BIGPLANTPOTS, BRINGING TOGETHER NATURE AND MEMORY.

by Alando Delandro

Planting Ashes in The Biggie and The Tubby Planters: A Thoughtful Guide to Creating a Lasting Memorial

Creating a living memorial by planting cremated ashes is a beautiful and personal way to honour a loved one. It brings together nature and memory, giving life to something new while preserving the spirit of someone special. With planters like The Biggie and The Tubby, you have versatile, stylish containers that provide the perfect setting for your tribute, whether it’s a flowering shrub, a small tree, or a beautiful seasonal plant.

However, planting ashes requires some careful preparation, particularly when it comes to balancing the soil pH. Ashes are very alkaline, and this can affect plant growth if not properly managed. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential steps to help you create a thriving, lasting memorial with The Biggie or The Tubby.

Understanding the pH Challenge: Why Ashes Require Special Care

Cremated ashes are highly alkaline, with a pH between 10 and 12, while most plants prefer a more neutral or slightly acidic soil, usually around pH 6-7. If the soil is too alkaline, plants can struggle to absorb essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron, which can lead to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and an unhealthy plant.

The good news is that with the right approach, you can balance the pH levels and create a welcoming environment for your chosen memorial plant.

Choosing Your Memorial Planter: The Biggie vs. The Tubby

Both The Biggie and The Tubby planters are excellent choices for a memorial tribute. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best option for your vision:

  • The Biggie: With its depth and spacious width, The Biggie is ideal for larger plants with extensive root systems, such as a small tree, a shrub, or a large flowering plant. Its size provides room for soil adjustments and for roots to grow freely.

  • The Tubby: Slightly smaller and with a lower profile, The Tubby is perfect for compact shrubs, flowering plants, and herbs. If you prefer a more contained tribute that’s easy to manage, The Tubby’s size and shape are well-suited for that purpose.

Preparing the Soil for Ashes: Steps for a Balanced Memorial Planter

  1. Use High-Quality, Nutrient-Rich Soil
    Start with a well-draining, high-quality potting mix. A good soil base provides nutrients, structure, and stability, making it easier to maintain the soil pH balance.

  2. Introduce Ashes Gradually
    Because ashes are highly alkaline, start by mixing them in sparingly. A recommended ratio is one part ash to four parts soil. This allows you to incorporate the ashes without dramatically altering the soil pH. After blending, check the pH with a testing kit to make sure it remains in a healthy range for plants, between pH 6-7.

  3. Add Acidic Soil Amendments
    To offset the alkalinity of the ashes, you can mix in materials that naturally lower the pH. Here are some effective options:

    • Sphagnum Peat Moss: This natural amendment has a pH between 3.5-4.5 and can help bring down the overall pH. Add about one part peat moss to your soil mix, blending thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
    • Elemental Sulfur: Sulfur gradually lowers pH over time, making it a good choice for longer-term pH management. Add a small amount—around a teaspoon per gallon of soil—and mix well. Be mindful that sulfur takes several weeks to impact pH, so check levels periodically.
    • Compost: Organic compost, especially if it includes materials like coffee grounds, pine needles, or decomposed leaves, provides a mild acidifying effect and enriches the soil with essential nutrients. Use compost generously to maintain a balanced pH and support healthy plant growth.

  4. Test pH Levels Regularly
    Regularly testing the pH of your soil is essential, as container soil can shift in pH more quickly than garden soil. Simple home pH testing kits are easy to use and allow you to monitor the soil’s condition.

    • Frequency of Testing: Test the pH after initially mixing in ashes and then every 2-3 months thereafter. If you add more ashes, test after each addition to ensure you’re staying within a healthy range.
    • Adjustments Based on Results: If your soil is too alkaline (above pH 7.5), consider adding more acidic amendments like peat moss or compost. Adjust gradually and test as you go.

  5. Choose an Appropriate Fertilizer
    Because ashes lack nitrogen, which is essential for leafy growth, adding a balanced, slow-release fertilizer will help support your plants over time. Acidic fertilizers—often labeled for azaleas or hydrangeas—can also help keep the pH balanced while providing your plant with steady nourishment.

  6. Consider Acidic Watering Solutions
    If you live in an area where tap water is slightly alkaline, you can further maintain soil pH by watering with distilled or rainwater. Alternatively, adding a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice (around 1-2 teaspoons per gallon of water) can help offset alkalinity, but use this sparingly to avoid over-acidifying the soil.

Selecting the Right Plant for Your Memorial

With The Biggie and The Tubby, you have flexibility in choosing a plant that best reflects the spirit of your tribute. Here are a few options based on the planters’ different capacities:

  • For The Biggie: Ideal choices include dwarf trees or sturdy shrubs, such as Japanese maples, olive trees, or hydrangeas. These plants have a lasting presence, symbolizing resilience, peace, and endurance.

  • For The Tubby: Compact plants like lavender, rosemary, or roses can be perfect for The Tubby. Lavender is a particularly fitting tribute, symbolizing peace and remembrance, while roses offer seasonal beauty and charm.

Caring for Your Memorial Planter: Final Tips

Creating a living tribute is a thoughtful process, and ongoing care will ensure your memorial planter flourishes:

  • Fertilize Periodically: Since ashes don’t contain nitrogen, a light application of fertilizer every 3-6 months can keep your plant healthy and vibrant.
  • Monitor pH: Consistent testing will help you catch any shifts in pH before they affect plant health. Adjust with amendments as needed.
  • Protect from Extreme Weather: If possible, position your planter in a sheltered area to protect it from severe cold or heat, which can stress container plants.

Honoring a Memory with Care and Attention

Planting ashes in The Biggie or The Tubby can be a powerful way to honor a loved one, creating a beautiful, living tribute that grows and changes over time. By following these steps, you’ll ensure a balanced, nourishing environment for your plants, allowing your memorial to thrive and serve as a meaningful place of remembrance.

With careful preparation and a mindful approach to soil balance, you’ll create a living legacy that reflects the love and memory of someone truly special.

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