This very quick weekend project was inspired by the many colorful watering cans that are available at this time of year. Be it online at Amazon HIT 8566ETA Galvanized Heavy Gauge Steel Watering Can, 1-Gallon, Tangerine
Because you’re planting these cans for just a short period of time you don’t have to fill the entire thing with potting soil. A planted watering can is a seasonal display and the plants are only going to be there for three or four weeks. So it isn’t like a summer planter where you want to fill the whole container with good potting soil. I put wood chips in the bottom half of this can, and then placed a plastic bag over those before adding enough potting soil to fill the container. Once the soil was in place, I started planting.
Here are the ingredients I used. A pink can, a pot of tulips, a pot of mini-daffodils, a six pack of pansies and some strands of ivy I’ve had rooting in a bottle. I also used some wood chips to fill the bottom of the can, a plastic bag to cover those chips, and a small amount of potting soil.
I was able to place the entire pot of tulips in the can but only half of the daffodils. No matter…I planted the rest of the Tête-à-Tête daffodils in the garden where they will spread and return for many years to come. I was also able to squeeze in three pansies and the strands of ivy into this can and it will make a lovely porch decoration through the rest of April and into May.
A planted watering can makes a great gift. In fact, in the traditions of May Day, flower filled baskets are placed on people’s front steps or porches, the doorbell is rung and the giver runs off… consider planting some colorful watering cans and leaving them as a random act of kindness on the porches of people who could use a smile the most.
