sugar bowls, tea cups, candle holders, votive holders, ice cream bowls, just whatever i find for that particular plant or flower. I don't spend but 25 to 50 cents on them, so it works out.
Becky Reep
I have a watering can similar to the one with the "squared off" spout...I was a bit lazier and found one ceramic low slung dish that would fit in the large opening in the top so planted a succulent in it. It took a bit to get it to angle under the handle b/c there wasn't much space (was relieved when it made it w/o breaking) but it's sorta nice and just a fun place to put a plant and display the watering can, too. Yours looked great...with the multiple plants...a good idea!
becky.reep@flpd2.com
Cathy
So vintage, and yet so beautiful and still so useful. Love the idea and creativity of this DIY.
Cheers,
Cathy@white nursing shoes
MrsPrufrock
Okay, I think I'm a reply blogger now...maybe. I tried copying and pasting my link but it tells me I can't use tags. So, I'm just going to try pasting the link "naked".
http://tigergeorgia.eaph.com/viewalbum2.cgi?Flowers/Succulents
Chris
I love your blog and your projects - thanks for sharing them! The watering and gas can planters are awesome.
I have been harvesting chicks n hens for many years. I have some photos of the things I've done with them that I'd love to share with everyone, but I can figure out how to insert the link...
Tawna's Tasty Tidbits
Before my mother retired she worked in a factory where she had to wear steel toed boots my mom had special order them since she wore a size five . When she retired she filled her boots with hen and chicks!