DIY Network

Organic Chic Party: Living Herb Wreath From "Weekend Entertaining" episode WKE-308

In this segment host Jeanne Benedict transforms recycled baskets and herbs into a living wreath that will provide fresh herbs long after the party is over.

This party is rated 4 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, and is geared toward the skills of a frequent entertainer.

Hourly Breakdown

Living Herb Wreath -- 2 hours
Total Prep Time -- 13 hours

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Create a fabulous wreath with herbs that will last quite a while.

Materials --

4 recycled baskets (baskets should be 8-10" diameter each and 3-4" deep)
Water bottle
Wire cutters
Self-adhesive felt pads
Medium gauge wire
Steel yarn needle
Sphagnum moss
Organic herbs in 3" pots -- 5 or 6 each of 4 different herbs
Organic potting soil
Potting shovel

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Living Herb Wreath

1. Arrange baskets in the positions they will be in the wreath. Use wire thread through the yarn needle to wire two of the baskets together (figure A), stitching many times through the basket weave, until secure. Repeat for the remaining two baskets, stitching until secure.

2. Hold the two groups of baskets together, stitching with wire to hold all four baskets together (figure B). More wiring is better because when the herbs are watered there will be quite a bit of weight on the baskets. Stitching with more wire will add support for the weight.

3. Create several loops of wire and stitch through the back of the wreath where the top two baskets adjoin, creating a hanger (figure C).

   Note You can also hang by using a sturdy rope or plastic hooks.

4. Place self-adhesive felt pads on several areas on the back of the wreath to prevent scratching the wall/door.

5. Soak sphagnum moss in water until saturated. Drain and wring slightly to remove excess water.

6. Cover the inside of all the baskets with a layer of moss (figure D).

7. Scoop the organic potting soil into each basket, creating a 1" layer of soil. Remove one kind of herbs from their pots, gently loosening the roots. Gently place the herbs into the soil. Remember that the wreath will be hanging, so point the herbs at an angle toward the top of the wreath. Cover the roots with additional soil, and press in place. Continue placing herbs in the remaining baskets, keeping all of the same kind of herbs together in each basket.

   Note: Remember that the wreath will be hanging vertically, so what looks like the top now will actually be facing out. So, plant the herbs at an angle, with the greenery towards the top of the wreath.

8. Cover the soil/pots completely with an additional layer of sphagnum moss, tucking in around the herbs and around the edges of the baskets.

9. Hold the wreath up to check to make sure everything stays put. If anything is loose, or does not look secure, stitch a piece of wire from the outside to the inside of the basket, wrapping over the moss and pulling through the other side of the basket (figure E), twisting the ends together at the back to secure.

10. Water the herbs until moist and check daily. Snip the herbs as they grow to use in recipes or as garnishes.

Expert Tip: A fabulous look if you are on a budget and trying to create a nice arrangement for a small party you are having, is to cut greenery out of your garden and do all greeneries.

Tip from Jeanne: What a great, renewable decoration! To use the herbs, just give them a snip. As long as you are watering the herbs properly they will grow back in on time at all!

RESOURCES :

Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Create for Less
Website: www.createforless.com

Zwilling Cutlery
J.A. Henckels, Inc.
Website: www.jahenckels.com

Carolina Pottery
Website: www.carolinapotteryusa.com

Classic Party Rentals
8476 Steller Dr.
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-202-0011
Fax: 310-202-8542
E-mail: infola@classicpartyrentals.com
Website: www.classicpartyrentals.com

GloryBee Foods, Inc.
PO Box 2744
Eugene, OR 97402
Toll-free: 800-456-7923
E-mail: sales@GloryBeeFoods.com
Website: www.GloryBeeFoods.com

Mountain Crest Gardens
402 Bridge St.
PO Box 1023
Ft. Jones, CA 96032
Toll-free: 877-656-4035
E-mail: mcgardens@sisqtel.net
Website: mc-garden-gifts.com

Cost Plus World Market
200 Fourth St.
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-808-9504
Website: www.worldmarket.com

Mountain Valley Growers, Inc.
38325 Pepperweed Rd.
Squaw Valley, CA 93675
Phone: 559-338-2775
E-mail: vj@mountainvalleygrowers.com
Website: www.mountainvalleygrowers.com

GUESTS :

Cheryl Evanoff
Vice President, Regal Rents
6612 Shenandoah
Los Angeles, CA 90056
Phone: 310-529-0312
E-mail: Cheryl@regalrents.com

Dwight Detter
Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Note: There are more than 160 locations throughout the US, Canada and Britain and the Website will give you the closest store location.

Judi Brockman
Floral Expert
Crouch Florist
2120 Cumberland Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-637-5683