22ESSENTIAL

TOOLS FOR PLANTINGCONTAINERS

© Grace Hensley | Fashion Plants | http://fashionplants.com

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Good container design is the sum of many elements, from a thrift-store container with holes punched in the bottom to dramatic and rare plants sourced from afar. The joy of combining colors and textures to reflect your style or suit your mood is all up to you and your passions.

I work on a huge range of containers from single steel pails to rows and rows of sleek black pots, changing out their look in spring and fall to match the personality of each homeowner.

In every job, having the right tools on hand before you start makes everything so much easier. These are my go-to supplies and equipment, all neatly tucked into a single crate for easy storage.

© Grace Hensley | fashionplants.com

Organization

Pots , Plants and SoilOK, I know these don’t fit in that crate I just mentioned, but the foundation of any design requires pots, plants, and soil. Any container will do. Use the biggest ones you can afford, and choose something that brings you joy. Combine plants at the garden center based on sun or shade requirements, and the colors you like. Estimate the size of your container opening and lay out your plants in the cart to see what works together. Buy more plants than you think you will need.

I buy good-quality potting soil containing perlite or pumice in 1.5 cu ft bags because they are easier for me to lift than 2 cu ft bags. Buy using bagged soil, I reduce mess when carrying them through apartments and up stairs! A good scoop with a short handle and narrow, rounded tip helps distribute soil in tricky spots, but your hands work well too.

A box or crate with handles to hold your tools together in one convenient place is really helpful. I use nested buckets inside the crate to organize supplies.

© Grace Hensley | fashionplants.com

Managing MessesA small tarp is invaluable. I prefer a 6x8 or 8x10 size; much larger and you are always folding them over. More than one is also helpful, so you can tuck one against the containers, and use the other to place plants on while you work.

I hate dragging heavy hoses around; a light-weight and collapsable hose is more convenient. A multi-function wand saves water and allows you to control the spray volume and pressure.

U S E F U L T O O L S

A broom, hand-whisk, and a dustpan are essential for cleanup, and yes, you need both the whisk and the long-handled broom to reach behind pots.

© Grace Hensley | fashionplants.com

I use Osmocote Flower and Vegetable slow-release balanced fertilizer. Although it’s not entirely organic due to the slow-release resin coating, it works well for a once-a-season boost. You can also water with liquid Alaska Fish Fertilizer every two weeks.

Keeping Plants AliveMost nursery-grown plants introduce snail and slug eggs to your garden. Slug bait attracts them to OMRI-approved iron-phosphate pellets which kill mollusks. I do not use spinosad-containing Sluggo Plus which kills useful insects.

© Grace Hensley | fashionplants.com

Hand Tools and Maintenance

Sharp hand-tools are used daily. I use my secateurs/pruners for trimming broken stems and branches. The Hori-Hori knife is essential for loosening soil and cutting through roots. It’s even better than a trowel. Grip it in your fist like an ice-pick, so you don’t strain your wrist.

Pruners become dull and get sap and dirt on them. Synthetic steel wool is kind to your hands and removes sap easily. A few passes with a speedy-sharp sharpener refreshes the blade and 3-in-1 oil lubricates joints. A squirt-bottle with isopropyl alcohol or 5% bleach disinfects.

© Grace Hensley | fashionplants.com

Compostable raffia is easy to find at hobby stores. I use it for tying up vines.

The Best of the Rest

Forgot you buried the line and sliced it? Adding another pot? Don’t bother with buying a drip irrigation repair kit; make your own with 1/4” in-line drip microtubing, spare T- and inline-connectors, and extra wire stakes.

Every pot needs to be raised up for better drainage and to protect decks. Lightweight, and inexpensive these rubber pot risers are easy to pack.

GRACE HENSLEYplays with plants in Seattle and Bainbridge Island, WA and travels worldwide to photograph gardens. You can get photography, container garden design, and business tips at: http://fashionplants.com @fashion_plants