A cute display for your front entry way
These boots may have been made for walkin’, but planting flowers in a boot is also cheap way to bring some creativity to your front door! With so many styles of boots to choose from, you’re bound to find something that matches your decor or the statement you want to make in your yard or garden.
When planting flowers in a boot, just let your imagination run wild. How about hiking boots, cowboy boots or Xtratufs, for example. Is there a skier in the family? An old pair of downhill ski boots makes a fun planter coupled with skis and poles. Yes, I know there are ceramic planters made to look like boots, but I like to use the “real” article whenever possible because it gives the arrangement so much more personality.
Planting flowers in a boot is a quick, easy project for younger children with short attention spans. They’re bound to giggle at the thought of putting dirt inside a boot. Besides, it teaches them to think outside the box (me, too!). You can even let them pick out the boot…or the flower!
Directions: How to Plant Flowers in a Boot
TIME: about 1/2 hour start to finish
MATERIALS:
- Boots (any style)
- Potting Mix (any ordinary brand)
- Flowers (2-3)
- Drill (to drill drainage holes in bottom of boots)
DIRECTIONS:
- Using an electric or cordless drill, drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the boots
2. Fill the boot with potting mix between 1/2-3/4 full.
TIP: To get soil down into toes of boot, put one scoop of soil into the boot. Tip the boot on it’s toe and tap the heel. Repeat. This distributes the soil evenly and helps give more balance to the boot.
What type of flowers should I use?
You can use any type and color of flowers in a boot that you like. I personally think an upright for height and a trailer such as lobelia make a nice combination. In my boots, I planted a pink dianthus (to match the pink boots), creeping jenny and a white, trailing lobelia for contrast.
How many flowers should I plant?
I’m using a child-sized boot that I thought would fit three. Turns out that two was pretty much the limit. But I managed to squeeze in a third small one.
Adult boots can probably take 3 flowers. You can also cut a hole on the top of the boot and plug in a plant there, too! Remember that the plant will spread out as it grows.
Conclusion
I hope you’ll plant some flowers in a boot this summer. Have fun scouting thrift stores and garage sales for the style of boot that fits your decor or theme for the home or garden. Then, experiment to see which combination of flowers or succulents look best with your boots. When you’ve got such a cute display by the front door, guests are sure to comment on your creativity. If you have some left-overs after potting up your baskets and planters, think about giving your flowers the boot!
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Have a great summer and thanks for stopping by!
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This is a terrific idea, especially saving space at the landfill if you can use old footwear that isn’t in donatable condition!
Thanks for the response! I included this craft idea mostly because it’s cute and whimsical. I also wanted to keep younger children in mind…but yes, it’s a fun way to re-cycle and re-use.