A cactus dish garden is a great kid's project

Q. My son is fascinated by cactuses. I would like to make a small cactus garden with him. Can you help? What should I do?

A. What a good idea! Congratulations on getting your son interested in gardening by growing something he likes. You get to spend time together and create something beautiful. Plus, once planted, a cactus dish garden is easy to maintain.

To get started you need to make a visit to your local garden center.

Choose the container

Select a dish that provides good drainage. The container can be small for one or two plants or larger for a collection of cactuses. Best choice is shallow and flat. Be sure there is a drainage hole in the bottom.

Pick the plants

Find the cactus section at the store. Select plants that are interesting and beautiful to you. They should be healthy and not damaged. If you are like me, you will look at each and every one for the perfect specimen. If your dish is small, pick one or two plants. If your dish is larger, select a few - a taller one, a shorter one, wide, narrow, flowering. Mix them up.

Decide placement of plants

Trace a paper pattern around your container and cut it out, so you can practice how you want to place the plants.

In a container that has an obvious front and back, tall plants should be in the back and shorter in the front.

If the planter is circular and can be viewed from all sides, the taller plant is in the middle with shorter ones around the sides. Five plants is often a good number for this type of arrangement.

Create the cactus garden

Once you have your pot and plants, putting the dish garden together is surprisingly easy. It should only take 30 to 60 minutes. Remember the goal is to create an appealing arrangement that will make both you and your son happy. Be sure to consider balance of size, color and texture.

Planting

You still need a couple more items. You need cactus potting soil, stones, some pretty pebbles and gloves to safeguard your hands. Now you are ready.

Line the bottom of the shallow container with small rocks. Add a layer of cactus potting soil. Fill the container half to three-quarters full. Wearing gloves to avoid being stuck by the spines, remove the delicate cactus from its store container. Tip the potted cactus upside down with one hand and ease the plant into your other hand, protecting the plant and roots. Bore holes into the soil with your finger. Insert each cactus.

Fill in gently with soil. Add some pretty pebbles on top of the soil for beauty in your landscape garden. Add as many as you like.

The next step adds visual appeal, but is not necessary. Find a supplier of fairy garden products so you can add some additional ornaments. For instance, I chose a sun that was about 2 inches in diameter and tiny graduated terra cotta pots to place artfully in my planter. I use a craft paintbrush to remove bits of soil from plants and decor.

Watering

Gently pour water into the planter to get the soil wet. Do not pour water on top of the cactus. Avoid the temptation to water too much. Water every two to four weeks. Learn to know when the soil is dry and needs watering through touch by inserting your finger up to the second knuckle. Let the planter dry out thoroughly between watering. Cactuses enjoy a dry period between watering and can be injured, or worse, if watered too much.

The light

Your garden needs bright light to thrive, but not necessarily direct sunlight. Find a spot with an east, west or southern exposure.

Now step back and have a look. You've done it. Have fun planting!

- Holly Schmidt

• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines. Call (847) 298-3502 or email northcookmg@gmail.com.