Shadecloth Planter Bag
Why not use some of that scrap shadecloth lying out in the shed to make your own hanging grow bags, these planters are ideal way of growing things like petunias, strawberries and the like. They are also good for growing plants, where space is at a premium. You can even lay them down and grow plants like in a normal pot.
What you will need
· Section of shadecloth 600mm (2ft) to 900mm (3ft) long, by about 300 (12in) to 450mm(18in) wide.
· Nylon thread or fine grade fishing line
· A bag needle or something similar
· Scissors or sharp knife
· Potting mix
· Suitable plants like strawberries or petunias etc. Some of the low growing or spreading herbs also work well.
· Strong twine, string or fishing line for the bottom of the bag.
· Extra strong twine, string, fishing line or light wire for the top or hanging the bag.
· Strong fishing swivel (optional).
· Bean Bag (Polystyrene) beans (optional)
Instructions
Sew the shadecloth together into a long tube with the thread or fishing line.
Thread the twine/string/fishing line around the bottom of the bag and tie off like a shoe lace, (This is to make emptying of the bag easy when it is time to repot the planter).
Fill the bag loosely with potting mix. (You can mix a small quantity of beanbag beans into the potting mix to lighten the weight of the filled bag for lifting and moving purposes.
Attach the fishing swivel into the top hanging twine/string to allow you to turn the bag around so that different parts of the bag will get sunlight as required.
Decide where you will be placing the plants around the bag. Cut a small gap into the shadecloth at these points.
Gently prise open the cuts and insert the young plants.
Hang the planter bag up and water gently, at this point you may find that you need to add some more of the potting mix into the top of the bag.
Because the bag is made of shadecloth it will need regular watering as the water will evaporate through the mesh quicker than from a plastic hanging pot.
If the plants on one side of the bag appear not to be growing as well as those on the other side, then turn the bag around to give the weaker plants more sunlight.
So why not get out there are make your own planter bag/s from some scrap shadecloth and grow vertically today.
