If I had to pick my three favorite things to spend time on, it would be gardening, hosting parties and doing creative craft projects. Lucky me, I pretty much figured out a way to combine all of my loves into one event!
Yesterday I invited twelve of my sweet friends out to the house for a fun and easy workshop. I shared tips about using essential oils and natural products for my garden, then we made a DIY succulent spray. I've had MOSTLY good luck with keeping my succulent houseplants alive, but when they die it's usually a watering issue.
Succulents like to stay fairly dry, but not so dry that the soil has pulled away from the pot. I prefer to water mine once a week, then mist every few days. The spray we made contains essential oils that will help repel common pests that like to plague houseplants!
Everyone selected a terra-cotta pot with good drainage, either by a hole in the bottom or a layer of rocks for the water to escape. A fine layer of porous pea gravel lightly covers the top of the soil, which helps to hold in moisture. The pea gravel also provides a surface for dropping aromatic essential oils to create a natural air freshener!
When my friends arrived, we laughed about how every time I host an event at my house the weather is either snowing, raining or freezing. It's the truth, though! There is really something to it. I always joke that no one wants to come over for coffee or a play date because they'll inevitably have to wash their car after.
Today it was raining, but we just made do with using the kitchen and garage and it wasn't a big deal. I hope your friends are as flexible and easy going as mine!
Oh, and they let me practice new workshop ideas on them. I'm grateful for that, too!
Everyone designed and potted their own succulent diffuser and they turned out so cute! I actually remembered to do a group photo this time!
In case you weren't aware, us moms don't typically like to have our pictures taken. Here is a tip on how to overcome the uncomfortable fake smiles... arm a second grader with your camera and stand him on a chair to be the photographer. Instant beaming smiles. It's impossible not to grin encouragingly at a sweet little boy balancing a great big camera, trying his very best to get the perfect shot! I think he nailed it.
Thank you, Walker! The group photo turned out beautiful. Thank you Shelbey for helping me keep everything flowing nicely. Thank you MeLissa for driving more than an hour to come to this workshop! And a HUGE thank you to my lovely friends for coming out and spending their Saturday morning with me! You girls are the BEST!
If you are interested in doing a workshop of any kind, let me know! I want to do more of these!
Have a happy day, friends!
SUPPLY LIST (in case you're curious):
+The four ounce glass spray bottles are from amazon. The labels were created by me. I found the idea on Pinterest.
+The flat of succulents came from Stone Creek Nursery in Hesston, Kansas. They are hands down my favorite garden center. The plants are always healthy and affordable, and the staff is so helpful!
+The terra cotta pots were from Hobby Lobby. Definitely buy them on sale, and check them closely for chips. Terra-cotta works so well for succulents because the porous material allows water to evaporate instead of holding it against the plant roots.
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