Zinnia Anyone?

Hello Everyone, I have not forgotten about you just been a little under the weather lately but I'm back. :) Do you have that sunny spot in your garden that you don't know what to do with? Well the answer is Zinnia's...These are some of the easiest flowers to grow from seeds and I've always had good luck with them. Their variant colors are hard to resist and they will bloom all summer long. So this past weekend I went and bought several Zinnia seed packages. There are all types of colors, blooms and sizes to choose from, personally I like the taller flowers (24"+) b/c not only are they beautiful in your garden but they make excellent cut flowers for a day or two...(they look too cute in small vase by your bed or in a bathroom). Now summer is just around the corner so get these planted soon and you will thank me all summer long...so get OUT & plant your seeds.
Supplies:
Burpee Seeds - (5) x $1.19 Home Depot
Total = $5.95

Supplies 101

Now, if you don't already have these items you need to get these by this weekend, you will need this for your next task. If you already have everything on the list, get it together in a bucket or bag.

Ok here are the basics:
Hand Trowel & Spade $1 each
Gardening Gloves $2
Shears $2.50
Water Hose $7.50 (50')
Good Spray Head $5.50 (i got two :))
Bucket or Bag (i already had this at home)

I would suggest you go and buy the gloves and hand tools at a dollar store and buy the rest somewhere else for a reasonable price...remember it's just a water hose. I stocked up on all my items this weekend at Big Lots and managed to get out of there for under $20. This won't take long so swing by and get OUT after work.

Pots 101

Now, I know your yard might be looking sad like mine and you’re feeling overwhelmed but it’s time to do something quick, simple and cheap to spruce it up. It all starts on your back patio, balcony or front porch with some beautiful planted pots.

First things first, you need a pot one that has a diameter of 15” or larger. Make sure there is a whole in the bottom too, if not you can drill wholes in the bottom or fill the bottom with a couple of inches of rock. This will only take more time and effort so just find one with holes already in it. Oh yeah, one other thing find a cheap one, the plants will be the feature not the pot. I’m using a terra cotta one that cost $5.99.

Now for the fun part plant selection, three important words you need to remember THRILLER, FILLER AND SPILLER. I will refer to this as TFS…ok, I know you are thinking what does TFS mean? It is very simple your pot will be divided into three sections with three different plant types the Thriller, Filler and Spiller. First, the ‘Thriller’ this will be the centerpiece of your pot, the eye catcher, something flashy and that has some height. Next, is the ‘Filler’ this is your color, whatever is in season this is used to fill in around your ‘Thriller.’ Lastly, you will need the ‘Spiller’ my favorite part, a plant that will cascade over the sides of your pots. The ‘Spiller’ goes around the edge of your pot.

Here are a few examples of each type of plant:

Thriller Plants
Hibiscus
Mandevilla
Iris
Plumbago
Foxtail Fern
Ixora
Knock Out Rose

Filler Plants
Asparagus Ferns
Dwarf Mondo Grass
Lantana
Seasonal Color

Spiller Plants
Creeping Jenny
Sweet Potato Vine (purple & lime)
English Ivy
Weeping Rosemary
Trailing Seasonal Color

Now, these are only a few plants to choose from there are 100’s of others. So don’t be limited to these this is only a starting point and this is only Pots 101 as you become more comfortable with TFS you will become more creative. So your task for this weekend is to plant one or two pots. You will thank me later when you walk outside and see your beautiful creation plus all your neighbors will be impressed!

Supplies:

Terra Cotta Pot

$5.99 – Ikea

Potting Soil

$2.00 – HEB

Mandevilla ‘Triller’ Plant

$18.00 – Lowes

Sweet Potato Vine (Purple and Lime) 'Filler & Spiller' Plants

(3) x $3.00 – Lowes

Total Cost $ 35.00

So get OUT and enjoy your weekend and let me know how your pots turn out.

Welcome

Welcome to Garden Out! I hope to inspire you with creative ideas and projects for your garden that you can do yourself. I will share with you my knowledge and love for design and plants and hope to give you simple ideas and solutions for your gardening needs. Please share this site with your friends and family and let's get OUT together!