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How to make a Spring Window Box

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Image: The Balcony Gardener book

We’ve taken this Easter project from the book “The Balcony Gardener,” it’s a lovely Spring Window Box to celebrate the start of the new season. The box uses bright Spring colours, and would make a thoughtful seasonal gift. You can decorate the display with egglings to give it an Easter theme.

The Balcony Gardener Book

HOW TO DO:

You will need: metal slatted window box, moss for lining, potting mix (plus seed potting mix for the egglings) cat grass, selection of seeds, raffia and duck egglings.

To create the window box, Isabelle used cat grass with a few planted “egglings” sitting on top. Cat grass has vivid leaves that are perfect for Spring. If you don’t have time to grow the cat grass you can also use wheat grass, pea shoots or cress.

• Start off the plants in small clay pots in a sunny spot indoors, add epsom salts to stimulate growth and then trim the leaves regularly.

• To prepare the egg-shells, knock off the top, remove the contents, and wash well. Fill with damp potting mix and sprinkle in a few seeds in the centre. Keep them moist.

• Line the box with the moss, place in the mix and transfer the grass.

• Tie with raffia for a gift.

Happy Easter!

Christmas Inspiration with The Balcony Gardener

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

We are in the throes of getting ready for Christmas here at the Balcony Gardener, the tree is decorated and we’ve almost finished our Christmas shopping! Phew!

To decorate the house and garden, we have picked some of our favourite bits from The Balcony Gardener website and have used them in different ways to create a lovely Christmassy feel, perfect for staying at home or entertaining Christmas guests. Here some of our top picks:

1. Happy Tealights

This set of five tealights look absoloutely magical lit up as a centrepiece on your Christmas table with the different colours shining brightly. Set of Five Happy Tealights £30.00

2. Vintage Belgian Jar £67.50

The vintage jar is a fabulous container for a Church candle in-situ on a front walkway welcoming in carol singers and Christmas guests. Vintage Belgian Jar £67.50

3. Provence Planter

The elegant Provence planter provides a wonderful base for your Christmas tree, evoking thoughts of a French Christmas. Provence Planter £69.95

4. Tree Birds Candle Stand

Another lovely centrepiece for your Christmas table, this twisted candelabrum features two birds sitting in the branches of a tree. Tree Birds Candle Stand £30.00

5. Candle Vases