Behind The Scenes
What was I thinking?! Back on a cozy winters evening, glass of wine in hand, it seemed such a good idea. "Let's film a short online workshop to help people get creative with their spring containers," I said. My long suffering husband (aka roadie, book sales assistant, pot mover, and videographer) readily agreed. After all, spring conjures up images of sunshine and daffodils doesn't it? What could possibly go wrong?
Plan A was to refresh one partially planted container and to do one from scratch. That idea got nixed pretty quickly when two feet of snow buried the Seattle area – containers and all – for weeks.
So we went with Plan B ; do TWO containers from scratch. No problem. Except…..
It's COLD! I mean sub-zero cold. We still have snow and ice on the ground. Not ideal for planting containers outside.
Three cameras, fill lights, audio set up, diffuser (old sheet) – and tissues for a runny nose!!
Some of the challenges included:
- Frozen potting soil i.e. chip a hole to plant anything
- Drippy nose in cold weather (SO becoming…..)
- Having to bundle up like a snowman – but still function
- Trying to smile when your blue lips are iced together
- Loosening plant roots when you can't feel your fingers
Just as well I don't take myself too seriously.
See for Yourself:
Despite all of the above we somehow managed to capture what we needed and I'm really happy with the finished results. You can watch the container planting demonstrations, get the planting plans, learn tips for cold-weather designs, and discover how to transform those winter-weary pots into vessels that celebrate the season using budget-friendly ideas in my latest online course:
Creative Container Designs for Spring.
My newsletter subscribers always get preferential pricing on these online courses. If you don't already receive these you can sign up today for a free gift and ensure your spot when this course goes live next week.
Hopefully I'll have thawed out by then!
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Karen,
Always love your ideas & pictures of your plantings, pots & in the landscape. Particularly appreciate your humor, so relatable!
Thanks so much Lois – we have to laugh!!
Hilarious! You COULD postpone a bit? I was talking NGC about you to some gardeners the other day. My topic was how much a admired your willingness to show all phases of your garden. Yes, I enjoyed seeing a dead leaf or two! You represent reality and not "garden staging". I admire that!
Oh my goodness, I laughed out loud when I read your comment Joan!! Yes I am always "real" – but had we waited we would have been filming in a snowstorm! Yes, today it is snowing yet again….. Thanks for keeping in touch.
You are a die-hard Karen! I recently took a workshop from you at the Whidbey Island Master Garden Seminar Series and enjoyed it very much. I bought one of your books after class and enjoyed chatting with you. I'm north of you in Arlington and am viewing the exact same snowstorm as I type this. How dare it snow again after I finally got a slight glimpse of grass peeking through the prior snow layer! I look forward to your container designs online workshop.
Hi Tina – it was lovely to meet you at the MG event! Yes, even our puppy is less than impressed with this white stuff!
Oh how I love this post Karen and you are a gardener after my own heart. Where there is a will, there's a way! I always enjoy your enthusiasm and planter combinations.