From BBQ Grill to Planter

Planting to kick start Earth Month

With Earth Hour approaching, it was no longer fair that I postpone putting plants outside the shop.  Doing things practically, with form and function a priority, while maintaining the spirit of Earth Month at our shop meant that I needed to allow myself to go beyond the typical. On the day before the event, Lubna and I headed to the Friday market looking to up-cycle secondhand items and planter pots was on our list, but nothing suitable was found.

Literally, out of the stillness of my mind, an idea of heading to the tin market emerged.  Now this market largely specializes in large trunks for which many expats would pack items in and ship to their home countries.

Trunks and more

Chaminda planting

Now what I wanted to do was to block off the parking area in front of our shop to make room for the Earth Hour event planned for the next day.  Yet it was important that whatever is placed there was high enough to be visible to someone sitting in their car, that it was light enough to lift and move, and that beautiful succulents, creepers, and flowers can grow in.

As we browsed through the market scouting, the perfect yet least likely solution dawned to me... a barbeque grill! Yes.. yes.. and why not?  The unconventional always thrilled me.  Besides, it covered every aspect of concern- height, weight, function and practicality.

A stroll through the market

And what made this process well worth sharing is that on the afternoon of Earth Hour, Lubna, Chaminda and I planted.  The sense of touch and connection Earth while smoothing soil around the base of the new planters coupled with being outdoors and the thrill of finally getting to planting at the shop were all a part of a milestone for LB o J'zazz.

Our BBQ planters

What a perfect way to salute and welcome Earth Month at our shop.