Center of
gardening
Story by Pat Rubin Photos by Fred Greaves
Try the unexpected for your centerpiece
During spring and summer, I use flowers and foliage from the garden for table centerpieces. Fall brings its own colorful decorations. But even during peak garden- ing times, it’s nice to have something that can be used any time of the year. I like to use unexpected, unusual containers, and a couple of my favorites are metal electrical boxes and dry- wall trays, both available at hardware stores. I have a copper-colored boot tray, about 15 by 36 inches, and I fill it with about an inch of gravel and arrange the electrical boxes and trays on top. You may use different sizes of electrical boxes for an interesting appearance, and can also mix and match electrical boxes and drywall trays. Succulents are the most obvious choice for planting because they are so forgiving. They can endure low lighting for long periods, tolerate almost any soil mix and don’t demand a lot of water. In fact, water them sparingly so they don’t outgrow the pots. The echeve- rias, sansevierias and sedums are the easiest and least fussy succulents to grow. They tend to grow in tighter clumps, so are good choices. With a drill and a 1/4-inch bit (a hammer and nail work well also), punch a few holes in the bottom of the drywall trays for drainage. Now it is ready to go. Pack
the plants in as tightly as you dare. It gives a cohesive, well-settled look. You can always thin them out a bit when they get overcrowded. If your centerpiece area is small, you can use the drywall trays alone without punching drainage holes in them. Instead, fill them with small potted succulents and cover the tops of the pots with sphagnum moss. Give the plants a good watering in the sink about once a month and take them outside a few hours a cou- ple of times a week so they don’t get leggy. Succulents like a bit of sun. While you’re at the home improvement store, look around for other renovation/repair items that may be suitable for table centerpieces. You’ll be amazed at what you can find.
Pat Rubin cbmagazine@californiabountiful.com
MORE ONLINE Pat Rubin offers her favorite native plants and tackles reader questions about when to harvest oregano and rosemary and when to plant a vegetable garden, all at californiabountiful.com.
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May/June 2022
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