Video:How to Make a Dish Garden

Transcript:How to Make a Dish Garden

Dish gardens are beautiful and easy to make at home. To start one yourself, you need to gather some supplies.

Supplies to Make a Dish Garden

A wide, shallow container with no drainage holes in the bottom. Succulents and cacti plants are perfect for most dish gardens. They are slow-growing, beautiful, and drought-tolerant.

To make sure the plants aren't sitting in water with wet roots, use gravel to create a "drainage layer" and place in the bottom of the container at a depth of about 2 inches. Use a high-quality potting mix, preferably one with excellent drainage that's designed for cacti and succulents. With all the supplies ready, just follow these simple steps.

Add Soil Layer

Add a layer of soil over the drainage gravel in the container. Bring the soil up high enough that the plants will be just below the rim of the container.

Place Plants

Once the soil level is correct for the deepest plants, place the largest plants first. Add a little more potting mix, then position the smaller plants. More soil is added so the plants will all rest at equal depths when the arrangement is complete. Remember, don't pile potting mix up around the stems.

When working with cacti in close proximity, use gloves to prevent needle injuries. You can also experiment with the best arrangements to see how the plants look.

Maintain Your Dish Garden

Maintaining your dish garden is the same as maintaining any container of succulents. Gently water the arrangement with a long-nosed watering can to lightly moisten the soil. Succulents and cacti do not require much water and actually prefer relatively arid conditions when they're re-potted.

Fertilize during the growing season, and provide strong light. Part of the fun of making dish gardens is letting your imagination run wild!

Decorate Your Dish Garden

To add some final touches, you can use white marble chips to decorate your dish garden. Pick things that won't decompose in soil, like paper or soft wood statues. You can also use smaller statues, such as little Buddhas or lighthouses or other embellishments. And you're ready to showcase your finished dish garden!

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