Keep the layers to about 3″ thick. After each layer, press the straw down gently without over-packing it. You will want to continue the process until you are about 6″ from the top of the basket.

A themed basket presentation or “diaper cake” is another way to make “boring” or inexpensive baby gifts look charming. Layer in items creatively and include a handwritten card or tag.

So step one is to take the basket, dump the soil out, and break it up by hand. Once it’s all fluffy again, add a slow release fertilizer like Osmacote to the soil and mix it in well.