Backyard sustainability
Star containers
If you’re handy with a mitre saw, you can whip up these fine wooden stars for yourself or as a gift for a friend. We followed the plans of the Rogue Engineer, Jamieson Rantz, then added a couple of extra things to accommodate our succulents. Once you’ve made your wooden star, add a backing using marine-grade plywood. Place the made-up star on top of the plywood and trace the star’s outline. Cut out the back, then nail it to your star. Fill the star with free-draining potting mix (use a succulent potting mix), place a piece of sacking on top and, using a staple gun, staple the sacking to
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the top. Trim the edges of the sacking. Place some wire mesh on top of the sacking and staple that to the top as well. Trim the edges with a wire cutter. Cut pieces of thin wood to make a trim that covers the sacking and mesh, and nail it to the top over the sacking and mesh. Paint your star if desired. Gather a collection of succulent cuttings. Use a pencil to poke holes in the sacking and potting mix and push the cuttings into the holes until the star is covered. When roots have eventually established, the star can be hung on a wall or fence outdoors. Or you can use it as a table centrepiece. Issue 12
December 2015 - April 2016 sweetliving
Page 53