Wednesday, May 21, 2008

i dig chicks in combat boots



To plant your own boot:


1.Find an old boot. Coax it away from its owner.

This was the hardest part of this project as Mr. Tanager is very attached to his boots-even old ones that have no mate. You may have better luck with this, just don't take a man's boots without asking. If you have a resistant boot-owner on your hands, try a two-part plan of attack and spread it out over a few days. Worked for me.

Me: "What are you going to do with those old boots out on the back porch?" (There were in fact two and a half pairs of old boots out there, but I figured I better start small.)
Mr. T: "I don't know, but don't get rid of any of them."
Me: "There's only one of those army boots."
Mr. T: "I'm sure the other one's around somewhere, probably in the basement. I'll find it, just don't throw any of them out."
Me: "Okay."

a few days later...

Me: "I can't find that other boot anywhere. May I have this one?"
Mr. T: "What for?"
Me: " I want to plant flowers in it. It'll look cool and its a nice way to preserve your boot."
Mr. T: " I don't know what you're talking about, but yeah you can have it, just don't get rid of it."

a day later...

Me: "What do you think?"
Mr. T: "Arrgggg! You didn't tell me you were going to cut holes in it!"


2. Using a sharp knife, cut holes wherever you want flowers to stick out.




3.Fill with potting soil. You may want to add some gravel for stability and drainage.



4. Adjust the tongue and laces so that the boot holds your soil in well and tie.

5. Add your plants.

I used hens and chicks and a licorice plant but there are many options. Petunias are pretty and strawberries or herbs like oregano work well. And just about any footwear will work (okay, maybe not those strappy Manolo Blahnik's, but I don't imagine you'll want to use those anyway). Whatever's your thing. I've seen cute cowboy boots with lots of holes like a strawberry pot and I planted a pair of old Chucks once that I loved until some jacknut stole them.



The blooming boot has grown on Mr. Tanager, I think he may eventually let me have the rest of the boots to plant for our back stairs. In the meantime, I've been devising a strategy for an even tougher boot-owner I know.


8 comments:

Janis Bland said...

Very clever! You've given me some inspiration.

But, my plants are freakin' drowning, and I haven't had the chance to get 'em potted. Grr.

Elvis Drinkmo said...

I think this is cool. My wife gives me hell over the back of a toilet someone threw out that I use as a planter. She thinks it makes us look like hillbillies- as opposed to the upscale Manhattanites that we actually are. :)

Janis Bland said...

Hey, at a local crafty store, she had old enamel chamber pots with dried flower arrangements in them -- to be hung on a wall. :)

Scarlet Tanager said...

Thanks!

Rev. E- I've seen claw foot bathtubs full of flowers, however I draw the line at bathroom fixtures (unless they are still in the bathroom).

I knew some girls once that had a landlord that wouldn't take care of the pipe issues they were having. Pissed off, they opened the window and let the ivy take over the toilet and pipes. It looked really cool, but I'm guessing it was a bitch once someone finally came to take care of the problems.

*Sigh* Those were some fun girls.

Juanuchis - that sounds cool. Do you mean the ones that are flat on one side?

Janis Bland said...

Yep, the flat-bottomed ones. There used to be one in my parents' attic with the male-accessory tube. But I think my sister took it.

I may have to scour their place for interesting container possibilities. :)

BTW, I've been in email contact with Pam. She has a litter of 3 broken blacks and 2 blacks, just over 2 weeks old. So cute! I asked her to keep an eye on how the personalities develop. I love the little black ones.

Elvis Drinkmo said...

That's awesome- a bathroom taken over by ivy. I can't think of a better way to show a slumlord who they're messin' with.

Heather said...

My sister used to have plants potted in her old sneakers!! Love that idea.

moneytastesbad said...

On the outskirts of Morgantown I saw where someone had converted an old bed frame into a very large planter box. It looked very cool.

I haven't checked out your site for a while, We are in the middle of purchasing a new house,but I am getting lots of creative vibes from it today. Hopefully I will put them to use at the new place.