Creating a Cactus Garden
Dreaming of warm desert sand under your feet? Wishing you could drive through the succulents of Arizona at sunset? A cactus garden may be just the thing for you. Whether you live in a warm or cool climate, a cactus garden can help make that desert oasis of your dreams become a bit more of a reality. Here are some ideas for creating a cactus garden.
First – will it be indoor or outdoor? Your decision will depend on your home and the climate where you live. If you live in a northern climate, an outdoor cactus might not enjoy the wintertime in your locale. Still, the hearty cactus might surprise you with all of its possibilities.
Outdoor Cactus Garden
If you’re planning an outdoor garden, here are some tips:
* Hills: Hills make excellent choices for an outdoor cactus garden because the water drains more easily. Select a spot and plan it out before you start to dig.
* Cactus soil: Cacti need special soil. You can buy cactus soil at a hardware/home improvement store or you can make your own. To make your own, combine two parts regular potting soil with two parts sand and one part gravel.
* Sunlight: Cacti need sun. Select a sunny, dry spot. As previously mentioned, a hill would be an ideal choice for easy drainage.
* Low water: Overwatering is a big no-no. Insert a stick in the soil near your cactus. If any soil sticks to it, you’ve got too much water.
* Temperature: If you live in a location where the temperature can fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, you can still plant cacti outdoor. Simply plant the cactus in its original container, then bring the plant indoors when the temperatures plummet.
Indoor Cactus Garden
An indoor cactus garden will work in any locale.
To begin, you’ll want to gather some containers. They could be clay pots, plastic buckets, an old fish bowl or anything you can dream up.
Tabletop Cactus Garden
You’ll need:
* A shallow container
* Several varieties of cacti
* Gloves
* Rocks
* Potting soil or cactus soil
You can create a tabletop cactus garden by selecting a small container, 3-4 tiny varieties of cacti, and a little creativity.
Consider wearing a pair of protective gloves, as cacti needles are sharp.
Start by lining a shallow container with rocks. Place the various cacti throughout the container – it’s good to use several varieties of varied heights, textures, shapes, and colors. Place them as far into the container as possible so the roots are below and the plant is flush with the container rim. Then fill the container with soil.
Finally, add more rocks over the top to polish it off and voila — the perfect tabletop garden, or possibly a great gift for a friend!
Caring for Your Cactus Garden
A cactus garden is very low-maintenance. You won’t need to do much, but here are a few important elements to keep in mind:
* Sunlight: As stated previously, a cactus enjoys the sun.
* Water: Avoid excessive watering if you have an indoor cactus gardening. Outdoor cactus gardens won’t require any watering at all – rainfall should be plenty.
* Fertilizer: You’ll only need to fertilize once a year, in the spring. Experts recommend 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Whether you live in the Pacific Northwest or the deserts of New Mexico, there’s a type of cactus garden that can work for you. With their low maintenance and south-western appeal, a cactus garden can perk up your landscape no matter what your climate.