Chicken Coop Chatter©
What could be more appropriate than making a growing chicken egg gathering basket, using the Hens n Chicks, Hens and Biddies or best known as succulents (Sempervivum). Succulents are carefree, requiring little water and little tending. They are often used in rock gardens where other plants are difficult to grow.
Succulents are hardy and will multiply, filling in the entire basket, so be sure to allow enough space between each plant for growth. When selecting the succulents look for a variety of color to add interest to your finished basket. I found light green, blue green, red, gray and dark green to give my basket depth and visual appeal.
SUPPLIES:
Wire basket (see below for source for the chicken basket)
Sphagnum Moss or Green Moss or sheet Moss
Potting Soil
Succulent plants
Florist pins
Invisible Fishing line
Water
Yellow and Red Sticky-back Felt (optional)
Florist Feather Pick (optional)
Burlap ribbon or Jute
INSTRUCTIONS:
Soak the moss in warm water. When it has absorbed water and is thoroughly saturated, remove from the water and press into the wire form all around and in all the crevices, leaving the center for the potting soil.
Fill the center with damp potting soil, making sure it is well packed in the center without air gaps between it and the moss. Poke holes from the outside of the wire frame with a pencil or wooden dowel, to use for planting holes, about 2 inches apart. Poke the succulents into the planting holes making sure the roots are touching the soil. To water, stick the entire basket into a pan or bucket of water. Allow the water to saturate the moss and soil. Water only as needed, when a finger poked into the soil to a depth of one inch is dry to the touch. Then again, just submerge the entire basket in water as needed. You can use a spray bottle of water between thorough watering, but is usually not necessary unless weather is extremely hot and dry. When you are covering the wings with moss you will need to wrap the moss with fishing line to hold it in place and any area, such as the tail where the moss may not be held securely without tying it down. Florist pins are handy for securing the moss and the plants as needed.
If desired, cut red felt to secure for the comb and yellow felt to secure for the beak. Poke the Feather pick into the tail area to simulate the tail feathers. Finish with a burlap or Jute ribbon tied around the neck.
NOTE: The plants do not have to cover the entire form. You can choose where you want the plants to fill in. You can combine annuals such as alyssum along with the succulents.
Credentials: Certified Oregon State Master Gardener since 1999. Horticulture degree 2001. Study of Herbs and Horticulture Therapy, heavy research and study of all plants and herbs. Gardening a lifetime.
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