Host a Garden Club Gathering
Turn those humble garden shed staples into a toast-worthy spring setting. Terra-cotta never looked so good!
At the first sign of daffodils, invite fellow outdoor enthusiasts over for a breezy brunch complete with garden-to-glass cocktails, carrot-themed decorations and desserts, and a whole lotta terra-cotta.
Raid the Garden Shed
Welcome the first buds of early spring with a garden-inspired wreath.
To make: Thread an 8- to 12-inch length of floral wire through the drainage holes of 3-to-5-inch terra cotta pots, then thread one end of the wire through a a few vines of a 24-inch grapevine wreath. Twist the two ends of the wire together to tighten the pot to the wreath form. Continue adding pots ad-hoc, taking care to snuggle them close together and ensure they’re facing different directions, until the wreath form is fully covered. Pop on a mossy green velvet bow for a hint of seasonal color and texture.
Create a Seasonal Setting
Skip the tablecloth—too formal!—and dress up a farm table with freshly plucked flowers beautifully presented in terra-cotta pots. Moss, lavender, and ferns add color and texture to hanging basket “chandeliers.”
Think Outside the Pot
For an on-theme placesetting, look no further than a 12" terra cotta plant saucer for the perfect charger. Natural fiber placemats and simple green-banded dinner and salad plates round out the look.
Designate seating with mini ceramic “place pots” filled with moss and topped with an egg. If your brunch is near Easter, make pretty marbleized eggs like shown. (Dip blown eggs in warm water swirled with a few drops of nail polish in your desired shades.) For other times of the year, try faux robin or other speckled eggs.
Dress Up Your Sideboard
Create a festive garden-themed garland by crafting these cute carrots out of orange and green fabrics scraps (or even flannel shirts!).
To make: Trace templates onto fabric, cut out, and sew together as instructed on template. Wrap twine around the neck of each carrot and hang from a buffet or mantel.
Get the downloadable template for the Fabric Carrots.
Pair Ham Biscuits with Jam Cocktails
A homemade Apricot Mustard gives an unexpected sweet-spicy kick to flaky butter biscuits with sliced ham. Wash ’em down with our Blackberry Jam Cocktails.You can make these gin cocktails up to four hours in advance, but don't stir in the club soda and mint until just before serving.
Get the recipe for Blackberry Jam Cocktails.
Get the recipe for Ham Biscuit Sandwiches with Apricot Mustard.
“Grow” an Indulgent Dessert
These carrot cake Carrot Patch Cupcakes get gussied up for a garden party when topped with crushed cookies and dollops of orange icing topped with fresh mint sprigs. Place the cupcakes in mini 2 1/2-inch terra-cotta pots and embellish with jute twine.
Send Guests Home with Fragrant Favors
Draw or stamp lavender illustrations on muslin bags and fill with dried lavender petals or other dried flowers.
A Pick-Your-Party Guide to Spring
Dogwood-Themed Spring Party
Woodland-Themed Brunch
Host a Toast to the Mother Hen Brunch
