Home » Plants & Animals » Home & Garden Tips » Growing for a Craft Garden

Growing for a Craft Garden

© Eileen O'dea

It doesn't matter if you're an accomplished gardener or a beginner. There are certain plants you must grow for garden crafting.

Don't worry! I'm not going to tell you that everything you have already planted is out. There is always space for new ideas. All you will need are some seeds, plants, and plenty of imagination.

Adding these few naturals now will ensure you beautiful gifts and crafts later. And leave some of those flowering weeds alone. I have sometimes made the prettiest crafts from surprise weeds.

Let me tell you about my gardens. Every one of them are eclectic. I've been known to add a few tomato plants to my flower garden. I like to plant "surprise" plants where people wouldn't expect to see them. So don't limit your self with rigid layouts. Have fun with your gardens. After all, that's what they're for.

First, seeds. I generally use seeds from Burpee and Agway. If you don't have either near you I'll tell you how to find them. The seeds you'll need are as follows.

One or two packets of everlasting flowers, for drying. One packet of pickling cucumber, grown in a container, will yield you a nice crop of sweet or sour pickles. A packet or two of baby's breath planted in a corner will make a good start. Is there a summer wedding in your future? Plant a few lilies of the valley bulbs for an elegant nosegay.

Now the plants. These I get at any greenhouse or gardening store. If you have a Wal-Mart near you, they usually have everything you need. Burpee also sells some ready-made plants, But you'll probably do better looking around locally. If they can sell it there, you can usually grow it there. "Borrowing" and trading with a neighbor is another great way to get new cuttings and plantings.

You can plant one or all of these suggestions. A good healthy lavender or blue salvia plant will start your potpourri basics. A flat of German chamomile will be a good start for gift teas. You might want to get a few mint plants to go along with those teas. Don't forget a climbing rose plant. They can be grown in large pots and are a craft must. Veggie plants can be found at your local nursery. Once again, Burpee carries a nice selection of "good starts" plants through their catalogue in the spring. If it's too late for that now, you can always buy the veggies at vegetable stands. They generally start popping up around July up north, and earlier the farther south you live.

The copyright of the article Growing for a Craft Garden in Home & Garden Tips is owned by . Permission to republish Growing for a Craft Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.