Our Life Together

Deck Decoration.

New(ish) DIY plant arrangement, purchased with a birthday gift card to Sunshine Grow Shop.

This basket hangs from our deck railing. We opted to put it on the inside of the deck because it is easier to see and enjoy for those sitting outside. You can also get a nice view of it through our sliding glass door in our main living space. We hung it with a few zip ties, which can hold and support the weight of the basket sufficiently well.

The plants included are variegated vincas (I love the trailing effect over the sides), three different varieties of coleus, and wax begonias which are heat-loving flowers.

I picked out and assembled the arrangement myself, with some plant input from Trevor. While pre-made arrangements in the same size and type of metal basket cost upwards of $60 or more each, I made mine for nearly half the cost! The biggest expense was the metal basket frame, which cost about $20. The great thing is that it is reusable. The cocoa liner, however, will need to be replaced each season. The liner costs around $10-12. We already had the soil and plant food on hand. The plants we got at a discount because we shopped later in the season, when they went on sale. The variegated vincas were the most expensive, at $4 a plant, while the other flowers we got for $1 each or less! It pays to DIY.

While it still cost around $40 or $45 to make this basket, next year it will probably only cost about $15, the cost of a liner and perhaps a few flowers. Most of the plants we purchase are perennials, so they will come back year after year. We opt to buy annuals mainly for our front porch pots, as they are cheaper and allow for some variety each year.