Make stunning planters using store-bought Bulbs

A thin flowering crocus that is pushing through the earth is a delight to the hearts of all gardeners eagerly waiting for the first indication of spring. Why put off? Garden centers and grocery stores have an assortment of vibrant potted plants that will last us for years Here's how you can create an idea of what's going to look forward to on your front yard.

We requested John Reeves, president of Reeves Florist and Nursery in Woodbridge, Ont., and a floral designer who appears on CITY-TV's CityLine for the quickest method of planting containers that can provide an abundance of flowers through May and also be simple to maintain.

Pick one of the combinations that grabs your attention; we chose Daffodils, tulips and Muscari along with campanulas and primulas. Choose potted plants with dense buds, or, if it is possible there are no buds at all. A potted plant that has already blossomed is not going to provide lasting blooms.

Find a container to put it in or look around for something you normally grow with annuals. To help you choose one, imagine the location where the display will go. Are you looking for height at the front door? Think about a tall, slim cast-iron Urn. A wider, casual front porch requires the use of a half-barrel made of wood or a rectangular poly-resin planter. Another thing to consider is drainage holes. Any container you choose to use must contain them.

Reeves Nursery sells galvanized steel tubs similar to the ones we use with or without the holes; "we'll put the holes into your tubs for you," he says. For those who want to make it themselves using a hammer and nail, a pair of pliers is all you need. It's also necessary to fill the base of the container and terra-cotta pots for pots made of plastic, making them simple to replace.

Materials For Building Amazing Planters

* 24"' galvanized steel tube (10" deep)
* soil
* 2 6'' terra-cotta pots
* planters 5 4 terra-cotta pots
* 2 6"pots of flowers
* 2 4"pots of Hyacinths
* 1 4"'pot of campanula
* 1 4"'pot of primula
* 1 4"pot of Muscari
* 5 branches of pussy willow
2. Two branches of dogwood
* 2 to 3 sheets of paper

Making it Work

Start by placing soil into the container. It is important to have enough soil that the terracotta pots that sit inside it are just above the rim of the container. If you've got a variety of sizes of pots, you should consider the place where the largest plants should be placed. Are the beautiful Planters be seen from all angles? Plant higher-growing plants in the middle. If they're facing walls, place them in the back.

Fill the gaps between clay pots by adding soil, and then plant the potted plantswhile keeping in mind the potential dimensions of the plants. The hyacinths and the tulips shoot upwards as an example, and campanulas grow and grow. To give the arrangement more dimension and contrast put pussywillow and dogwood branches in between the pots. Forsythia, too, is a good choice.

If you have the ability to grow branches from your backyard, the better. However, many gardens and florists sell these branches. "Don't be concerned if your arrangement doesn't appear even," Reeves says. "The blooms of tulips will rise and even out the gap between tall and short branches."Place moss on top of the pots to conceal the pots. It helps to retain water. Make sure the pot gets a thorough soak immediately after the moss has been placed.

Next comes hardening-off. Plants that have been tended to in warm greenhouses aren't going to respond well to an abrupt transition to April's weather, specifically the sudden changes in temperatures at night and you'll need to adjust them slowly. In the beginning like this one, put the planter outside during the daytime, however, bring it inside at night.

Inside, set your planter on a cooler area such as a porch that is screened in is the ideal spot. When the plants have done this, a dip of three degrees or more will not harm them in any way. You can purchase the temperature by keeping the display next to your home according to Reeves. (Note that if you feel the display is too heavy to move from one place to another you might want to consider hardening off the plants prior to putting them in the display.)

The soil should be watered when it is dry, typically, it is every two weeks. Make sure to put your fingers in the soil. The moss could be damp however, the soil in the pots is dried out.

If a flower pot has reached its peak take the moss out then take out the plastic container, replace it with a brand new one, and then put it on the mossback back in place. Consider swapping spent red tulips with daffodils or grape hyacinths using white campanulas, keeping in mind the different sizes of plants.

Recycling your bulbs to create beautiful planters

Forced bulbs might not give an explosion of color However, that's not an excuse to throw them out. The trick to reclaim bulbs in pots for your garden, according to John Reeves, is proper treatment after they bloom. After you've removed the pots from the arrangement, allow the foliage die back then plant them in well-drained soil and in the area with at least half-day of sunlight.

The soil should be amended first. Adding compost can help the bulbs grow quicker, which means they are able to replenish their food sources. Carol Cowan at the Netherlands Flowerbulb Information Centre is in agreement and suggests that daffodils as well as hyacinths and crocus and Muscari are excellent recyclers, but she cautions that certain bulbs won't rebloom even following these steps.

There's a good chance they won't be blooming in the spring of next year; they require time to adjust their internal timing to avoid the pressures of being forced to bloom," she declares. However, they could bloom in next year and in subsequent years. It's worth trying.

Make an urban Garden by using Spring Bulbs

Remove winter's last vestiges by planting bulbs for spring on your balcony or terrace. The options are growing each year, allowing you to plant all kinds of shapes and hues!

Luc Deschamps has become an prominent floral decorator working with famous designers as well as the opening ceremonies of famous stores.

He plant bulbs in galvanized windows as well as old watering containers that are found at flea markets or second-hand shops. This provides a stunning view of the urban landscape. He has boxes set on casters that allow him to move them around to bring the landscape to life and draw attention to them whenever he wants.

The variety of spring-flowering bulbs enables us to explore the timing of flowering. From Galanthus Nivalis that bloom during Februrary to"Weber's parrot" tulips that bloom during July. You are able to enjoy a continuous and varied blooming for months at a time.

And bulbs are very simple to take care of They can be planted inside a container that has been pierced into which you place the gravel layer at the bottom , and Bob's your uncle! There is also the option of planting bulbs inside, even without soil, which is called "Chinese-style cultivating".

The bulbs can be planted between September and December, and even after night frosts.