Landscaping With Wire Mesh Crates

When to Start: Autumn
At Its Best: Summer
Time to Complete: 3-4 days

Materials Needed:

• gabions
• flagstones or stones of your choice
• wooden box or foam cube
• level

• thick nylon pantyhose
• topsoil or soil-based mix
• composted organic matter
• all-purpose granular fertilizer

Stack the Crates

This garden is made from gabions stacked together to create the structure and surface. Simply fill them with flagstones and set them on the soil, checking that they are level — dig out or add soil beneath them as necessary. Leave spaces for planting. Fill more gabions and place them on the foundation level to create stepping stones and seats, and leave a few empty to produce an exciting layered effect.

Make Leafy Gabions

To make the planted crates, place a wooden box or block of foam in the center of a gabion. Then fill up the legs of some thick nylon pantyhose with moist soil, tie the ends and pack them around the sides and top of the gabion. Cut holes in the pantyhose, and plant baby's tears into the holes. Keep well watered. The plants will soon spread to fill out the crates.

Plant the Beds

In the gaps between the gabions, fill the planting beds with a soil-based mix. Work in organic matter, such as garden compost, to increase water retention for these moisture-loving plants. Plant the birch trees in late autumn and the other plants in early spring. Keep well watered for the first year, and during dry spells.