Succulent Strawberry Jar with Pot Feet
Photo © Kerry Michaels

I am a huge fan of pot feet. First of all, pot feet can protect your deck or floor from the rot and stains which can happen when a garden pot sits directly on a flat surface. Pot feet also can actually save your plants from drowning because sometimes, with a heavy rain when your pot is sitting on a non-porous surface, the water backs up and just can't drain properly. By elevating your pot, even slightly, the water can drain and air can circulate underneath the pot, which also is an advantage.

Two of my favorite pot feet are Pot Pads and Potrisers. Both of these pot feet go completely underneath your container gardens and can be used indoors and out. Either would make great stocking stuffers for your favorite container gardener.

Mini Azalea in Bucket
Photo © Kerry Michaels

You probably won't be surprised when I tell you that I like giving container gardens as gifts. They can be very inexpensive, quick to put together and easy to maintain. Check around for small plants that would fit in coffee mug, or get some paperwhite narcissus bulbs and put them in a vase. And here's a tip - don't assume that big box stores have the best prices on plants. I recently found that my local nursery had poinsettias and tiny azaleas that were less expensive and better looking than those at any of the chain stores.

I've put together a gallery with some ideas of holiday container gardens that would make great gifts.

Wordless Wednesday Container Garden Pictures

Heuchera, Euphorbia and Calibrachoa
Photo © Kerry Michaels

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Kissing Ball
Photo © David Beaulieu

About.com's Guide to Landscaping, David Beaulieu, has done a beautiful step-by-step on making a kissing ball.

They're easy to do and all you need are a few tools and supplies.

Paperwhite Narcissus
Photo © Kerry Michaels

Some people love then. Some people hate them. How do you feel about the scent of blooming paperwhite narcissus?

I keep reading about the demise of publishing - that books and newspapers are toast in the future. I don't think so.

I look in wonder at my bookshelf sometimes - all those beautiful words and pictures that you can hold in your hands. When I think about gardening books in particular, it is the vast experience and the knowledge that is contained in those books that blows me away. I love the internet, but I would trade it in a heartbeat for the amazement of books.

My friend over at The Kat's Garden is doing a whole series on her favorite gardening books.

What are your favorite gardening books? Please post in the comments below.

Wordless Wednesday Container Garden Pictures

Poinsettia in a Coffee Can
Photo © Kerry Michaels

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Tuesday Morning Terrarium
Photo © Kerry Michaels

I bought this small pear terrarium at the discount store, Tuesday Morning, for $3.99. I brought it home and took this tillandsia or air plant and tied some clear beading string around it. I then threaded the string through the neck of the pear and tied it off.

I asked a salesperson at Tuesday Morning if other store branches would carry these terrariums and she said that they probably would. The pear terrarium also came in a larger size. They also had apple-shaped terrariums.

View this pear terrarium larger.

Flowering Kale
Photo © Kerry Michaels

I'm crazy about decorative kale. I love the colors and the wild, spiky leaves. I also love that the colors intensify as it gets colder, particularly after a few frosts.

Flowering kale is not a timid plant. It has radical textures and can look great alone or with other more sedate looking plants.

One of the keys to making a successful container garden with flowering kale is to not be afraid of being bold. Try putting them in unconventional containers. I have put them in funky shallow baskets as well as a modern, brushed aluminum window boxes and both looked great.

These are really wacky plants so my advice is to have fun with them.

It's hard not to sound cliched when being thankful. I have to say though that I am incredibly grateful for many things - home, family, and friends - virtual and real. I also feel ridiculously lucky and thankful to have this opportunity to write about something I love and that stretches me creatively.

I am also thankful to everyone who reads, comments, encourages, or corrects (or all of the above) the writings on this website.

I wish you all the happiest of Thanksgivings and wish you great health, happiness and thriving container gardens.