Dish gardens are a good way to enjoy plants such as cacti and succulents. Both types of plants need very little care and come in many shapes, sizes and colors that can add interest to your garden. And since they love low humidity and lots of light, summer is a great time to try them.
Start with a shallow dish two to three inches deep. Fill it with special cacti mixture or make your own using equal parts of sand and potting soil. I recommend working with an odd number of plants for a more interesting pattern.
Be sure to have your gloves handy when working with cacti. It is also helpful to fold several sheets of newspaper and place them lightly around a cactus when you lift it out of its original pot for transplanting.
Add some rocks to help anchor the plants in place and give your dish garden a more natural appearance.
Allow your dish garden to dry out between waterings. Place it in a sunny spot and enjoy. But take care to protect it from freezing as we enter our cooler seasons.
Lynda Minatrea, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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