How to Create Privacy on an Outdoor Deck

Ornamental grasses can create an illusion of privacy without a lot of fuss. But the trick to growing ornamental grasses on a deck is to put them in containers. These containers need to have a wide base and should be heavy enough to keep the plants from toppling over. They also need to have a drainage hole in the bottom to keep the plants from rotting. To keep the weight of the container from becoming overwhelming, use a lightweight potting soil mix and lightweight drainage material. Placing the containers on plant dollies will also build flexibility in design. Plant dollies will allow the ornamental grasses to be moved to any location where privacy is desired.

1 1/2 gallon clay pots with drainage holes
Dish soap
Large bucket
Scrub brush
Coffee filters
Drainage material such as packing peanuts, empty plastic bottles, and lava rock
Plant dollies
Lightweight potting soil
1-gallon containers of ornamental grasses
Hand spade
Watering hose or can

Instructions

- 1
  
  Sunlight will help dry and sterilize the containers.
  
  Wash one-and-a-half gallon containers with soapy water and scrub with a brush to remove dirt. Rinse containers with clear water and turn upside down on the deck. Let the containers stay on the deck until completely dry.
- 2
  
  Coffee filters allow water to drain without removing soil.
  
  Place a coffee filter over each drainage hole.
- 3
  
  A great use for all those packing peanuts is to use them for drainage material.
  
  Place lightweight drainage material such as packing peanuts, empty plastic bottles or lava rock in containers covering at least one inch of the bottom of each container
- 4
  
  A layer of potting soil creates a base for the ornamental grass.
  
  Place each container on its own plant dolly and add one inch of lightweight potting soil on top of the drainage material.
- 5
  
  Fingers are the best tool to use for teasing plant roots.
  
  Turn a container of ornamental grass upside down and loosen the plant from the pot. Tease the roots of the plant and place plant in the center of the container. Fill in around the plant with the lightweight potting soil using a hand spade. Stop within one inch of the top.
- 6
  
  A watering can or hose can be used when watering the containers.
  
  Water each container until the water runs out of the drainage holes. Add additional soil if needed after the soil has settled. Repeat the process for the remaining containers.
- 7
  
  Placing the containers on dollies allows for privacy anywhere on the deck.
  
  Arrange containers along the perimeter of the deck where privacy is desired by moving them on a dolly.

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