Once a popular piece of home decorating in the 1970s, dish gardens are making a comeback and are easy and fun to make. There are a few varieties but the most common are made using either succulents and cacti or a mix of moss and other plants such as ferns. The type of materials you need are dependent on the type of dish garden you’re making.
WATCH – How to make a dish garden
Be Prepared
A potting bench or outdoor table are the best places to work and make sure you have a trowel and a good pair of gardening gloves. Choose a bowl you like that suits the environment you wish to create. Drawing a simple design can be helpful when it comes to placing your plants and make sure you have enough potting mix and gravel to get the job done.
Desert setting
Succulents require a dish or succulent bowl with good drainage and some gravel or small pebbles as a top layer. In some ways succulents are a good place to start as they don’t need a lot of attention. Just get the conditions right and you’ll have a miniature desert setting right on your bench top.
Gathering moss
A moss garden likes moisture so no need for a drainage hole and you’ll need good quality potting mix to start it off. A large planter dish makes for a perfect home for your moss garden. You can transfer moss from your yard to your creation and include a plant that will thrive in the same conditions as a point of difference.
Aquatic Dish Garden
Another kind of dish garden is one using potted aquatic plants in an attractive bowl filled with water. There are a range of aquatic plants that will live quite happily indoors and look fantastic when creatively arranged in a decorative bowl. Use layers of pebbles or heavier gravel to hold the plants in place.
Be Creative
Don’t be afraid to add additions from your own garden or travels; a nice rock or an interesting piece of driftwood can really set off your display and make for a bit of a talking point. Making a dish garden (or two) is a great and creative way to add plants to your home. These mini eco-systems are surprisingly easy to maintain.
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