Polka Dot Window Boxes & A Planting Tip

Polka Dot Window Boxes
I’m not real good at putting together great floral arrangements.  I’m slightly jealous of those people that can arrange 3 to 5 different plants in a pot and create something magical.  Since I lack this flower-plant-mixing skill, I typically stick to one plant per pot/planter/basket/whatever.  However, to keep my outdoor spaces from looking flat I like to have some fun with my plant containers.  Plant mixing may not be my best skill, but pattern mixing I can do!  What’s more fun than a polka dot print with a floral pattern?  Perfect combo for a kids playhouse if you ask me! 
DIY Swing Set & Playhouse
I started with some plain jane off white hard plastic-y window boxes from Walmart.  I spray painted them with some white outdoor spray paint.  Then using some blue acrylic outdoor paint and a round sponge applicator brush I dotted them – totally at random  – no specific pattern required.  Easy – fun – done! 
painted window boxes

Because I have a tendency to forget to water, I used this little trick.

planting tip - add sponges to window boxes

Adding a couple of sponges to the bottom helps to keep the soil moist longer.  This trick has kept many plants alive here at Casa forgets-to-water-Phillips.

painted window boxes

The metal deck railing brackets are also from Walmart, and I spray painted them the same white as the window boxes so they wouldn’t stand out like a soar thumb.  I also used a piece of twine to help secure the boxes to the brackets.  We get some fairly high winds around here and having them tied on has helped to keep them in place.

Our Fifth House - Polka Dot Window Boxes

I love a simple summer project – don’t you?  Do you have any special planting tips or tricks?  Are you one of those magical plant mixers or are you a one-plant-per-pot person?  What’s your go-to summer flower?  I love me some red geraniums!

For more outdoor inspiration be sure to check out my Outdoor Pinterest board!

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  • Carmel, I love the polka dots and that's a great tip to use a sponge to keep moisture in the soil! I'm always really good about watering…at first. Then as the summer goes on my poor flowers may get slightly neglected. I'm definitely going to try this!

  • Looks great, I never would have thought of spray painting plastic!! Now I know it's possible…

    Love the sponge idea…wish I saw it Neforw I planted my flowers! Next time….

  • I love the sponge trick! I am HORRIBLE at remembering to water our plants. I'm definitely going to try that in our planters this year!

  • Love those polka dots…and great idea with the sponge! I did a few outdoor projects this weekend…one involved RnB…and I totally thought of you! 🙂

  • Cute, cute, CUTE! Polka dots always make me smile. Thanks for the planting tip. I'm little miss black thumb over here, so I'll take any advice I can get! 😉 Hope you're having a great week, Carmel!

  • Love the black and white polka dots! So fun and the sponge trick is genius.. I am in love with Ranunculus flowers, so gorgeous, I am on the hunt for some of these but no luck yet, geraniums are one of my favs too!

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