What a great time for the Thrift Store Décor Team to provide a special edition featuring SUCCULENTS!  Each team member is providing a new succulent post along with links to other fabulous succulent posts.  Be sure to check out the links posted at the end of this project.

My shabby rustic loving heart found this beauty a few years back. So this is what I started with. From the moment I saw her I knew she would hold lovely succulents!

I have developed a nice variety in my succulent garden.

Some are planted directly in the ground.

But most are in pots scattered around the deck, patio, driveway and pool area.

Year Round Succulent Garden

An added bonus of gardening in the south is that, in mild winters, you can leave your succulents outside.  Every now and then we get an unusually cold winter with extra instances where the temperature drops below freezing. When this occurs, a greater percentage of my succulent garden does not recover.  But in general, most of my succulents winter well and double to triple in number each year. My first tip for a successful succulent garden is always move your succulents indoors when there is a threat of frost. This will ensure that your succulents survive the winter. In the north, of course, you MUST move your succulents indoors for the winter.

Here are some photos of the succulents in March. In this first photo, you can hardly even tell that this is a mini succulent garden!

In my hurried excitement to pre-emptively welcome spring, I once again planted way too early resulting in the demise of these poor zinnias. If you look closely, you can see that tiny little succulent rolling its eyes at me as I do this every year. The bright green tiny succulent at the front looks so sad and lonely. There are a few more tiny pops of green to the left.

Here is the same pot just this week .

The dead zinnias are replaced by a single red geranium and a successful attempt to grow a few replacement zinnias from seed. But you can see how vibrantly the succulents grow when the weather warms.

I will be adding some colorful additions in the empty spaces, probably some pink and white geraniums or zinnias. Our front stoop gets full Alabama summer sun all day long. There are only a handful of plants that will survive that heat. So far, only zinnias, portulacas, wax leaf begonias, geraniums and select succulents survive. If you have any suggestions, I am all ears.

Another Succulent Garden

I had another galvanized chicken feeder.

So I added succulents to her too! I left room for them to grow.

This should be gorgeous in a month or so.

Tips to Perk Up A Succulent Garden in the Spring

Succulents will double to triple their winter size. During the winter, they are just trying to survive. When the warm weather arrives, they awake and begin vigorous growth. Since they can grow very quickly, I thin my succulents out by spreading one plant among three new pots. Take this one for instance.

The poor plant is root bound. When I lifted it out of the pot, it was very difficult to separate the individual roots and plants.

They had expanded so much that they ran out of room and were very tightly crammed in the pot.

Use your spade to cut the entire plant into halves or thirds. Gently loosen the roots and then place each separate plant into a new pot with fresh soil. The plants will thrive!

I divide many of my succulents and simply pop them into other pots as fillers and spillers. The succulents that aren’t rootbound are very easy to split. Just plant them into some soil and they will grow.

I added these hens and chicks to a hanging planter that needed some filler. And I added a few to this pot of petunias that I planted last month. I usually fill my pots in stages. I see what remains from last season and add new annuals for color.

Once the new additions have settled, I fill in with succulents or more colorful annuals. I’m in stage two right now…filling in with succulents. I am always sure to add succulents that will trail over the edges of the planter. It will take a month or so, but soon they will be spilling out of the pots.

Did you know that many succulents will root themselves? I often find pieces of succulents laying next to my pots.

I poke a hole in some soil with my finger and push the stem into the hole. Pat the soil around the base of the stem and in a week or so the piece will root and being to grow as a new plant.

Spiller and Fillers

I planted some annuals into two hanging scale bases back in April after the last frost.

Here’s what one looked like earlier this week.

I waited until this week to add some of the succulents to the edges of the planter. This allowed the plants to settle and grow a bit.

The added succulents will expand and add fullness.

Maintain Your Succulent Gardern

Give your succulents some attention when they have experienced growth. Move them to a bigger pot or divide one plant into several smaller plants. Before you know it, you will have so many succulents that you will be compelled gift some to unsuspecting future succulent lovers.

Here are some other important tips to remember:

• Allow proper drainage in your planters. Succulents like to be moist but not overly wet.
• Succulent gardens like full sun most of the day. Succulents do well in shade also but they thrive in the sunlight.
• Separate succulents often and replant in new pots with room for the plant to grow.
• Water your succulents generously. The full sun will dry the soil so water frequently to try to keep the soil somewhat moist. Don’t worry though as succulents are quite hearty and can go days without water.

Propagate Succulents

Did you know succulents are easy to propagate from a single leaf?

Simple pull off a leave and place it on a window sill in bright direct sunlight. After a few days you will see roots beginning to grow on the bottom of the leaf and new growth on the top. After a week or so, place the leave with the roots down into some soil. It will continue to grow.

There is something about planting succulents in unlikely vessels that simply make my heart happy.  A unique and unexpected planter adds to the beauty of the succulent.

You can see some of my favorite past planters by clicking on the following photos.

I have a collection of pots “waiting” for succulents.  There will be more succulent posts soon!

Thrift Store Decor Team Succulents

Here are the before photos of The Thrift Store Decor Team succulent projects. Click on each link below the photo to see the projects! Be sure to comment if you see something you love.

Bird Bath With Artificial Succulents Petticoat Junktion

Unique Succulent Planter Ideas  My Repurposed Life

Succulent Garden Decor and Tips Shop At Blu

Succulent Hanger in a Wicker Wall Pocket Sadie Seasongoods

Mop Bucket Succulent Planters Organized Clutter

Succulent Planter Made From A Wood Pallet My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The post Succulent Garden Decor and Tips appeared first on Shop at Blu.

First, a little history. When I started doing antique and vintage shows back in 2016, it was right in the middle of the Fixer Upper craze. Fiddle leaf figs were the coveted live decor plant for farmhouse homes. At the Vintage Market Days of Mobile, there was a vendor selling the trees. So of course, I bought two!

I brought them home and watered them sparingly for a month or so before I forgot for a few weeks. The result was that I lost one of the trees to my own neglect. I vowed to protect the other. I did ok. Of course, we lost a few leaves from time to time from over and under watering. But she is still alive today. My goal is still to make her again as beautiful as the day I brought her home.

Sometime last year, I noticed that the shape of my fiddle leaf fig tree was quite wonky. There was one long shoot veering off in one direction. I thought that propagating a few of the stems would 1-help regain the lovely shape of the tree and 2-provide another tree for another room! So I gave it a try!

Steps to Propagating a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

I had heard that you could either insert it into some soil or put it in water to root. I’ve had great success rooting gardenias in water so I decided to give that method a try.

I selected the top portion of a healthy sterm no more than 3 leaves. This ensured that the new cutting would not expend too much energy in keeping too many leaves healthy. Rather, the energy is directed toward root growth.

I cut off the top section of a small branch with sharp scissors and simply set it into a jar filled with tap water. I set it near a window that received good steady light but not direct light. If you are propagating directly into a dirt filled pot, some people will dip the cutting into a rooting hormone which promotes growth.

I checked the water level weekly and in a few weeks there were new roots!

I waited until there were many roots and transplanted her to a pot. The process was simple. Just set her into her new pot and set her in a spot that gets good light throughout the day.

Here she is today.

Do you see the wrinkling at the end of the leaf on the right and the brown edge of the bottom leaf? These are signs of under watering. I still have to be a bit more attentive to my plant but she is doing well despite my occasional neglect.

I haven’t moved her from this location and she continued to slowly grow additional leaves. I believe if I move her to a window with more light, she will grow more quickly. I also need to polish up those leave and keep them dust free. But, I’m happy with the slow and steady growth.

An Alternative to Live Plants

I recognize that all people are not plant people. So here are some options that are sure to succeed…faux plants! Like live plants, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit your space precisely.

Here is the link to my Amazon shop where I link all of my favorite garden plants including some Fiddle Leaf Figs:

Shop At Blu Amazon Shop

So, if you love your plants and want to have them in every room but don’t want to incur the expense of buying so many new plant…propagate them!

The post Happy National Tree Day! appeared first on Shop at Blu.

If you are visiting from Rich and Donna’s An Organized Season, welcome!  I’m so glad you are here!  Our Flowers, Porches and Gardens Blog Hop links are shared at the end of this post!  Leslie at Feet Under My Table is the next stop on the hop.  Leslie shares the best recipes and feel good stories!  Be sure to let her know that I sent you!  

As I type this post, it is 90 degrees in Alabama.  Yes, 90 at the beginning of May.  We are in for a sweltering summer my friends.

Our entry gets full Alabama sun all day long everyday of the year.  So summer is brutal!   This severely limits what I can keep alive at my entry.  This year, I am using some beauties that will be moved to the patio area under our new deck as the temperature climbs.  

Two years ago, I added these rosemary bushes beside the front steps.  The one on the right was beside a large bush that we just cut down.   It is growing asymmetrically to the left so I dug her up and moved her to the right.  I will probably move these to the back yard.  But for now, they are more symmetrical. You can read about how I learned to use my new Ryobi battery operated chain saw  and trimmed up around the yard HERE.  

What to Plant in Full Sun

There for a while, I would only buy geraniums and begonias and portulacas because nothing else can withstand the scorching sun and heat.  But this year, I am using some alternatives up until early summer.  Then I will switch to the proven sun tolerant plants.

Choose a Pleasant Color Pattern

When we replaced our front door unit, I immediately painted the exterior of the front door a vibrant teal.  I still love it.  So this season, I am selecting flowers that compliment that door in the colors of mostly white and pink with a splash of yellow.   

This is my haul from an impromptu visit to the clearance section at Lowes garden center.  Score!

Sections on the Front Stoop

Two years ago I installed a few hooks to display hanging ferns at the front door.  This year, I hung one petunia basket, a strawberry plant and of course one fern.  I’m pretty sure I can keep these alive through June when the heat really begins to swelter!  At that point these will be relocated beneath the deck to the shady patio.

To the right of the door, I added the petunias in my favorite vintage bucket.  They were a bit wilted, which is why they were on clearance.  But after a few days of the extra watering, they should be perk right up.   I also added some succulents from the yard which helped fill up the bucket.

I added some more petunias and some portulacas, which the most sun tolerant plants I’ve ever purchased!  And you can’t beat their colors when they bloom.  Deadhead them and you will have glorious vibrant colors all summer.  These even return from year to year for me here in the south. 

To the left of the door, more petunias.  I transplanted these into an old watering can.  Perfect!  I will continue to water these twice a day to rejuvenate the plant.  She will be plump and glorious in a day or so.

Some height was needed  so I grabbed some lemongrass , again from the back garden.  This will keep the mosquitoes away.  You know my mantra…use what you have!  Well, unless you hit the jackpot at the Lowe’s garden clearance shelves!

More portulacas and some salvia from the back yard make a sweet display.  Once these settle and soak up some extra water, the color should be phenomenal.  I promise to post some updated photos over next few weeks as these plants settle in and really thrive.  

This is what we are starting with and I see the potential.  

Vacation Time

As I finish this post, I am jumping into the van and heading to cation Time Myrtle beach S.C. for a week long vacay with family including #2 and her wife, #3, # 5, my SIL and her Daughter and her wonderful family!  #1 and his family were coming until they expectedly sold their home and immediately found another.  Too much going on right now for them to head to the beach.  #4 is in charge of the family pets and this lovely front porch/stoop while we are gone.  Sadly, she couldn’t get the time off so that means 2 things…1-my benefit as she can check on Mia, Tinkerbell, Tofu and Mochi and 2- need to plan another family beach trip closer to home like Gulf Shores.  Such a horrid task, planning a beach vacation…right?? 

Thanks for stopping by!  And remember to check the clearance garden area at Lowe’s!

Flowers, Porches and Gardens Blog Hop

I am sharing this post as part of our Flowers, Porches and Gardens spring porch blog hop with some wonderfully creative blogger friends.  Be sure to visit their posts for some inspiration and spring joy!  Thanks to Cindy at Cloches and Lavender for hosting!  

 

RENAE at Peacock Ridge

 

SUSAN at Hen and Horse Design

 

AMY at Amy Sadler Designs

 

CINDY at Cloches & Lavender

CRYSTAL at Sweet Valley Acres

KIMBERLY at From Farmhouse to Florida

TAMMY at White Lilac Farmhouse

The post Spring Porch Decor appeared first on Shop at Blu.

It is Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday!  Each month, the team shares thrifty upcycle projects for you!  At the end of this post, you will find the posts from the entire team.  I know you will love all of the projects we are sharing this month.  Now on to the vertical herb garden!

Prepping the Shelving Unit

While I do love the chipping paint and rusty patina on this shelf, we are going for a more contemporary look on our new deck.  Don’t worry, there will be plenty of vintage and rustic items scattered around in the new deck decor.  Mr. Blu wanted a bright color so I selected the yellow which will make the herb garden stand out against the backdrop of the yard and they sky.  I had some Valspar spray paint with primer in the perfect color!

Since this unit will be outdoors in the extreme Alabama heat and weather, some prep work is necessary to ensure protection, longevity, and minimal rusting of this vintage shelf.  

I sanded the shelf using my electric sander for ease.  Then I used my Dremel with the sanding wheel for any tight spaces that were inaccessible with the larger sander.  The Dremel works magnificently on tight spaces.  See how I used it for this bench that had curves areas in my post Vintage Garden Bench Upcycle.

Once the shelf was sanded, I washed it with warm soapy water and allowed it to dry completely.  I applied one light coat of spray paint.  I had a can of Valspar in the garage so that is what I used.  It had paint and primer combined.  Once completely dry, I applied a second light coat.  An additional light coat to areas needing better coverage can be applied.  I allowed the paint to dry overnight and moved the shelf to the newly stained deck.  Vibrant yellow!

Steps to Painting a Metal Shelf

1. Sand the shelf lightly to prep the piece for paint.
2. If there is rust on the shelf, these areas should be sanded more thoroughly to remove the rust.
3. Wipe the shelf down with warm soapy water to remove any sanding dust or lingering debris.  The surface should be completely clean in order to get the best application for your paint.
4. Allow the shelf to dry completely.
5. Apply two light coats of spray paint allowing each coat to dry completely.  Use a spray primer(two light coats) followed by your choice of spray paint(two light coats). Or you can use a paint that contains both paint and primer in the same can(two light coats).  
6. If you desire, you can apply a sealer coat of spray polyurethane to prolong the paint life. 

Prepare the Herb Pots

I love to garden and succulents are my weakness which you know if you ever frequented The Blue Building Antiques.  My store was know for the greenery, florals and succulents scattered at the entryway.  I still have quite a few pots and plants sitting around.  I grabbed a few that would fit my vertical herb garden. 

They are not all the same color so I used some white and beige spray paint on the green planter.  I was short for one shelf so I grabbed a few at the local Dollar Tree.

There is something about the onset of spring that really awakens the color in life.  So along with my bright yellow corner shelves, I decided to add some color to my planters to help sass up the look.  I’m using these pillows I purchased from Walmart for inspiration.

Sass Up Your Planters with Color

I used craft paints to add blocks of color onto the fronts of my planters.  Remember to seal the paint because of the direct sunlight.  I used MinWax spray polycrylic.  

Here is my first try at the colors. 

There clearly wasn’t enough variety to I set the pillows out and selected some additional colors.

Plant the Herbs

This is probably the easiest part of this entire project.  Arrange your herbs in each planter so that they are visually appealing.  Add a base layer of dirt to each planter and remove each herb plant from it’s small pot. Gently loosen the soil around the roots and place each plant into the dirt where you wish it to bloom.  Fill the remainder of the planter and firmly pat the soil around each herb base.  

Label the Herbs

The last step is to label the herbs.  Many of the herbs look similar and they can grow quite quickly changing their appearance.  So it’s a great idea to label them.  I simply printed the names on my Silhouette.  I did have to take precaution when applying them to the pots as the pots were painted.  So, there was no removing or repositioning the labels.  Once they were applied, they were permanent.

I made each planter just a little bit different.

There was room behind each planter for another small pot.  So I added some annuals in complimentary colors.

RECENT POSTS:

Here is another post from a while back about a hanging herb garden.  

And here are the posts from the Thrift Store Decor Team!  Enjoy browsing.  We’d love you to leave a comment and tell us what you enjoyed.

Wooden Bench Seat Makeover – My Repurposed Life

Summer Purse Upcycled Wreath – House of Hawthornes

DIY Faux Concrete Bunny Rabbit – Our Southern Home

Repurposed Cabinet Door Flower Display – Petticoat Junction

Weaving in a Circle on a Pizza Pan – Sadie Seasongoods

Mid Century Modern Table Night Stand Makeover – Organized Clutter

Vertical Herb Garden -That’s me!  You’re Here!

DIY Oval Mirror Frame -Domestically Speaking

The post How to Create a Vertical Patio Herb Garden appeared first on Shop at Blu.