Henry Protecting the Plants

Photograph © Kerry Michaels

It's the time of year when I do my annual plant drag to harden off my plants. Neighbors and friends have supplied me with a fleet of little red wagons, and I fill these with tender plants and drag them out the garage in the morning, giving the plants a little more sun exposure every day. This is called "hardening off."

On a cautionary/confessional note, this year I got a little impatient/careless and sunburned some of the succulents that I kept inside for the winter. Even sun loving plants and plants you buy at the nursery that have been in greenhouses, need to be slowly acclimated to sun and wind.

For more info, check out this article:

Hardening Off -- Boot Camp for Plants

Garden in a Juice Box

Photograph © Kerry Michaels

I used to scramble around every June, as we got close to the end of the school year, trying to think of clever, inexpensive, easy gifts for teachers and school support staff. I would love to give each of them a car, or a lavish vacation--I respect, and admire what they do so much--but since I can't do that, I give container gardens. Some years, I have given herbs in a pot tied with a raffia ribbon and some years gardening tools or gloves.

Here are 5 Container Gardens For Teacher Gifts with links to instructions on how to make them.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Photograph © Kerry Michaels

I am a huge fan of luxurious and expensive containers. Italian terra cottas make me weak in the knees. The sleek, modern, self-watering Lechuzas, make me swoon. Giant Lunaforms live in my dreams, and the color, shape and beauty of Mary Martha Collin's concrete vessels practically unhinges me.

However, I have to admit that pots that are cheap or free, give me a thrill too. I love keeping an eye out at yard sales and second hand stores for things that I can plant. I love figuring out how to turn them into containers and what the plants they would best contain.

Here's a link to an article with ideas for Free or Cheap Containers

Container Garden Picture of the Week

Succulent Evening Bag

Photograph © Kerry Michaels

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