Pulaski County Home and Garden
Gardening by Beth Phelps
Container Gardening
Combining an interesting container and a collection of plants can't help but
produce a work of art. Add in the fact that everyone has a spot -- even if it is
just a balcony -- that can be transformed into a garden with pots of flowering
plants, and you'll see why container gardening continues to grow in popularity.
Growing plants in containers is easy, and such gardens are easy to maintain
as long as a few rules are followed. As with any garden, routine care is needed.
Because of the limited amount of soil, frequent watering and periodic
fertilization are a must.
A light well-drained soil is also critical. Garden soil does not work. A
potting soil is more likely to result in a container full of beautiful and
healthy plants. A good potting mix will feel light even in the bag. Pick up a
bag of dry potting soil. Is it lighter than you thought it would be? If so,
you've made a good choice.
Watering is a critical detail. Plants in pots quickly use the available soil
moisture; so daily watering is most likely the rule. I have seen elaborate
watering systems of spaghetti tube and small emitters engineered to water whole
collections of containers on decks or individual pots placed in large
flowerbeds.
However, even if you have a sprinkler system, a container garden will need
additional watering in the middle of the summer. Water "grabbing" products are a
great help. They hold moisture so that it is available to the plant but does not
damage roots. If you decide to use one of these products, simply follow the
label directions. But remember, more is not necessarily better -- use too much
and your plants are pushed out of the soil by an expanding jelly-like mass after
the first watering.
Fertilization is also important, especially early in the season when small
plants need to grow fast filling in the garden space. Nutrients disappear
quickly, used by growing plants or leached away with daily watering. There are
many fertilizers from which to choose.
The water-soluble fertilizers, such as Miracle-Grow or Peters, are easy to
apply with a hose-end sprayer or watering can. And, it is fairly difficult to
overdo it. The drawback with water-soluble is they have to be applied every few
weeks.
Controlled release fertilizers such as Osmocoat are formulated into little
pellets. They are also easy to work with and just about fool proof. The big
benefit with these products - one application at planting will last all summer
long.
A container is a quick and easy way to add architectural detail to t he
garden, front porch or deck. The question arises, which type of pot is the best:
plastic, ceramic, terra cotta or fiberglass? The new fiberglass pots are
wonderful. They are lightweight and hold up well through summer heat and winter
cold. But it really does not matter which kind you use, as long as there are
drainage holes in the bottom. The container must drain well. Plants need water
but most do not like wet feet. Unless your plan is a small water feature, your
container must allow excess water to escape.
Hanging pots and planting bags allow you to garden vertically. Planting bags
filled with impatiens and hung in trees are sure to catch a lot of attention
from passersby.
Once the container is chosen and potting mix purchased comes the fun of
picking plants. Just about any plant can be grown in a container. You may choose
to grow a crop of tomatoes, a selection of fresh herbs for the kitchen, an
elegant collection of all white flowers or a riot of seasonal color. Almost
anything goes. Almost.
As with any garden you must consider your sun exposure. Group plants with
like requirements together – sun worshipers for the hot summer sun and shade
lovers for a cool woodland location. If you're not sure which plants are which,
head to the nursery where plants with like needs are generally displayed
together. Those displayed in the shade house need protection from the south's
brutal afternoon sun.
With each plant choice think about how it will blend with the others.
Remember flower color, although any combination will work as long as it suits
your taste. Make sure to select at least one plant that grows upright to add
height and one that will cascade out of the pot and soften the rim.
Perennials are very popular and will grow well in containers. I have seen
gorgeous hostas in beautiful containers adding a bright spot to a shady garden.
But they are not the best choice for a container garden that will include a
number of different plants. Their downfall in a container is a limited bloom
period and the fact that they go dormant in the winter.
Annuals make a bigger impact, with season long color. And since they are
inexpensive, you can afford to take them to the compost pile when it is time for
a change. A mix of pansies, viola, leaf lettuce, thyme, ornamental kale and
parsley planted over spring blooming tulips will flower from winter into early
spring.
As spring turns to summer and these plants stop performing, remove them in
favor of warm season annuals. Penta, begonias, nicotinia, salvia, Blue Daze,
narrowleaf zinnias, petunia, and sweet potato vine are a few of the plants that
thrive on summer' s heat and sun. For a shady spot caladiums, impatiens, torenia
and coleus perform all summer into fall.
When the weather turns cool again, it's back pansies and their friends. In
early fall, add a few marigolds, an aster or a mum. They'll provide color before
the first hard freeze and give the newly planted pansies time to grow.
An herb or two is an especially nice addition to any garden. As you walk by,
brush the foliage and enjoy the fragrance.
I also think that just about any container garden will benefit from a
dracaena spike. Dracaena is a common houseplant that will not make it past the
first winter frost but its tall spiky summer foliage adds height and texture to
your ensemble.
Water gardens can be done on a small scale. You can purchase pre-formed
liners that will fit in a half whiskey barrel. Any large container without
drainage holes will work. In a containerize water garden, make sure to include a
gold fish or two for mosquito control or have the Mosquito Dunks ready.
Another theme is the edible garden. Vegetables, like perennials, can be
successfully grown in pots but it is best to plan one plant per pot. In order to
have a harvest, these plants will space. A tomato plant will grow and produce
well in a pot that holds at least five gallons of soil. Peppers of all kinds
will yield a zesty harvest in a two-gallon pot. For those who do not have room
for a garden or who have problems with soil-borne diseases, a few vegetables in
pots are a great alternative.
As you make your spring gardening plans, include an interesting container
filled with a variety of plants. Then sit back and enjoy.
This article was Originally Published in
Active Years Magazine
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