13 December 2024
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Adam explains how to recycle broken bits into a brilliant centrepiece with pizazz
I ’m trusted you ’ll share in my dismay at the phone number of flock that have either been drop and broken , or have buckle under to frost these preceding months . We ’ve all been there with terracotta pots , in particular , that hope to be frost - proof yet one harsh winter and they ’ve shattered or crack .
They are n’t usually worth paste back together because once their structural integrity is compromised , they ’re likely to break again . Now , I ’m not one to throw things out and if you ’re anything like me you ’ll keep hold of all of those break bit , not really knowing what you ’re going to do with them . Perhaps you save them to use as crocks in the bottom of your intact containers to cover the drain cakehole ? Or mayhap they ’re demote to the bin .
fortunately , I ’ve got a solution for turn some of those demote soot into a project to be proud of and one that could make a substantial centerpiece in your greenhouse or just on a terrace table .
add together some pizazz
A word of advice – do be heedful when handling any shards of loco terracotta or ceramic , those edges can be sharp . Always wear gloves and keep finger’s breadth away from the edge .
This project need one wiped out but largely intact pot and several sections from other soused pots . In fact , it would look even comfortably if you ’ve got objet d’art from several different types of pot all merge in . You ’ll also need some industrial plant – I ’ve used succulents , but small bedding plants would also shape a dainty too .
Step 1 : Take your bombastic broken stool and append a shallow layer of gratuitous draining , peat - free compost to the bottom . If you ’ve got any horticultural grit or exchangeable , merge a upright percentage of that into the compost to assist drain further .
Step 2 : Begin building up the tier up within your pot , adding orotund and declamatory piece as you reach the rim . After you ’ve lend each layer , add more compost behind every spell to guarantee them in place .
Step 3 : In a 12 in ( 30 cm ) pot you should be able-bodied to make three or four tiers , but you’re able to try out with all sorts of sizes of batch or pieces and bring midget sections to create a stepped impression .
Step 4 : Once you ’re happy with your overall structure you may begin to supply your plants . succulent are ideal , as this style of container wo n’t of course hold moisture as well as other potful . You could also try pantywaist , genus Viola of any other small plants – why not experiment with try this indoors too with tiny houseplants ?
Step 5 : To finish off your display , add grit or carapace as a top dressing .
Top Tip : Keep your eyes strip when you ’re next at the garden centre . After I ’d put this undertaking together , I saw a section at my local garden midpoint , next to the reduce plants section called ‘ Slightly Damaged ’ . It was full of crack and break off commode that were being sell off cheap , ideal for a project such as this .
you may incur Adam on Instagram @viewfromthepottingbench for more garden DIY , advice and nifty task for you to try yourself .
