Easy Lettuce Centerpiece

Enjoy the benefits of this pretty, edible project.

In September, we intuitively shift gears I from the summer doldrums to a reenergized outlook. With cooler evenings, gardens breathe a sigh of relief, and new plants become available in garden shops and nurseries. Partake of the bounty, and put together this simple lettuce wreath in about 30 minutes.

* Line the wreath form with decorative sheet moss, covering the bottom and halfway up the sides. Fill it with moist potting soil.

* Tuck lettuce plants through the side wires so their roots rest on the potting mix. Space plants about 4 inches apart.

* Work moss between the root balls, and finish covering the form's sides. Add more soil, and place plants on top, spaced about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle fertilizer, and fill in gaps with additional potting mix. The wreath should receive three to four hours of direct sunlight. Keep the soil slightly damp.

Materials

* 16-inch metal wreath form (available from nurseries or www. kinsmangarden.com)

* Decorative sheet moss

* Potting soil

* Selection of lettuce plants-small cell-pack size work best (We used one mixed flat for our wreath.)

* All-purpose granular timed-release fertilizer (such as Dynamite)

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2007
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