Living in Illinois, most of my small garden patch is made up of native prairie plants which thrive each year come whatever unpredictable weather our climate may surprise us with. Thing is, once you plant a native, and it takes hold, it just keeps coming back from year to year. There isn’t much more to it. That is why I like add container gardens to my yard for an added boost of color. This year I made chicken wire planters, or containers if you will which was a project in and of itself. I think they turned out pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself.
Now, it was another step all together to actually fill the chicken wire containers with flowers and moss.
Vertical Chicken Wire Containers on Pallet Wood
These are the planters I made recently with pallet wood scraps and chicken wire.
The following example is for how to plant cone-shaped chicken wire containers with moss and flowers, but the same concept will apply to any shape of chicken wire planter.
Supplies
Chicken wire container (see how to make your own on pallet wood scraps, here)
Container planting soil
Vermiculite
Peat moss (optional)
Moss sheets
Moss
Screen material, or natural burlap, or a plastic liner (best option)
Scissors
Trailing annuals or plants that do well in container gardens and in your zone,
Here are some suggestions from plantersplace.com
Cut a square moss sheet in half diagonally.
Form the moss sheet into a cone shape and insert it inside the cone-shaped, seam side down. To get the moss down into the bottom section reach fingers in through the chicken wire and pull down.
Cut the screen material, burlap or plastic liner into a trapezoid shape.
I went with screen material because that is what I had, but alifeofwhimsy.com has a very helpful tutorial using a plastic liner. The plastic liner will keep moisture in the container longer and is probably the best option for most climates.
Form into a cone shape, fold and pinch the bottom.
Insert into the chicken wire frame inside the moss sheet, seam side up. To get the liner down into the planter all the way reach inside the container and push down, making sure the bottom stays folded.
Trip off excess of both the screen liner and the moss sheet.
Add a soil mixed with vermiculite to 7/8 full in the container, and then start adding plants.
Crowd the pot.
Make sure the roots are fully covered.
Water according to the planting instructions on the plant containers.
Top off the plants with natural moss pieces.
The natural moss placed at the top works as a mulch of sorts to protect the base of the plants, hold the soil in place and keep moisture in.
I tried to choose plants that would work well in my climate and with the proper sun/ shade exposure.
I think I made a few too many for my small yard, but I do have a few friends with birthdays coming up.
I’ll consider my gift shopping done, for now.
Hope your day is moss-tly sunny ~ Amy
How to make a vertical chicken wire planter
Deanne Onesti Scimeca says
Look absolutely beautiful Amy…♡♡♡♡
Amy says
Thank you, my dear sister, Dee xoxo
Mel says
We use the same potting mix except we swap container soil for compost for our veggie garden. Vermiculite is amazing it actually raises the temp of the soul which means we plant our seedlings earlier than spring.
Amy says
I didn’t know that about vermiculite. What a great tip, Mel. I’m looking forward to seeing all you have in your garden this year.
Sherry@Thrift My House says
How cool is that!!! I love your chicken wire planters! The moss and the flowers are both beautiful! Can we be neighbors? I’d come over with sweet tea and a helping hand! Love these creative projects you have!
Amy says
Thanks so much, Sherry. I would LOVE to have you as my neighbor. We could craft it up all day long while drinking that sweet tea, for sure!!
Shanna Gilbert says
Those are so cool Amy! I love how pretty they all look lined up together! Fun idea!
Amy says
Thank you, Shanna. They’re probably the prettiest thing in my yard right now, lol. It’s been a busy summer and the yard has been worse for wear!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Amy those are so fabulous! I love that you hung them on pallet wood too! You always amaze me with your ideas!
Amy says
Well you always amaze me right back with yours, Danni!!
Feral Turtle says
These are just amazing! I love that you created them with stuff you had on hand! Very pretty Amy Have a great July 4th holiday!
heather f says
I think these are gorgeous!! I would love to have these in my yard. Front yard. The chickens would just peck the heck out of it in the back.
CARA says
I love these! Can you tell me where you got your sheets of moss from?
Amy says
Absolutely, Cara. I was able to find the moss sheets at Micheals craft store. Thank you for stopping by and I hope that helps ~ Amy
Tammy says
I just love these… great tutorial… now I know what I want to do with my left over chicken wire…thanks for sharing!
Amy says
Thanks so much, Tammy. Left overs materials from another project makes a new project that much better;) Have a great night ~ Amy