Have you seen the glorious hanging baskets on Front Street in Natchitoches and wondered, “How do they do that?” The Master Gardeners of Natchitoches Parish did, so they went to the source: Natchitoches’ Office of Community Development’s Beautification Crew. Matt Dillion said he would be happy to teach them, and since the best way to learn is by doing, he put them to work!
The secrets to those giant, round, lush displays of horticultural glory? Healthy plants, a good plan, two hours of labor per basket, and more Sphagnum moss than you can imagine. Seriously. Imagine how much moss you might need to hold the plants tightly in place and ensure no dirt shows. Got it? Now triple that.
The Master Gardeners know that any day is a great day when their hands are in potting soil. They enjoyed learning a new skill and helping our City’s incredible beautification team.
The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a volunteer development program offered by the LSU AgCenter. Master Gardener volunteers are highly trained and provide proven, research-based educational programs to Louisiana residents. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/NatchitochesMasterGardener/ or visit their booth at the Natchitoches Farmers’ Market.
