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How to Create Dish Gardens and Planters

January 29, 2000

Have you been pondering a special gift for your Valentine,
that will tell them a little bit more,
than just that you are a great shopper?

While expensive gifts are nice to give and to receive, why not add a little something extra this year to let the one you love know that they are extra special? Probably the most valuable commodity that anyone has these days is time. Doesn't it therefore follow, that possibly the best gift of all would be a little bit of your time?
Two or three hours is all that would be needed, to take a quick trip to the garden shop, pick up your materials, return home and put together a simple dish garden. The majority of this time may well be spent on choosing just the right container, accents, and plants, because the actual construction of a dish garden is really quite simple and quick. (Simple enough, that even a child can easily put one together for Mom or Dad!)
A dish garden should present a theme of sorts, which mirrors the owners interests. Even a single plant can become a landscaping work of art by adding a few simple accents of moss, driftwood or stones. A dish garden created by you, will be a long lasting reminder to your Valentine, that you cared enough to give your time and a little thought to making their day special. If you still feel the need to give them gold and jewels.... use the dish garden as the packaging! dish gardening

Choosing an appropriate planter

Your dish garden should be planted in an open, shallow container. The size is only relevant to the extent of how many (or few) plants it will be able to support. It is helpful if there are drainage holes in the container, but not necessary if there is sufficient depth to facilitate adding a gravel layer for drainage.
Most garden centers will have a good variety of ceramic dishes made just for this purpose. Personally, I prefer dishes with a bit more personality than the standard, round bowl "look".
A few minutes wandering down the aisles of a second hand store, or a "dollar store" (maybe even out in your own garage) will probably reveal the perfect base for your project. Often you will find products which are designed for other uses, but are perfect as a dish garden. You will be surprised at what you may find. As you look for the perfect planter, keep an eye opened for miniature garden accents that may be appropriate. (ceramic Bambis, little wooden bridges...)

Among other things, I once discovered a ten inch wheelbarrow with a set of miniature tools. Although it was made to be an ornament on it's own, this was a made to order planter for the gardener of the house.
Any basket, old or new, can be used by simply placing a non-draining container inside of it.
For the fisherman... an old fishing creel can be easily lined with plastic and planted, or used to simply cover your actual planting container.
Dollar stores always seem to have a few mini-planters depicting a deer, a duck, a cow or a truck. Although they are usually only suited for a single small plant (which usually outgrows it quickly,) they are sure to bring an instant smile...
Small logs can be hollowed out... A great home for a small fern forest.
Adobe bowls look great as "cacti-scapes", when filled with small succulent plants.
A rusted milk can, old boot, even an old pet dish can be given a new use in life.
The ultimate dish garden, of course is a terrarium.

The plants

Unfortunately, because dish gardens typically have limited root space, the plants will tend to outgrow their home rather quickly. For this reason, it is a good idea to choose slow growing plants to prevent having to replace them too often. Choose plants which have the same general lighting and water requirements as your other choices. Most of the plants which are suitable as terrarium plants will work equally as well in a dish garden, but the varieties which need extra humidity may need daily misting.
Most garden centers, and many grocery and discount stores will have a wide selection of small, inexpensive starter plants in 2 1/2 inch pots. You will have no trouble picking out enough plants to finish your project. It may help to pick a couple of alternate plants to allow you more flexibility as you put together your garden. A plant which appeals to you in the store may not have the same appeal, when it is planted with your other choices.

Creating your dish garden

Adequate drainage is probably the most important provision to ensure the success of your dish garden. The best method of draining the excess water from the soil, is through drainage holes in the bottom of the planter. The hole(s) should be covered with a piece of broken pottery or a screen patch, to prevent the soil from washing out. This type of planter will require placing a water tight tray under the garden, to protect the table or other surfaces from water damage.
In situations where there is no external drainage, you will have to cover the bottom of the container with a minimum of a one to two inch layer of pea gravel or coarse charcoal. The gravel should then be covered with a piece of nylon stocking or window screen to keep the soil from sifting down into the gravel, rendering it useless for drainage.
Use a good commercial potting soil, to which you have added coarse sand or perlite to aid in the drainage. Add a sufficient layer of this soil mix, so that when you set the new plants in place, their soil level will be about 1/2 inch below the rim of the planter. If the planter is sufficiently large, you may create different terrain levels within the garden. Firm this soil layer lightly.
Without removing the plants from their pots, try different planting arrangements. Don't forget to consider any garden "accents" which you plan to use, during this planning stage. Arrange the plants according to how the dish garden is most likely to be viewed. As a centerpiece, for example, you would want the tallest plant in the center, so that the display would be viewable from all angles. If the garden will only be seen from one vantage point, however, you would want the tallest plants in the rear. Don't overplant your garden for the sake of having it look immediately full. By adding fewer plants, you will have a healthier garden which will fill in quickly, and last much longer.

You should make sure that the plants are thoroughly watered, before proceeding!

Once you have your master plan worked out, you are ready to plant and landscape your dish garden. The plants can be easily removed from their pots, with their entire root structure unscathed, and ready for planting. Support the plant by placing your fingers over the soil, forming a 'V' around, but not touching the stem of the plant. Turn the entire plant over, and give the pot a light rap with a screwdriver handle. This should dislodge the root ball, allowing the pot to be easily lifted off. (You may have to take a second whack at it.) Normally, at this point of transplanting any potted plant, you would want to lightly loosen the outer roots of the ball. Because a slow growth rate is desired in most dish gardens, it is better to just leave the roots alone in this case. Remove the pots from two or three of your plants at a time, beginning with the tallest plants first. Set these plants into position, making any final adjustments as to where they will "face". Fill in around each plant with fresh planting mix, and then continue with this process until all of the plants are in place. Add more soil as needed to fill in areas. Pack the soil gently, and water it lightly.
You can top the soil with a mulch of fine bark or small gravel. Accents like small twigs and stones can be used to hide any bare plant stems, or to highlight an area of the garden. Any other ornaments you choose to add to your landscape, will add to the artistry, the character, and the personal touch...
Your dish garden should be kept in a spot where it will receive the correct amount of light for the chosen plants. "Full sun" type dish gardens should be gradually adjusted to their permanent window area to prevent sun burn. Place them in bright, indirect light first. Each day, for a week, move them closer, until they are in the "full sun" spot. Allow the soil in your dish garden to become nearly dry, before you add a small amount of water again (start with a cup or so...). Never allow the soil to become too dry, or too soggy. Experience will quickly teach you how much, and how often to water.
Generally you will not have to fertilize your dish garden. The plants will seldom be in place long enough to deplete the nutrients from their soil, before they are moved on to a bigger planter. Of course, if the plants have been in the same soil for too long you can feed them, but use a VERY dilute 1/4 strength liquid house plant food.
With a little care, your dish garden will become an ornament for your home, and a living memory.

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