A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

My Strawberry Jar and the Big Strong Boy..

What should I plant in my strawberry jar this year? A few years ago, I planted it totally with sedums, hens and chicks and other succulents. There are several pockets still thriving with those plants. As you can see...I put geraniums in the top area. This planter sits on my very hot deck. In sun most all the day. I think that I may plant some of the pockets with herbs this time around. I have found that strawberry pots aren't just for strawberries. Actually, I've never had strawberries growing in this one. I think that this would be a perfect place for herbs...close to the kitchen for snipping. These plants don't need a lot of watering. I plan to plant some compact plants, such marjoram or lavender, in the lower holes. Trailing herbs, such as trailing rosemary or thyme, will probably work well in higher holes. I'll probably plant the top with a more upright herb or maybe for color...a geranium. I don't think that I will plant mint...that will probably spread to all the pockets. I saw one with little garden figures in some of the holes...Gnomes, and fairies. It was kind of cute. I have a gnome that my daughter gave me...he could stand next to the jar. I'm sitting here getting ideas while I type this. I know that I will have to put some more soil in some of the pockets. Last year, when Joe was recovering from his back surgery...he couldn't lift it from it's place on the deck, so when I couldn't find anyone to do it....I tried, moving it a little at a time. My back hurt for days, so this year I won't do this. In the fall, when a big strong boy is here visiting...I will ask him to please put it in the garage :) I'm afraid to leave it out all winter for fear that it will crack. This is one of my favorite garden ornaments. I love the look of terra cotta. I'll show you what I do with this...right now it's sitting just outside the garage door. I hope a big strong boy comes to visit soon...Balisha

7 comments:

acorn hollow said...

I did plant hens and chicks in mine not sure how it wintered over.
I like the herb idea though
cathy

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I finally gave up on the strawberries and planted all succulents and I do bring it in for the winter. Usually, I have to replace a couple.

Eileen

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I had one and loved it. For some reason I think I just didn't keep the plants went enough...because they would soon die. I never knew if I should water the whole thing from the top or to go to each opening and water there...whatever the case it was always struggling...and finally one day, after years, it began to fall apart. I never replaced it but every now and then think about it.
I am anxious to see what you plant in yours... :)
Have a wonderful Sunday and tell Joe hello from California!
Mona

Jean said...

I'm seeing succulents all over this year. They do look beautiful spilling over each other. I hope you had a great birthday! Happy belated! Jean

Balisha said...

I have been seeing succulents everywhere too. I was at Michael's and saw artificial ones that looked very real..They were "planted" in mossy covered pots. Balisha

Diana LaMarre said...

I think herbs would be nice. I did that one year.

Another year I planted impatiens and those really looked nice. They became so full that you could not even tell it was a strawberry jar.

I have not planted my strawberry jars for the past few years (ever since I stopped buying annuals). Maybe it's time to bring them out again.

I have never planted strawberries in mine either. I will be looking forward to seeing yours this summer.

Anonymous said...

I am trying to replace a lot of my pots with terra cota ones. I love them, too. I planted the seeds you sent me today in a large pot to get them started and will then transplant. I call the pot Balisha's garden. That way I can remember what I put in it. lol. It has been really nice here today. I have been outside planting and I mowed my yard on Friday. Got my federal taxes done this afternoon, too. Yesterday, I made a chocolate pound cake and tried to eat it all today. lol. Hope you have a great week and I want to see what you do with that pot!