Container Gardening
Container gardening continues to one of the most popular gardening techniques. Growing plants outdoors save time and water and it allows you to grow plants that might not do well in your native soil or are too cold tender to overwinter in the the ground. It also allows those living in smaller dwellings to enjoy a bit of beauty.
Here are some how to grow techniques:
1. Pick the right sized pot. Go big! If the pot is too small for larger growing plants, you'll never be able to keep it adequately watered.
2. Use a good quality potting soil. Never fill your pots with soil straight from your yard, it will cause problems as it compacts.
3. Don't fill the bottom portion of the pot with rocks, Styrofoam peanuts or other materials. This technique is supposed to save soil and make the pot lighter in weight. But it creates a soil that becomes water-logged and sour. Just put a piece of screen or a piece of broken pottery over the whole in the bottom of the pot to prevent soil from falling out of the pot while allowing water to flow out of the bottom.
4. Use water absorbent crystals. These crystals absorb many times their weight in water and slowly release it to the tiny roots that grow into them.
5. Use pot feet under the pot or saucer. This promotes good drainage and prevents staining of sidewalks and patios.
6. Where possible, place containers so they are in the shade after 1 or 2 pm in the afternoon. This helps prevent "fried" plants when the soil becomes too dry. It also reduces the frequency of watering, especially for hanging basket containers.
7. Use succulents for containers in the hot afternoon sun.
I know it may be a little early to be planting container pots but now is a great time to plan. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call us.
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